This is one of the best Analysis I have seen in a long time, great learning experience

How hilarious! A bucket and a water bottle sitting in my way of any ATP attempt? What kind a 5.0 players would sabotage themselves like this? I'm a 4.0 (supposedly), and try to reserve the Pro or Championship courts at our new indoor facility, as they have larger outside perimeters for more aggressive play and shot attempts, just sayin'. Love your pick a parts Rory!

Yeah I'd say the first group is 4.0 at best and that's being generous, however the other group in Florida are probably all legit 5.0+ DUPR rated players 5.5 if I had to guess they were all super solid. Great video, hopefully I can record some of my 4.5 league games one of these days and get you to pick me apart.

Pickleball Dunning-Kruger effect going on in Texas.

I have noticed differences at what is supposed to be the same level, simply playing and/or watching, at different facilities across town so the variance here is not that surprising - could be another 5.0 game across town in Houston is actually 5.0 and some other game across town in Florida similar to the Texas players. Clearly these two groups are on completely different levels though. Compared to what I have seen around here, I would put the Texas players in the 3.25-3.5 level and the players in Florida around 4.5 to 5.0. All based on limited information. Your analysis of these games is great though, good insights and fun to watch and listen!

There's a guy by the name of Callan Dawson who's not bad. He puts his index finger up on the back of the paddle. Might not quite be 5.0 though...need to check his DUPR :/ Same thing for a dude called Tyler Loong. Need to check on that one too. Also, Eastern vs Continental has nothing to do with whether you hold the paddle high up toward the face or down at the end of the handle. Those distinctions are based on which bevel your first index finger knuckle rests on. Side bevel: Eastern. Angled bevel (one over from top): Continental.

If they are 5.0, so am I! Cool!

Florida clearly a different level. Now I was still impressed with the other group but at least a ranking lower imo.

That is NOT a frying pan grip. Riley Newman often is in a frying pan grip to be ready to scorpion counter attack.

Good comparison, Rory. The TX team with the bearded guy ... 3.25+. The other TX team ... 3.5+. Each FL team ... 4.0, with encouraging streaks suggesting 4.25. I'm not sure these teams "claimed" to be 5.0. The tourney they entered may have moved the teams up (or down) based on numbers of entrants. There's a few pros -- who play pro tourneys who run their finger up the paddle face. (I think of that as more of a table tennis grip.) As odd as it appears to we ex-tennis players, some very good picklers do use such a grip.

Once again you're proving my opinion of DUPR--the matches were night and day. DUPR may work at the pro tour level but it's just not reliable otherwise.

There are players with inflated ratings and players who sandbag in every state in the country. These particular players from Texas have inflated ratings. The players on the far court from Texas were better than the players on the near court, but neither team from Texas was 5.0.

I imagine you could find better 5.0 players in Texas. Feels like ratings have had inflation similar to the economy. A year ago I would have said the Texas group were maybe solid 3.5s but with inflation they get to 4.0. Florida group looks solid. Rory should take his huge youtube income and get the two groups playing each other. That would be pretty definitive. I would watch it.

In Houston, the lady in the near court raises her left foot when she hits the ball from the baseline.

I think the finger behind the paddle is just a choked up eastern grip. I played like that until I forced myself to slide my grip down the paddle. I gained a ton of whip off the paddle, with less physical effort involved. Some added reach too, probably two to three inches. I switch to continental grip at the net, and for backhands. The hard part about giving up the finger behind the paddle is the loss of stability and control that finger provides. I was wild for a while but stuck with it till I regained control. Be all you can be...just slide down that grip and smash that ball like never before.

Anna Leigh Waters actually puts her finger on the paddle. Hard to believe but it's true. And Callan Dawson does as well.

The Texas group looks more like 3.5-4.0 play. Fla looked like 5.0.

We dont know the actuall skill level of the players...people are allowed to play up. I'm rated 3.5, but i have played in 4.5 and "open" level tournaments. I've also seen pros playing in 5.0.

I'm not sure either match is 5.0? Just for fun, look up Briones Pickelball, 5.0 dinkers vs 5.0 bangers, who will win? They are having fun!! Jordan Briones is one of the best coaches on u tube. used to play pro.

These people in the first video are 3.5/4.0 at best…. That’s being nice too.

Is the First Woman serving (2nd Group) at 4:00 have an illegal serve? She throws the Ball Up.

The beard court are more like 4.0. In my area the 4.5 are very very good. If you inflate your ratings, people good will see right through it. You shouldn't lie for egos sake. If you're a 4.0 but you look athletic, you're still a 4.0.

Illegal serve when the ball tossed up.

I’m 3.5 working my way up….my partner and I would beat both of these teams in Texas I would bet. 🤷🏻‍♂️

3.5 at best in Houston. Court movement is atrocious as well.

Self rated 5.0 players?

First group was terrible. Is it possible you picked their points before they warmed up and just randomly got the worst of their play? Second group is legit good.