The famous padel level grid, set up by French Padel Shop in collaboration with Stéphane Penso de Padel Magazine, has become a worldwide reference. It is used in many clubs, tournaments and for the organization of level groups. This 2025 version simplifies the scale by going from 10 to 8 levels, thus facilitating its universal adoption. Here are the details of each level:

1. Beginner

  • Main evolution : Learning the basics.
  • Description : “I'm starting to play. I'm learning the basic shots.”

2. Improvement

  • Main evolution : Development of short exchanges and first volleys.
  • Description : “I play the basic shots. I play slow short rallies. I start volleying.”

3. Elementary

  • Main evolution : First matches and adaptation with the windows.
  • Description : “I play recreationally. I know how to serve and I play matches with rallies, trying to keep the ball in play. I am starting to play with the back glass.”

4. Intermediate

  • Main evolution : Management of long exchanges and going up to the net.
  • Description :
    • “I play matches with long rallies and repeated up-and-downs at the net.”
    • “I go to the net to serve and then a lob.”
    • “I go back down in defense on the opposing lob to play the ball again.”
    • “I play the ball after it bounces off the glass.”
    • mastery : “I master the positioning, particularly depending on my partner, who I accompany to the net or back to the back of the court.”
    • Competition criteria :
      • Matches won in P25 and P100.
      • With ranking at the end of the P100 table.
      • Average points per tournament played: 5 to 25 points.

5. Confirmed

  • Main evolution : Mastery of lobs, volleys and placements.
  • Description :
    • “I master my game, with serve-and-volley, fallback on lobs, counter-attack, shots with effects, returns of service in lobs and to the feet, and positioning in phase with my partner.”
    • “I always go to the net after a lob.”
    • “I finish points with volleys and smashes.”
    • “I play with the windows in defense, and I put the ball back in play on 360 and double windows.”
    • Competition criteria :
      • Confirmed player : French Top 1.500 (up to 900th).
      • Confirmed player : French Top 10.000 (up to 6.000th).
      • P100: Mid-table ranking, 50% minimum wins.
      • P250: Ranking at the end of the table.

6. Advanced

  • Main evolution : Intensity, variations and defense of double glazing.
  • Description :
    • “I have mastered the fast game and the effects, on serve or in play.”
    • “I vary the areas and speeds of my volleys.”
    • “I defend double glazing.”
    • “I have mastered the 360 ​​perfectly.”
    • “I counterattack the opponent's smashes.”
    • Competition criteria :
      • Advanced player : French Top 900 (up to 450th).
      • Advanced player : French Top 6.000 (up to 3.000th).
      • P100: Top 6 series, tournament(s) won, regular top 4.
      • P250: Mid-table ranking, 50% wins.

7. Expert

  • Main evolution : Exceptional tactical mastery and defense.
  • Description :
    • “I have mastered all aspects of the game and tactics.”
    • “I use a game with strong and well-controlled effects, like the bandeja and the vibora.”
    • “I defend double glazing and put it back into play.”
    • Competition criteria :
      • Expert player : French Top 450 (up to 1.500th).
      • Expert player : French Top 3.000 (up to 1.000th).
      • P250: Final or table, winning against series.

8. Elite

  • Main evolution : Major tournament players.
  • Description : “Expert player: French Top 150. Expert player: French Top 1.000.”
    • Competition criteria :
      • Participation in P1000, P1500 and P2000 tournaments.

For more information and the reasons for this grid:

Padel level grid: why were the elite levels removed?
Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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