RULES,
OPTIONS & VARIATIONS
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Standard Rules
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Doubles Rules
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21
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Press Your Luck
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USAA
Rules
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USAA
Challange Match Rules
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USAA
Constitution
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Original
Rules by Brunswick
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(TO RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE AT ANY TIME PRESS THE HOME KEY ON YOUR KEYBOARD)
The original rules by Brunswick are a good reference for open play in a public location. Click on the target “Original Rules by Brunswick” on the table above. For more advanced play, please click on the “USAA Rules” target from the table.
21
21 is a Multi-Player Game. First organize into what is believed to be the most advanced player to the lowest seeded player. After some people have swallowed their pride the two lowest seeded players start at opposite ends of the table. The lowest seeded player starts with the puck. The player that scores first remains at the table and gains a point. The player scored upon is knocked off, and the next lowest seeded player takes his turn, starting with the puck. Repeat the process until everyone has had a turn, completing a round. It is important to remember what order a player was knocked off in and how many points they accrued. The Player that got the final point in the round remains at the table and the first person that was knocked off takes the opposite end of the table to start the next round. Repeat the process of turns and rounds until a player reaches a score of 21. The first player to reach a score of 21 is the winner.For in case it is not clear about the player order after the first round here is an example.
The game started with six people. I will call them A, B, C, D, E, and F (A starts as the strongest and F as lowest seed). E and F start the game. F scores on E, then scores on D, then C knocked F off. So far F has two points and C has one. C scores on B, scoring another point and now faces A. A knocks C off the table and now will face E to start the next round. The 2nd round order of strongest to the weakest is C with 2 points, B with 0 pts, F with 2 pts, D with 0 pts, then E with 0 pts (A with 1 point was omitted because that player is still at the table). Notice the new order is based off the order that players were knocked off the table not point totals.
I hope the example helped more than to confuse you more.
This game is very fun, gives weaker players a better chance to beat advanced players and helps give everyone playing time instead of having to wait long periods for several games, if a lot of people are in your group.
Press Your Luck
Press Your Luck is another multi-player rotational game. This game is played in seven rounds. To start the game, organize into what is believed to be the lowest seeded player to the most advanced player. The two lowest seeded players start at opposite ends of the table. The lowest seeded player starts with the puck at the start of the game and is the “challenger”. They can pass their turn and take a zero, or “challenge” the other player. Note: All challengers start at the same end of the table and have first possession of the puck.In the challenge, if the challenger scored, they get a point. The challenger now has to decide if they would like to freeze their score for the round or “Press Their Luck” and challenge the next player in line. When the challenger turn ends, the next lowest seeded person will start their turn as the challenger.
*This rule applies for the starting two players of each round only* If the first challenger got scored on, they lose a point and the player remaining at the table, does not gain a point for that goal. At this point the players change ends and the new challenger gets the puck and decides if he wants to challenge. A player can only gain/lose points by challenging a player. There is no gain or loss of points if you are defending the challenger. See “Scoring” below for point calculations.
When each player starts their challenge, they will start with the lowest seeded player and proceed to the most advanced player until they decide to pass their turn. When a challenger passes their turn, they will freeze their score for that round. After all players have had a chance to be the challenger, (and the last player of the round decides to freeze their score or has successfully challenged every player) the round is over. Reorganize (reseed) the list of the players with the lowest score to the highest score and start the next round. The score accrued in subsequent rounds will be added to the previous round’s total, before reseeding the players for the next round. After seven rounds the player with the highest score wins.
Scoring for Press Your Luck:
In Press your luck you calculate the score by adding the next integer to the previous total. The points possible per round are: -1,0,1,3,6,10,15,21,28,36,& ect...(For the math majors: 0+1=1,1+2=3,3+3=6,6+4=10,...)
With seven or eight people this game will take about 1:30-2:00 hours. This is also a good game to play when there is wide spread of skill level for the players. The lower skilled players will get more table time than in other games. This is good for keeping everyone involved and playing instead of just sitting around watching people better than them play. It also gives all players to play others of all skill levels.
USAA OFFICIAL RULES AND Procedures
Table
of Contents:
SECTION I. Basic Rules of Play
A. Sanctioned Tables
B. Mallets
C. Pucks
D. Other Objects
SECTION III. Beginning the Game
SECTION IV. In Play vs. Out of Play
SECTION IX. Referee Authority & Responsibilities
SECTION
X. Tournament Procedures
1. The first player to accumulate seven (7) points wins the game.
2. When the puck enters and drops inside a player's goal, the player's opponent receives one point (unless play had been suspended by the referee or the offensive player had committed a foul during or prior to the shot.)
3. After each game, players will alternate tablesides.
4. The player scored upon receives possession of the puck for the next serve.
5. A player may hand serve the puck only after it has entered his goal.
6. A player may play with only one mallet on the playing surface at one time. Violation results in a foul.
7. The puck may be struck with any part of the mallet.
8. The puck cannot be "topped" by lifting the mallet and placing it on the top of the puck. This cannot be done at any time whether before a serve or after a serve during play. Violation constitutes a foul. Using the mallet to bring an airborne puck to the table or opponent's goal is not a topping violation no matter which side or edge of the puck is contacted.
9. Only one puck may be in play at a given moment.
10. A player has seven (7) seconds to execute a shot, which crosses the centerline. The seven (7) seconds begins as soon as the puck enters and remains on that player's side of the centerline. Violation of this rule is a foul.
11. When the puck is in contact with any part of the centerline, either player may strike the puck.
12. A player may stand anywhere around the table on his/her side of the centerline. He/she may not stand past that line.
13. If any part of a player's hand, arm, body, or clothes touches the puck, "palming" will be called by the referee, which constitutes a foul.
14. Each player may take one time-out per game. The time-out may be no longer than 10 seconds.
15. A player may exercise his/her time-out only when the puck is in his/her possession or not in play.
16. A player must make a clear indication of time-out so that the referee understands
the player's intention.
17. When a player is scored upon, they have ten seconds to remove the puck from the goal and place it in play. In the event that the puck has scored and it is stuck in the goal, the referee will call an official time out and the ten-second rule will be suspended until the situation is resolved.
1. All sanctioned tables must meet USAA standards.
a. List of Approved Tables (full-size models)
- Dynamo Brown Top
- Dynamo Blue Top
- Dynamo Purple Top
- Dynamo Photon (Ice Blue Top) w/ thin centerline
- Brunswick Blue Top
b. Tables must be broken-in.
2. "Conditional Approval" may be granted on a situational basis by the USAA Board of Directors. This means that both players must agree to play on the table.
3. Tables with a long overhead light are not sanctioned for tournament use.
1. Mallets (strikers) must be approved by game referees as meeting the requirements of the USAA. USAA requirements are as follows:
- Weight must be 6 oz. or less.
- Diameter must be less than 4-1/16".
- Color may be any except that the outside rim must be of a different color than game surface of table.
- The mallet must consist of the same material and be uniform and symmetrical throughout its circumference.
2. No mallet may be altered by sloping the playing surface in order to create an angled striking or defending surface.
1. Three pucks are approved by the USAA for sanctioned events: The "lexan-yellow", the "lexan-red" and the "Dynamo green". The "lexan-yellow" will be used unless both players agree to use another puck.
2. Pucks may not be changed during a game unless both players agree or unless the referee insists due to clear non-playability of the puck. Such a change in pucks must, if possible, be to the same kind of puck.
3. Pucks must have at least one layer of white plastic tape on the top side. Pucks with more then one layer of tape may be used only if both players agree.
1. Shields are approved for play if they are at a right angle to the top of the table and both players agree to play with them.
2. Devices for attaching mallet to hand (i.e. bands, straps, strings, handles, and/or gloves) are legal as long as they do not affect the puck during play.
SECTION III. Beginning the Game
1. Every official match begins with a face-off. A coin toss is first used to determine starting sides. The player winning the coin toss chooses which side to begin on. The winner of the face-off will begin games 3, 5 and 7 with the puck. His opponent will begin the games 2, 4 and 6 with the puck.
2. A face-off is when the puck is placed flat on the center of the table by the referee with the players allowed to advance to within one inch of the puck. A player's mallet may not touch the centerline until the referee releases the puck, at which time normal centerline rules will be in effect.
Once both players are positioned, the referee will call "players ready" then wait 1, 2, 3, or 4 seconds before releasing the puck. When the referee releases the puck, the players may go for it.
The referee should make a determined effort to release the puck without causing any motion to it. If the puck attains excessive motion, the referee may declare the face-off null and redo it. If the puck goes off the table, the face-off is repeated.
If either player contacts the puck before the referee releases it then a false start has been committed. Each player is allowed one false start with no penalty. If a second false start is committed then the innocent player receives possession.
3. The following constitute winning a face-off: A score on the opponent or gaining the first clear possession without fouling. A puck that has not yet left the centerline cannot constitute possession for either player.
4. During any face-off at center of the table, the centerline rules are still in effect.
5.
Every game after the first begins when the referee calls "in play" after
ascertaining that both players are ready. In case of any excessive delay
by either player to give an affirmative indication of their readiness,
the referee will proceed to call "in play".
1. The legal bounds of play are the table's playing surface, the walls of the rails, the front faces of the goals, the interiors of the goals, and the player's mallets. If the puck touches any other object(s) while it is in play, whether by interference or by foul (unless the foul is nullified) it is considered out of bounds and therefore instantly out of play.
2. A puck, which grazes the top of the rail, is out of play even if it returns to the table surface. If the puck bounces off a shield and returns to the table, the puck is out of play.
3. When the puck is in play, the referee should only grant a time-out if the player calling time-out demonstrates control of the puck. A puck breaking the vertical plane of the goal face can never be considered controlled. A player must never assume that the referee has granted a time-out and should therefore stay at the ready until the referee officially calls time-out.
4. A player calling an additional time-out after his first receives an automatic conduct warning from the referee. The referee should announce " time-out," issue the warning by announcing, "conduct warning - extra time-out," and immediately call " time-in." If the non-offending player was not in possession of the puck, the referee should ask that player if he/she is ready before announcing "time-in." A referee may suspend this penalty if the offending player attempts to call an extra time-out because of injury.
5. If interference occurs during a shot which scores and interference is called by referee, the point does not count. Interference is defined as foreign objects on the table or playing surface, obvious unnecessary noise or distractions or actions by spectators that cause distractions to any or all players, and/or any other incident so deemed by referee. The puck returns to the player who possessed it prior to the interference.
6.
When the puck leaves the playing surface and contacts anything except a
player's mallet, play is suspended until the puck is put back into play
by the referee. True, even if it touches top of flat rail surface.
1. If the puck stops in the goal yet has tilted and broken the horizontal plane of the goal then a score has occurred. If a puck stops in the goal and does not tilt, thereby not breaking the horizontal plane, then the player may either hand the puck to the other player or try to work the puck out of the goal using legal play methods.
2. If the puck rebounds out of the goal mouth, the point does not count. A puck which rebounds out of the goal mouth and strikes the defending player's hand, and rebounds back into the goal does count.
3. If a puck hits a player's hand on its way into the goal, the point counts as long as the puck would have scored without the contact.
4. If a score occurs after the table loses power, the point will count only if the puck was struck prior to the table losing power.
5. If a player takes a shot and drops his mallet and the puck enters his/her own goal for a score without it being deflected by the defensive player, the point counts. The player is permitted to stop the puck with hands or body. No point would be scored if the puck enters the opponent's goal due to the distraction. If a player shoots and the defense loses the mallet, the defense may not use hands or body to stop the shot if the shot occurred prior to or simultaneously with the losing of the mallet. The point counts if it scores.
6.
If a player commits a foul and is scored upon in the course of the same
play the goal counts and the penalty is nullified.
1. Foul: The penalty for a foul is forfeiture of the puck.
2. Technical Foul: The penalty for a technical foul is a free shot taken by the innocent player at the unprotected goal of the guilty player. After a free shot, play immediately begins when the puck either scores, rebounds from the goal, touches the opponent's end of the table (not sides), or comes to a rest on the playing surface. All free shots must be legal.
3. Unnecessary or excessive delay of game is considered a foul and loss of puck results. Stalling is included in this ruling of delay (referee decision).
4. If the puck rises from the table and touches the defensive player's hand(s) or arm(s), no foul need be called.
5. If an offensive player hits a puck and the puck wobbles, hitting the hand of the defensive player, but not changing the perceived speed and direction of the puck, then no foul occurs.
6. "Goal-Tending": If "palming" occurs while the puck is moving in a direct path towards the goal for a score, "goal-tending" must be called against the player doing the "palming." "Goal-tending" incurs a technical foul.
7. When a player loses total control of his own mallet while the puck is in play the player commits a foul.
8. When the puck is struck in an offensive manner, leaves the playing surface, and remains off the table, the player causing such action commits a foul.
9. Any player violating a centerline rule commits a foul.
10. Distractive Noise: Talking to an opponent, a spectator, a referee, or oneself during play may be penalized by a foul. Loud noises and excessive screaming can also be considered distracting. A referee may warn a player before calling a foul at his/her discretion. Intentional or excessive, distractive talking may be penalized by a "conduct warning" in addition to a foul. Possible distraction violations, which directly lead to a score or a change of possession, should be scrutinized more seriously by a referee when determining whether to ignore, warn or penalize the potential violation.
11. If the puck and mallet of the offensive player are both completely on the offensive player's side, the defensive player may not strike either the puck or mallet. Also, the offensive player may not strike the defensive player's mallet in this situation when the defensive player's mallet is completely on his own side. Violation of this rule constitutes a foul.
12. If in the course of hitting the puck legally, a player's mallet extends partially (but not completely) over the centerline, no foul shall be called if his mallet contacts the opposing player's mallet.
13.
Although a mallet is allowed to overreach the centerline, the mallet may
never completely extend over the centerline -- even when following through
on a shot. The mallet may never extend further than its diameter across
the centerline. Violation of this rule constitutes a foul.
14. Any player who, on his hand serve, makes a score in his opponent's goal
without there having been an offensive shot made on the puck, since the
time that the puck was in play, commits the foul of tossed score. In other
words, a player cannot just toss the puck into the opponent's goal. The
illegal score shall not create a point, and the player who was illegally
scored upon shall have the right to hand serve as the penalty imposed upon
the fouling player.
15. If the defensive player strikes the puck in an offensive manner (with forward momentum) and causes the puck to leave the playing surface, this constitutes "charging the puck". The offensive player retains possession of the puck. Conversely, a defensive player who "blocks" by holding steady or by striking the puck sideways or backwards, causing the puck to leave the table, should not be charged with "charging."
16. If the referee decides that excessive force was used by the defensive player in knocking the puck off the table, the player commits a foul.
1.
UNSPORTSMAN-LIKE CONDUCT WARNING: A foul is incurred upon the second conduct
warning received in a match. A technical foul is incurred upon the third
conduct warning received in a match. A fourth conduct warning results in
forfeiture of the current game. A fifth conduct warning results in forfeiture
of the match. A referee issues the conduct warnings immediately but must
wait until after the game to record the details on the back of the match
card. Actions that should receive "conduct warnings" include, but are not
limited to:
a. Excessive or abusive arguing with the referee
b. Cursing directed towards the referee
c. Speaking loud and vulgar obscenities
d. Verbal or physical assault of another player, spectator, or referee
e. Actions that endanger spectators
f. Destruction of property
g. Actions that discredit the sport, as decided on by the USAA Board
h. Taunting of another player (includes but not limited to: cursing your opponent, verbally defaming them, or making obscene gestures)
i. Intentional or excessive distracting noise
2. If a referee feels a player has committed extreme unsportsmanlike conduct,
the referee may issue multiple "conduct warnings" for one single action.
A referee may issue enough "conduct warnings" to cause a forfeiture of
a game or match immediately if he/she feels the penalty is warranted.
1. Players of a Challenge Match may play without a referee at their own risk of irreconcilable controversies.
2. Before competition begins, a player has the right to play under the stipulation that no special time-outs for the purpose of clearing sweat from the table be called. Unless a player requests this stipulation from the referee either player may request the referee to clean the table during a game.
3. If a referee coaches a player or engages in any questionable behavior, the opposing player may protest to a Head Referee or ultimately to the Tournament Committee for a decision.
4. An appeal may be made from either player not in agreement with the referee's
decision. However, the appeals from an Official Air-Hockey Competition
and a Challenge Match go to different bodies.
a. The appeal goes to the Head Referees in an Official Air-Hockey Competition. The Head Referees may overturn the original referee's decision only if the matter is an incorrect understanding of the rules. After the correct rule is understood, the original referee's interpretation of the evidence according to the rules is final. The appeal in this situation must be made immediately after the occurrence or after the end of the game in which the disagreement took place. When the next game is begun, no appeal may be made.5. If a player desires spectators or players to be quieter while he/she is playing, he/she should ask the referee to request quiet from the crowd. If the referee does not believe the noise to be unusual, then the referee does not have to request the quiet. The player desiring quiet must not abuse the crowd.b. The appeal goes to the USAA Board of Directors after a challenge match. These directors decide whether the appeal is valid and, if so, have the right to make any decisions they deem necessary.
6. During a challenge match players have a maximum of one minute in between games, however either player may choose to take one 2 minute break in between games each set. This may be extended in emergencies.
7. A player is allowed to change mallets at any time during play.
8.
If a puck is flipping around on its edge on one player's side of the table,
then the player may wait for it to stop.
1. Each game in a USAA Sanctioned Air Hockey Tournament shall be refereed. The referee will act as an unbiased observer insuring that the game is played in a correct, fair, and sportsmanlike manner.
2. The referee has the authority to declare "in play", "time-in", or "time-out". He/she also has the power to impose penalties and enforce all the rules of the sport.
3. The referee must never coach a player whom he/she is refereeing.
4. The referee will signal with his arm in the direction of the player who won the face-off.
5. When the game is out of play as a result of a foul the referee will ask the player not in possession of the puck if that player is ready before the referee announces "in play" (or "time-in"). In case of any excessive delay by the player not in possession of the puck to give an affirmative indication to the referee that he/she is ready, the referee may proceed to put puck in play. The referee must place a puck that is off the table back into play by either physically releasing it or by acknowledging the release of the player.
6. The referee has the final word on any decision during the game that is in adherence to the rules. He/she may consult others if he/she wishes to do so.
7. Referee may call an official time-out of a reasonable duration if he agrees that the situation warrants it (i.e. sanding the puck, interference, emergencies).
8. Referees should caution players to desist from striking pucks that are obviously spinning top-like on the table. A foul may be called. Such pucks may be kept on the table by use of the mallet.
9. If a referee doesn't suspend play immediately after a foul, but his/her voice or gesture interferes with continued play to the point of distraction, the puck should be returned to the player not committing the foul. A player must never assume that a foul will be called and stop his/her play. The puck remains in play until the referee suspends play and then decides the nature of the foul and the moment of play in which it occurred.
10. If a puck is flipping around on its edge on one player's side of the table, then the referee will suspend the seven-second rule until the puck rests flat.
11. Lifting the mallet from the table and striking the puck is legal. However, if the referee can show clear damage to the table, the player causing such damage to the table must cease use of whatever method of play causes it. The referee may also at any time disallow a technique that he/she deems destructive to property or dangerous to players and/or spectators.
12. The referee shall verbally state the score of the game after each point is scored. He/she shall also verbally declare the game count of the set after each game is completed, and set count after each set, if applicable.
13. If a foul occurs and the innocent player plays the puck before the referee has time to suspend play and grant him possession of the puck, the referee may choose not to call the foul.
14. The referee should caution players not to tilt their mallets so as to descend past a 40-degree angle when touching the puck with the mallet. Otherwise, their action can be considered "topping" the puck, which incurs the penalty of a foul.
15.
In the case of a centerline or topping violation, the referee shall not
stop play if the innocent player gains immediate possession of the puck.
1.
Players have a maximum of two minutes in between games during a tournament
match. This may be extended in emergencies. 1.1
Challenge matches are divided into Priority and Non-Priority matches. 1.5
All players with a USAA National (International) ranking may be challenged for
that ranking 2.0
Effects on Rankings
2.1
If the challenger wins the match, he takes the ranking of the challenged
player who then drops just below the challenger in the rankings. 3.0
Match Length and Time Limits
3.1
Challenges for any USAA-recognized ranking must either be 3 out of 5 sets
or 4 out of 7 sets, and each set must be 4 out of 7 games. 4.0
Challenge Period
4.1
A Challenge Period begins on the 16th day of the month, goes through 15th
day of the following month, and affects Priority Match commitments for
the subsequent month. 5.0
Challenge Conditions
5.1
Challenges may be issued verbally, in writing, electronically, or by other
means. 6.0
Grievances
6.1
All disputes, disagreements, and other issues regarding challenge match
procedure are subject to determination and enforcement by the USAA Board. I. Duties, Goals and Purposes of the USAA
Board A. To promote
competitive amateur and professional air hockey and to ensure it's stability and
growth as a sport. B. To sanction and govern over Air Hockey
competition in America and abroad. C. To preserve and adapt the officially
sanctioned Rules and Procedures of Air
Hockey. D. To publish player rankings and record,
preserve and collect records and memorabilia
for the purpose maintaining the history of the sport. E. To represent player's views and ideal
regarding the advancement and evolution of
the sport. F. To seek sponsorships in order to facilitate
the growth of the sport. H. To sanction and govern national-level
tournaments and provide at least one
national-level tournament per year. I. To solve player grievances dealing with Air
Hockey competitions, events and/or issues. II. Membership A. Senior Members 1. Rights and Privileges a. May seek and hold official offices. b. May write and hold special voting proxies. c. May serve as committee chairpersons. d. All the rights and privileges granted to
Associate members. 2. Requirements and Qualifications a. Attended at least 8 national-level
tournaments. b. Attended at least 2 out-of-state
national-level tournaments. c. Attended at least 1 of the last 2
national-level tournaments. d. Attended at least 1 USAA board meeting during
the last year, or attended at least 1 of the
last 3 scheduled USAA board meetings. e. Held Associate member status during last two
(2) years. 3. Associate members who meet Senior member
qualifications may petition the board (in
person or in writing) to become Senior members. A 3/4 vote of
Senior members is required to deny this petition. 4. Associate members who do not meet Senior
member qualifications may petition the board
(in person or in writing) to become Senior members. A 4/5
vote of Senior members is required to accept this petition. 5. Senior members who fail to maintain Senior
member qualifications (c and d) are dropped
to Associate member status. They may not be lowered in
membership again for the next year without a unanimous vote of voting members.
A 4/5 vote of voting members is required to prevent the initial lowering
of membership status. B. Associate Members 1. Rights and Privileges a. Voting rights for all proposals whether
constitutional, procedural, rules or
otherwise. b. Voting rights for committee elections. c. All the rights and privileges granted to
Affiliate members. 2. Requirements and Qualifications a. Attended a cumulative total of at least 6
national-level or out-of-state regional-level
tournaments. b. At least 1 of these above (a) tournaments must
be an out-of-state, and 2 must be
national-level. c. Attended at least 1 of the last 3
national-level tournaments, or at least 2 of
the last 4 regional-level tournaments. d. Attended at least 1 USAA board meeting during
the last year, or attended at least 1 of the
last 3 scheduled USAA board meetings. e. Currently, or at one time, met all the
qualifications for Affiliate membership. f. Held Affiliate membership status during the
last two (2) years. 3. Affiliate members who meet Associate member
qualifications may petition the board (in
person or in writing) to become Associate members.
A 3/4 vote of voting members is required to deny this petition. 4. Affiliate members who do not meet Associate
member qualifications may petition the board
(in person or in writing) to become Associate members.
A 4/5 vote of voting members is required to accept this petition. 5. Associate members who fail to maintain
Associate member qualifications (c and d) are
dropped to Affiliate member status. They may
not be lowered in membership again for the next year without a unanimous
vote of voting members. A 4/5 vote of voting members is required
to prevent the initial lowering of membership status. C. Affiliate Members 1. Rights and Privileges a. Voting rights for general elections. b. May write and hold general election proxies. c. May serve on committees. d. May make and second motions/proposals and be
recognized at USAA board meetings. 2. Requirements and Qualifications a. Attended a cumulative total of at least 2
regional-level tournaments. b. Attended at least 1 USAA board meeting during
the last year, or attended at least 1 of the
last 3 scheduled USAA board meetings. 3. Individuals who meet Affiliate member
qualifications may petition the board (in person or in writing) to become
Affiliate members. A 3/4 vote of voting
members is required to deny this petition. 4. Individuals who do not meet Affiliate member
qualifications may petition the board (in
person or in writing) to become Affiliate members.
A 4/5 vote of voting members is required to accept this petition. 5. Affiliate members who fail to maintain
Affiliate member qualifications (b) lose
membership status. A 4/5 vote of voting members is
required to prevent the loss of membership status. D. Guests 1. Non-members may attend USAA board meetings
upon approval of the acting-President. 2. A recognized voting member may yield the floor
to a guest. The acting-President may remove
this right if he/she feels the need. III. Official Offices A. General Elections 1. A general election for official offices shall
be held at the first scheduled meeting taking place after August of
the second year of the current term of office. Newly elected officials
shall begin their term on the first day of the following year with the
term of office being 2 calendar years. If the general election does not
take place until the year following their second year of office, then
newly elected officials begin their term immediately and the length of
their term is shortened, equal to the amount of time from January 1st of
the current year until the general elections. 2. The general election shall take place at the
start of the meeting, following the membership update. 3. Elections for each office will be held one at
a time, beginning with the President. Nominations for the position will
be accepted by any member. Nominations must be seconded, and a
nominee has the right to decline a nomination. 4. In
any general USAA election, if no candidate receives greater than 50% of votes
cast there will be a run off election between the 2 candidates receiving the
highest number of votes. B. President - The President shall function and
serve as the mouthpiece, intermediary, spokesperson and representative of
the USAA board. The President's duties and responsibilities are as
follows: 1. In charge of execution of daily affairs of the
association necessary for it's effective on-going operations that are
not overseen by committees. 2. In charge of overseeing and recording the flow
of treasury funds. Also, he/she may allocate petty cash
disbursements less than $50. 3. He/she rules on the admissibility of proxies.
His/her decision is final barring a 3/4 vote of Senior members, not
including the President, to overturn. 4. Has the right to order a discussion closed
even if a motion to end discussion is not passed. This decision may be
overturned by a majority vote of voting members. 5. Has the right to order a meeting closed even
if a motion to end a meeting is not passed. This decision may be
overturned by a majority vote of voting members. 6. In charge of scheduling meetings and calling
special or emergency meetings, and giving notice to all members in the
event of any meeting. 7. In charge of seeing that pre-meeting agenda's
are written and sent out to all members at least one week before a
scheduled meeting. C. Vice-President - The Vice-President's duties
and responsibilities are as follows: 1. He/she will function as the President at a
meeting in the event the President is absent. He/she will serve as the
President in the event of the President's inability to serve. He/she then
has all the rights and duties bestowed upon the President. 2. In charge of keeping independent records of
treasury funds. 3. Should help and assist the President and
Secretary/Historian to accomplish their tasks and duties. 4. In charge of overseeing and keeping up to date
the progress of committees. D. Secretary/Historian - The
Secretary/Historian's duties and responsibilities are as follows: 1. Will function as acting-President at a meeting
in the event that the President and Vice-President are absent. Will
serve as the President in the event of the President's and Vice-President's
absence or inability to serve. He/she then has all the rights and
duties bestowed upon the President. 2. In charge of seeing that the association keeps
an up-to-date mailing list and membership role on each of its members. 3. In charge of seeing that the association keeps
an up-to-date personal file for media purposes for each player the
association ranks "Professional" or higher. 4. In charge of seeing that the minutes of each
meeting are recorded and sent out to members in a timely fashion. E.
treasurer 1.Will
function as acting-President at a meeting in the event that the President,
Vice-President and Secretary/Historian are absent. Will serve as the President
in the event of the President's, Vice-President's, or Secretary/Historian
absence or inability to serve. He/she then has all the rights and duties
bestowed upon the President. F.
Special Elections 1. USAA Officer Replacement. In the event of a
vacancy of any elected position on the USAA Board of Directors, the
highest-ranking officer serving on the board will call a special election within
2 weeks of the date of vacancy. All board members must be notified by telephone,
email, or mail not less than one week before the special election. All qualified
members will be given opportunity to run for the position. IV.
Committees A. Committees may be created by the board to
handle and govern the day-to-day operation of specified USAA functions
and/or departments. The USAA board retains final jurisdiction on all
matters and decisions whether or not they are sub-governed by
committees. B. A committee's purpose and jurisdiction is
established upon its creation by the board. A new committee, and its
purpose and jurisdiction, is created by a 3/4 vote of voting
members. A majority vote of voting members is required to dissolve a
committee. C. A committee shall have 3, 5 or 7 members, and
all committee members must be board members. Committee procedures, rules, and
make-up may be established by the committee itself. Each committee will have an
elected chairperson, who must be an Associate or Senior member. No member may
serve as chairperson on more than 2 committees. Any member may be on as many
committees as he/she is elected. D. Committee elections shall be held for standing
committees upon the request of a majority vote of voting members.
Committee elections may not be held more than once a year, except for
elections of a newly created committee. E. A committee must conform to and enforce all
the USAA constitutional and procedural codes, as well as, rules of play.
However, a committee may be given clearance to alter these codes and
rules for their own purposes by either the board specifying the
committee's lee-way upon their creation or with subsequent board approval,
both requiring a 3/4 vote of voting members. F. The formation of a committee, the creation of
it's purposes, and the defining of it's jurisdiction are constitutional
functions. However, the committee itself, it's rules and it's goals
should not be included in constitutional discussions, nor is a committee
considered a constitutional entity. V. Meeting Procedures A. A quorum necessary for the transaction of
business at a scheduled USAA board meeting shall consist of at least 3
voting members, one of which must be a Senior member. A quorum necessary
for the transaction of business at a special USAA board meeting shall
consist of at least 5 voting members, two of which must be Senior
members. If a member leaving a meeting prior to it's conclusion would result
in the lack of attendance necessary to constitute a quorum, then
the remaining members will constitute a quorum until the meeting's
conclusion. B. Special voting proxies must list a specific
motion on which the absent member wishes to vote, and his/her
distinct affirmation or disagreement with that issue. The motion with
which the special proxy deal should be a reasonable copy of the motion
which was listed on the pre-meeting agenda and made available to all
members. The acting-President will rule on the interpretation
of the special proxy. C. All proxies must be presented upon arrival of
the proxy holder or at the start of the meeting to be valid. Proxies
will be ruled on admissibility and announced as soon as they are
presented. Rulings on interpretation may be made later, when the issue
comes up and specific motions are made. A Senior member leaving a
meeting before its conclusion may write valid proxy votes and
present them to the acting-President before his/her departure. VI. Voting Procedures A. Any portion of the Constitution and By-laws
may be changed, amended or added to upon the approval of 3/4 vote of
voting members. B. Rule of Play and Procedures may be changed,
amended or added to upon a 2/3 vote of voting members. C. Motions to close discussion, if
"recognized" and seconded, require a 2/3 vote of voting members. D. Motions to end a meeting, if
"recognized" and seconded, require a 2/3 vote of voting members. E. Classification of an individual to the rating
of "Professional" requires a 2/3 vote of voting members. F. Proxy votes, whether by special proxy or
general election proxy, carry one vote. VIII.
Membership dues 1. Membership
Dues USAA board members: annual dues TBDU . VIII. Miscellaneous A. Voting member refers to Senior and Associate
members. B. National-level tournament refers to the
Nationals or Internationals. Regional-level tournament refers to sanctioned
events by the USAA that are given the regional-level classification by a
majority vote of Senior members. Out-of-state refers to an event in which
a player in question had to cross his/her residential state in order
to attend. C. Attendance 1. Any member or non-member who is present in
the immediate environment where a USAA board meeting is being conducted for
the lesser of more than 50% or three hours of the total in-session meeting
time will automatically receive membership status credit towards attendance at
a USAA board of directors meeting. 2. Any person or member who does not
participate in the lesser of 3 hours or more than 50% of the total in-session
meeting time may apply to the board for consideration for attendance. a. A vote of 50.1% or greater in favor of the
request for attendance is required to grant Attendance to the requesting
individual. b. It is the responsibility of the requesting
individual to provide evidence of participation to the USAA board. c. All official records, including meeting
minutes for the meeting in question will be made available to the requesting
individual. 3.
In the event of the USAA Board meeting being held during the week prior to
Nationals the following rule will apply. All USAA Board members present
during the membership portion of the meeting will receive attendance credit
for the meeting counting towards their qualifications. At the end of the
meeting they must meet the qualifications as set forth in Section VII, C
rule 1 and 2. Failure to meet these rules will result in no attendance
credit for the meeting, and any status gained as a result of this credit
being revoked. D. "Recognized" refers to the fact that
the meeting chairperson (appointed by the acting-President) may choose
not to allow a motion to end discussion or a motion to end meeting to be
voted upon. The acting-President may overrule this decision, and
any decision of this may be overruled by a 4/5 vote of Senior members. E. Acting-President refers to the highest ranking
officer at a meeting, who may be appointed by a majority vote of Senior
members present, if no officers are present.
F. Meeting
1. A "meeting" of the USAA board of
directors shall be defined as an in-person formal gathering of board members
in which business is being conducted in accordance with the bylaws and all
other official organizational documentation. 2. A "scheduled meeting" refers to a
meeting of the USAA board of directors taking place within 2 days of, and near
the location of, a National or International tournament. 3. A "special meeting" refers to an
unscheduled meeting of the USAA board called under special circumstances by
the president. A majority vote of senior members can disallow a special
meeting. 4. An Email Voting Period refers to a session
of business conducted via an electronic mail medium. An Email Voting Period
does not satisfy the USAA membership requirement for meeting attendance. G.
A National/International Tournament is to be defined as the USAA-recognized
Tournament that determines USAA National/International rankings and counts
towards USAA membership requirements and qualifications.
SECTION X. Tournament
Procedures
2. Players may take a maximum 15-minute break between sets during a tournament
or challenge match. This may be extended due to emergencies.
3. When a match is called, both players have 15 minutes to report to the referee
or the tournament director. The clock begins when the match is called and
does not stopped ticking until both players report. If there is not a response
within 10 minutes, then the next match is called. For a player who has
not reported by 15 minutes, one point is lost, and then one additional
point for each minute afterwards. This will continue until the player finally
reports to the referee or the tournament director. Any penalties assessed
by this rule are mandatory and are NOT up to the discretion of the offending
player's opponent.
4. If a player has been informed personally that his match is up for play,
the player has five minutes to report to the table for competition. If
the player does not comply by the end of five minutes, he loses one point
per game and then one point per game per minute thereafter.
5. Players who do not referee a match that they are responsible to referee,
or who do not provide a referee acceptable to the players when the players
are ready, face the possible penalty of conduct warnings and/or more severe
penalties at the discretion of the tournament committee. The referee does
have a maximum 5-minute break if he/she has just finished competing.
6. During later matches on the last day of a tournament, players are granted
permission to watch three games of an ongoing match, even if the time for
their match has come.
7. Players must inform either of the two Head Referees if the players are
leaving the tournament premises. Players should provide specific information
as to their whereabouts and length of absence. If Head Referees are unavailable,
chart personnel must be consulted.
8. Players who voluntarily forfeit out of a tournament are not entitled to
their prize money or prizes. The USAA may make exceptions to this rule
in extreme cases. The unclaimed prizes return to the tournament sponsors.
9. The USAA reserves the right to photograph or videotape any tournament play
desired by the camera crew and to use it as players request. Players may
refuse to permit flashbulbs or extreme lighting to be used during their
match by camera people.
10. The USAA and tournament sponsors are not responsible in any way for loss
resulting from injury during or traveling to and from any of its sanctioned
events. Each participant and spectator assumes full and total responsibility
for health and safety and agrees that the USAA and its sponsors are held
harmless.
11. During a USAA Swiss event, once a match is officially called and time is
written on the match card by the current chart keeper in charge, players
have five (5) minutes to get to their match table. After five (5)
minutes, they lose a game. Thereafter, they lose a game for each
five (5) minutes. Example: If a player shows up nine (9) minutes
late they have lost one game and may begin play.
12. Once the seeds are determined for a national level or higher double elimination event, the randomization of each group will occur publicly by hat draw by the tournament committee. Randomization is as follows:
1 & 2 are not randomized
13. Sanctioning of USAA National/International Tournaments requires a majority
vote of the USAA Board.
3 & 4 are randomized together
5 & 6 are randomized together
7 & 8 are randomized together
9 thru 12 are randomized together
13 thru 16 are randomized together
17 thru 20 are randomized together
21 thru 24 are randomized together
25 thru 28 are randomized together
29 thru 32 are randomized together
33 & above are not randomized
USAA
Challenge Match Rules and Procedures
1.0
Priority and Non-Priority
1.2 A Priority match must be played by the challenged player, or he risks losing
his national ranking.
1.3A Non-Priority match is optional, or voluntary, although it does affect
national Ranking.
1.4 A player may play as many Non-Priority matches as he wishes.
2.2 A match for national ranking will automatically affect and determine lesser
rankings.
2.4 In the event that a player is unranked nationally, his current National
seeding (in the event that a national tournament was being held) determines
his challenge ranking.
2.5 If a player does not show up for a scheduled Priority match, he is dropped
from the rankings unless he can show a valid emergency reason for not showing
up. This applies to both the challenger and challenged.
2.6 Being dropped from the rankings is also the penalty for ignoring and/or
not playing a valid Priority challenge.
3.2 Players have a maximum of one minute between games during a challenge match;
however, either player may choose to take one two-minute break in between
games each set. This break may be extended by the referee in emergencies.
3.3 Players may take a maximum 15-minute break between sets during a challenge
match. This break may be extended by the referee due to emergencies.
4.2 Challenges must be issued by the 15th of the month for the following month’s
commitment.
4.3 At the end of the 15th day of each month, priority is given to the highest
ranked (or challenge-ranked) challenger who has issued a challenge to a
particular player during the previous challenge period.
4.4 There can be no Priority match commitment for the same calendar month in
which a USAA-sanctioned National/International tournament takes place.
4.5 A challenged player is not required to play any priority matches closer
than 2 weeks before a USAA-sanctioned national or international-level tournament.
4.6 The loser of a priority challenge match must wait until after the 15th
of the second month following the match to re-challenge the winner.
4.7 In the case of the National Champion losing the #1 ranking he has held
since the nationals, the National Champion can re-challenge in the next
challenge period following the match. (i.e. if the match is played January
10, he can issue a challenge by Jan. 16 for a March commitment; if the
match is January 20, he can issue a challenge by Feb. 15 for an April
commitment.,br>
4.8 The deadline for completing an official priority challenge is the last
day of the month following the challenge period in which the priority challenge
was issued.
5.2 The higher-ranked player chooses how many sets will be played at the time
of scheduling the match.
5.3 The challenger must travel, if necessary, to the home geographic area of
the challenged player. This means the greater metropolitan area, but not
necessarily the specific neighborhood or favored location, of the challenged.
5.4 Both players must agree on a mutually acceptable table and location.
5.5 In the case of a player traveling from out of town, the challenged player
is expected to be flexible when it comes to being available for possible
challenge dates.
5.7 In the case of a player traveling from out of town, the match may be postponed/changed
by the challenged player with a week's notice only if this does not cause
hardship to the challenger. If the challenger incurs additional costs associated
with changing tickets, etc., the challenged player may be required by the
USAA Board to cover such costs.
5.8 With less than a week's notice, the match may be changed only upon agreement
of both players. In case of disagreement, the player wanting the change
may appeal to the Board or its assigns. The USAA Board or assigns may grant
such a request in case of valid reason such as injury, work schedule changes,
or other exceptional situations.
6.2 It is the obligation of the aggrieved player to bring match disputes to
the attention of the USAA Board of directors in order to acquire board
intervention.
USAA
Constitution
2.In charge of overseeing the collection of all USAA dues
3.In charge of maintaining a USAA treasury for all collected funds, and
maintaining detailed financial record
showing all funds collected and activity with those funds.
2. Application fees for USAA board membership (Application fees are due whenever
an individual petitions to upgrade his or her membership status).
Petition to affiliate status: TBDU
Petition to a voting member status (associate or senior): TBDU
.
3. Application fee includes the first year of dues for new affiliate members
only. Other application fees are in addition to yearly dues. All monies
collected from dues will be under the control of the USAA board of directors..
4. Dues will be paid no later than the first board meeting, or first
national-level event each year, whichever comes first. Board members not paying
dues are considered absent from all meetings, have no vote, and gain no time
towards status until they pay all outstanding dues..
5. Players not paying USAA dues, will be charged an additional amount (TBDU) to
play in USAA sanctioned regional or national-level events. This additional fee
will go to the USAA Treasury..
6. The USAA Treasurer will be required to provide a detailed financial report at
each USAA board meeting showing all funds collected and activity with those
funds..
7. The penalty for unapproved use or loss of USAA funds will be decided by the
USAA board on a case by case basis..
Original Rules by Brunswick
