If you've been trying to improve your DUPR rating, I'm happy to help with some pointers. The important thing to know with DUPR is that it's not about winning every point – it's about the quality of your wins.
So, how do you do it? In a nutshell, improving your DUPR rating requires you to play frequently and competitively. I'll explain in more detail below.
How DUPR calculates your rating
DUPR automatically calculates and adjusts your rating using a highly developed algorithm. It doesn't just take the results of each match – it draws from other factors too.
Here's what DUPR uses to calculate your pickleball skill rating:
- Match results: whether you win or lose.
- Margin of win: how much you win by affects your rating adjustment.
- Your opponent's skill level: your rating increases more if you beat a higher-rated opponent.
- Recent play: games played more recently impact your rating more. This keeps your skill level up to date.
- Type of competition: rec play counts less toward your rating than, say, DUPR club matches or structured play like round robins and tournaments.
Try the Pickleheads round robin tool
Play DUPR-eligible games with the Pickleheads round robin tool.
Smart ways to improve your DUPR
If you're looking to improve your DUPR rating, here are some tips:
Structured play
Play in DUPR-eligible structured formats, such as pickleball round robins, tournaments, leagues, and DUPR on Demand (coming soon to Pickleheads). These matches impact your DUPR rating more than rec play.
Organized play like this also matches you up against a variety of opponents at or around your skill level. This way, you're guaranteed to challenge yourself and improve your rating.
Play against tough opponents
The best wins for your DUPR rating are against players rated higher than you. DUPR recommends seeking out matches against players at or above your skill level as much as possible. Beating these players will increase your DUPR rating more than beating lower-rated players.
Track your progress
Take time to track your progress. Try to learn from mistakes and identify areas for improvement, but also appreciate the aspects of your game that are working. Practice drops, resets, footwork, or anything that you can improve.
Take lessons or video yourself
While you don't need lessons with a coach, it's a great way to fast-track your skills. You can also video your matches and watch them back to study your strengths and weaknesses.
Level up with a lesson
Up your game with a 1-on-1 lesson. See what's available in your area!
Common mistakes players make
Not everything you do on the pickleball court will increase your DUPR rating. Some things can actually lead to you stalling or regressing. Here are some common mistakes players make when trying to improve their DUPR rating:
Playing a lot against unrated players
DUPR recognizes any match results, even against unrated players. However, matches against DUPR-rated players count more toward your rating. So, if you're looking to improve your rating, seek out players with a DUPR rating.
Hiding from tough matchups
Avoiding skilled opponents won't help you in the long run. It's better to challenge yourself than to keep beating opponents rated below you.
Always going for lopsided blowouts
Every win improves your DUPR rating. However, if you're only competing against those rated below you, your rating won't improve as much as if you're winning more competitive matches.
For that reason, don't repeatedly seek out players below you, hoping for massive wins. Your rating improves more from 21-19 wins against better players than 21-5 blowouts against someone rated way below you.
Treating rec play like ranked competition
Structured play is better for improving your rating than chasing points in unstructured rec play. Why not enter a local pickleball tournament?
Avoiding DUPR after a few bad losses
Don't hide out! Not only will your rating simply stall, but you should keep playing because recent matches improve your DUPR rating and keep it up to date.
Don't worry if you've been doing any of the above. The key is playing smarter, not just harder.
Bottom line
Don't make improving your DUPR rating a short-term goal. Don't try too hard to bump it up fast. Your DUPR rating is with you for the long haul, and you'll hopefully be on your pickleball journey for years to come.
Progress takes time, and the DUPR algorithm rewards consistency. Play the right games, play them often, and the rating will follow.
Now, it's time to grab a few friends, set up a DUPR round robin, and start tracking the progress you've earned.
