SKILL ASSESSMENT PRO & CON

SKILL ASSESSMENT PRO AND CON
OPEN PLAY OUT OF POCKET PAY FOR PLAY
COURT TIME Vs COURT COST
LIMITED COURT AVAILABILITY
CCPBC MEMBERS MOSTLY YOUNG ADULTS TO MIDDLE AGE 9-5 M-F WORKING PLAYERS WITH FAMILIES OR PROVIDING ELDER CARE TO LOVED ONES. SOME RETIREES, AND ONE OR TWO OLD GEISERS

Great meeting today. Good communication and discussion of view points, shared opinions, uninhibited frank open forum regarding CCPB Leadership Organization, Financial format for member participation and cost expenditures, Committee/Task Force style groups to address specific issues and concerns, Liaison with BA/CO Recs & Parks, and Open Play skill limitations.

Much was said about beginners (new, inexperienced, unskilled, no game knowledge participants).

Since I am currently developing a new "Progressive Structured Beginners Pickleball Instruction Program," to address the shortcomings in most current beginner programs, I am not going to comment pro or con regarding this issue. If it comes to a vote I will cast my ballot just like other members.

However I can provide some resource and information on this topic that may well help members decide what is best for the Club as a whole entity.

I am a big fan of the SUN CITY WEST PICKLEBALL CLUB in Sun City Arizona. IMO, one of the premiere private clubs in the Nation in any and all aspects of organization, structure, problem resolution, membership participation, membership application, social activities, playing venues leagues, ladders, round robin, challenge courts, tournaments, player skill assessment requirements, new player instruction, etc.

Visit the Sun City West Pickleball Club website, and see for yourself, how well they operate. Current membership is 1,300+, charter membership is 207. They have 26 outdoor pickleball courts to play.

NOTE: CCPBC has 180 total members. NERRC pay for play 4 courts accommodates 16 players (8% of total membership).

SCWPBC has 1300 total members and 24 courts, The 24 courts accommodates 104 players (8% of total membership).

SCWPBC 8% player ratio same as CCPBC has recognized a need for a system in place for skill assessment.

CCPBC has a much smaller membership, but both clubs experience similar problems in playing the game. I like the SCWPBC reference to Skill Assessment as "PICKLESKILLS.")

Enclosed is a copy and paste repo of the SCWPC in-house club rating system. Some of the SCWPC methodology could be helpful regarding the beginner entry level into Open Play Pickleball.

SCWPC Club Rating System is based on the USAPA / IFP standards, in a rating evaluation session. No SCWPC ratings are higher than 4.0. (A International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association Certified Rating Specialist "CRS" minimum requirement is 4.5 Rating, not in my life time. )

SCWPC Rater Qualifications
● Current 3.5+ skill rating or prior rating experience.
● Knowledge of minimum skills for each level of play.
● Thorough knowledge of pickleball rules and strategies.
● Objectively evaluate player skills, strengths/weaknesses
● Desire to help to develop other players.
● Willingness to commit time to evaluating other players.
● Ability to work with others to reach a consensus.
● Tactful oral & written communications of skill evaluations.

SCWPC Ratings Evaluation Sessions
Committee schedules regular Ratings Evaluation sessions.
Participants sign after reviewing skill level descriptions and completing a skill level self-assessment form.
Participant indicates rated level & brings self assessment.
● Rating session has a Rater observing player in 3 games.
Rater compares player skill to Skill Assessment Form.
● Ideally there will be one rater for one - two participants.
● Player knows Skill-Level-Requirements & expectations.
● Player must demonstrate various skills.
● Raters don't coach or request specific shots & strategies.
● A player must wait 90 days between rating sessions.

Skill Level Rating Program
Skill Level Rating program is new for the club.

Rating sessions are held (October through April).
Effective 2/1/18 all participants of PICKLESKILLS + lesson series other than 2.5 will be required to have a USAPA or Club rating of 3.0 or 3.5.
IFP RATING SYSTEM SKILL ASSESSMENT

1.0
New & have only minimal knowledge of game & rules.

1.5
Limited to some rallies & Learning how to serve.
Developing a forehand.
Fails to return easy balls & misses the ball entirely.
Played some games, learning court lines, scoring & rules.

2.0
Sustains a short rally with players of equal ability. Demonstrates basic shot strokes – forehand, backhand, volley, overhead, serve, but has weaknesses in most strokes. Familiar with court positioning in doubles play.

2.5
Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies. Makes most easy volleys and uses some backhands, but needs more work on developing shot strokes. Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys. Aware of the “soft game.” Knowledge of the rules has improved. Court coverage is weak but improving.