E.H. Pickleball Club Seal
E.H. Pickleball Club
A Place For All
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E.H. Player Ratings.

One through nine. It’s not a judgment and it’s not permanent. It’s a starting point for a good game.

E.H. Pickleball Club Seal

Rather not guess?

Ask us on court. It's free.

How to add it

Add your number to your Court Reserve account.

Need help finding where? Text 860-917-4251.

Why it matters: banded open play needs a number on your account before you can book.

The scale

Three bands. Three steps each.

Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced—each with a base, middle, and advanced step. DUPR is an approximate crossover, not a conversion. Your E.H. number is what places you here.

Beginner

1

Approx. DUPR

2.00–2.25

New Player

Never played, or close to it. Learning grip, serve, and where to stand. Can rally a few balls when fed gently.

2

Approx. DUPR

2.25–2.50

Beginner Intermediate

Knows the scoring and the kitchen. Can serve and return well enough to start a point. Rallies are short.

3

Approx. DUPR

2.50–3.00

Beginner Advanced

Sustains a rally off both sides. Gets to the net. Starting to dink on purpose rather than by accident.

Intermediate

4

Approx. DUPR

3.00–3.25

Intermediate Beginner

Gets to the kitchen line and stays there. Hits a recognizable third shot. Under pressure, the mechanics come apart.

5

Approx. DUPR

3.25–3.50

Intermediate

Reliable serve, return, and drop. Sustains dinks, places the ball to a side, and moves with a partner instead of beside one.

6

Approx. DUPR

3.50–3.75

Intermediate Advanced

Controls pace on purpose. Knows when to reset, speed it up, or do nothing. Errors are decisions rather than mistakes.

Advanced

7

Approx. DUPR

3.75–4.25

Advanced Beginner

Every shot is available under pressure. Reads opponents’ patterns, plays to them, and moves as a unit with a partner.

8

Approx. DUPR

4.25–4.75

Advanced

Few unforced errors. Attacks the right ball and lets the wrong one go. Fast hands, disciplined patience, and a plan every point.

9

Approx. DUPR

4.75+

Advanced Elite

Tournament level. Wins points by construction rather than power and exploits a weakness within a game or two.

Not sure?

Close is good enough.

Pick the number that feels right and play. If it’s off, you’ll know in one session, and you can change it.

Rating FAQ

Everything people actually ask.

What is this number, really?+

A shorthand for where your game is today, so we can put you on a court with people who make for a good game. It is not a grade or a ranking against the room.

Do I have to get one?+

No. Plenty of people simply show up and play. The number helps prevent sessions that feel far too easy or so difficult that you learn nothing.

How do I get mine?+

Read the scale and add it to your Court Reserve account. Want a second opinion? Ask us on court.

Does my DUPR or USAP rating carry over?+

It gives us a useful starting point, and the crossover is shown above. Ratings travel differently between systems, so use the description too.

Who sees my number?+

You and the club staff. It is not posted, placed on a leaderboard, or announced at the door.

What if I get a number I don't like?+

You chose it, so you can change it. If you're unsure, ask a coach to take a look.

I have played for years, but only in a driveway. What am I?+

Use the scale without pre-judging yourself. Driveway years count for more than people think and can also leave gaps in unusual places. Both are normal and fixable.

I am worried about being judged.+

Every person on the floor was a 1 at some point, including the coaches. A 1 is simply the day you started. What matters is coming back.

What if I am returning from an injury or years away?+

Choose where you are today, not where you used to be, and adjust as you return. There is no penalty for honesty about a body that is still healing.

Am I stuck playing only my level?+

Never. Bridge sessions are built for players moving between levels, and open sessions welcome everyone. Your number helps you find a good game, and it never locks you out of one.

My spouse is a 6 and I am a 3. Can we play together?+

Of course. Ratings protect sessions where close games are the purpose—league nights, banded open play, and Coached Open Play. They do not separate families and friends.

I am a 7 and there is a 3 on my court. Now what?+

Play the game in front of you. A strong player choosing to help a newer player look good for an hour can create some of the best pickleball in the building.

What is the best way to help somebody?+

Give one useful idea, not five. Pick the single change that matters most right now. Rally with someone nervous, explain the kitchen again, or invite the person sitting alone to hit.

How do I improve my own game?+

Try Coached Open Play, face players slightly above you, and notice the shots you miss and what happens immediately afterward. Teaching someone else can sharpen your own understanding too.

How long until I move up?+

It depends on how often and how intentionally you play. Most players move a full number over a season rather than a month. The work between levels is meant to be real.

Does my number affect pricing?+

No. Ratings have nothing to do with membership tier or price. They exist only to help create better games.

“A Place For All” is why this rating exists. A new player gets a game they can play, a 9 gets a game that pushes them, and both belong in the building at the same time.
Taylor Heal's philosophy.

Your first step is free.

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