1 How long have you been playing padel?Less than a month 1 to 6 months 6 months to a year 1 to 2 years More than 2 years
2 How often do you play?Less than once a month A few times a month About once a week 2 or 3 times a week 4 or more times a week
3 Have you played tennis, squash or another racket sport?No, not really Yes, socially or at school Yes, regularly at a club Yes, competitively (interclub, tournaments, a high level)
4 What kind of padel do you usually play?Lessons or intro sessions only Socials and games with friends Socials, and I win about as often as I lose A league (social grade), or I win most social games A league (competitive grade) or tournaments
5 In a normal game, how long can you keep a rally going?Count what you manage about 7 times out of 10, not your best day.
2 or 3 shots, then someone misses 4 or 5 shots at a slow pace 6 to 8 shots at a slow-medium pace 6 to 8 shots at a medium pace 8 to 10 shots at a medium pace, aiming where it goes 8 to 10 shots at a medium-fast pace 10 to 12 shots at a fast pace
6 When the ball comes off the back glass, what usually happens?I avoid the glass, or the ball bounces twice I’m starting to let it come off the back glass Fine off the back glass; a double glass (back then side) beats me Fine off the back glass both sides; I can get a slow double glass back I can defend a double glass at medium pace and lob under light pressure Confident with double glass both sides, and I lob to reset under pressure I defend fast double glass and smash rebounds; I rarely panic
7 When a lob comes over your head at the net, what do you do?Let it go or run back; I don’t really hit overheads Only hit it when it’s very easy A basic smash when the ball is high and close Smash it when it’s clearly there to attack A controlled overhead (bandeja) to stay at the net; I choose when to smash A consistent bandeja with depth, and I place my smash A reliable bandeja, a víbora starting to show, and a directional smash
8 How do you go at the net (volleys)?I stay back; the net makes me nervous I try volleys, but they’re hit and miss I can control a volley when the ball is slow My volleys are improving, but stronger players push me off the net I place my volleys and know why taking the net matters Steady volleys at medium pace; net battles are normal for me Very steady under pressure; I absorb pace and redirect it
9 How do you usually win points?Mostly by luck, or the other team missing I can put away an easy high ball if I’m in the right spot Simple overheads, but mostly the other team’s mistakes I finish easy overheads, but good defenders get everything back By being consistent and finishing short balls at the net I build the point with depth and finish when the ball sits up I keep the pressure on until I get the short ball, then finish it
1 How long have you been playing pickleball?Less than a month 1 to 6 months 6 months to a year 1 to 2 years More than 2 years
2 How often do you play?Less than once a month A few times a month About once a week 2 or 3 times a week 4 or more times a week
3 Have you played tennis, badminton, table tennis or another racket sport?No, not really Yes, socially or at school Yes, regularly at a club Yes, competitively (interclub, tournaments, a high level)
4 What kind of pickleball do you usually play?Lessons or intro sessions only Socials and games with friends Socials, and I win about as often as I lose A league (social grade), or I win most social games A league (competitive grade) or tournaments
5 How well do you know the rules?Still learning, the scoring confuses me I know the basics; the kitchen and scoring trip me up sometimes I know the rules, the kitchen and the two-bounce rule, and can call the score I know them well and use them (stacking, where to stand when serving and returning)
6 Your serve and return of serve:What happens about 7 times out of 10.
I often miss them They mostly go in They go in nearly every time Usually deep, which keeps the other team back Deep with placement, to a weaker side or the corners I vary the pace, spin and placement
7 Dinking (soft shots into the kitchen):I don’t really dink yet I can dink a few balls before one pops up or hits the net I can keep a dink rally going for 5 or more I dink with direction, including cross-court I’m patient, move the other team around and wait for a ball to attack I can reset hard balls softly into the kitchen
8 The third shot (your team’s first shot after the return):I just try to get it back over I usually drive it hard I’m trying drops into the kitchen; some land My drop lands in the kitchen most of the time I choose a drop or a drive depending on the ball Reliable drops under pressure, and I follow them to the line
9 Getting to the kitchen line and the fast exchanges there:I mostly stay back at the baseline I come in sometimes, but get caught in the middle of the court I get to the line, but fast hands battles beat me I get there with my partner and can block most speed-ups I hold the line, block well and counter some speed-ups I win most fast exchanges and choose when to speed up Quick hands, I attack and reset under pressure
