Ever wondered exactly how good you are at pickleball? Your DUPR rating has the answer.
A DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) rating is your pickleball skill level, shown as a number from 2.0 to 8.0, based on your actual match results. It goes up or down depending on how many points you score, whether you win or lose, and whether it was a tournament or rec play.
With DUPR, you get a real-time snapshot of your skill level based on how you actually play. It's also easier to:
- Find players who are close to your level for more competitive games.
- Track your improvement.
- Join leagues and tournaments that use ratings for fair play.
Getting a DUPR rating is free, and you can get one whether you play singles or doubles, rec play, or tournaments.
How DUPR Works
When you first start playing pickleball, it's easy to see your improvement. You can now keep a rally going, get your serve in more consistently, and understand how to keep score (most of the time!).
However, as your skills improve, it can be hard to know how your game stacks up against other players. To know your true rating, you'll need data. That's where DUPR comes in.
How to get a DUPR rating
DUPR uses a sophisticated algorithm to calculate performance data. It might sound complicated, but it's very easy to use.
- Sign up for your free DUPR account or download the DUPR app.
- Play pickleball (rec play with friends, club ladder leagues, or sanctioned tournaments all count).
- Log your results (win or lose) and your score into DUPR.
- Why not try Pickleheads round robin tool? It sends your scores directly to DUPR.
- Check out your real-time rating. DUPR updates your rating automatically after each match you log into the system. The more matches you play, the more accurate your DUPR rating.
What your DUPR rating means
DUPR clocks every match you play and updates your rating immediately. Tournaments count a bit more, but every game counts – even rec play with your friends. Here's a quick way to interpret your DUPR rating:
- 2.5-3.0: you're learning the basics of how to play. You can maintain short rallies and understand basic rules (e.g. scoring, the two-bounce rule, and how the "kitchen" works).
- 3.5: you're refining your skills and playing more consistently. Your shots are improving and getting more strategic. You can hit your serve to specific spots, and you're getting more comfortable at the kitchen. You're hitting longer rallies too. You also know how and when to hit third-shot drops (even if it's not always consistent).
- 4.0 or higher: you can confidently hit a variety of shots – forehands, backhands, drives, drops, dinks, lobs, and serve at various speeds and with spin. Your third-shot drop is reliable, and you work it into your strategy. You can spot an opponent's weakness and target it, and can reset, dink, and finish off points. You've got good court awareness, are confident in your strategy, and are comfortable competing in local tournaments.
Are you a total beginner? Check my guide on how to play pickleball to start your journey off right.
The benefits of a DUPR rating
DUPR ratings only care about the results of your matches – gender, age, and where you live have no impact on your rating. This means everyone gets matched fairly, so your games are more competitive and fun.
Tournaments use DUPR ratings to accurately seed players, ensuring they're in a bracket that's fairly ranked. This helps prevent "sandbagging" (when higher-level players enter lower-level tournaments to score easy wins), making tournaments more fun for everyone.
DUPR was developed by Steve Kuhn, founder of Major League Pickleball, but that doesn't mean you must be a pro to get a rating. With DUPR, you'll know exactly where you stand, see how you're improving, and enjoy fairer games with players at your level.
DUPR is international in scope, and your DUPR rating travels with you. Heading to Florida, California, or even the Dominican Republic? You can now find players at your level wherever you travel.
So, ready to get your DUPR rating? It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up and record your first result. Let us know how your DUPR rating has enhanced your pickleball experience!
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