IPTPA-endorsed clinic at the Ocean Reef Club with instructors Seymour Rifkind , Kyle Yates , Simone Jardim
Descriptions and self-rates much higher than the person ’ s true pickleball skill justifies . This issue will only magnify as our sport continues to grow .
As the leading pickleball teaching professional organization , IPTPA is in a unique position to help clarify and create consistency in assessing the proper skill rating for the non‐tournament player . Our instructors teach and evaluate players ’ strengths and weaknesses every day across the country . Creating a consistent methodology to measure a player ’ s skill throughout his / her development and implementing that procedure accurately will assure the pickleball community that a 3.0 player who has been rated by an IPTPA-certified rating specialist ( CRS ) in Florida is of like skill to a 3.0 player in California or New York . This program is directed at players who have not participated in USAPA-sanctioned tournaments and therefore DO NOT have an USAPA rating . Below are some of the immediate benefits this program will address :
1 . IPTPA-endorsed clinics that attract players from different states or regions will have an easier time placing players in like-skilled groups when a non-tournament player has a skill rating that has been assessed by an IPTPA-certified rating specialist ( CRS ).
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2 . Non-tournament players who travel and are looking for a game or group of like-skilled players can be confident of each other ’ s skill level if they and the group of players they are joining have been given a rating by an IPTPAcertified rating specialist .
3 . Clubs that are currently developing leagues with players who do not have an USAPA rating will have a resource to turn to for getting their participants an accurate skill rating .
4 . As more non-tournament players have a comfort level that their current skill has been accurately assessed through an IPTPA rating specialist , they will be more willing to enter an USAPA-sanctioned tournament . They can be confident in entering the correct skill division .
In an effort to solve the current rating dilemma among non‐tournament players , IPTPA has developed a curriculum for IPTPA CRS . All current 4.5 and higher Certified Pickleball Teaching Professionals will automatically be eligible for the additional CRS ( Certified Rating Specialist ) designation after passing a written exam and familiarizing themselves with our three-part skill assessment protocol .
Any prospective 4.5 or higher USAPA player interested in becoming a Certified Rating Specialist should visit the IPTPA website for guidelines on how to become certified or contact rif @ iptpa . com . You do not need to be a Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional to be eligible for the CRS designation . •
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 | MAGAZINE 49