RTM Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DUPR rating session?
DUPR is an innovative rating system that matches players based on their skills for fair, fun, and competitive games! Whether you're just starting or you're a seasoned pro, DUPR will help you find the right challenge. Sessions will be run at DTL in a two-hour match play format and scores will be entered into DUPR’s system once the session is complete allowing players to build their rating.
When will the DUPR Rating sessions be offered and how do I sign up?
You can sign up directly on Pickleballtournaments.com. Once the session is filled any additional sign-ups will be moved onto a waitlist. If you are on the waitlist, you will be notified 24 hours beforehand if you are able to participate. You will not be charged until the day of the session.
Friday, January 31
Session 1 - 5-7PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 2 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Saturday, Feb 1
Session 1 - 8-10AM - DUPR 3.0-3.4
Session 2 - 10AM-12PM - DUPR 4.5+
Sunday, Feb 2
Session 1 - 10AM-12PM - DUPR 3.0-3.4 (10 spots only)
Session 2 - 12-2PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 3 - 5-7PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Friday, Feb 7
Session 1 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Saturday, Feb 8
Session 1 - 5-7PM - DUPR 3.0-3.4
Session 2 - 7-9PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Sunday, Feb 9
Session 1 - 1-3PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Friday, Feb 14
Session 1 - 7-9PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Saturday, Feb 15
Session 2 - 10AM-12PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 3 - 5-7PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Session 4 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.5+
Sunday, Feb 16
Session 1 - 1-3PM - DUPR 3.0-3.4
Session 2 - 5-7PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 3 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Friday, Feb 21
Session 1 - 5-7PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 2 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4
Saturday, Feb 22
Session 1 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.5+
Session 2 - 9-11PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Sunday, Feb 23
Session 1 - 1-3PM - DUPR 3.0-3.4
Session 2 - 5-7PM - DUPR 3.5-3.9
Session 3 - 7-9PM - DUPR 4.5+
Wednesday, Feb 26th
Session 1 - 8-10PM - DUPR 4.5+ (6 spots only)
Session 2 - 8-10PM - DUPR 4.0-4.4 (10 spots only)
Where will the DUPR Rating sessions take place?
Sessions will take place at Down the Line (DTL) Sports Center in Fairfax, VA located at 10390 Willard Way, Fairfax, VA 22030 until the new DTL facility opens in Annandale Summer 2025.
What does the structure of the DUPR rating session look like?
2 hours of competitive match play king/queen of the court style. Players will initially be assigned a partner. Matches will be played to 11, win by 1. Winners will move up a court while losers will move down a court. All pairs will split at each rotation and play with a different partner. The goal is to get in as many matches as possible but expect to play around 7-8 matches. A sample schedule would look like this:
7:45-8:00 – Check In/receive perks package
8:00-8:15 – Introduction/court assignments/player warmup
8:15-9:45 – Match Play
9:45-10:00 – Giveaways and Q & A
Are different levels of the DUPR rating sessions offered?
Yes, the sessions will be broken out as follows:
Level 1: Grand Prix 3.0-3.4
Level 2: Challenger 3.5-3.9
Level 3: Tournament Training 4.0-4.4
Level 4: Premier 4.5+
What level should I register for if I don’t have a DUPR already?
If you do not have a DUPR rating, do your best to to self rate to pick the session that best fits your skill level. If you do not have a rating, enter the lowest available DUPR rating session (Level 1: 3.0-3.49).
Are there any perks/benefits that come with the DUPR rating session?
Yes, participants will receive a DCPTxDTL RTM branded item; b) Chance to win raffle prizes throughout the session; c) Join DCPT & DTL DUPR Club Accounts to be entered to win 2025 MLP DC tickets and have DCPT track your progress along your Road to the Minors; d) All matches will be recorded into DUPR allowing your performance to count toward your official rating and establish your DUPR profile;
After I complete two RTM DUPR Rating Sessions, what’s next?
All players must participate in a minimum of two (2) RTM DUPR sessions held at DTL before registering for any of the RTM Tournament dates other than the first Tournament date where only one (1) RTM DUPR session will be required. After completing your first DUPR rating session participants will be eligible to participate in the first RTM Tournament on Feb 28 - March 2 allowing them to continue to build their DUPR profile and compete in RTM tournaments. Based on the initial results of the DUPR rating session coaches will recommend a level of RTM that best suits the participant.
When will my scores from RTM DUPR rating sessions/RTM tournaments be recorded in DUPR?
Pickleballbrackets.com and DUPR have integrated their scoring technology, so you’ll see scores and ratings updated within 24 hours of the event.
How do I find my DUPR rating?
Open the DUPR app and find your profile for your rating and see how it ranks against the others by joining the DTL and DC Pickleball Team DUPR Club Accounts.
What is the DUPR reliability score?
A DUPR Reliability Score is a percentage that indicates how dependable a player's current DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is, based on factors like how recently they've played, the variety of opponents they've faced, and how frequently they've entered match results, essentially showing how accurate their rating is based on the data available.
What is the maximum # of DUPR rating sessions I can sign up for?
There is no limit to the number of sessions you can attend, but if you do not compete in one of the RTM tournaments within 60 days of your first DUPR sessions you’ll be asked to register for one of the RTM tournaments before entering another DUPR session.
What is the RTM Tournament Series?
The RTM Series is a tournament series to provide a pathway for amateur players to have a chance at qualifying for one of D.C. Pickleball Team’s Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) rosters. The top performing players in the RTM Series will get to showcase their skills during the RTM Cup (Finals) at the end of the year through MiLP format play. It will also allow players to build their DUPR profiles and gain valuable match play experience while being evaluated by the D.C. Pickleball Team coaching staff and front office.
When will RTM tournaments be offered and how do I sign up?
The RTM tournament schedule is listed below and you can sign up directly on Pickleballtournaments.com.
1) Friday, Feb 28 – Sunday, March 2 & Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 9 (Fairfax)
2) Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13 & Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 20 (Fairfax)
3) Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 25 & Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1 (Fairfax)
4) Friday, June 27 – Sunday, June 29 (Annandale)
5) Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27 (Annandale)
6) Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24 (Annandale)
7) Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21 (Annandale)
8) Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19 (Annandale)
9) Friday, November 14 – Sunday, November 16 (Annandale) - RTM CUP FINALS
There will be a maximum of 8 teams (16 players) registered per division (i.e., DUPR level 1 (3.0-3.49) men’s doubles will have a maximum of 8 teams. DUPR level 1 (3.0-3.49) women’s doubles will have a maximum of 8 teams and so on). There will be a waitlist if a particular division fills up. Waitlist entrants will be notified 24 hours beforehand if they have entered. DTL may choose to offer multiple “flights” of the same division if one division does not fill up (i.e., if DUPR level 1 (3.0-3.49) men’s doubles only get 1 signup and DUPR level 2 (3.50-3.99) men’s doubles gets 14 signups DTL will run two sessions for level 2 and cancel level 1 for that day).
Are there any prerequisites to register for RTM Tournaments?
Yes...1) All players must have an active DUPR account and rating.
2) All players must be a DUPR member of Down the Line and DC Pickleball Team
3) All players must participate in a minimum of two (2) RTM DUPR sessions held at DTL before you can register for any of the RTM Tournament dates other than the first Tournament date where only one (1) RTM DUPR session will be required.
Will the RTM Series have different levels?
Yes, the RTM series will mirror the DUPR rating session levels:
Level 1 3.0-3.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
Level 2 3.5-3.9 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
Level 3: 4.0-4.49 (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
Level 4: 4.5+ (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
Level 5: Open Division (men’s/women’s/mixed doubles)
What is the format of an RTM tournament?
There will be 2 pools of 4 teams (8 teams total). Every pool will play round robin format and get a guarantee of 3 matches. The top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals. The winners of semifinals will play for 1st/2nd while the losers of semifinals will play for 4th.
Every pool play round and semi-finals will consist of 1 game to 15 points, win by 1.
Finals will consist of 1 game to 15 points, win by 2.
Tournaments 1-3 at DTL Fairfax will be allotted 3 hour time slots. Each tournament should complete in approximately 2.5 hours (6 total rounds with 3 courts being used).
Tournaments 4-10 at DTL Annandale will expand the number of teams and total participants.
What are the perks/benefits of competing in the RTM Series?
- All participants will receive an RTM branded shirt.
- Medalists will receive DCPT x DTL swag bags (1st, 2nd, 3rd place).
- Sponsored giveaway items at each tournament
- An opportunity to make the DCPT MiLP rosters
- Build your DUPR profile for D.C. Pickleball Team to track and evaluate as you make your way along the Road to Minors
- A chance to win 2025 MLP DC tickets by joining the DTL & DCPT DUPR Club Accounts
- Social media promotion through DTL & DCPT channels
What is the minimum age to compete in a RTM DUPR Rating Session and/or RTM Tournament?
The minimum age to compete in a DUPR Rating session is 13 years old. If a junior is between the ages of 10-12 they will need to get approval from a DTL staff member before signing up for either program
Do RTM points carry over into the following year?
No, RTM points will not carry over into the following year.
How do I advance to the end of year RTM Cup?
RTM series points are awarded to players across three divisions (men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles) throughout the calendar year culminating to RTM Cup qualification. Players acquire separate points for each division (i.e. a player who plays men's doubles and mixed doubles will have separate points accumulated for men's doubles and separate points accumulated for mixed doubles). Points from different divisions will not be combined.
Points Awarded Per Player at Fairfax: 1st Place (400); 2nd Place (250); 3rd Place (100); 4th Place (75);
Points Awarded Per Player at Annandale: 1st Place (1,000); 2nd Place (700); 3rd Place (400); 4th Place (200); 5th Place (100); 6th Place (50)
After all the RTM tournaments have been completed the following players will advance to the RTM Cup:
- Top 4 men from each men's doubles division (DUPR Level 1: 3.0-3.49 | DUPR Level 2: 3.5-3.99 | DUPR Level 3: 4.0-4.49 |
DUPR Level 4: 4.5+ | DUPR Level 5: Open Division)
- Top 4 women from each women's doubles division
- Top 4 men from each mixed doubles division
- Top 4 women form each mixed doubles division
What is the RTM Cup Format?
A total of 8 men and 8 women will advance to the RTM Cup. These players will be drafted into 4 separate MiLP teams (2 men and 2 women each). If the same player is in the top 4 for 2 different divisions, they will be counted towards the division where they have the most points and the next person down will be selected from the remaining division. (e.g. David is in the top 4 for men's with 5,000 points and top 4 for mixed with 4,500 points. Then he will be counted as the top 4 for men's and the next male with the most points in mixed will be moved up to the top 4)
The top 2 men and 2 women with the most points (across all 3 divisions) will be captains and will help draft their teams.
Winning teams from each DUPR division (DUPR 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) will earn a roster spot on the DCPT MiLP team for MiLP Nationals and the following calendar year. Each team will be made up of 6-8 players.
What are the perks/benefits of making the RTM Cup?
- An official invite to the DCPT MiLP combine just for making the cup.
- Cup winners will qualify for a DCPT MiLP roster spot if they choose to participate.
- Cup participants will also be offered the opportunity to enroll in exclusive RTM Cup practices held prior to the start of the RTM Cup to prepare.
How do I qualify for a DC Pickleball Team MiLP Roster Spot?
Winners of the RTM Cup will qualify to be on the DCPT MiLP team for the following calendar year. DCPT will also hold a combine where 2-4 wildcard spots will be handed out for each team (DUPR 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22).
When is the DC Pickleball Team Combine / Tryout?
The date of the combine(s) is TBD and is invite only. Players that have won the RTM Cup are encouraged to attend. Players that qualified for the RTM Cup but did not win will get an official invite. DCPT will also be inviting players that have shown promise in the local area that did not make the RTM Cup.
What are the perks/benefits of making the DC Pickleball Team MiLP Roster?
As the RTM Cup approaches there will be further details provided about what the benefits entail and when/where they will be offered:
- Receive official D.C. Pickleball Team jerseys
- Play official DUPR MiLP tournaments (prize money offered at MiLP Nationals) and other local events
- Access to DCPT coaches and front office
- Dedicated DCPT Merchandise Discount Code
- Social Media and Website exposure
- Become An Official Team Ambassador
- Represent DCPT and host DUPR Rating Sessions and other events to bring further credibility to the events and player profiles
Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact us at info@roadtominors.com
Don't forget to follow @dcpickleballteam on Instagram for a chance to win tickets for the 2025 MLP DC event.
RTM Partners
Subscribe
Sign up to get all the latest and greatest team info and a chance to win team gear
Our Partners
Welcome to the Official Home of D.C. Pickleball Team
Sign-up and automatically be entered to win DCPT items and to gain access to invite-only meet-ups, discounts on DCPT merch, and other team related events.