1.0
This player is just starting to play ping pong
1.5
This player has been introduced to the game, however has difficulty playing the game due to a lack of consistency rallying and serving. This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0
This player needs experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Can get the ball in play but lacks control, resulting in inconsistent rallies. Often chooses to hit forehands instead of backhands or vice versa.
Serve
In complete service motion. Toss is inconsistent. Faults are common. His services are easy to attack.
Return of Serve
Tends to position in a manner to protect weaknesses. Inconsistent return.
2.5
This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although table coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Can rally consistenly 10 balls in a row, especially on the his strong hand, with an arched trajectory over the net when the objective is to hit to a partner at moderate speed.
Serve
Serve is inconsistent (less than 80%).
Return of Serve
In singles, consistent when returning towards the middle of the table. In doubles, difficulty returning cross-table to start the point.
3.0
This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Able to rally consistently 10 balls in a row on forehands and backhands. Able to maintain the rally when receiving high, short or wide balls, assuming the ball is received at a moderate pace, especially on the forehand stroke.
Serve
Able to achieve more than 80% success on serve.
Return of Serve
Can control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving a serve of moderate pace.
3.5
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive play, has improved table coverage, and is developing teamwork in doubles.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Able to move the opponent around the table or hit harder when receiving easier balls. Can execute drop shots with some consistency (more than 50%).
Serve
Can vary the speed or direction of serves.
Return of Serve
Can return fast serves or well-placed serves with defensive actions.
4.0
This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Able to develop points with some consistency by using a reliable combination of shots. Erratic when attempting a quality shot, when receiving fast or wide balls.
Serve
Can vary the speed and direction of his serve. Uses spin.
Return of Serve
Difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent's weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately-paced serves.
4.5
This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit serves with power and accuracy. This player tends to over hit on difficult shots.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Can use a variety of spins. Beginning to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness. Erratic when attempting a quality shot in one of the following situations: receiving fast balls or wide balls.
Serve
Aggressive serve with power and spin.
Return of Serve
Off serves, can defend consistently but very inconsistent (less then 30%) when attempting an aggressive return.
5.0
This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls, can successfully execute drop shots and smashes.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Able to maintain a consistent rally, 10 balls in a row on faster balls. Very steady strokes or has a dominant shot. Periodically succeeds (50%) when attempting a quality shot when receiving fast or wide balls.
Serve
Serve can win points outright, or force a weak return.
Return of Serve
Periodically succeeds (50%) at aggressive return off fast serves using dominant shot (forehand or backhand).
5.5
This player has developed a gamestyle which is recognizable as either an attacker, a server, or a defender. Has developed good anticipation either technically (can read serve, body position…) or tactically (can read opponents tendencies in specific situations). Has no major weaknesses and can counterattack effectively against a hard ball or wide ball. Capable of competing in "open" category provincial level tournaments. Ability to use specific shots in order to exploit opponent's weakness.
6.0
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and has obtained a provincial and/or national "open" ranking.
6.5
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player has extensive international "open" level tournament experience at the entry professional level (challenger or satellite experience).
7.0
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player is a world class professional ping pong player.