Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to assist in self-rating and choosing a division of play for PlayTeamPickleball
What Divisions are Contested in PlayTeamPickleball?
Each league has the option to contest multiple divisions based on player demand, court availability and other factors. The following options are available:
For Co-Ed play, the divisions are divided by rating into:
- Novice (3.0 and down)
- Low Intermediate (3.1-3.5)
- High Intermediate (3.6-3.9)
- Advanced (4.0+)
For Male or Female Gender based play, the divisions options are:
- Intermediate (3.25-3.75)
- Advanced (3.8+)
All divisions can be contested in the 18+ and 50+ age divisions.
Players must play on the same self-rating for each league season (Spring, Summer, Fall). Players may play in both age divisions and in co-ed and gender based play if your self-rating allows.
What is the PTPB East Coast Championship and how do I qualify?
The East Coast Championship is contested each summer to find out which PTPB teams are the best of the best in their division of play in a fun, community environment. Held in July, local league champion teams are invited to this Championship to compete against champions from other areas. Currently, Fall & Spring champions are invited to the Summer ECC. View the results of the 2023 ECC here.
How do I Rate Myself to Participate?
All players are self-rated in PlayTeamPickleball competition. In the absence of a unified rating system for pickleball, all players must self-rate for league play. Players with PTPB league history will be given a “minimum self-rating” based on past results. Currently, these are assigned at the end of each calendar year.
How is the PlayTeamPickleball “Minimum Self-Rating” Calculated?
At the end of the season, all participating players are rated on a progressive, match by match algorithm to identify players who have consistently outperformed or underperformed their self-rating/division of play. Due to the limitations of the data, players are not assigned an official rating for competition, but a minimum rating which they must play at or exceed when they self-rate.
The PTPB algorithm analyzes each game based on the expected outcome based on the dynamic combined rating of the two players in 3 categories (toss up, slightly favored, or heavily favored). The result of the game is evaluated in 3 categories (even, close, blowout) with the match winner earning a small bonus. Processing through the nearly 10,000+ games, each player’s rating is adjusted up or down game by game.
Is the PlayTeamPickleball “minimum self-rating” a guaranteed accurate assessment of my pickleball skill?
Not necessarily. Being that the algorithm is only processing PlayTeamPickleball match play, it is only able to glean how your skills and results compare to those you compete against within the league. What it does provide is a fair way for you to participate in the PlayTeamPickleball league as all players rated are being held to the same standard.
What about the new self-rated players to PlayTeamPickleball, how will “sandbagging” by controlled?
As with all players playing in the league, they will be self-rated. If a player self-rates well below their skill level and their results show many victories against higher rated players, their dynamic rating will grow, and they may be subject to disqualification. With the PTPB algorithm, individual player ratings can be calculated in real-time to detect and monitor outliers.