Good comments Rory. I think 3.0 would be my thoughts. However, they did show from time to time good shots to be a 3.5 but not just enough. If they make a few corrections then 3.5 is not far away.

I am a mostly self-taught 4.0-4.5 player. KZfaq has the best training videos available to everyone for free!!! Why don't more people avail themselves to the litany of knowledge the internet provides.🤦🏻‍♀️ I recommend this channel to everyone!!! Also, John Cincola, Briones Pickleball, Enhance Pickleball, Tanner Pickleball and Pickle Burner.

3.0 only because they did apply dinking to some extent but some of them closer to 2.5 imo. When you struggle to return easy serves, do not come to the net when needed, and dont even have much of a third shot driving ability its hard to be legit 3.0

These videos have help me remember to move up to the kitchen line when appropriate and stay after a serve. I’ve also improved my 3rd shot drop plus understood that better. It’s frustrating to play with someone who bangs that 3rd shot drive almost constantly and hits it out. At my gym hardly anyone dinks. They are all about attacking which most the time goes out. 😫 I’m 3.0 but with your videos I’m confident I’ll keep improving. Thank you!

I especially liked the part where you mentioned if you see the opponent switching hands-hit to their backhand-likely weak. I would love more pointers like that. And, just poking your opponents to see where their strengths and weaknesses are-. Not just figuring out their dupr but seeing what you can figure out quickly.

Yes I would agree on the 3.0 assessment, you pointed out lots of examples why

Solid analysis, the video also highlights how important the 3rd shot is and the need to set your feet before striking the pickleball.

I am relatively new to the game. I have 4 months playing time stretched out over a year - spent too much time on the IR from a calf muscle tear a week after I discovered the game last year, and a sciatica problem 6 weeks after I started playing again last August (65 years old). I use an off brand paddle I purchased from Amuzon for $99. I am destroying people who use $250 paddle and who have all the appropriate fashion to go along with it. I would guess I am a strong 3.5 - I have no clue. I'm probably a 4.0 - as soon as I perfect the backhand flick. I didn't want to spend money without knowing much about the sport. However, I just ordered another 99 dollar paddle as it works very well for me. It's called Xspac XS I think. Don't judge by appearances.

Rory, I think you are spot-on with your assessments. Please keep your videos coming. Thanks, Rick

Your assessment of 3.0 is accurate. Very nice breakdown of the play. I want to mention just two of your very good observations. First, you have to set yourself and not be moving when you hit the ball. Too often players rush to try to take balls below the top of the net out of the air and hit into the net or pop it up. They need to learn to set themselves and take those balls off the bounce with a soft shot. Second, when hitting a ball set your feet with a split step so that your body is aligned correctly to accurately hit your shot. When your feet are planted parallel to the net a player tends to spray the ball all over the court.

I think you are right on with your assessment!

I’d be interested in seeing more videos like this, but maybe have multiple matches in a video that show multiple rating levels

You are correct on eval...ty.

Hi Rory. Imo, they have some higher level shots (3.5-3.75), but all are 3-3.25's at best. They lack the bending at the knees allowing the paddle to go from low to hi creating more top spin. No splitsteps, no patience at NVZ, no strong serves/returns. Mr. Selkirk is given an easy ATP opportunity at 14:37, and his smiley face opponent doesn't know to cover the sideline, so lack of patience and court awareness/knowledge of both players, imo. They lack drilling or training or have never taken lessons? Higher level players, say above 3.75 should notice an easy ATP available. With a few lessons and more drill sessions I could see all of them enjoying 3.5-3.75 play, just not yet. Your analysis is great, and soon I'll upload some video of my matches so you can pick apart our videos. 😊

Hi Rory. 3.0 for sure, but with strong potential to move to 3.5 with proper instruction and with multiple drills / practice sessions.

Great video. Definitely 3.0. Need weekly drills

i agree with your assessments Rory. None of these players are better than 3.0 on this showing.

I thought they were 3.5 players. They knew what to do, just were inconsistent in their shots. To me, that’s what distinguishes a 3.0 player from a 3.5 player. The 3.0 has no (or very limited) concept of strategy and is just trying to power through every point. The 3.5 player realizes there is more to the game, just may not be as skilled in the execution yet.

It is not always easy for us older players to reach to kitchen fast …

Agree. They may be a little better than 3.0...sometimes., on some shots but not consistently........but certainly not 3.5. Thanks for posting.

3.0. Very inconsistent and very few significant rallies. Premature speedups. Poor decisions not hitting to deep player or player moving. Poor service returns. Some good points but not enough to elevate to 3.5.

Rory! I watch all your videos! What is your personal rating? Just curious. Keep up the good work!

Pickleball Pirates would rate them at 4.25, winning several 3.5 tournaments along the way 🤣 I still enjoy their content though...

I guess , with some instruction , they might be able to be 3.5 . Right now , they are barely 3.0 . All athletic, but very inconsistent . I get the feeling that when they did make a good shot , most of the time it was by accident, not by intention .

Honestly most 4.0-5.0 videos don’t show much difference. Faster volleys, but the same shots are missed …most don’t drop ever effectively

Selkirk guy uses too much elbow and wrist, not enough shoulder.

I don’t think you were too critical at all. In fact, I learned a lot from watching their play and your commentary. Maybe these guys are beginners and just learning, all of their volleys were extremely short, no long ones at all they were impatient, and sometimes in the wrong position, lots of mistakes here, but I hope they keep playing and improve their game

At 7:38 you talked (accurately) about Selkirk's poor movement. Backwards employed an Erne to win the point. That surprised me. I think I'd say 3.75 for Backwards, who is clearly the best player on the court. At 13:00 Smiley Paddle tries to play a "mind game" on Selkirk's serve. He's having fun, but no 3.5+ player would be phased by it. (The very next point Smiley wins with an Erne. What the heck???) Then at 15:10 Smiley attempted an ATP backhand off Selkirk's angled dink. (It didn't work, but he was clearly trying it.) I suspect Backwards is Selkirk's son. (They have the same noses.) I think Backwards was enjoying a fun day with his dad and Dad's friends. Lefty is the weakest player on the court. I'll bet Backwards is a true 3.75. If he were playing a more competitive game his skills would be a plus. I would rate Selkirk and Smiley at 3.25. Lefty is a "solid" 2.75. - Vic

I play at 4.0 ish play and I agree they are more less 3.0 players. However, sometimes a player rarely 3rd shot drops, but is very successful because they have a wicked good 3rd shot drive. Bangers style? So even though they play with limited shots, they can be very successful at 3.5 and even higher because they can consistently hit very good drives thst most people have trouble handling. 😂 They can be managed with a soft game, but they are always a dangerous opponent if you give them any shot they can drive or speed up. So I wouldn't say you have to reset/drop to be a 3.5 player, but unless you've got great driving skills and a formidable power game you're a 3.0 player if hitting limited shots like these guys are. I do know a few "bangers" who easily play 4.0 are very successful. But they also dink well. But they will usually drive rather than drop because they have such a formidable drive, its just as effective, if not moreso than a decent drop. I definitely do not think of them as 3.0 players inspite of a lack of dropping. Hard to explain, but once you see one in action you know they are going to be a handful.

I think they're better than they're playing. Most of their shots have ok mechanics, but their footwork seemed lazy and body wasn't low enough for some of the attempted hits. They clearly understand the game and can hit most shots required of a 3.5. Game sense and consistency, positioning are all better than a 3.0 for sure. Are they lower 3.5 players? Sure. Is the selkirk player weaker than the others? Yes.

3.0's at best who need to drill

3.0 all day long. No consistency at all and not knowing opponents position on court.

These gys were super novice, you were kind with the 3.0 rating

Too many unforced errors for 3.0 rating. I am a 2.5 player and make fewer error's than these guys..

And if these guys are 3 o's I feel like i'm must be 4.5 🎉 I guess i'm hard on myself My drops are delightful my drives are Deliberate My backhand is coming around My double handed background is Coming around even faster I'm thinking when i'm dinking And grooving when i'm moving My hands are fast And my feet usually don't let me down. In two weeks I will been playing for a year. I have not been rated or duped. I regularly play with 4.5 4.0 And have no problems at all In fact I love being unrated and able to compete Those guys.

This guy is going to crush it psych...😂