OPEN PLAY, BEGINNERS, SKILL RATINGS & COURT DESIGNATION, OH MY!

I attended a members meeting of a local pickleball CLUB today. The discussion involved beginners versus open play versus skill ratings versus court designations.  Having taught well over 200 beginners just in the last year, I was able to identify the problems in the beginners instruction curriculum, and observe the teaching methods of inhouse instructors. 

Many of the same concerns expressed by CLUB members today at the meeting,  can be attributed to an unstructured curriculum,  void of the logical sequence of stroke development, shot selection, shot execution, doubles strategy, basic rules and scoring that readies a perspective player for Open Play Pickleball. 

Many "Open Play" venues in other parts of the Nation have already experienced and addressed these issues.  There primary concern was not what was best the individual player, but what was the best course of action to preserve the quality and integrity of group play for the majority of open play participants. And not become the new "training ground" for inexperienced players. 

However, these progressive thinking venues, recognized the need to offer inexperienced players options for a  clear and distinct "path" to "Open Play Pickleball." Mentorship Programs have proven to be one of the more successful initiatives. 

Although this initiative has seen some degree of success, it is not the end all solution to this ongoing problem.  Over the last several months of outsourced research, and personal teaching experiences,  I have developing a  "structured educational template for inexperienced participants (adults 21 years and older), who are willing to learn and develop the necessary skill sets and game knowledge to enter "Open Play Pickleball."

Before implementing this "curriculum" the "Open Play Pickleball" Provider would have the responsibility to determine what minimum skill sets and game knowledge is most appropriate for maintain their quality of play for experienced "Open Play" participants.

This "curriculum" is not one size fits all." Nor does it "mirrors" the current trend of unstructured beginners teaching protocol. .instruction.

Based on my observations during today's CLUB meeting, and as a member, and "open play" participant,  the current need for this  initiative, is non-existent.  Based on the National "Open Play" trend, and as pickleball continues to rapidly grow in Maryland, our CLUB will be confronted with these issues. 

I will make 3 suggestions for consideration by the membership:

1. Do not designate courts by "skill referencing" labels such as "advanced, intermediate and beginners."  This only creates a  contentious mindset for those who choose to play on any of  these labeled court.

I have observed other venues with designated courts, where "self over rated" players" would wait long periods to play at the intermediate court, rather than the "stigma" of playing on the "beginners court."        

2. I would suggest that the CLUB membership consider assigning half of the available courts for "Competitive Aggressive Play," and the other half of the courts for "Recreational Non-Aggressive Play." This assignment removes the "skill set reference" associated with beginners, intermediate and advanced courts.

No matter what a players skill sets are, he or she can choose to play a specific style of pickleball that best suits their persona.  There are lower skilled players who prefer to play Competitive Aggressive Pickleball, and they know ahead of time before they go onto that court what to expect.

Then their are intermediate players who do not want to play the "Aggressive Hard Hitting Style of pickleball."  So they know before hand to play on the "Recreational Non-Aggressive" courts.  These courts are not necessarily considered beginners courts.  But they can be. Or they can be used by a foursome who enjoys playing the finesse soft game at the net.  The put-away shots are usually well place angled sideline shots in or near the NVZ.  

3. "Open Play" participants interested in developing the skill sets of an inexperienced beginner, could become a "mentor" for that individual, to teach the necessary skills and game knowledge in a one on one environment, and then continue to teach the new comer as their doubles partner. "Mentoring" has proven to be one of the more successful initiatives in helping new players participate in "Open Play Pickleball."  

Lastly, the meeting discussion mentioned the topic of skill assessment. This is a highly contentious subject matter that evokes major disagreements as to who is qualified to rate who?  That being said, I will only add one alternative for consideration.  Anyone interested in their skill level rating, could utilize the IFP Self Skill Assessment Sheets. 

This requires a totally objective honest evaluation of whether or not you can perform the necessary skill sets prescribed on the assessment sheet.  If you do not have a general idea of where you are, its best to start at 2.0 self assessment and work up.  If you honestly fulfill the skill sets of a 2.0 you then go to skill sets of a 2.5.  As long as you fulfill all the skill sets at a specific level, you are ready to evaluate yourself at the next higher level, all the way to a 5.0. 

One last word about self assessments. USAPA Tournament Protocol informs self assessors that they have a tendency to over rate them selves, when self assessing for tournaments. This in turn places them in a higher skill competition bracket.  Unfortunately some higher skill players will under rate their true ability to play against lower skill bracket players.