ORNG is about games and events
Most everything happens in a 2-hour session or a day at the most.
There are no leagues and no long-term commitments.
The best games happen when all the players are about the same skill level.
Think of Round Robin, Ladders (king of the court), Mini Tournaments, Skills & Drills, Level-Up Events, Beginner Events, or a Charity Fundraiser.
The Skills & Drills sessions as well as the Level-Up events allow you to play with higher rated players, improve your game, and demonstrate that you have advanced.
ORNG Code of Conduct
Paddles Up, Egos Down: We play for fun, fitness, and friendship.
Positive Vibes: Cheer your partner, praise great shots, and laugh off mistakes.
Every member brings our community to life by honoring ORNG Values:
· Optimism – Bring positive energy to every match.
· Respect – Value every player, opponent, and volunteer.
· Network – Build strong social ties that extend beyond the courts.
· Generosity – Share your time, knowledge, and passion with others.
ORNG Levels
The key thing about levels is that they are more than technical execution of how many deep serves you can do, how many drops you can make, or how well you can dink. It adds communication, strategy, shot selection, defense, and other aspects of the game that are critical to higher level play.
Players at each level demonstrate these capabilities most of the time.
Use the information below to identify your initial level.
Our ratings committee may follow up with you to confirm or adjust your level.
Level Up
Be humble and start with a lower level if you are not sure.. Prove you can advance through your performance on the court at our level up events where you can play with higher level players.
We also offer Skills & Drills sessions where you can hone your abilities.
We want you to advance.
Technical Execution
Players are becoming aware of the physical mechanics of the sport.
Hand-eye coordination is the primary hurdle, resulting in clean misses or hits off the paddle frame.
Groundstrokes are executed with a punch and minimal follow through.
Tactical Awareness
Understanding court boundaries and basic rules is the primary focus.
Players may forget the two-bounce rule.
Players are often out of position.
Rally Dynamics
Rallies rarely exceed 2 or 3 shots.
Scoring is confusing, and players require frequent reminders of who is serving and from which side of the court.
What to look for. Most of the time . . .
- Frequently misses the ball entirely or hits it off the paddle frame.
- Uses short, punchy groundstrokes with almost no follow-through.
- Steps out of bounds or violates basic court boundaries regularly.
- Forgets or violates the two-bounce rule during live play.
- Stands completely out of position relative to the ball and partner.
- Engages in short rallies that rarely last beyond 2 or 3 shots.
- Requires constant reminders regarding who serves and from which side.
Technical Execution
Mechanical consistency improves enough to get the ball over the net regularly.
Serves and returns are functional but lack intention, usually landing short.
Backhands are avoided, with players awkwardly running around the ball to use their forehand.
Tactical Awareness
Players understand basic court positioning but tend to get stuck in "no man's land" (the transition area).
They exhibit a heavy reliance on the "hard game," driving every ball with maximum power rather than utilizing soft placement.
Rally Dynamics
Rallies extend to 4 or 5 shots, usually ending when a player makes an unforced error by hitting the ball into the net or wildly out of bounds.
Dinking is nonexistent, as players treat the kitchen line as a hazard rather than an advantage.
What to look for. Most of the time . . .
- Hits functional serves and returns that consistently land short.
- Actively runs around the ball to avoid hitting a backhand.
- Gets trapped or stands completely static in "no man's land".
- Hits every single ball with power rather than soft placement.
- Extends rallies to a few shots before committing an unforced error.
- Hits balls directly into the net or wildly out of bounds to end rallies.
- Avoids the kitchen line entirely, treating it like a hazard zone.
Technical Execution
Fundamental strokes are now mechanical habits. Players can hit a backhand when forced, though it remains a clear defensive weakness.
Serves and returns land deeper in the court, giving players more time to transition forward.
Tactical Awareness
The strategic desire to get to the kitchen line is apparent but may not be well executed.
Players attempt to hit drops or resets to slow the game down; results are highly inconsistent, often resulting in high balls that get smashed.
Rally Dynamics
Rallies feature a mix of power drives and accidental dink sequences.
Players can sustain a slow-paced rally but quickly lose composure when the pace of the ball accelerates.
Points are often won by unforced errors.
What to look for. Most of the time . . .
- Hits backhands fluidly when forced, though it behaves as a defensive weakness.
- Lands serves and returns deep into the opponent's court.
- Strategically attempts to move up and establish position at the kitchen line.
- Tries to hit drops or resets to slow down the speed of the game.
- Accidentally pops drops/resets high, allowing opponents to smash the ball.
- Delivers a highly variable mix of power drives and accidental dinks.
- Loses composure or misses entirely as soon as the rally pace accelerates.
Technical Execution
Players demonstrate ball control, including the ability to intentionally hit cross-court dinks and directional drops.
The backhand is a reliable tool for keeping the ball in play, and players begin experimenting with topspin and underspin.
Tactical Awareness
There is a deep understanding of court positioning and partner chemistry.
Consistent strategic choice for 3rd shot (drop, drive, lob)
Players communicate well and move in unison, effectively closing gaps.
They actively look to exploit holes in the opponent’s positioning.
Rally Dynamics
Rallies are highly athletic, strategic, and extended.
Hand battles at the kitchen line feature blistering reflexes.
Points are rarely won on mistakes; they are earned by systematically forcing the opponent into a positional error.
What to look for. Most of the time . . .
- Intentionally executes cross-court dinks and directional drop shots.
- Uses a reliable backhand to comfortably keep the ball in play.
- Integrates visible topspin or under spin into stroke mechanics.
- Communicates vocally and shifts in perfect unison with their partner.
- Actively targets and drives balls into open holes in opponent positioning.
- Demonstrates rapid reflexes during rapid hand battles at the kitchen line.
- Wins points by systematically forcing opponents into positional errors.
Technical Execution
Stroke mechanics are highly refined and fluid.
Players possess exceptional depth control on third shot drops and can hit aggressive fourth-shot rolls.
Unforced errors drop dramatically, and defense-to-offense transitions are smooth.
Tactical Awareness
High mastery of pace manipulation. Players know exactly when to speed up a ball and when to slow it down.
Use advanced strategies such as stacking, switching, and targeting a weaker opponent’s specific vulnerabilities.
Rally Dynamics
The game transitions from survival to a chess match of tactical patience and weaponized consistency.
Precise drops and resets neutralize aggressive shots to earn position at the net.
Deliberate setups create in battles where points are ultimately won through crisp counterattacks, body shots, or advanced angles.
What to look for. Most of the time . . .
- Displays highly refined, fluid, and effortless stroke mechanics.
- Transitions seamlessly from defensive scrambling to offensive control.
- Manipulates pace perfectly, choosing exactly when to speed up or slow down.
- Executes advanced team strategies like stacking and switching positions.
- Targets an opponent's specific physical or mechanical vulnerabilities.
- Uses precise drops and resets to fully neutralize aggressive attacks.
- Earns points via setups that culminate in crisp counterattacks, body shots, or sharp angles.