12. A. Event Categories. Men: Singles and Doubles Women: Singles and Doubles Mixed: Doubles
12.A.1. In events described by gender, only members of that gender shall be allowed to play in that event.
12.A.2. Mixed doubles – A mixed doubles team shall consist of one male and one female player.
12. B. Tournament Game Options. The primary and recommended tournament scoring option to be used is best two of three games to 11 points, win by 2 points. Other options include: one game to 15 or one game to 21. All formats win by 2 points.
12.C.2. Double Elimination. The first player or team to score the match-winning point by at least a 2-point margin wins. A loss will put the loser into the consolation bracket. Players or teams are eliminated after one loss in the consolation bracket. The winner of the consolation bracket will play the winner of the winner’s bracket for the championship. If the winner of the consolation bracket defeats the winner of the winner’s bracket, then a tie-breaker match to 15 points must be played to determine the gold/first-place and silver/second-place medals. The loser of the consolation bracket final will receive the bronze/third-place medal.
12.C.3. Round Robin. All players or teams play each other. Games may use any of the approved tournament scoring options. (See Rule 12.B.) The winner is determined based on number of matches won. If two or more teams are tied:
12.C.3.a. First tie-breaker: head-to-head matches won.
12.C.3.b. Second tie-breaker: point differential of all games played. (e.g., Team A won Match 1 11-8, 11-4, so they would have a point differential of +10. Team A then wins the second match 11-9, 2-11, 11-6. For this round, they would have a point differential of -2. This would give them a total for the day of +8.)
12.C.3.c. Third tie-breaker: head-to-head point differential.
12.C.3.d. Fourth tie-breaker: point differential against next-highest team. (e.g., If the teams are tied for second, use point differentials against the first-place team.)
12.C.1. Single Elimination with Consolation. The first player or team to score the match-winning point by at least a 2-point margin wins. Losers from all rounds go into a consolation bracket playing for the bronze medal/third place and are eliminated after a second loss. The final two players or teams in the winner’s bracket play for the gold/first-place and silver/second-place medals.
12. D. Draws and Seeding. A draw and seeding committee shall be appointed by the tournament director to rank the players and teams and set up a fair draw for each event.
12. E. Notice of Matches. It is the responsibility of each player to check the posted schedules to determine the time and place of each match. If any change is made in the schedule after the initial posting, the tournament director or his or her designated representative shall notify the players of the changes.
12.F. Retirements and Withdrawals.
12.F.1. After the initial score has been called to start the match, the only option available for a player/team to discontinue playing the match until completion is RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More.
12.F.2. During a match, if a player/team cannot immediately continue after the 15-minute medical time-out period has expired, a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More will be imposed.
12.F.3. The player/team must make a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More request during the match to either the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More or the opposing player/team.
12.F.4. The player/team who requests a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More during a match, or a player/team on which a rule-based Forfeit has been imposed, will have all score(s) reported per the guidelines in the RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More Scoring section. (See Rule 12.F.6.a)
12.F.4.a. If applicable, a player/team is still eligible for the next match in the same bracket after choosing a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More option for a previous match.
12.F.4.b. A player/team may request a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More for any upcoming match in the specified bracket.
12.F.5. Withdrawals:
12.F.5.a. A player/team may request to be withdrawn from any scheduled bracket(s) that have not been started by tournament operations personnel.
12.F.5.b. If a player/team has completed any matches, the player/team may request to be withdrawn from all upcoming matches in that bracket. The request must be made prior to the initial score being called to start their next match.
12.F.5.c. The player/team must make their WithdrawalA player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket. More request to either the Tournament Director, Head Referee or operations desk personnel.
12.F.5.d. The withdrawn player/team shall be removed from any future participation in the specified bracket.
12.F.5.e. The withdrawn player/team shall have all scores reported per the guidelines in the WithdrawalA player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket. More Scoring section. (See Rule 12.F.7.)
12.F.6. Forfeit, Ejections and RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More Match Scoring Guidelines
12.F.6.a. Existing:
Scoring guidelines are:
2 outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of 3 Format: 11-0, 11-0
1 Game to 15(21) Format: 15-0 (21-0)
New: Actual game scores at the time of retirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More shall be reported for the team that
retires. The opponents shall be awarded all points necessary for proper match
completion, ensuring a two-point margin. For example, in Game 1 of a 2-out-of-3 match,
a team with 10 points retires when the score is 10-5. The final scores will be reported
as: “12-10, 11-0”. Game scores after a rule-based forfeit shall be reported as: 2/3
Format: “11-0, 11-0”. 15/21 Format: “15-0” or “21-0”.
Reason: Once the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. More has started the match by saying, “Time-in” the only option
for a player to voluntarily not continue the match is a RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More. This change would
allow the retiring team to keep any points earned during the match, which could be
helpful in round robin brackets which use points differential as a tie breaker. It also
allows for the team that does not retire to receive all the necessary points to ensure
proper match completion.
Scenario: A singles 2-out-of-three match. Player B won game 1 with a score of 11-5.
Player A won game 2 with a score of 11-9. In game 3, the score is 10-2 with Player A
Game scores after a rule-based forfeit shall be reported as:
2/3 Format: “11-0, 11-0”
15/21 Format: “15-0” or “21-0”
12.F.6.b. If a player/team elects the RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More option or a Forfeit has been imposed for the match, (and the WithdrawalA player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket. More option has not been chosen) the player/team may continue to compete in any upcoming matches.
12.F.6.c. All previous completed match scores, prior to an EjectionA behavior violation so flagrant that it warrants ejection from the tournament by the Tournament Director. The player may stay at the venue but may no longer play in any matches. More, Forfeit or a player RetirementA player/team’s decision that stops the match and awards the match to the opponent. More, will be retained.
12.F.7. WithdrawalA player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket. More Scoring Guidelines for Remaining Matches.
12.F.7.a. 2 outA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More of 3 Format: 0-0, 0-0
1 Game to 15 Format: 0-0
1 Game to 21 Format: 0-0
12.F.7.b. Scores for all matches completed prior to the WithdrawalA player/team’s request to be removed from any upcoming play in a specified bracket. More request will be retained.
12. G. Two‐Match Minimum. In all USAPA-/IFP-sanctioned tournaments, each entrant shall be entitled to participate in a minimum of two scheduled matches per event entered.
12. H. Scheduling Matches. A player is not permitted to enter multiple events scheduled on the same day with same or overlapping time duration.
12. I. Doubles Play. A doubles team shall consist of two players who meet the classification requirements to participate in a particular division of play.
12.I.1. In an event based upon skill rating, the higher-rated player determines the team’s ability level. In an adult event (ages 19 and over) based upon age grouping, the lowest age of the team members will determine the team’s age classification. Players may play in a younger division unless prohibited by the rules of the National Senior Games Association.
12.I.2. Juniors (ages 18 and under) may enter any junior event for which they are age qualified. If a junior event is not available or does not receive enough entrants, or at the tournament director’s permission, juniors may play as adults in the 19-andover events.
12. J. Partner change may be made prior to the first-round match, with the consent of the tournament director, if the change is due to injury, illness, or circumstances beyond the control of the player.
12.J.1. Under noA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More circumstances can a partner change be made after the partners have begun team play.
12. K. Court Changes. In USAPA-/IFP-sanctioned tournaments, the tournament director or designee may decide on a change of courts after the completion of any tournament game if such a change will accommodate better spectator or playing conditions.