The Top 10 States for 5.0 Pickleball Players

Rick and Fabian are back in person at 3rd Shot Pickleball to recap the Great Pumpkin Paddle Battle. Signups sat at 30 three weeks out and finished at 150, and the open singles division sold out with $500 to the winner. Then they get into DUPR's new data: only 1% of rated players are 5.0 or above, almost a third sit between 3.0 and 3.49, and Florida and California lead the country in 5.0 players. Rick says 5% of the world thinks they're a 5.0, and he has a message for anyone blaming a DUPR drop on their partner: stop making excuses.

From there, the guys argue about whether Indiana could ever become a pickleball hotbed. Rick says no for a training base and yes for a big event, and they make the case for Grand Park and Chatham Hills. Rick also explains why he looks away at contact, when you should still watch the ball into your paddle, and what he thinks Ben Johns is really focused on. Plus a SpongeBob paddle from Volair, Rick's CSP season, his December camps, and the most unexpected pre-match playlist on tour.

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Key Takeaways
DUPR says only 1% of rated players are 5.0+. 84% haven't reached 4.0, and 3.0–3.49 is the biggest group at 29%. Being a 3-something is the middle of the pack, not below it.

Warm weather drives the 5.0 map. Florida (277) and California (238) lead, followed by Utah (110) and Texas (108). Arizona didn't make the top 10, and Rick puts that down to its retirement communities.

Indiana can host big events but won't become a training hub. Rick says no beach, no mountains and five indoor months keep pros away. Fabian pitches Grand Park and Chatham Hills for a major event, and a Minor League Pickleball state qualifier may be coming to Third Shot in December.

How much to watch the ball depends on your level. Rick says 2.5–3.5 players should watch the paddle hit the ball, while 4.0 and up should read it off the opponent's paddle and prepare earlier.
Use your DUPR as fuel, not an alibi. Rick's message is to use it as bulletin board material and stop making excuses for drops.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Welcome back to Third Shot
00:14 Great Pumpkin Paddle Battle recap
02:18 Running a tournament while playing in it
03:16 The 16-year-old trying to go pro
05:24 Please sign up early
06:25 Kristen's last-minute mixed gold
07:42 Fundamentals vs. sizzle
08:43 Only 1% are rated 5.0+
10:02 How CSP pods split by DUPR
10:59 Why top players come from other sports
13:05 Being a 3-something isn't below average
13:56 Stop making DUPR excuses
14:44 DUPR's rating distribution
16:05 Top 10 states for 5.0 players
19:38 Could Indiana become a pickleball hotbed?
23:19 Where Indy could host a pro event
24:50 Pro events Indy has already hosted
25:20 Should you watch the ball?
28:41 What Ben Johns is focused on
30:15 Volair SpongeBob paddle unboxing
32:28 Rick's CSP season & December camps
34:38 Rick's pre-match playlist