Equipment Rating Guide
At TT Sports, we don’t just copy and paste manufacturer numbers. Because every brand uses a different scale, we "re-calibrate" every piece of gear against NZ Tournament Standards. This ensures that an 8.0 Speed rating for a Stiga blade feels exactly like an 8.0 Speed rating for a Joola blade.
How Our 1–10 Scale Works
Our ratings are designed to help you build a balanced setup. Generally, as Speed increases, Control decreases. Finding your "Sweet Spot" on this scale is the key to improving your win rate.
Speed & Power Ratings
| Rating | Category | Performance Description |
| 9.0 – 10.0 | Elite Offensive | Maximum energy transfer. Reserved for stiff carbon blades and high-tension pro rubbers. Requires high technical skill to control |
| 7.5 – 8.5 | Competitive All-Round+ | The "Sweet Spot." Fast enough to finish points, but with enough dwell time to allow for safety and looping variations |
| 5.0 – 7.0 | Development / Defensive | Focused on accuracy and "feeling." Ideal for players perfecting their strokes or defensive choppers who want to absorb the opponent's pace. |
|
Below 5.0 |
Specialist |
Ultra-slow equipment, usually specialized defensive wood or dampening sponges designed to kill all ball speed. |
Spin & Grip Ratings
| Rating | Category | Performance Description |
| 9.5 – 10.0 | Max Friction | Extreme grip or "tackiness." Capable of producing heavy "dip" on loops and maximum backspin on serves. |
| 7.5 – 9.0 | High Spin | Standard for modern offensive play. Provides reliable "bite" on the ball for consistent top-spin rallies. |
| 5.0 – 7.0 | Linear Grip | Predictable grip for traditional driving or flat-hitting styles where spin is not the primary weapon. |
| Below 5.0 | Low Friction | Specialist rubbers like Anti-spin or Long Pips designed to ignore or reverse the opponent's spin. |
Control & Feedback Ratings
| Rating | Category | Performance Description |
| 9.0 – 10.0 | Exceptional forgiveness | The bat does the work for you on passive blocks and returns. |
| 7.0 – 8.5 | Balanced Feedback | You can feel the ball vibrate, allowing you to adjust your racket angle mid-stroke. |
| Below 7.0 | Unforgiving | Designed for high-speed precision. Small errors in racket angle will result in the ball missing the table. |
Why "NZ Standards" Matter
New Zealand conditions—from our local humidity levels to the specific 40+ Poly Balls used in Table Tennis New Zealand (TTNZ) sanctioned tournaments—affect how equipment performs.
When you see a 9.0 Speed rating on our site, it means that in the hands of a regional-level attacker, that gear has the velocity to "pierce" a tournament-grade defense.
Expert Consultation: Still unsure? Visit our Lower Hutt showroom and we can help you find the exact rating bracket that matches your current rating and playing style.
