I've just started playing padel. It's an initiation.

I'm starting to learn the basic strokes. I know the rules. The game is slow, the exchanges are short.

The level 3 player is a player who is starting to make a few exchanges with a less academic technique. They are beginners with a little more experience. They play once or twice a month outside lessons.

The level 4 player has a little more technique than the level 3 player and plays several times a month. He goes up on the volley after a lob, does volleys and starts to let the ball go through to play with the glass at the back. The level 4 player makes as many unforced errors as the level 3 player, but the exchanges in this type of game last a little longer.

A level 5 player is one who either has a decent technique but can't read the game, or has little technique but has experience on the court that allows him to respond. His shots are more consistent but he can't defend well. His game is a little too disorganised compared to that of a level 6 player. In the official description, the level 5 player plays at least once a week, starts to play in approved tournaments, finishes points on the volley or with flat smashes and starts to defend with the glass and varies his defence a little between lobs and balls from below.

The level 6 player is a regular player with good technique. He is starting to defend but still has some way to go at this level to reach level 7. This is the best of the "amateur" players and the worst of the "competitive" players. He needs to reduce his unforced errors (and therefore his defence) and start winning points (and therefore improve his attack). He lacks tactical concepts. According to the official grid, level 6 players play regularly in approved tournaments, they finish points with lifting smashes and they vary the areas they volley from. In defence, they have a varied game and can play different shots at different speeds. He's starting to counter-attack.

The level 7 player is a player who isn't bad at anything but doesn't have any spectacular shots. They've mastered just about every padel shot at a decent level. He needs consistency in his game, more tactical understanding and solidity to progress to level 8. Officially, he's a player who wins matches in sanctioned tournaments and has mastered the concept of Bandeja and Vibora. He can get the ball out in 3s. He can rotate in defence and play at his opponent's feet.