To ensure the best possible experience at our events, we use the Philadelphia Volleyball Rating System to help guide players to the events that are appropriate for them.
First and foremost it is important to remember that we primarily organize adult amateur volleyball, and the goal is to have fun at events. This system is not a tryout for a team, you will not get kicked out of the organization for having a “too low” rating. This is a system to help ensure you end up on the correct court so that the game stays fun and safe for everyone.
Why do we have a rating system?
In the past, we used a self-rating system (“sports cards” for veterans of Opensport) but self-ratings turned out to be too inconsistent and unreliable for hosts to use accurately to make decisions, and sports cards in general have been phased out of Opensports. Many other regional volleyball organizations have implemented similar rating systems and we’re following suit.
The rating system helps us:
Ensure player safety
Volleyball can be a fast paced game, and especially at higher levels, has a lot of moving parts. As the game pace increases, have the adequate body control and knowledge of where to be on the court to avoid collisions (under the net or between teammates.) Having high level players hitting at much lower level players can also pose a safety risk.
Make events more consistently deliver on the advertised level
Players can have fun playing no matter what level they are playing. But it’s important for events to be the level players expect when they signup. It’s no fun being by far the worst or by far the best player at an event, especially when both you and your teammates have different expectations
Remove the burden/bias of rating players from individual hosts
We frequently received complaints about hosts needing to remove players for not being the correct level for an event, and similar complaints on the other end from players about hosts being bias. It’s unpleasant and uncomfortable on both ends. Having a more formal rating system adds clarity for everyone involved
Avoid sandbagging in competitive play
Maintaining the rating system also enables us to ensure a sense of fair play in leagues and tournaments, and avoid having athletes play down to get easy wins, as this ruins the experience for everyone else.
Not all Philly Volleyball events will require a rating to sign up, but most hosts will restrict sign ups for higher level (4.0 or “A” level and above) based on player ratings.
With the removal of sports cards from Opensports, rating based filters are also now the most effective way for hosts to send out invitations for their events, so even if you don’t wish to play at more competitive events, we recommend getting rated so you get invitations to events when hosts send them out.
How it works
All members are eligible to be rated, on a scale from 6 (highest/semi-pro) to 0 (lowest/beginner).
An individual's overall rating evaluates their ability relative to other players in the region in each of the basic skills of the game: serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking, and defense.
Your rating is the average grade from a minimum of 3 raters, based on watching you play. It can be updated as you learn and get better as a player, via raters or winning in tournaments/competitive play.
Your rating is stored in your Opensports profile and is only viewable by you, hosts and admins.
A rating of 0 is brand new to the game, a rating of 2.5 is roughly intermediate, and 4.5 is competitive. A 5.5 or higher is for elite level players at the very top end of the events we offer.
The PVR Scale roughly maps to the letter ratings you will commonly see used for volleyball at tournaments or and in other regions/organizations. We also use these to letter labels to define skill levels for our events and tournaments.
Many of our events bucket close levels together, for example:
An event labeled B to Lower BB would be targeted to players between a 1.0-3.0
An event labeled Lower BB to Upper BB would be targeted to all BB players — between a 2.0-4.0
An event labeled Upper BB to A, would be meant for players with 3.0-5.0. An event or specific position of this level might be restricted to only players with a rating of 3.0 or above.
An event labeled for A to AA would likely be restricted to players 4.0 and above.
So what to these numbers mean?
These numbers are based on the Player Benchmarks, which has a set criteria and list of competencies for each of the core volleyball skills, at each level. When you get ratings, you are being judged based on how you compare to the descriptions, rather than other players at the event. This is meant to give both players and hosts a more accurate evaluation of if a player is at the targeted level for an event.
Player Benchmarks
Attacking
The Player struggles to hit the ball over the net and/or inbounds.
The player can attack the ball overhand, with at least medium velocity and an arched trajectory towards the last 1/3 of the court, or low/medium velocity with a downward trajectory.
The player can attack the ball with either a spike or strong downball (attack with feet on the ground). They know where to reload/move on the court to get in position to approach and hit the ball, and can make some adjustments to off sets. Their attacks may lack power but they will usually get hit in the court and in a way that makes it difficult for BB players to get to it.
The player knows where to be on the court as offensive plays are developing and can jump and spike the ball with a downwards trajectory. They can find holes in defenses and a good set will usually result in a kill against other BB players. While they are not expected to play error free, they should generally have a positive hitting percentage*.
The player can spike the ball downwards with force. They are able to adjust to off sets to still reliably hit the ball with some power or into a smart spot to put the opposing team out of system. They have the footwork to move around the court and take an approach in a fast passed offensive system. They make smart choices/use a variety of attacking option to score points even when facing a double block. They should usually be hitting at least a .100 hitting percentage*.
The player will consistently score points against other A level players. They can attack effectively from the front or back row and score points even on off sets. They have the game knowledge and athleticism to run a more complex offense with designed plays. They should usually be hitting at least a .250 hitting percentage*.
The player is a top contributor to a high level offense. They are very athletic and can adjust to opposing blockers and defensive schemes to score points with a very high level of consistency.
*We do not collect player stats at events. The quality of setting, opposing blocks, and opposing defense can vary from event to event and will effect individual performances. The listed hitting percentages are simply to give an estimate of the efficiency expected from different levels of hitters. These numbers assume the opposing players are at the same level. Please do not get hung up looking at recordings and counting kills and errors. Do not send us footage asking to adjust your rating.
Blocking
The player cannot get their hands near to the top of the net line or cannot land safely on their side without contacting the net or another player
The player can form a single block, with hands above the net or a soft block near the top of the net, and land safely on their side of the court.
The player can get their hands above the net and disrupt the opposing attack, either touching the ball or funneling it to their teammates. They can occasionally execute double blocks with the player next to them. They are able to jump and land safely, and avoid contact with the net.
The player can reach above and penetrate over the net, taking away some options from the other team. They can time their block well and track setters and attackers to execute a double block with their teammates
The player can reach above and penetrate over the net, taking away options from the other team and channeling them into intended defensive zones. They can consistently close a double block (or triple block) with their teammates. Their blocks often result in a block touch, and occasionally a block for a point.
The player can make quick adjustments against offenses with multiple high level attackers, tracking the opposing setter and attackers. Their block is fully penetrating to the other side and puts pressure on high level hitters, getting touches, blocks, or forcing errors.
The player can read and adjust to AA level offenses while physically contributing to the blocking system with block assists or solo blocks, or can dominate an A level opposition's offense resulting in multiple blocks per game.
Defense
The player struggles to get the ball in the air when it's hit towards them.
The player is still learning how to read attackers, but can dig balls that are hit/or tipped to them, and get them ball generally upwards and towards the front zone of the court.
The player has good court awareness and knows how to move to where a ball is being hit. They can dig the ball with their platform or overhand, from medium velocity spikes, and get the ball high in the air allowing their team to get to it. They understand where they should set up in their base position on defense. They rarely miss a free ball that comes to them.
The player knows where to be on the court at all times as plays are developing, how to split the court, know what they are responsible for in a usual base defense, and communicates with their teammates. When the ball is hit towards them by other BB players, they can usually get a dig up and to the front zone/towards their setter.
The player can read off a block, and anticipate where the ball will be hit to put themselves in position to dig the ball against an A level offense with multiple attackers. They have strong defensive mechanics and instincts. When the ball is rolled or tipped near them, they will usually get a good dig to their setter.
The player can read and adjust to high level attackers. They effectively cover their responsibilities on the court and can get digs off even the highest level attackers, and give their teammates a chance to play the ball.
The player has strong defensive instincts and athleticism to put them in the right place to dig the ball against the highest level offense/attackers. When they dig a ball, they get the ball high and to the front court where the setter has multiple options.
Serve Receive
The player struggles to pass the ball.
The player can pass the ball towards the net/towards the front half of the court from a low velocity serve.
The player can consistently (70% of the time) pass a settable ball from a medium velocity serve, using their hands overhead or their platform. Their setter should have at least 1 easy option to set the ball on most of their passes. They have a basic understanding over where to line up on the court for serve receive, but may need some directions from teammates in a more organized offensive system (like a 5-1 or 6-2)
The player can consistently (70% of the time) pass a serve to from other BB players to target, allowing their setter to have at least easy 2 options to set the ball to. They know to communicate about seams with their teammates and they know where to line up when running a 5-1 or 6-2.
The player can consistently (75% of the time) pass a serve to from other A players to target, allowing their setter to have at least 2 easy options to set the ball to. They rarely get aced and their bad passes are generally still playable by one of their teammates.
The player can consistently (85% of the time) pass a serve to target from other A level players, allowing their setter to consistently have a full 3 options to set the ball. The player rarely gets aced, and bad passes are still good enough to be converted to out of system attacks.
The player consistently (90% of the time) passes to target on serves from other AA level players. The player rarely gets aced, and will almost always give a playable ball to their team.
Serving
The player struggles to execute a legal serve
The player can execute a legal serve (underhand or overhand) and get the ball into play consistently.
The player can serve overhand into the court consistently (70%). They can serve specific regions of the court to try and disrupt the opposing team.
The player can consistently (70%) serve to the location they're aiming at. They can serve in a manner which causes disruption to a team's ability to pass, or occasionally results in an ace, against other BB players, and occasionally A players.
Against other A level players they can serve in a manner which causes disruption to a team's ability to pass, or occasionally results in an ace. They may take more risks/serve more aggressively, but the majority of time they should be getting the ball over the net and inbounds.
Against other A level players they routinely (80%) serve in a manner which causes disruption to a team's ability to pass. They will frequently get aces against lower level players.
Against other AA level players they can serve in a manner that pushes the opposing team out of system. They routinely get aces against lower level players.
*Pickup is the place to practice things so you should not be afraid to make errors. However this is not Men's NCAA and if you are consistently serving out or into the net, it will drag you score no matter how hard you hit the ball.
Setting
The player struggles to accurately get a ball to their teammates to hit.
When the ball is passed toward the front of the court, the player can consistently get a hittable ball to their teammate, either with a bump set or overhand set.
The player can consistently set a hittable ball to their outside hitter and middle from most places in the front zone, and occasionally back set. They're confident in their hand setting and can set with minimal double contacts. They know how to move around on the court when they are the designated setter on their team (usually either in a 4-2 or a 5-1)
The player can accurately set any of their hitters in the front row from a good pass. They can set on the run and adjust to balls in most areas of the court to get their teammates a hittable ball, and communicate with their hitters to get them the specific sets they want. They know how to lead a 5-1 or 6-2 offensive system.
The player can run a high level offense, adjusting to passes all over the court. They have the ability to call and execute specific plays with their attackers. They can set on the run and even on poor passes they are usually able to get a hittable ball to their teammates
The player has a high level of technical skill to set the ball from all over the court, and also make smart decisions on the court to match. They have the ability to keep their team in system on mediocre passes, and run designed plays to give their attackers an advantage over blockers. They better the ball nearly every time they touch it.
The player can run a complex offense and set with high levels of consistency in height, spacing, and tempo. They make smart decisions and help to scheme their hitters open, to give them an advantage over an AA level block.
Guidelines for players
Your PVR (Philadelphia Volleyball Rating) is a skill level rating stored in your Opensports profile.
This is a separate rating from the self-rating rating in the questionnaire you may have filled out. Your PVR is only visible to you, hosts and admins, and is used by hosts to help them organize events.
Your PVR will be made up of the average from a minimum of 3 ratings, given to you by eligible raters who have seen you play, at pickup events, leagues, tournaments or dedicated rating events. These ratings ar based on the guidelines given in the Player Benchmarks.
The main purpose of these ratings is to provide clarity, and assist hosts with maintaining events that match the advertised skill level and keep the players safe on the court. Hosts can use these ratings for inviting users on Opensports, as well as requiring a minimum level for specific events or positions.
How to get a rating:
Designated Rating Events
The fastest way to get your initial PVR is to go to a dedicated rating event. These will be hosted at least once a month, and sometimes more often, depending on gym availability. At these events, you will run a few drills and play in some scrimmages, for raters to watch and evaluate.
A rating event will have at least 3 eligible raters in attendance, allowing you to get 3 ratings to create your initial PVR.
Organic Event Rating
It’s also possible to get a rating from attending normal events. To get a rating from an event, you’ll need an eligible rater, who you can identify on a attendance list by the [Rater] on their profile. If they happen to be in attendance, you can reach out to them before playing and request that they give you a rating at the end of the event. Raters are volunteers and there it is not guaranteed that they are available to rate you even if they are in attendance. You will need to be rated 3 times to establish a PVR.
This can be more difficult than a dedicated rating event, since you may be limited in what events you can attend while being unrated, and it requires an eligible rater to also be in attendance, and have availability to rate you.
Initial On-boarding
As we work to get everyone ratings to our hundreds of players, we will have an initial on-boarding period where players can get an initial rating from raters that have seen them play in the past 2 months.
Getting your rating adjusted
Once you have an established rating, it’s easier to get your rating updated organically. The process is still the same (you must still request a rating from eligible raters that are at events you attend) but since you have a rating you have more options for events to attend. You must wait 3 months between requesting a rating from the same rater.
You can also attend a dedicated rating event. You must wait 6 months in between going to rating events, to insure space for new members.
Winning or placing in competitive play (tournaments or leagues) can also be used to update your rating. If you win or place in your division multiple times you the organizer may put in a request to update your PVR.
Once you have your initial 3 ratings to create your PVR, your rating will be made up of an average from your most recent 5 ratings. This allows your rating to change over time as you improve.
If you are new to the Philadelphia area, and have a verifiable play history (tournaments, collegiate play, volleyball life profile… etc) or rating with another volleyball organization, reach out to raters@phillyvolleyball.org and we may be able to give you an initial rating based on that.
Who can become a rater?
Raters are active members of the Philadelphia Volleyball community with lots of volleyball experience, who volunteer to help us assign ratings to Philly Volleyball athletes. They must meet at least one of the following criteria to apply:
Played D1 or D2 collegiate volleyball
Coached for 5+ years
Hosted 20+ Events
Attended 50+ Opensports Events or Leagues
Extensive Tournament History
These criteria are to ensure that raters understand the scope of levels across adult volleyball from beginners to elite level players. Similar to something like a referee, being a rater is not a reflection of personal skill, but of familiarity with the game and ability to accurately evaluate other players. Meeting these criteria does not automatically make someone a rater, you must also demonstrate and ability to accurately apply the rating system.
We do our best to make sure our list of eligible raters includes members from a variety of levels as well as from backgrounds that represent the diversity in our community.
What are your responsibilities as a rater?
Your role as a rater is to help us assign ratings to players in the community as objectively as you can.
You will be asked to rate players at designated rating events, and you may be asked by individual players at events you attend to give them an "organic" rating.
Individual rating requests are meant to be a convenient way for players to get ratings at events you are already attending, not a request for you to come out to an event just to watch them. They must ask you before the event, and then after the event you can submit the rating to the system. If you feel like this becomes too burdensome, you can cap the number of ratings you give on a per event or per month basis.
What are your responsibilities as a rater?
When asked to rate a player you will watch them play, and then assign them a score on a scale of 0-6 (0 being beginner, 6 being AA.) When giving them a rating we ask that you are as objective as possible and refer to the Player Benchmarks. Your ratings will be added to the PVR database, which will be updated and pushed to Opensports on a regular basis.
You will submit the score through the rating form. It must include the Names and Email they use on Opensports, and must match exactly for the ratings to go to the correct player. If a player requests a specific position for indoors, you should also select that. The most recent position submitted will be used for calculating weighted scores.
When rating players, you have the option to rate in incriments of .5.
The average for each individual skill will be visible. Players will also get a weighted rating, calculated from the skills and any positions selected.
No player’s PVR will be dictated by a single rater. Each PVR will be an average of a minimum 3 ratings.