WHAT'S THE POINT?
The official blog of TPC

— A Beginner’s Guide to TPC’s Rating System

By Helen Georgopoulos
Toronto Pickleball Club
April 24, 2025

🟡 “What Colour Am I?” 

• Let’s be honest: stepping onto a pickleball court for the first time can feel a bit like walking into a high school cafeteria. Who are these people? Where do I sit—err, stand? And what does it mean to go from Green to Orange?

• At Toronto Pickleball Club, we get it. That’s why we’ve created a colour-based rating system, which we feel is way more inviting.

• Whether you’re just paddle-curious or looking to level up, here’s a quick guide to where you might land—and how to get where you want to go.

🟢 Green – “I’ve Seen a Paddle on Instagram”

• Welcome! You’re brand new—and that’s precisely where you’re supposed to be. Green is for players still figuring out how to hold the paddle, what a “kitchen” is, and why everyone’s so obsessed. 

• Hot tip: Book a Learn to Play session. You’ll get the basics, meet other newbies, and stop Googling “pickleball scoring” mid-match.

🟠 Orange – “I Can Hit the Ball… Occasionally”

• You’ve played around ten times or more, and can mostly keep a rally going (with a few friendly apologies thrown in). You’re learning the rules, trying out that thing called “court positioning,” and have discovered that the serve is trickier than it looks.

• Progress here is less about perfection and more about persistence.

🔴 Red – “Holding My Own and Starting to Think Ahead”

• At this stage, you’re no longer just reacting—you’re planning. Your serves are steady, you can return medium-paced shots without flinching, and rallies don’t end because you panicked. You’re starting to place the ball intentionally and recognize court coverage strategies.

• You’ve moved from just playing pickleball to playing with purpose.

🟣 Purple – “I Say Words Like ‘Dink’ With Confidence”

• You’re volleying with purpose. You know where to stand. You understand the importance of the non-volley zone and have stopped calling it the “no-fun line.” This group blends consistency with emerging control and strategy.

🔵 Blue – “Smart Shots, Smooth Moves

• Blue players are the cool cats of the court—consistent, strategic, and just competitive enough to keep things fun. They’re reading opponents, placing shots, and maybe even running drills in their spare time. (Show-offs.)

🟡 Curious where you fit in?

• Check out the complete Toronto Pickleball Club Ratings Guide for more detailed information.