Find where you belong

The 5 skill brackets

We place players into 5 brackets so every session is a good match — close enough to push you, friendly enough to enjoy. We're placing you, not assigning a rating, and a coach can always refine it in person. Read through, find the one that sounds like your game, and you're set to sign up.

If you already track a DUPR number, the bands below line up with it — but you never need one to play. Free local community, real games. We take 0%.

1. 1New

   New to DUPR 2.5

   Just starting — first paddle, learning the serve, the kitchen, the rules.

   What this looks like on the court

   • Knows the basic rules, scoring, and the kitchen
   • Serve and return are starting to land in
   • Rallies are short — often ended by an error
   • Learning when to move up to the line

2. 2Rallying

   DUPR 2.5–3.0

   Sustaining rallies; learning to keep score, position, and dink.

   What this looks like on the court

   • Sustains rallies at a moderate pace
   • Respects the kitchen line; starting to dink on purpose
   • Serve and return are reliable
   • Moves toward the net after the return

3. 3Playing

   DUPR 3.0–3.5

   Playing full games with intent; learning the third shot.

   What this looks like on the court

   • Plays full games with a plan, not just reaction
   • Comfortable in dink exchanges
   • Developing a reliable third-shot drop or drive
   • Reads positioning and covers the court

4. 4Competing

   DUPR 3.5–4.0

   Controls pace and placement; ready for competitive points.

   What this looks like on the court

   • Controls pace and placement; builds points
   • Consistent third shots, hit with purpose
   • Fast hands at the kitchen — wins the firefights
   • Reads opponent patterns mid-game

5. 5Tournament Level

   DUPR 4.0+

   Strategic, consistent, tournament-tested.

   What this looks like on the court

   • Dictates the pace; rarely beats themselves
   • Resets under heavy pressure; attacks with disguise
   • Commands the kitchen with dink patterns
   • Tournament-tested consistency across every shot