Yachad Toronto Pickleball

Let's unite the community to support programs for people with special needs.

Tournament Players please use this Checklist

• If you check most boxes in a category, that’s likely your level.
• If you’re in between levels, round down for fairness unless you’re improving rapidly.

2.5 Advanced Beginner

  • Can sustain short rallies with players of similar skill
  • Can serve and return more consistently but lacks control
  • Can hit both forehands and backhands, but backhand is weaker
  • Struggles with dinking, volleys, and directional control
  • Knows basic court positioning but doesn’t move efficiently

3.0 – Recreational Intermediate

  • Can sustain medium-length rallies (5+ shots)
  • More consistent serve, returns, and forehand placement
  • Beginning to use dinks and volleys but lacks finesse
  • Struggles with pace control and resets
  • Understands court positioning and transitions to the net
  • Limited use of strategies like stacking or drop shots

3.5 – Competitive Intermediate

  • Can sustain longer rallies (10+ shots) with some directional control
  • Good consistency in serves, returns, and third-shot drops
  • Can volley with moderate consistency and place shots well
  • Uses dinking and drop shots but may struggle under pressure
  • Can recognize and adjust positioning based on opponent’s play
  • Beginning to use offensive lobs and counterpunching strategies

4.0 – Advanced

  • Consistently places serves, returns, and third-shot drops effectively
  • Good control over dinking, resets, and soft game under pressure
  • Moves efficiently with strong footwork and court awareness
  • Controls pace, can change strategies mid-game
  • Recognizes opponents’ weaknesses and targets them
  • Uses offensive lobs, counterattacks, and Ernes selectively

4.5+ – Expert/Tournament-Level

  • High-level consistency in all shots, including volleys, resets, and drop shots
  • Strong control over pace, spin, and shot placement
  • Strategic use of stacking, speed-ups, and deceptive play
  • Can handle fast-paced, aggressive opponents with ease
  • Plays effectively in high-pressure situations
  • Has experience competing in tournaments and winning at a high level

* Tournament Director will share rules and length of game prior to the event.

For troubleshooting please contact Devorah Marmer marmerd@ou.org or call 416-986-1985

Thank you to our sponsors for your generosity

Neil Shore

The Serruya Family Foundation

Tania and Jonathan Samson and Family

Alina and Steve Mayer

Michael and Karen Haber Charitable Foundation

Event Co-Chairs

Bev Benia-Herzig and Stacy Markin

Committee Members

Esti Cohen • Merav Cohen • Ellen Drazner • Irv Feferman • Marsha Fenwick • Debbie Gorman • Sean Haber • Michael Kalles • Kayla Markin • Alina Mayer • Miriam Perlmutter • Aurelia Ostro • Miriam Rubb • Arlene Rosenberg • Teekay Rosenblum • Jesse Sadja • Ian Spiegel • Racheli Spiegel • Anjie TK • Brenda Westbrook • Aryella Weisz

Yachad Staff

Devorah Marmer
Executive Director
marmerd@ou.org

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Yachad: The Canadian Jewish Council for Disabilities provides inclusive social, recreational and life skills programs for adults and teens living with special needs. Inclusion is when main stream high school and university students participate together with people with special needs as equals.