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Pickleball is here at the Washington Township Park. Make your way down to the Lower Park and find our four courts that are available for play.
Courts 1 and 2 are open to the public for open play when not being used by our program staff for tournaments or leagues. Meanwhile, courts 3 and 4 can be reserved by the hour. If no one has booked these courts, they are available for open play. For open play courts, it is recommended to follow standard pickleball rules for rotating play. |
Pickleball League2024 Summer Pickleball League - Registration Is Open
Let's make this spring a season to remember! |
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Skill Levels
- Beginners (2.0): If you are just learning the fundamentals of the game, you are a beginner! You might have paddle skills, but you need to learn how to serve, the two bounce rule, how to keep score, and the non-volley (kitchen) zone rules. You probably look to your partner to help with position and some rules.
- Recreational / Social players (2.5): You know how to serve and keep score, and you understand the two bounce and Kitchen (non volley zone) rules. You tend to hang at the baseline and drive the ball, or you stop in no man’s land (3-6' behind the kitchen line.) You can hit the ball if it comes to you, but with little strategy or control. You may have some mobility problems that keep you from playing in the optimal position, but you love the game, the people and the exercise it provides.
- Intermediate players (3.0): You are beginning to learn the soft game, but you have more success hitting it hard, so that’s what you usually do. Your serving goal is simply to get it in, and have no aim point yet. You are starting to come to the kitchen line, but often you step back to let the ball bounce, or when the tempo of the rally speeds up. You hit some lobs, but not for any good offensive of defensive reason. You drive low shots, causing them to go into the net, long or right onto your opponent’s waiting paddle. You try to use spin, but not with intended purpose or control. You have longer rallies due to your athletic ability, but you often choose power over control.
- Upper intermediate players (3.5): You have a better ability to see the “whole” court and are placing your shots. You realize the power of hitting to the middle, and are also starting to hit some angled shots. You are comfortable playing at the kitchen line and quickly get back to it when having to step back. You are able to use power or soft shots to set up points. You apply spin with a purpose and are more aware of your opponent’s court position.
- Advanced Competitive players (4.0+): You are able to use a variety of shots including lobs, spin, dinks and drive shots with a purpose and at the right time. You are very comfortable playing at the kitchen line and return to it quickly when forced back. You are more patient and choose shots based on your opponent’s position, or weakness. Keeping the ball in play is more important than forcing a low percentage shot. You use the dink to move your opponent and create an opening. You can hit serves to your opponent’s forehand or backhand, resulting in an occasional ace.
- A 5.0 pickleball rating means you are very comfortable playing and have a broad knowledge of game strategies. All shot types are hit with a high level of control and accuracy. They can dink using a soft shot & exhibit patience during a rally. The 3rd shot is now a drop and drives with high levels of consistency in both forehand and backhand.
A player with this rating has mastered pickleball strategies and feels comfortable on the court. They have sustained volleying skills, have no unforced errors in most matches, and regularly compete in pickleball tournaments. This skill-level player can block hard volleys directed at themselves and can volley shots at the opponent’s feet.
You’re always aware of your partner’s position as well as your court position. Offensive shots from the opponent can easily be turned into defensive shots for 5.0 skill-level pickleball players.
A 5.5-pickleball skill level is a superior placement reserved for the most advanced players and Pros. These players have mastered the game and exhibit consistent wins during pickleball tournaments and league play.