Pickleball! How Good Are These Players? Hint...Very, Very Good! Learn By Watching Others!

In this video very, very good players who play in a manner that is very enjoyable. Does your pickleball game look like this?
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[@CarisNorberg]

Every player in this video is an excellent player. The winners have 5.0+ DUPRs and I’ve seen them play in person in high level tournaments with success. This looked like a casual rec game at a local club and the effort on some of the points was not at top speed but still excellent play.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for the information.

[@davidpainpickleball]

yeah it was just a rec game :)

[@ou5603]

Am I the only person who felt that the guy with hat looked so lazy? I might look like this when I play with intermediate players. Against the same level opponents, I always put the effort in.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

No. Others commented that they didn't seem to be putting a full effort. Thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

it's just my style of play in rec. In tournament mode, I crank it up a bit more.

[@eriktheadventurer5621]

Hey Rory, just tried to send you the link for a match I played yesterday. I'm the one in long sleeve white shirt, closest to the camera. My partner and I were playing in a 2.0-3.5 men's doubles match. Hope you find it entertaining. The highlight for me was when the other team hit an ATP and I was able to get it back into play. Small victories. Lol

[@Definityg3R]

Nice meeting you, Erik. Enjoyed the games. See you next time.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

How did you send it?

[@eriktheadventurer5621]

I noticed a guy with Jason was filming. Asked him for a copy to send to you. Everyone in our match watches and enjoys your content. So this morning Jason emailed the video. I will to your most recent video. Went to comments and added the link I copied.

[@Definityg3R]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5WlnH6ibKtjebMfeature=shared

[@AnnMitt]

There is zero dinking in the Rec play that I'm involved with at the 2.5 - 3.0 level. It's more hard drives, slams, bangs. The ball rarely gets past the 4th shot. And now, with lower level players using Joola Gen 3 power paddles, it's just getting worse. I often consider just quitting the sport because it's so aggravating.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I totally understand. Maybe find another place to play with players who play like you like to play. I just played in a tournament. They were probably 12 players playing with the Joola Gen 3. I don't think that's fair.

[@AnnMitt]

@pickleballpick-apart9787 I noticed that Joola removed the Gen 3 from their recent advertising on social media and none of the pros are using Gen 3. Huge blow to Tyson McGuffin. In my opinion, this is either a sign that they have abandoned the paddle or are waiting to re-release the paddle after their lawsuit. Either way, plenty of Gen 3 still being used in Rec play.

[@michaelnoe1195]

@@AnnMitt While I understand your frustrations the fault is not all with the aggressive players. I agree that the new 3rd gen paddles from all brands have increased speed but it's our jobs to change the play dynamics so that the aggression causes mistakes. For example, serves should and returns should always be deep. Work on your play at the NVZ to return those banger shots. It doesn't take much as it will come off your paddle and keep them back. Also work on resets and drops so that they are below the net then make sure to be ready to get out of the way of hard shots taken from below the net. There are several videos covering how to play vs bangers as well as look up how to do the fast hands drill to get better at the net. Additionally, there would be some videos that can show you the proper way to hit drops and resets. Bangers, especially at lower levels are generally easy beat because they are going to make errors more often into the net or out on the sides or deep.

[@user-sc3oi4oh9x]

4.5 to 5.0 Good drops, excellent at the net, good assortment of shots

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we are all 5.0+ DUPPRS... with one guy on the court, a 5.5+ DUPPR. Guess who it is.

[@shirleypryor5092]

Grey shirt on right side (on the near court). His partner was good but moving slow. Great game.

[@sportsenthusiast7360]

Great Analysis. Your rating of these players based on this games was spot on. I would rate the players here at consistent 4.0. These Players were just to upright at the kitchen becoming huge targets. Also, To many miss volley dinks opportunities mainly because they constantly keep moving back during dinks. I would definitely play with them. To your viewers, if you are 3.5 to 4.0, this would be a great match and analysis to study if you would like to improve your game.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. Always appreciate your spot on analysis.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRs, one guy has a 5.5+ duppr. the reason who are upright is becuase its just a chill rec game and we all have fast enough hands to handle whatever is coming.

[@sportsenthusiast7360]

@@davidpainpickleball well that would make sense because you guys were pretty good and consistent even playing so upright. I would have played with you all 5.0+ or not. Which lifetime was that anyway? Might look you all up if am ever in that area.

[@cynthiamacdonald9885]

This is my favorite way to play - lots of drops and dinking with and occasional drive. Well structured points with lots of hits an variations in each rally. So fun to play and watch! I would rate them 4.0-4.5 based on this video, but I don't feel like this is their best effort - seems pretty relaxed except for a few points, so I bet they are even higher skilled than this video demonstrates.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Yes, I think they are better. One of the players commented that they are all above 5.0. I agree with you. This is the most fun way to play. So happy to hear you play like that.

[@mountaintop0616]

My group are basically 2.5 to 3.5 so not sure I'm qualified to rate them. However, based on previous videos from Rory they seem to be in the 4.0 to 4.5. Enjoyable game to watch and always look forward to more.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching my videos. I really appreciate it.

[@davidpainpickleball]

Way off. we are all 5.0+ :)

[@juansoria4086]

By the way, while I think it is fun to do third shot drops and dink, I also think it is beneficial to keep them guessing and sometimes hit a drive on your third shot.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I agree. Especially if the return of serve is shallow. Thanks for watching.

[@MrGbustamante]

I so prefer a good dinking game with strategic speedups

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes. Makes it a lot more fun. Thanks for watching.

[@CWK090]

Rory, At 5:37 you ask "What happened there?". What happened is the guy with the black shirt went over to poach and both thought their partner would take it. The ball is hit to the guy in red but he can see the paddle from the guy in black coming over and backs off.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for putting that out.

[@davidpainpickleball]

Joel 5.5 DUPPR (gray shorts), Lee 5.3 DUPPR (red shirt no hat), ME 5.2 DUPPR, Mike 5.1 on a good day. (Gray shirt)

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for pointing that out. Do you have a UTPR rating. Also, where do you play?

[@leehogan4270]

I'd put them around 5.0. Other guests here who think themselves 4.0 players, go watch videos of your own play, and realize how poor your own technique looks on camera....its eye-opening

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That's a good point. Video yourself playing, watch it back, and see how you really play. Sometimes, it's eye-opening. Thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

WINNER! yes we all have 5.0+ DUPPR's in the video and one guy is a 5.5+ player.

[@michaelnoe1195]

We have a group of players ranging from 3 to 4 that I play with. Our overall style of pickleball play is similar the way they are playing. With that said I felt they were better than most if not all of our group. We do make many more forced errors and do not have as many points that extend into the number of exchanges they were having commonly. I would think they are good 4s based just on this play. I believe they have great control overall and sustained very well played points. I will say this may not have been them playing their hardest play either as it appeared recreational. It is also sometimes harder to judge play as watching some shots may be better or worse depending on how well the prior shot was actually hit to them. Overall, some of the play made me feel they could be higher rated players than I guessed. It was very fun to watch.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, I'm pretty sure they are at least 4.0. maybe a little higher. I don't think they were giving it 100% just by their body language. I think if playing in a tournament they may play even better.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRS. one guy is 5.5+ :).

[@jimh.4027]

4.5. They were playing very casually. It'd be interesting to see them in tournament mode.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. I think they would have put out more effort.

[@davidpainpickleball]

We are all 5.0 + :)

[@ralphparker]

I'd put them in a 4 or 4.5. The earnie is a sign of a > 4.0. For the most part they all played consistent and hit good strategy shots.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. I appreciate your opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

We are all 5.0 + Dupprs.

[@yelodoggie]

I prefer games like this over slammers.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Me, too. Thanks for watching.

[@harlinboy2929]

I’d rate them in the 4.4 - 4.8 range.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we are all 5.0+ DUPPR

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks.

[@davidpainpickleball]

Thanks for the fantastic match commentary! It was very interesting to hear someone else’s perspective on our game. Feel free to review any of my (600+ videos) - I upload 1 video a day and have been doing so for the past two years! Looking forward to more of your thoughts and feedback. 😊🎾

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

David. Thanks for not having an issue with me doing so. Really enjoying watching you guys play.

[@jonk6137]

45 in pgh they play good

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks!

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRs, one guy has a 5.5+ duppr.

[@MrBrad777c]

Guy in grey 5.0 and the others 4.0-4.5. Hard to tell tho because some of them appeared lazy in their shots and movements seeming to move at half speed.

[@MrBrad777c]

Fun to watch tho! Some nice fire fights!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

There was a recreational game. They have not been trying their hardest. Thanks for watching.

[@MrBrad777c]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 makes sense.

[@okayest_amateur]

Rory I'm more interested in the bangers/power players you played in your game. Why did you not enjoy playing against them? Was it because all they did was drive and they were easy to beat or was it because they used their power to finish the point too quickly and you were not able to respond to their drives?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Good question. I won two of those games and lost one. It was just wham bam, thank you mam. I hit third shot drops and they sped them up if possible. No one cared to play a soft game. Those three games were over in about 30 minutes. The other three I played with players who played like these guys, lasted 50 minutes. There's a huge difference. I'm not saying one way is better than the other. I just prefer to play like these guys.

[@MarkDoehrman]

My game is simular, I like these type games very much. Its not always easy finding them, seems like there is always one in the mix that does not like the finesse chess game, which i believe is most important. Fast games are fun but I dont walk away feeling I've improved on anywhere even if I get the victories.

[@CookinattheKitchen]

Playing against reckless bangers can be really annoying because there's not a ton of skill and shot placement involved unless they're high level players. 3.5's will speed up anything and if they're on your team, and the other team has good hands, you're toast.

[@okayest_amateur]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 I play regularly with a group that play around the 4.5 level. Hitting an unattackable 3rd is very difficult especially with the paddle tech we have now. There is only one guy who is able to do this consistently. We hit plenty of drops and resets and dinks because we all respect each others ability to hit strong counters, but once the ball is attackable no one holds back from speeding up the ball. Perhaps your 3rd shot drop is not good enough to prevent a speedup. But the fact that you won 2 of 3 suggests that you punished them for their errant speedups :)

[@okayest_amateur]

@@MarkDoehrman Playing fast is a skill as well. Fast hands, speedups, and counters are things that I practice and drill. You may just prefer the finesse game. However in my area if you go to a tournament the fast game is definitely emphasized.

[@juansoria4086]

These guys would be around 4.0 where I live (FL). Side note: the guy with the red shirt and black hat is so slow doing everything that I could not play with him. Almost like he purposely takes his time walking to get the ball and stuff. It would drive me crazy.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I noticed that as well. I don't think he was giving a full effort. Thanks for watching.

[@Cacheola]

Not athletic, sloths about thinking he's the goat. Just stands there and watches balls fly down the center on his forehand lol. I'd dump him as a partner

[@davidpainpickleball]

I would destroy any 4.0 in Florida. we are all 5.0+ and one guy is a 5.5+ duppr.

[@straightshooter6309]

4.0-4.25, pretty solid

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I agree. Thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRs, one guy has a 5.5+ duppr.

[@sharepick53]

4.25+ The guy in the near court went for an Erne & they went from fast to slow naturally. Those are skills that 4.25+ players utilize.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

We are all 5.0 + :) but close.

[@davebaker3241]

I’m playing in a league where my partner is 4.2 and I’m 3.5. They are definitely better than me but partner is more consistent and has faster hands. I would put them at close to 4.0

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@thomaspanno3515]

4.0 at least. They have all the skills and shots.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for your opinion and thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRs, one guy has a 5.5+ duppr.

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

Somewhere between 4.1 and 4.4 rating

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPRs, one guy has a 5.5+ duppr.

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

@@davidpainpickleball apologies for under-rating - definitely great players and not surprised you all have such high DUPRs. Recordings like this it's hard to gauge the actual pace and skill level.

[@allisonloizos426]

I would have thought right around 4.0.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I think you're right! Thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

not even close. we all have 5.0+ DUPPR's in the video and one guy is a 5.5+ player

[@allisonloizos426]

It's all opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

nope not opinion, we are all rated 5.0+ by DUPPR.

[@allisonloizos426]

Viewers were asked their opinion. That was mine. This seemed to be a more casual match versus tournament play. I am not an expert. Glad there is DUPPR to sort us all out. Congratulations on achieving those ratings.

[@rontelford6211]

These players are not more than 4.0, the side that won , won on unforced errors. Higher rated players make less unforced errors. The guy in the red inThe near court seemed lackey dasel. Maybe had more talent than He showed.

[@davidpainpickleball]

Guy in red shirt is me. We are all 5.0+ DUPPR players, the guy in the gray shirt is a 5.5+ player :)

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I think you're underestimating how good they are. Sometimes video doesn't translate to live play. Thanks for watching.

[@scotttolliver5847]

I think so many people in these comments have a warped view of what their play looks like, and what high level play against evenly matched opponents looks like. Some of the errors could be chalked up to this being a friendly game, but also... playing against higher level players means your shots need to be better in order to avoid being punished. That pressure has an effect. I'm sure all four of these guys could play a 3.5-4.0 and barely miss a ball all game if they wanted to.

[@joedavies372]

> 4.5 but yeah a very casual game. Thanks

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes, it was casual. Thanks for watching.

[@davidpainpickleball]

We are all 5.0+ :)

[@joedavies372]

@@davidpainpickleball u guys make it look easy!

[@GunnerstahlY]

I don’t agree with the title, they’re good but not very very, they look 4.0. And not trying too hard

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Oh, well. That's okay. They commented that their duprs are all over 5.0.

[@MrGbustamante]

4.0 players, guy in red in near court doesnt have a very athletic stance he is very upright and lethargical otherwise good.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion. That is easily fixable.

[@CookinattheKitchen]

They're rated ~5.0

[@michaelnoe1195]

@@CookinattheKitchen Do you know what rating system that is based on? I basically rate on a 5 scale even though there are UTRPs as high as 10 and DUPR 7. I also don't generally jump around in tenths or even quarters as others did. A 4.1-4.4 would still be a 4 from what I'd say. Not saying this group is really all 4s as it could just be this game as I agree with @vanessa-pe2xs about this one being a little slower paced all around.

[@CookinattheKitchen]

@@michaelnoe1195 It's based on their DUPR profile. You have to differentiate at least to the tenth to get a decent representation. a 4.0 is far different from a 4.4 DUPR. There's a high concentration of players around the 3.5-4.5 range so you have to be able to tell them apart.

[@davidpainpickleball]

@@michaelnoe1195 Everyone basically uses DUPPR, and it goes from like 2.0 - to 7.0... everyone in this video has a 5.0+ DUPPR, and the guy in the gray shirt has a 5.5 DUPPR.

[@jhayes67]

I am not sure these players played their best but are very good players if not 4.0 I am certain are at least 3.7.5

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@Vanessa-pe2xs]

It's tough to judge off video. But none were really in athletic stance, there wasn't much show of hands/footwork... They could dink, so that puts them around 4.0, I think. Very slow, lackadaisical game.

[@okayest_amateur]

Notice when they hit though they are bending their knees. I agree they were pretty relaxed but high level players sometimes use very minimalist movement to achieve the same goal to preserve energy. Its different then having lazy feet.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion.

[@davidpainpickleball]

we all have 5.0+ DUPPR's in the video and one guy is a 5.5+ player

[@Vanessa-pe2xs]

​@okayest_amateur yeah we need to see them in a tournament.

[@Vanessa-pe2xs]

​@davidpainpickleball Wow 5.5!!! I have to say, I'm honestly shocked... video is very deceiving, your play looks like what i see every day in my 4.5 league, and my DUPR is only 4.3. Age may be a thing...I'm one of the oldest, most of the others are mid twenties, ex-tennis players, and they're very competitive, especially the guys.