Rallies are a fundamental aspect of pickleball that significantly contribute to its appeal and enjoyment. Pickleball is the most fun when you're playing with players of a similar skill level to you, so you get the opportunity to have lots of rallies, and experience a mix of wins and losses in close games.
Too often players are stuck playing too low, jumping too high, or unsure where they truly belong. That doesn’t help player development, it slows it down.
At Port Macquarie Pickleball Club we use Skill Checklists to provide players with specific details regarding the exact strokes, shot consistency and strategic abilities required for each Skill Level. These checklists help our players identify the skills they have acquired, and the skills they can work on next. They also provide clarity and consistency for our coaches when organising session groupings.
Our players progress not by chasing labels, but by mastering specific divider skills that separate one level from the next. When players treat their Skill Level as a tool, not a judgement, the pathway forward becomes clear.
Unlike ratings, which are based on match results, your Skill Level is based solely on knowledge and proficiencies that highlight your ability to consistently execute various shots and apply game strategy, enabling you to develop your skills, play with confidence, and make the most of every match.
Our Club Skill Levels give our players:
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Entry into sessions and events that match their ability.
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Clarity on where they currently stand.
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A clear path for growth and opportunities to improve.
How to Use our Skill Checklists:
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Player Self-Assessment: Established players should look through our Skill Checklists, starting at Level 2, and checking off the skills you can reliably execute. When you find a skill you can’t perform consistently yet, note that specific skill and the level before it. This is your provisional level.
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OpenSports Account: Add your provisional skill level to your OpenSports account under Member Details, Player Self-Assessment Skill Level.
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Coach Review: One of our coaches will review your Player Self-Assessment Skill Level to confirm your current level of knowledge and proficiency.
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Group Placement: One of our coaches will use your confirmed Skill Level to match you with the most appropriate group sessions at our club.
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Clear Path Forward: One of our coaches will guide you on which specific skills to target next, if you’d like to continue to develop your game.
