Before Your Event

Adult events are encouraged to abide by the Adult Rules and Guidelines. These guidelines suggest that a minimum of 2 matches for each player is scheduled. Tournament directors can use US Squash Approved draw types available on Club Locker. Draws should be made public at least 24 hours before the start of the event.

Adult Tournament Guidelines

In any given draw, players will likely be seeded in order of their US Squash Rating.

For all events, 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.

If a player wins an event it is always rewarding to walk away with some kind of award. Generally, trophies should be provided for first and second place finishers, as well as all those who won their last match (Consolation Winner, Plate Winner, Classic Plate Winner). Trophies can be anything from glass wear with engraving to a large historic trophy that is presented each year.

Providing a memorable souvenir as a player gift when a player registers for the event is advised. Often an article of clothing is common, however if you charge more for your entry fee or have a bigger budget a player may receive a nicer gift, such as a sweatshirt vs a t-shirt. Also, with the number of events that are hosted providing something that can be used or worn is often more appreciated, than a coupon to a store that may not be utilized.

It is not required to provide food and drinks at a tournament, however many events do so. Players always take advantage of a nice spread when they are stuck at a venue competing. Athletic drinks (water and Gatorade) if not provided for free should be   available or for sale at the tournament. Going the extra mile with food and beverage can increase the participants experience and make them want to come back to your events in the future.

Junior events abide by the Junior Rules and Guidelines. Draws are created and seeded by US Squash on the Monday before the event after the late-withdrawal deadline passes. Should there be any changes to player entries once a draw has been created US Squash will manage the withdrawal and reseeding if necessary.

Junior Tournament Guidelines

US Squash does the seeding for Junior events after the late-withdrawal deadline.

For all events, 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.

As part of the junior accreditation fee US Squash offers the service of scheduling your event. All gold events are scheduled by US Squash, however silver and bronze tournament directors have the option to schedule their own event or use this service. Make sure to communicate your preference when your support person reaches out to you.

If you choose to schedule your own event you need to consider the following

1. Junior tournaments should start no earlier than 4:00pm on Friday and finish no later than 4:00pm Sunday. In very rare circumstances, play may begin earlier than 4:00pm on Friday, with approval from US Squash. In these situations, the tournament page needs to be updated and the earlier than normal start times must be included in all event communications.
2. If matches are played in the morning, they should not be scheduled earlier than 8:00am. Matches that conclude in the evening should not be scheduled later than 9:00pm. The tournament director should reserve any matches scheduled late in the evening for players in older age groups (U17 and U19).
3. Number of Matches Required: A minimum of 3 matches must be provided for all players in an accredited tournament. However, due to scheduling issues and finishing position groupings, draw sizes of 13, 17, and 15 are exceptions to 3 match minimum policy. In the case of a 13, 17, or 25 player draw, a minimum of 2 matches is only guaranteed for some players.
4. Scheduling

• Gold events: players are recommended to have a minimum of 3 hours between scheduled matches.
• Silver events: players are recommended to have a minimum of 2 hours between scheduled matches.
• Bronze events: players are recommended to have a minimum of 1.5 hours between scheduled matches.
• US Squash recommends that at Junior tournaments age groups be scheduled with consideration to the match they will need to referee. Therefore, the divisions should be played in an order that ensures that players are not refereeing players who are “significantly” older than they are.
• Note that these times are generally recommended, and in most cases, it is best to give more time rather than less time, especially in later rounds of a tournament.
• US Squash’s recommended order of play is: GU11/BU11, GU13, GU15, BU13, BU15, GU17, GU19, BU17, BU19
• By taking this approach the number of matches that need to be monitored is reduced and a better atmosphere is created among the spectators as they perceive that the players are capable and are old enough to referee the match on court. For instance, it is not a good idea for a GU11 to be refereeing a BU15.
• Sometimes it may not work out like this, but always try to take into account the refereeing situation you are creating when scheduling a tournament. If it can’t be avoided then be ready to step in to help the younger referees.

5. Recommended Time Allotments

• GU11 and BU11: 25-35 min
• GU13 and BU13: 30-35 min
• GU15 and BU15: 30-40 min
• GU17 and BU17: 30-40 min
• GU19 and BU19: 35-45 min

Note that these times are generally recommended, and in most cases, it is best to give more time rather than less time, especially in later rounds of a tournament

At accredited junior squash tournaments, trophies must be provided for the following finishes:

• 1st place
• 2nd place
• Classic Plate winner
• Consolation winner

For round robin draws, trophies must only be provided for the 1st and 2nd place finishers

All participants must be provided a player gift upon tournament check-in. An article of clothing, or another memorable souvenir as a player gift at the registration desk when a player checks in for the event. If you charge more for your entry fee a player may expect a nicer gift, such as a sweatshirt vs a t-shirt. Also, with the number of events that are hosted providing something that can be used or worn is often more appreciated.

It depends on the type of tournament you are hosting.

All US Squash accredited junior tournaments are required to provide food for the players, which is included in the entry fee.

Breakfast must be provided on days where matches begin before 10:00am. Lunch must be provided on days where matches are played between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Try to include vegetarian options as many players these days are vegetarian. Also avoid peanut where possible in case you have players with allergies. Additionally, we recommend you consider ordering healthy food. Bagels and Fruit for breakfast. Sandwiches and fruit for lunch.

If you have questions on how much food to order, please email tournaments@ussquash.com.