There's a moment every new padel player knows well. You show up, racket in hand, genuinely excited — and someone asks: "What's your level?"

If your answer is a shrug, you're not alone. At Padel Club, we see it every week. And it's exactly why we built our level system the way we did — not to put people in boxes, but to make sure every session you book is the right one for where you actually are.

Here's how it works.

The Scale

Padel Club uses a numeric rating system from 0 to 4.0+, adapted from the NTRP framework used in tennis across the United States. You'll see these numbers on our schedule, in our WhatsApp community groups, and in the PlayByPoint app when you book. The goal is simple: the right player in the right session, every time.

Level 0 – 1.0 | Never Played

You've never held a padel racket — or you've watched a few YouTube videos and want to give it a go. This is exactly where you start, and there's nothing to figure out on your own. Our Intro to Padel clinic is a one-time class that walks you through the rules, scoring, and the basic strokes. After that session, you'll get rated and placed in the right program. Simple as that.

Level 1.0 – 1.9 | Beginner

You're on the court and starting to find your footing. You know the rules, you can get the ball in play, and you're building the muscle memory that makes the game start to click. The focus here is consistency — not power, not tactics. Just showing up, getting comfortable, and letting the repetition do its work.

Level 2.0 – 2.4 | High Beginner

You've got the basics down and rallies are starting to feel more natural. The walls, though — that's still a work in progress. The backhand needs attention, volleys are hit or miss, and positioning is something you're just starting to think about. This is one of the most satisfying stages of the game: you can feel yourself improving session by session.

Level 2.5 | Low Intermediate

This is a level we take seriously at Padel Club, and it has its own dedicated group in our WhatsApp community for good reason. Level 2.5 is where the game changes. You're no longer just trying to keep the ball in play — you're starting to use the whole court. Defending off the back wall, returning off the side wall, beginning to play with intention. Formats like Americanos and Mexicanos become available to you here, and that's when padel really starts to get fun.

Level 3.0 – 3.5 | Intermediate

Your serve is reliable. You can sustain rallies. You're thinking about where to put the ball, not just how to hit it. Most regular players spend a significant part of their game at this level — and that's not a bad thing. Progress here comes from patience, shot selection, and playing smart rather than playing hard. Match lessons with a pro are a game-changer at this stage.

Level 4.0+ | High Intermediate & Advanced

Group programming gives way to focused, high-intensity work. At this level, technique is largely automatic — the game is about reading your opponent, executing under pressure, and competing. Private lessons, advanced sessions with our pros, and tournament play are where players at 4.0 and above continue to grow.

Not Sure Where You Fit?

That's what we're here for. You can book a 30-minute rating session with one of our pros — they'll put you on the court, watch you play, and tell you exactly where you belong. Or call the front desk and we'll talk it through.

Once you know your level, everything else falls into place.