New DUPR Coach Tool: In a move set to reshape the landscape of pickleball coaching, DUPR and My Pickleball Coach have revealed the “DUPR Coach” tool. This innovative technology enables coaches to conduct comprehensive skills analyses and generate Provisional DUPRs for players without official ratings. A Provisional DUPR, available solely through certified DUPR Coaches, assesses 18 distinct skill sets, including shot selection, court positioning, and technical abilities.
Enhancing Player Assessments
The introduction of the DUPR Coach offers a significant advancement for coaches aiming to evaluate the 34 million non-rated pickleball players across the United States. The tool simplifies the process of generating Provisional DUPRs, allowing coaches to provide detailed skill assessments via a straightforward app.
Brian Lloyd, Chief Pickleball Officer of Dill Dinkers, explains,
“Since pickleball is primarily played in a doubles format, the enjoyment and growth of the game require parity of skills. If one player is lower (or higher) in skill level, it impacts the quality of the match for all four players. The Provisional DUPR tool is a high-fidelity way for a player to truly have their skills analyzed by certified DUPR Coaches.
“This allows players to start their individualized development plan while enabling coaches the ability to support them from anywhere. It allows clubs to run more enjoyable or competitive events, like open plays or round robins, and caters to those new to the sport with the knowledge to register for the ‘right’ event. As a coach, I simply open an app on my phone and produce a Provisional DUPR in a few minutes.”
A New Revenue Stream for Coaches
DUPR Coach enhances player evaluation and provides coaches with a new revenue opportunity through DUPR Skills Assessment Events. These events, which come with a robust revenue model, offer attendees a Provisional DUPR and long-term personalized coaching, helping them set and achieve improvement goals while generating income for coaches and clubs.
David Kempster, Director of Racquets at The Peninsula Golf and Country Club, shows the value of Provisional DUPRs for player development.
“When you provide a non-rated player who’s relatively new to the game with a Provisional DUPR and grow their skills to a 3.5 DUPR, it creates a long-term member. DUPR Coach enables me to rapidly assess a player’s skills—like nothing I’ve ever seen. I now run the DUPR Assessment sessions monthly so players can see where they are and how good they can be.” – (Kempster)
Facilitating Sustainable Growth
The Provisional DUPR tool is crucial for the sustainable growth of pickleball by setting standards for player matching and enhancing the overall playing experience. Gavin Leon, Director of Racquets at Baltimore Country Club, highlights its impact:
“For pickleball’s growth to be sustainable and non-rated members to better engage and enjoy the sport, there must be a standard for matching players’ skill levels. Similar to the GHIN Handicap in golf, DUPR provides players with an objective way to measure their skill level so they can have the most fun playing competitively.” – (Leon)
“As a DUPR Coach, I can now rapidly generate Provisional DUPRs and develop skills for hundreds of newcomers. At The Baltimore Country Club, coaches now have a new program to welcome non-rated DUPR players. Already, we have seen this approach improve membership growth and retention.” – (Leon)
Embracing the Future
Jeff Rausch, Director of Pickleball at the Austin Pickle Ranch, expresses enthusiasm for the Provisional DUPRs’ role in player and facility advancement.
“Before DUPR Coach, our assessments helped players understand their skill level, but they lacked the formal recognition needed to take action.” – (Rausch)
“Now, with Provisional DUPRs, coaches at the Austin Pickle Ranch will be able to accurately assess players and provide them with a globally recognized rating to kick-start their DUPR journey. This not only helps our members better understand their abilities but enables all players to join skill-based play at their appropriate level. The introduction of Provisional DUPRs is a crucial step in ensuring the sport’s long-term success by creating fair, fun, and competitive play at our facility and beyond.” – (Rausch)
Looking Ahead
Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR, highlights the broader implications of this tool.
“Coaches are the lifeblood of pickleball, and the DUPR Coach tool is meant to empower coaches in their efforts to bring more players into the game and create even more engaging pickleball opportunities for all levels.” – (Machado)
“Pickleball is still on a remarkable global growth trajectory and supporting coaches with the ability to assign players Provisional DUPRs will make their entry into pickleball even more enjoyable and ultimately keep them on the court for years to come. We are excited to partner with My Pickleball Coach to merge our tools, technology, and expertise to support the growth of the game at all levels.” – (Machado)
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), presented by Delaware Life, stands as the premier global pickleball rating system, embraced by leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. Its dynamic rating system evaluates players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale, unifying pickleball evaluations worldwide.
About DUPR Coach
DUPR Coach, in partnership with My Pickleball Coach, enables coaches to issue Provisional DUPRs for the 34 million non-rated pickleball players.
News in Brief: New DUPR Coach Tool
DUPR and My Pickleball Coach have launched “DUPR Coach,” a tool allowing coaches to generate Provisional DUPRs for non-rated players. This tool evaluates 18 skill sets and is designed to help coaches enhance player development while creating new revenue streams through Skills Assessment Events. The Provisional DUPR aims to improve player matching, facilitate competitive play, and support pickleball’s growth.
Coaches like Brian Lloyd and David Kempster highlight its potential in elevating player skills and club offerings. DUPR’s CEO, Tito Machado, emphasizes its role in expanding pickleball’s reach and engagement.
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