US Squash Policies:
Junior Policies for the Points Based Ranking System
Cut List Calculations, Processes, and Policies
When a division is oversubscribed, a cut list is created to determine which players directly enter the tournament, and which are placed on a wait list. A player’s cut list points generally equates to their ranking points average, but differs in certain circumstances, e.g. when a player does not have four or more exposures in an age division. The criteria for calculating cut list points is the following:
- If a player has four or more active tournaments in the age group for which they are registered, their cut list points are based on their ranking points average in that division.
- If a player chooses to “play up” in an older age group, the player’s cut list points will be based on their ranking points average as if they had aged-up into that division per the age-up policy for rankings.
- If a player has fewer than four active tournaments in the division he or she intends to play and also has active tournaments in an older age group, tournament points will be converted “down” to the younger age group at a rate of 120% of the tournament points in the higher age division.
- If a player has fewer than four active tournaments, their cut list points will always be based on a divisor of four, e.g. if a player only has two active tournaments within the last 11 months valuing 1500 and 500 tournament points, their cut list points calculation for the Cut List will be 2000/4 = 500.
Seeding Calculations, Processes, and Policies
In any given draw, players will be seeded in order of their US Squash “seeding points” in the appropriate age division. Generally, seeding points equate to a player’s ranking points average, but differ in certain circumstances, e.g. players with fewer than four exposures in a division.
In the event of a tie in seeding points, player rating will be used as a tiebreaker.
Seeding will be based on the seeding points calculation from the Wednesday 1.5 weeks before the start of the tournament.
Late withdrawals after the draws have been released may be replaced with the next player on the waitlist, if the waitlisted player is ranked below the withdrawing player. However, in the event of a withdrawal from a top seeded player or if the waitlisted player has a higher ranking than the withdrawing player, US Squash reserves the right to entirely reseed the draw, rather than simply replacing the withdrawing player with the #1 player on the waitlist. If there is no waitlist, the withdrawing player will remain on the draw and the first-round match will be recorded as a default.
US Squash may use its discretion, and will consult with the local tournament director, when seeding foreign players or U.S. players with little or no tournament exposure, to seed players accurately with the goal of balanced and fair draws.
The seeding points calculation is based on the following criteria:
- If a junior is playing in their current age group and has a “full” ranking in that division, as defined by four or more tournaments in the last 11 months, seeding points are based on their ranking points average in that division.
NOTE: Ranking penalties are not factored into the seeding points calculation.
- If a player chooses to “play up” in an older age group, that player’s seeding points will be based on the ranking point average as if they had aged-up into that division per the standard rankings age-up policy. Age-up percentages are listed in the “Junior Ranking System” section.
- If a player has fewer than four active tournaments in the division in which they intend to play, but also has active tournaments in an older age division, tournament points will be converted down to the younger age group at 120%.
NOTE: Points in the division of participation take priority over any possible point conversions from younger or older age divisions.
All seeding points are calculated after tournament points have been converted into the division in which seeding is occurring.
- If a player has fewer than four active tournaments in their age division, as well as no active tournaments in an older or younger age division, the following calculations will be used to calculate seeding points based on the number of active tournaments:
- One active tournament: the seeding point average is calculated by taking 50% of that one tournament.
- Two active tournaments: the seeding point average is calculated by taking 70% of the average.
- Three active tournaments: the seeding point average is calculated by taking 90% of the average.
Straight bracket seeding will be used for the Junior Nationals and Junior Silver Championships (1 v. 32, 2 v. 31, etc.). National Championships seeding is based on the “seeding point” calculations listed above. For all other events, including the Junior Bronze Championships, randomized seeding groups are used: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28, and 29-32. Players in each seeding group are drawn at random to fill the positions on the draw for those groups.
For Gold and JCT events, the only seeding changes that are permissible are when siblings are scheduled to play on the same half of a draw. If this occurs, the lower seeded of the two siblings may be moved within their seeding group to the other half of the draw to avoid playing their sibling until later in the tournament (e.g.: switching a 17 seed with an 18 seed).
NOTE: Siblings will not be moved to opposite halves of the draw if there are extenuating circumstances with the draw, for National Championships, or if both players are seeded in the top four positions.
Tournament directors of Bronze and Silver events have some flexibility to move players within the randomized seeding groups that are provided above. Any seeding changes must be approved by US Squash.
Universal Squash Rating (USR) Junior Circuit Accredited Tournament Guidelines and Policies
The USR System
The USR seamlessly integrates competition between players of different genders and ages, and between juniors and adults.
Cut List Calculations, Processes, and Policies
When a division is oversubscribed, a cut list is created to determine which players directly enter the tournament, and which are placed on a wait list.
Junior USR tournaments can choose to take entries based on USR or by registration date. Pleyers will then be listed by USR or by date of registration.
Seeding Calculations, Processes, and Policies
In any given draw, players will be seeded in order of their USR as of the registration deadline for the tournament in the appropriate age or skill division.
Late withdrawals after the draws have been released may be replaced with the next player on the waitlist.
Tournament directors may choose to entirely reseed the draw in the case of a late withdrawal.
Tournament directors may use discretion, when seeding foreign players or U.S. players with little or no tournament exposure, to seed players accurately with the goal of balanced and fair draws.