Proposed USAPA Rating System

(Revision - October 5th, 2008

Table of Contents

I. General Information on Ratings

What is a Rating?

Player ratings are used to group players by ability levels so that players can compete in tournaments or leagues with other players of similar ability. Keep in mind, that this will never be a perfect system, but it should improve most players chances of having a fun match. Player rankings are used to determine the position a player is at relative to other players in that age group or rating group.

What is a rated event?

A rated event is defined as any event that you enter based on your ability relative to other players. Examples of some rated events that we currently sanction are Men's 4.0 Doubles, Mixed 3.5 Doubles, and Senior 4.5+ Men's Doubles.

USAPA rating?

1. USAPA ratings are not currently required to enter USAPA sanctioned tournaments.
2. USAPA rated players are required to enter events that are rated no lower than their current rating, although they may enter higher rated events if they so desire.
3. Tournament directors have the final decision on what rating level unrated players will play.
4. Rated players must be allowed to play at their rating level if they wish, although they may always choose to play in a higher rating group. Exceptions may occur when rated events have to be combined because of lack of entries.

How Do I Get a Rating?

Some players have already been given tentative ratings based on previous tournament results, recommendations by tournament directors, and other player opinions that we have sought. More players will be given ratings as we get more tournament results and time permits. You may find out if you have already been assigned a rating by entering http://usapa.org/rankings/ratings/ratings_inquiry.php in your web browser and then choosing the alphabetical listing option.

If you don't have a USAPA rating yet, then you may self rate yourself when you enter a rated tournament for the first time. Your initial self rating must be approved by the tournament director. Your tournament results will be reviewed, and your self rating could be immediately changed if it appears to be obviously wrong.

All ratings will be stored in our database for review by the Ratings Committee, and self rating players will be entered into the ratings database with a "s" to indicate self-rating.

Rating Types

s	Self Rating	We are not currently using Self Ratings and have many non-rated players playing in rated tournaments. If you are unrated, you may enter the rating division of your choice based on your ability relative to other players that you know. However, this is always subject to the Tournament Director's Approval. We will be giving more players ratings as time and information permits.
y	Year End Rating	Indicates that their rating was either established or verified on an "End of Year Rating List" which will be published each October 1st starting in the year 2008. Players with a rating of type "y" may only appeal their rating from October 1st - October 31st of each year. See the section on Appeals!
i	Initial Rating	These are initial ratings that may be based on opinions of Tournament Directors and or other players as well as tournament results.

USAPA Approved Rated Events

Rated Events Approved For 2007 & 2008 Tournament Play

The following rating categories of play will be eligible for ranking points. Events not on this list such as 2.5 or 5.0 will not be eligible for points in 2007 or 2008. This does not mean a tournament should not have a lower or higher rated event if the demand is there. It simply means that we don't feel we can accurately rate more divisions until such time as the present divisions are in place and appear to be working. We will add the lower and higher rated events in the future when it seems appropriate and if we have enough volunteers to perform the necessary work.

Senior 4.5+-- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Senior 4.0 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Senior 3.5 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Senior 3.0 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed 4.5+-- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed 4.0 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed 3.5 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed 3.0 --- Men's and Women's Singles, Doubles, and Mixed The 4.5+ rating indicates that 5.0 or higher rated players may play in 4.5+ events in tournaments. Comment: "Open" has been removed as a USAPA event category as of January 1st, 2008. The highest category of play is now officially 4.5+. This does not mean 4.5 players can avoid the 5.0 players by playing in 4.0. It simply means that 5.0 and 4.5 players will be playing in the same events. Senior rated tournaments are normally restricted to 50+ years, although some senior tournaments allow doubles entries where the combined age is 100 or over which is permitted. Players under 50 playing in these events will be awarded their prizes, but will not receive any ranking points for their efforts. Non senior rated tournaments currently have no restrictions on age.

II. Ratings Changes and Appeals

Year End Rating Changes and the 'End Of Year Rating List'

Starting on October 1st, 2008, and every October thereafter, the USAPA will publish a "Year End Rating List " of all rated players. This list will indicate which players are having their ratings changed for and which currently unrated players are being given new ratings. These new and changed ratings will be posted to player records at the end of December and will become effective on January 1st.

Most Players will not see their rating levels changed on the Year End Rating List, but all players should check the list for changes. This list will show a player's former rating level and their new rating which will become effective on January 1st of the new year. Many new players will receive ratings for the first time on this list.

1. All rated players will have until October 31st to appeal either their old or new rating if they so desire. After October 31st, players that appeared on this list my not appeal their rating until the following October except in cases of permanent or long term injury.

Mid Year Rating Changes

1. Changes to a player's rating during the middle of a ranking/rating year (either up or down) will only occur because of a player's rating appeal or because a player appears to be extremely under rated or over rated. Our general intentions are to keep player ratings the same throughout a ranking year so that players have an opportunity to gain a high ranking in a rating group before being moved up.


2. Players entering a rated tournament without a USAPA rating must receive the tournament directors approval to play in any rating category. Players that are found to be playing at a much higher rating level than they indicated to the Tournament Directory may be defaulted from the tournament at the discretion Tournament Director.

Who May Appeal a Rating and When

Each October 1st, starting in 2008, we will publish an "End of Year Rating List" of all currently rated players and players that will be rated as of January 1st. Players that appear on this list each year, will only be able to file one rating appeal between October 1st and October 31st of each year. Players appearing on this list will be identified by a rating type of "y".

Players who are not rated as of October 1st for a ranking year will have a rating type of 'i' and may file one appeal at any time before the following October year "End of Year Rating List" comes out

Anyone may file an appeal at any time if a rating change is justified by a permanent or long term injury or health change or recovery from such.

How to Appeal a Rating

From October 1st to October 31st of each year, simply go to the USAPA website Ratings Page and click on the "End of Year Rating List" link. There will be a button at the top of the page that says "Appeal Your Rating". Click on that link and then follow the instructions.

After October 31st or when the "End of Year Rating Link" no longer appears there will be another link on the ratings page entitle "Appeal Your Rating". See the paragraph above to learn when you are eligible to appeal your rating.

III. Rating Guidelines and Descriptions

Rating Guidelines

You may look at the currently proposed descriptions for the different rating groups at the end of this document to help determine your rating. You may also use the following statements in helping to select your self-rating.

• The top senior players between 50 & 64 should normally be rated 4.5 with only a very few rated as 5.0.
• The top senior players 65 & over will have some 4.5 players and more 4.0 players at the top.
• Senior Players 70 years of age or older will not be rated higher than 4.0 except on rare occasions. If you are 70 or over and rated higher than 4.0, send us an email with your birth date!
• The best younger adult players are currently rated as 5.0 or not rated and play strictly in Open division tournaments where ratings are not required. Note: As of 2008, the USAPA eliminated the "Open" division and decided that both 5.0 players and 4.5 players would compete against each other in a division called 4.5+ which is currently the highest division of play.

We expect all rated divisions of play to become tougher as more players begin playing Pickleball. A medium 4.0 player now might be a good 3.5 player in a couple of more years if the growth in Pickleball continues.

Rating Descriptions

These descriptions were derived from current rating descriptions used in Florida's Winter Senior Pickleball Leagues. They have been modified in an attempt to better meet the differences in the various age groups that the USAPA represents.
Rating	Rating Descriptions
1.0	These players need to work most on developing their hand/eye coordination. They frequently miss the ball entirely, but can hit some of the slower balls with their forehand. They have a hard time playing games because they can't keep a rally going.
1.5	These players keep some short rallies going with their forehand, but still fail to return easy balls frequently and occasionally still miss the ball entirely. They have played a few games and know the basic rules of the game.
2.0	These players are learning to judge where the ball is going, but can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. They have obvious weaknesses in most of their strokes.
2.5	These players are able to keep quite a few balls going with their forehands, make most easier volleys, and are beginning to make some backhands but need to work more on developing their strokes. They are thinking more about coming up to the no-volley zone to hit volleys and are making an effort to be more aggressive.
3.0	These players are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots. They are beginning to attempt lobs and dinks but don't fully understand when and why they should use them and don't have a lot of success with them.This player could be thought of as a "C" player in most clubs.
3.5	These players have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium speed balls and some harder hit balls. They still need to develop more depth and variety with their shots, but are exhibiting more aggressive net play, are anticipating their opponents shots better, and are developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0	These players have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides with most shots. You can use lobs, overhands, approach shots and volleys with some success and occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident. You know the rules of the game and you play by them.
4.5	These players have developed their use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace. They have sound footwork and they move well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required. They understand strategy and can adjust their style of play according to their opponents strengths and weaknesses and their position on the court. They can hit serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve if desired.
5.0	These players have all the skills of the 4.5 players, but have either developed these same skills to a higher level or are simply quicker and/or stronger than the 4.5 group of players.
5.5	Future Rating Category

IV. Tournament Rules

Rules For USAPA Rated Tournaments

1. For the 2009 Tournament Season, players entering an USAPA sanctioned ratings tournament should first go to the USAPA web site ratings page and check their rating.
   
   Players without a rating, should enter rated tournaments in what they think is the appropriate rating category, but will need the approval of the Tournament Director. The Tournament Directors decision is final for 'Unrated Players'.


2. Players may enter an event rated higher than their USAPA rating, but may not enter a lower rated event.


3. Doubles teams may not enter an event that is rated lower than the higher rated player on the team.


4. Although optional for each tournament, the USAPA recommends that tournaments limit players to playing events in only one level of play such as 3.5 singles, 3.5 Doubles and 3.5 Mixed Doubles. (NOT 3.5 in one event and 4.0 in another event!)
1. Players must still observe rules 3 and 4 above in all tournaments.
2. Players playing in higher rated events, run some risk of having their rating raised in mid season if they have a number of significant good wins.


5. Combining Events: If a tournament director has to combine two or more rated events, the resulting event should be named after the highest rated event that is being combined. For example, if 4.5 Men's Singles is combined with 4.0 Men's Singles, the resulting event must be called 4.5 Men's Singles. Any points won would be awarded in 4.5 Men's Singles.


6. The USAPA recognizes that many smaller tournaments may have to improvise a bit to have a good tournament that is fun for all the players, however when a player is in violation of one of these rules, he/she will not receive ranking points in the events in which they are in violation.


7. It is the Player's Responsibility to make sure they are entered in the events that correspond to their rating level or higher. Points will not be awarded if won in a lower rated event and suspension from sanctioned tournament play could occur in some cases.