Closer to 2.5 so Rory good call. Being fairly new myself I can get something from this game.

2.5 at best! Once again, Rory, you nail it!

Thank you for your tips!! I see some of the same errors I make. Watching your videos shows me what and how to improve my game!!

New players, look at 7:42 when the guy in the far court puts a side-spin on the ball, causing the ball to bounce into the woman with the white cap. She did not anticipate the direction of the ball after the bounce and was not in position. If the guy had put a side-spin on the ball in the opposite direction, the ball would have bounced away from her and she would have been swinging at air. Funny to watch, btw. Bottom line, from your perspective, if you see your opponent side-swing to your left, the ball will bounce to your right. The bounce is always opposite to their side-swing. This bounce to the side is more pronounced with slow ball speeds. Two things to consider: 1) Get in position with your feet set, anticipating the direction of the bounce. 2) If you are going to return a side-spinning ball with a soft touch (reset or dink), the side-spin will affect the direction of the ball leaving your paddle. When playing outside with a crosswind, players will often put a side-spin on the ball swinging into the wind. The ball bounces opposite to the swing and the tailwind exacerbates the angle of the bounce making it even more difficult for their opponent to get to the ball. You don't see pros doing this because their opponent will recognize the side-spin and anticipate the direction of the bounce.

Rory, I’m barely a 3.0 player, but I’ve improved a lot by paying attention to your critique. Please offer as many 2.5-3.5 game pick-apart’s as you can tolerate.

This game seemed to be less than 3.0; however, they might be in the 70-74 year old section of 3.0 players. The errors were more indicative of beginners than 3.0 players.

2.5 definitely. My husband and I just played in a NY 3.0 tournament and we all could reset the ball and had 3rd shot drops. A few more unforced errors than the 3.5 level. Our tournament was very competitive with long points and all 4 at the NVZ.

The team with the orange shirt lady seemed to be at 3.0 level as they did execute some deep serves/returns, 3rd shot drops, and court positioning. Another team made most of the unforced errors and didn't seem playing pickleball, indicating a lower skill level of 2.5. I noticed that many senior rec players don't like to play dinking. I believe that is largely due to issues with their knees.

The guy in the near court is a shocker!!

First of all the players look to be in their late 70’s. Big props to them for getting out and moving! I’m a senior too and play at that 3.0 or below level. The guy in the dark blue hat seemed to be the best player but he tried to put spin on a lot of his serves or shots. At this level all you need to do is get the ball over the net and let your opponents make unforced errors.

Definitely below 3.0, too many unforced errors. I think you are very generous to rate them at 2.5.

Definitely 2.5.

2.5

Wow if they are 3.0 players I should call myself 3.5 players for I can do 3rd shot drop, drive or lob but was rated 2.7 by instructor which I agree for I still do the mistakes that were shown in this video and can’t defend well at the non valley zone with bangers therefore I am always defending at the transition zone. I have been hit in the head several times because they hit hard every time which makes me a beginner who only play for 3 months discouraged to play with park players

Curious if you do any singles pick apart? New to the channel, really enjoying it the insight.

No shame in being a 3.0 or even 2.5 player, we all have to be somewhere. Not everyone can be Anna Bright.

Looks better than some 3.0 players I know. I doubt they win any medal. Most tournaments start at a 3.0 and players will play even if they are not at that skill level yet.

I would say they are 3.0 players but at the weak side of that level. The main difference that I see with most of the players I play with is improper court positioning. People that I play that are mostly at the 2.5 level (despite playing for years in many cases) is that they do things like return and stay, and even position themselves halfway between the NVZ and the baseline. Often they will even back up from the NVZ three or four feet for no reason. These players don't do that. Certainly they are not the types of 3.0 players that are going to go far in a tournament, and many of the 3.0 videos we see are of gold medal matches of tournaments which naturally have much better play.

I don’t even know what 3.0 etc levels are yet. I’ve only been playing 6 months but I was better than those 4 players after 1 week 🤷‍♂️. I’m their age so it’s not because I’m younger but I certainly move and hit much better. Maybe 50 years of badminton at high levels helps 😳👍

So, why does industry now support DUPR and Ranking program that doesn’t measure skills that include unforced errors. Single play maybe. Also no handicapped concepts that truly permit connectivity; the core mission of original programmer. A 3.0 20 year old would kill these fine folk, with out of control banging that the player will continue to use throughout the DUPR climb.

Seems like they kind of know the strategy but the mechanics are quite poor for all 4 players. If they love pickleball their mechanics will be better soon. I'd like to see how these players play in 6 months.

why do people want to hit weak backhands when it's the ad-side persons forehand put-away? Drives me nuts. MOVE OVER ha ha

Terrible footwork time and time again

These people are like 1,000 years old. Let's cut them a break.