What is DUPR?
If you’ve watched a PPA Tour event recently, you’ve likely seen court signs and advertisements or even heard announcers talking about the “DUPR.” But what is DUPR, what is it used for, and how is it going to be a “game-changer” for pickleball? Let's dive in.
What is DUPR In Pickleball?
In short, DUPR stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating. The DUPR is a rating system that can be used by anyone, from amateurs to professionals, and can be used for everything from local games to PPA tournament play.
How does DUPR work, and how is it calculated?
The DUPR is an app that calculates your rating by taking into account your performance against other players. Sounds obvious, right? What sets the DUPR apart is its algorithm that calculates a 4-digit rating that increases or decreases depending on your opponent’s rating and the score of the match. For example, if you have a rating of 4.213, and your opponent has a rating of 4.394, and you’re able to pull off an “upset,” the DUPR considers that you beat a better opponent and will raise your rating. Alternatively, if you play a lower-rated player and lose or have a very close match, your rating will likely decrease. The DUPR system really digs deeper into the scores of the match and the 4-digit rating of your opponent to calculate your rating.
The moral of the DUPR-rating story is: Don’t take any points off! A bigger margin of victory and victories over higher-rated players is the key to maximizing and increasing your rating.
What do you get with a DUPR membership?
Access to other players' ratings
Direct messaging to other DUPR members
Access to your win-loss record, ratings, match history (both singles and doubles), and results analysis
Advanced analytics
The DUPR has committed itself to be the premier rating system in pickleball. They have worked closely with pro players like Ben Johns, Rob Nunnery, and others to fine-tune their algorithm to calculate the most accurate rating system in pickleball. If nothing else, it’s worth downloading the free version of the app to tinker with and see how you stack up to your local players or help accurately place you in your first event.
How long do paddles last?
You just spent a nice chunk of change on your new pickleball paddle, and it’s time to get to the courts and put it to the test. You need your paddle to be a trusty partner every time you step between the lines. But how long can you trust your paddle to play at its peak performance, and how can you tell when it’s lost its luster?
As the popularity of pickleball continues to skyrocket, so does the research and development, and technology of the paddles. The construction of paddles in just the last few years has improved leaps and bounds, making paddles not only play better but last longer, too. However, at the end of the day, just like any piece of equipment, pickleball paddles are subject to dead spots, fractures, and just overall wear and tear that will affect its performance, putting you on the hunt for a new paddle. This leads us to the question our Paddle Experts get almost daily.
So, how long should a paddle last? Well, the answer has so many variables. Pickleball paddles nowadays should last you between 1 and 3 years, depending on your game style, how often you play, and how you take care of your paddle between court times.
Here are three of the most important variables when determining how long your next pickleball paddle will last:
Pickleball paddle core materials. Keeping in mind that paddles are made of materials meant to keep paddles lightweight and flexible, paddles will naturally break down with repetitive use after 1 to 3 years. The most common pickleball core is a “polymer” core, which is a lightweight and soft plastic-like material that, over time, will begin to deaden with repetitive impact. On top of that is a thin layer of carbon fiber, graphite, or other very thin layers of material that will also start to lose performance after tens of thousands of hits.
Frequency of use. We had to state the obvious. A player that uses their paddle once a week and a player that uses their paddle five times a week is going to see different levels of wear and tear on their equipment. For someone stepping onto the court nearly every day, it might be a good idea to have a backup pickleball paddle readily available in case you feel your paddle's performance slipping.
Paddle Care. Don't forget to pamper your favorite piece of pickleball equipment. When you’re done with your matches for the day, slide that paddle into a paddle cover, into your bag, and out of your hot (or cold) car! The clicking and clacking of a paddle just tossed into your bag are not helpful for long-term durability, and the constant temperature changes inside your trunk can wear down the properties of your paddle significantly faster. So when you roll back into your driveway, make sure to bring your pickleball bag inside for maximum longevity of your paddle.
Pickleball Glossary
If you have been to a pickleball court, you may have heard some unique terms. We have compiled a list of terms used at pickleball courts across the country for you! Everything from slang, court positioning, and equipment, we have assembled a list for new pickleball players wanting to understand the game or experienced players updating their lingo.
A
Ace
An ace is a serve that your opponent does not return.
Approach Shot
The pickleball is struck while moving forward toward the net.
B
Backcourt
The area near the baseline.
Backhand
A backhand stroke is made on your non-dominant side. You know it’s a backhand hit when the back of your hand is facing the net as you hit the ball.
Backspin
Applying spin to the pickleball by making contact with a high-to-low motion causing the ball to spin in the opposite direction of its flight direction. Often referred to as a slice or chop.
Backswing
When your pickleball paddle is swinging from the ready position before following thru to the forward swing.
Banger
In order to overpower opponents, this player likes to hit hard shots.
Bert
When you hit an erne on the other side of the court in front of your partner.
Body Bag
When you forcefully hit your opponent with a pickleball, most commonly in the chest.
Bounce It
Often shouted at their partner to alert them that they believe the ball is going to land out of bounds.
C
Carry
When a pickleball shot does not bounce directly off the pickleball paddle, instead it is carried along the face throughout your shot.
Cross-Court
The court is diagonally opposite your court. When serving, you must hit the ball cross-court to your opponent.
D
Dead Ball
Called after a fault, the point is over.
Dink Shot
A dink shot is a soft and controlled shot that is intended to move downward shortly after it clears the net, landing in the no-volley zone or kitchen. (ideally at your opponent's feet).
Pro tip: slowing down the game with a dink is a great tool that every player should have in their bag of shots
Dinner
A dink winner.
Double-Bounce Rule
The double-bounce rule dictates that when the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce once before returning. ( two bounces.
Double Bounce
A pickleball bounces twice on one side of the court. A double bounce is a fault.
Doubles
Pickleball game played with 4 players, two on each team. Doubles can be plated in men, women, and mixed.
Double Hit
When the ball hits a player’s paddle twice before going over the net. If a double hit is the result of one continuous motion (meaning, without a second swing or push), it is technically a legal hit
Down the Line
A pickleball shot that travels parrel to the sideline, landing just in bounds
Drop Shot
A groundstroke shot that falls short of the opponent’s position
Drop Spin
A pickleball shot that is sliced or has backspin shortly after crossing the net. This is a very advanced shot.
F
Face
The area of the pickleball paddle that you make contact with the pickleball.
Falafel
A short shot due to hitting the pickleball with little to no power often falls much short of the net.
Fault
A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team; a fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or a side out.
Flapjack
A midair pickleball shot that you are not able to hit, due to the pickleball not having bounced once on each side of the court.
Flat Face
When a player keeps their pickleball paddle parallel to the net.
Follow Through
While swinging your pickleball paddle, the forward motion towards where you are wanting the pickleball to go.
Foot Fault
While serving a player makes contact with the baseline before making contact with the pickleball. A Non-Volley Zone Foot Fault is when a player touches the kitchen or non-volley zone during play. Both of these result in a point for the opposing team/player.
Forehand
A forehand stroke is made with your dominant forearm is facing forward. This is typically the most comfortable and natural stroke.
G
Game
A series of points in which a team accumulates 11 points. Some games are played to 15 or 21.
Golden Pickle
A variant of "getting pickled," or losing a game with no points scored. What the other team metaphorically earns when they beat you using only their first server, going from 0-0-2 to 11-0-2 without losing a point.
Grip
How a player holds their pickleball paddle or the material wrapped around the handle to provide comfort and protect the pickleball paddle.
Groundstroke
A groundstroke is made just after the ball bounces off the ground.
H
Half Volley
A half volley is a groundstroke shot where the paddle contacts the ball immediately after it bounces from the court and before the ball rises to its potential height. Some refer to this as a “short hop”.
K
Kitchen
Slang term for the Non-Volley Zone. The 7-foot section on both sides of the net, in which a player cannot enter or touch unless the pickleball enters the kitchen.
L
Let
A let is a serve that hits the net and lands in the proper service court. Let serves used to be replayed, but in sanctioned tournaments play continues.
Line Calls
Verbally said or shouted indicated that the shot was inbounds or out of bounds. Another way to show to the opposing team is index finger up means that the shot was out, and a parrel flat hand means that the shot was inbounds.
Lob
A lob is a shot that returns the ball as high and deep as possible attempting to make it over the opposing side’s reach. This forces a tough shot from the backline. While many use the lob, it can be difficult to not leave it up for a slam for the opposing team.
M
Midcourt
The area between the Non-Volley Zone and the baseline.
N
Nasty Nelson
While serving, you try to catch the opposing team off guard, aiming to hit your opponent that is not set to receive the serve.
Non-Volley Zone
The 7 feet area on both sides of the net. Players are not allowed to enter the Non-Volley Zone unless a pickleball is bounced within the zone. This is widely referred to as the “Kitchen.”
O
Overhead Shot
Any pickleball shot that is started above your head and driven downwards.
Overhead Slam
A powerful overhead shot hit downward, often from lobs left short or high bounces. Great to follow with a fist pump!
OPA!
It can be heard at some courts after the 3rd shot has been hit, signaling that a volley has begun
P
Paddle
The most important piece of equipment in pickleball.
Paddy
A shortened, slang name for a pickleball paddle.
Pickle!
Warning shouted by the player serving to alert opposing players the server is soon to serve.
Pickled
Equivalent to being “skunked” in other sports, scoring zero points in a game. The score would be 11-0.
Pickler
A pickleball addict, someone who can’t put the pickleball paddle down!
Poach
In doubles, when a player crosses over to their partner’s side to hit a shot.
Put Away
A shot that doesn’t have a chance to be returned. The opposing team can barely put a paddle on the pickleball.
Punch Shot
A quick, short volley shot with a short backswing and follow through.
R
Rally
is a continuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault.
S
Side-Out
A side out is declared after one side loses its service and the other side is awarded service.
Second Serve
The second serve by one team after having faulted on their first serve.
Serve
An underhand stroke used to put the pickleball into play. A serve must be made contact with the pickleball under the waist of the player.
Serve Number
Shouted before serving, to show which server the player is, followed by the score.
Service Court
The area on either side of the centerline. All lines are included in the service court, besides the non-volley zone.
Shadowing
A strategy used in doubles pickleball to work together as a team. In shadowing the players will move in synch to approach the net and to retreat. Imagine a rope is tied to your partner, so if one moves, the other has to move.
Sideline
The lateral border of the pickleball court.
Side-Out
When one side (team) loses its service and the other side is awarded service.
Singles
Playing pickleball with 2 players. One on each side of the court, one on one!
Slice
A shot used to create a backspin on the pickleball.
Smash
An overhead shot that is hit with lots of power.
Stroke
Swinging motion of striking the pickleball. Examples are backhand stroke and forehand stroke.
T
Third Shot Drop
The third shot of a game that typically happens near the baseline and is returned so that it lands perfectly in your opponent’s kitchen.
Top Spin
Applying spin to the pickleball creating a downward spin on the pickleball
V
Volley
A shot that is hit in the air, during a rally, before the ball has hit the ground.
Volley Llama
An illegal shot, where the pickleball player hits a volley shot in the non-volley zone.