Have you ever wondered just how good of a pickleball player you really are? Wondering how you stack up to pickleball players across the globe? The IPTPA makes finding this out much easier. IPTPA ratings are skill assessments of where you are as a pickleball player and tell you what competition you should be playing against.
What does the IPTPA do?
The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association is an organization created to help standardize the game of pickleball in both instruction and play. They developed comprehensive guidelines to help rate the quality of both players and instructors.
Player Rating
With the explosion of pickleball across the US and the world a number of clubs and tournaments have sprung up allowing players to engage in a competitive environment.
The problem is that there is no way to gauge competition. There is a USAPA rating system that exists but these are reserved for professionals in sanctioned tournaments.
The last thing we want in tournaments is for beginner players to be matched in a bracket with a seasoned experts. This ruins the fun for both players in many cases.
And while some pickleball clubs have rating systems but these are specific to the club and have no standardization.
The IPTPA on the other hand rates players under the care of a CRS (certified rating specialist) who guides them through a strict process that all players must go through to achieve each rating.
These ratings ensure players are matched into divisions with similar levels of competition.
Instructor Rating
The IPTPA also rates instructors.
At your average country club the pickleball pro’s are often just tennis pro’s rotating onto their pickleball shift for that week. These instructors often don’t have sufficient knowledge of rules, techniques, and strategies beyond a basic level.
The IPTPA has 3 levels of certification for their instructors. Each level requires trainings and instruction, so called teaching the teacher, to progress to the next level. They are
- Level I – Certified Pickleball Teaching Instructor
- Level II – Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional
- Level III – Certified Elite Pickleball Teaching Professional
IPTPA Membership
Membership for instructors is fairly straightforward. There are a number of fees involved for workshops, dues, and exams that range anywhere from $40-$240 each. After application and completion of training members receive insurance from liabilities when training, as well as additional instructional resources, and additional certification documents.
Players must simply pay a $25 fee or a $15 fee if a member of participating clubs.
Member registration can be found here.
What are the IPTPA Player Ratings?
These ratings range are on a 5 point scale, with 2,0 being a beginner player level with 4.5 being a highly competent, versatile individual with a well rounded skillset.
How to get an IPTPA Rating
Forms and Scheduling
After setting up a membership, individuals will have to fill out a rating application on their website, pay a fee and schedule a time to conduct testing with a CRS in their local area.
There are actually a surprising amount of them and often time IPTPA instructors will also be certified as a CRS. Any mid-sized to large city will have plenty.
There will be up to two other players of your skill level at a rating session as well as one player at the desired rating to serve a a control.
Testing
Testing involves three steps:
- Skill Assessment
- Modified Game
- Match Play
Low levels focus on skill assessment and modified games where high levels consist of more match play.
During skill assessments you’ll be asked to perform a variety of different strokes and shots and the consistency and accuracy with which you are able to accomplish them goes into your scoring.
Lower levels focus on simple maneuvers such as forehands, backhands, serves, and punch volleys.
Higher levels will test windshield wiper dinks, swing volleys, third shot drives, poaching, and a wealth of other abilities.
At the end of your session the CRS will give you their rating decision and your complete scorecard for the testing will be available within 48 hours.
Wrap Up
Thinking of getting tested? Head on over to their site.
Not only is a rating a great where to make sure you’re facing the right competition, its also an awesome way to test yourself and track your development as a player.