NATIONAL QUALIFIER MANUAL

NATIONAL QUALIFIER MANUAL Revised: Fall 2011 2011/2012 Seasn Cpyright USA Vlleyball USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 1 PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFIER MANUAL... 1 CHANGING THE QUALIFIER MANUAL... 1 GLOSSARY OF TERMS... 1 CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INFORMATION... 3 GIRLS JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OVERVIEW... 4 DIVISIONS OF PLAY OPEN & CLUB... 4 AGE CLASSIFICATION, DIVISIONS & TEAM ENTRIES TABLE... 4 NATIONAL QUALIFIER QUALIFYING PROCESS... 5 NATIONAL QUALIFIER REQUIREMENTS... 5 DIVISIONS & SIZE OF FIELD... 5 GJNC BIDS AWARDED BY A NATIONAL QUALIFIER... 5 Natinal Qualifier Open Divisin Bids... 6 Open At-Large Bids... 6 Natinal Qualifier Club Divisin Bids (Natinal and American)... 7 GJNC BIDS AWARDED THROUGH A REGION... 7 Reallcatin Bids (Natinal and American)... 8 RULES FOR PRIORITY OF BID USE... 8 Bid Use Pririty Chart... 9 Penalties fr Nt Using Bids... 9 NATIONAL QUALIFIER TOURNAMENTS... 10 TOURNAMENT FORMATS... 10 MATCH FORMATS... 10 Open Divisin Frmats... 10 Club Divisin Frmats... 11 POOL PLAY SEQUENCE... 11 PLAYING SCHEDULES... 11 COURT USE... 11 WARM-UP PROTOCOL... 11 ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND ROSTER VERIFICATION... 12 PROCEDURES FOR BREAKING TIES... 13 TWO-WAY TIES: 2 teams tied in match recrd... 13 THREE-WAY TIES: Where n team can advance t win a bid... 13 THREE-WAY TIES: Where 1 r mre teams may advance t win a bid... 13 SEEDING TIE BREAKER SETS... 13 PLAYING TIE BREAKER SETS... 14 Scenari One... 14 Scenari Tw... 14 Scenari Three... 15 Scenari Fur... 15 TIE BREAKER PROCEDURES FOR THIRD ROUND OPEN DIVISION POOLS (GOLD POOLS)... 15 FORMAT FOR TIE BREAKERS SETS... 15 PENALTIES FOR MISSED TIE BREAKER SETS... 16 TEAM AND PLAYER POLICIES... 17 PARTICIPATION IN MULTIPLE DIVISIONS... 17 USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 ii

PLAYING UP... 17 TEAM FORFEITURES... 17 Last Day Frfeits... 17 TEAM OFFICIATING DUTIES... 18 REGIONALLY AGE WAIVERED PLAYERS... 18 TEAM ROSTERS... 18 Frzen Players... 19 POLICY ON FOREIGN PARTICIPANT AND FOREIGN TEAM PARTICIPATION... 21 FOREIGN PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY... 21 FOREIGN TEAM ELIGIBILITY... 22 FOREIGN TEAM REGISTRATION... 22 Required Individual Frms... 22 Required Team Frms/Fees... 22 TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS... 23 OFFICIALS... 23 AWARDS... 23 TEAM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS... 23 TEAM ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA... 23 TRAINERS... 24 PROTEST COMMITTEE... 24 ETHICS AND ELIGIBILITY... 24 Event Arbitratrs... 24 Event Ethics and Eligibility Appeals Cmmittee... 24 USA Vlleyball Age and Identity Falsificatin Plicy... 25 USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 iii

INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFIER MANUAL USA Vlleyball (USAV), recgnized by the United States Olympic Cmmittee as the Natinal Gverning Bdy fr vlleyball, hlds natinal champinships annually, including the USA Vlleyball Girls Junir Natinal Champinships (GJNC); the USA Vlleyball Girls Junir Natinal Qualifiers (NQ) are ne avenue fr teams t gain entry int thse champinships. The NQs are licensed by USAV and must perate within parameters set by USAV. Thse parts f the NQs that impact play, and thus entry int the GJNC, must adhere t standards set ut in this Qualifier Manual (QM). The primary purpse f this QM is t publish the standards established by USAV fr the NQs. The secndary purpse f the QM is t explain the prcess f qualifying t play at the GJNC. The QM is intended t be a resurce t thse hsting ne f the NQs and t thse rganizatins whse teams attend the NQs. CHANGING THE QUALIFIER MANUAL The QM is a USAV crprate dcument. Only USAV staff authrizes changes, deletins and additins t this QM and t the qualifying prcess itself. Suggestins t change the QM and the qualifying prcess can cme frm the USAV Junir Assembly (JA), USAV Cmmissins, USAV Events Department (Events Department), the Natinal Qualifier Directrs (QD) r any USAV Member Organizatin. Suggested changes must fllw a review prcess in rder t be apprved; changes that have mnetary r legal significance may require a review by the QDs. Once a suggested change is apprved, the implementatin may take up t tw full seasns. The Events Department annually updates the QM and distributes an electrnic cpy f the updated versin t each QD n later than Octber 15 th each year. The Events Department als psts the update n the USAV website, n later than Nvember 1 st f each year. GLOSSARY OF TERMS Terms Used in this QM: Bid: A bid is an invitatin t a team t play in the GJNC. T use the bid, a team must meet all entry deadlines and ther requirements set by bth their USAV regin and the USAV natinal ffice. At-Large bid: A GJNC bid awarded upn the cmpletin f the Qualifier Seasn (bth Natinal and Reginal) by a Cmmittee f Natinal Staff based n perfrmance during that seasn, in relatin t ther nn-qualified teams in that age grup. Reallcatin bid: A Club divisin bid t the GJNC (Natinal r American) that is unused and is returned fr reallcatin t a Regin. Reallcatin is perfrmed by the Events Department. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 1

Trickle Dwn Bid: A GJNC bid awarded at a NQ t a team finishing lwer than a usual bid award psitin. This happens in sme situatins when a higher finishing team has previusly accepted a GJNC bid frm anther NQ r a regin prcess. Event: Multiple turnaments r activities assciated within the same title, sanctin and hst rganizatin. Match: A head-t-head cmpetitin between tw teams within a specified rund f a turnament. While typically tw sets ut f three, matches may als invlve an autmatic three sets, r simply ne set (used in tie breaking situatins). Qualifying match: A match that qualifies a team fr the GJNC. Seeding match: A nn-eliminatin match meant t place r seed teams int the next rund f play. Playing Surface: Area deemed as playable by the grund rules fr that curt. Rund f play: A specified segment f a turnament (typically a pl r playff bracket). Tie breaker cmpetitin is NOT cnsidered a rund f play. All teams may nt play in all runds f play. Sanctin: Recgnitin and cverage f a given event, and/r turnament within an event, by either a Regin f USAV r the Natinal Office. Seeding: The rder in which teams are ranked within a turnament. Team: A minimum f 6 rstered players and at least ne certified and rstered cach. Tie: When tw r mre teams end pl play with identical match recrds. Tie Break: Methd by which ties, after pl play has cncluded, are given a ranked rder f finish t either advance t the next rund f play r be placed int a cmpetitive tie breaking rund. Turnament: Cmpetitin f a specific grup f teams (i.e. Girls 16 & Under Open Turnament) that culd als be knwn as a Champinship. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 2

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL INFORMATION USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 3

GIRLS JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OVERVIEW The GJNC prvides cmpetitin by age classificatins in varius divisins f cmpetitin (see the chart belw). Teams have t qualify t play at the GJNC thrugh ne f tw main paths; ne is the NQ prcess and the ther is the Reginal prcess. A team can earn a bid t the GJNC s by finishing in a bid award psitin at a NQ, thrugh the Open At-Large bid prcess (fr Open divisins nly), thrugh a Regin s qualifying prcess (fr Natinal and American Club divisins nly), r thrugh the Regin Reallcatin prcess (fr Natinal and American Club divisins nly). DIVISIONS OF PLAY - OPEN & CLUB There are three majr divisins f play at GJNC Open divisins, Natinal Club divisins and American Club divisins. The gal f the GJNC Open divisins is t identify, thrugh cmpetitin, the best team in each GJNC divisin frm amng 32 teams that have earned bids; the NQ Open divisins are designed t select thse 32 teams. T participate in an Open divisin at the GJNC, a team must earn a bid frm participating in an NQ Open divisin either winning the bid utright at an NQ r being selected fr an At-Large Bid after cmpeting in an NQ Open divisin (see discussin f At-Large Bids belw). The gal f the GJNC Club divisins is t shwcase reginally strng teams and prvide the pprtunity fr mre teams t participate at the GJNC. Teams have three avenues t earn a bid fr a GJNC Club divisin (Natinal r American): Earn a bid at a NQ; r Earn a bid thrugh their regin s qualifying prcess; r Earn a bid frm their regin thrugh the Re-allcatin prcess. Age Classificatin, Divisins & Team Entries 18 & Under 17 & Under 16 & Under 15 & Under 14 & Under 13 & Under 12 & Under OPEN Divisin 32 teams 32 teams 32 teams 32 teams 32 teams NATIONAL CLUB Divisin 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams AMERICAN CLUB Divisin 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 32* teams *May be 48 teams in 2012 (Fr dates determining player eligibility fr each age divisin, please see the USAV website: www.usavlleyball.rg ). NATIONAL QUALIFIER QUALIFYING PROCESS The primary purpse f the NQs is t select, thrugh turnament cmpetitin, Open teams and sme Club teams in varius age divisins t cmpete at the GJNC. There are a number f secndary purpses fr the NQs, including: USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 4

Prmte inter-reginal play. Prvide a high level f cmpetitin fr teams at different levels within each age divisin. Shwcase junir talent fr cllege recruiters and Natinal Team prgrams. Prmte the grwth and develpment f vlleyball in a particular gegraphic area. Prvide a training grund fr fficials. Currently, there are 10 NQs: Big Suth, Clrad Crssrads, Far Western, Hsier Mideast, Lne Star, Nrtheast, Nrthern Lights, Pacific Nrthwest, Shw Me and Suthern Califrnia. NATIONAL QUALIFIER REQUIREMENTS The NQs are licensed by USAV, with sanctin frm the USAV Natinal Office, which develps, standardizes, evaluates and versees the qualificatin prcess fr the GJNC thrugh the Events Department. USAV and the Events Department mnitr the qualifying prcess each seasn, and, with their varius Cmmissins: Apprve frmats and flw charts fr the NQ divisins. Determine the prcess by which teams are accepted r denied entry int a NQ divisin. Apprve each NQ schedule grid. Apprve systems t seed the NQ Open Divisins. Review and recmmend imprvements fr NQ peratins. Establish and verify individual eligibility requirements fr all participants in bth bid and nn-bid divisins. DIVISIONS & SIZE OF FIELD The Events Department, with input frm the QDs f each f the NQs, determines the maximum number f teams a NQ may hst in each Open and Club divisin. Currently, a NQ may hst a maximum f 48 teams in each Open divisin and 128 teams in each Club divisin. On a case-by-case basis, the Events Department may grant a waiver fr a NQ Club divisin t exceed these numbers, except that n waivers will be granted fr the NQ Open divisins. Nt all NQs hst all age divisins; sme hst cmpetitin in age divisins that d nt currently have a Junir Natinal Champinship (i.e. 10 & Under r Select divisins). The NQs have the latitude t institute these additinal divisins with the apprval f USAV. GJNC BIDS AWARDED BY A NATIONAL QUALIFIER USAV allws each NQ t award a certain number f bids t the tp finishing teams in Open and Club divisins. The number f bids a NQ has t award is pre-determined accrding t the number f teams entered in the NQ divisin n the NQ s deadline date r the date the divisin s seeding is finalized, whichever number is larger (see the chart belw.) USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 5

OPEN: 14 s 18 s CLUB: 13 s 18 s Split Club Divisin: Natinal and American (13 s 18 s) CLUB: 12 s Number f Teams Number f Bids Number f Teams Number f Bids Number f Teams Number f Bids Number f Teams Number f Bids < 12 0 < 12 0 < 12 0 12 15 2 12 63 1 Natinal 32 r mre 1 Natinal 12 128 1 Natinal > 15 3 64 128 1 American 32 r mre 1 American The ttal number f bids distributed amng the NQs t award in a GJNC divisin is determined by the number f teams permitted t play in the divisin at the GJNC. Sme Open bids are reserved fr the At-Large Pl and sme Club bids are reserved fr the regins t award (see Age Classificatins chart abve). Bids awarded at NQs must be accepted in writing at the time f the bid award, with sme limited exceptins (see Rules fr Pririty f Bid Use and GJNC Bids Awarded Thrugh a Regin Prcess). Fr a team t use a bid earned in any qualifying prcess, the team must cmplete all entry requirements fr their regin and fr the GJNC by the deadline dates. If a team has nt met all the entry requirements by the deadline date, that team may nt use its bid and als may be subject t additinal sanctins (see Penalties fr Nt Using a Bid). Natinal Qualifier Open Divisin Bids In the NQ Open divisins, bids g t the teams that finish the cmpetitin in a bid award psitin. If ne r mre teams wins a bid award psitin at a NQ and previusly earned an Open bid at anther NQ, the bid(s) can trickle-dwn t the next highest finishing team, prvided the next highest finishing team finished n lwer than sixth place. If a team previusly r subsequently earns a Natinal Club r American Club bid either frm a regin r a NQ, the team must use the Open bid. The Rules fr Pririty f Use f a Bid (see sectin belw) determine which team receives the Natinal r American Club bid. Open At-Large Bids The Events Department, with the assistance f its apprpriate Cmmissin, awards sme GJNC Open bids as At-Large Bids. An At-Large bid is an Open bid that was nt awarded t a team at a NQ because f a trickle-dwn limitatin, r a bid that was reserved fr the At-Large Pl. Teams may apply fr At-Large cnsideratin prvided that the team must: Play in at least ne NQ in the same GJNC Open divisin age grup fr which the team is applying; and, Cmply with the bth their regin s and USAV s GJNC deadline dates and applicatin prcesses; and, Check the Open At-Large cnsideratin statement listed n the USAV GJNC Official Entry Frm; and, Submit t the Events Department cmplete, accurate and up-t-date results fr all f the team s cmpetitin thrugh the last day f the last NQ, nt later than the end f business n the Tuesday after the finish f the last NQ. The Events Department will annunce the teams winning GJNC Open At-Large bids n later than the secnd Mnday after the last NQ. The Events Department will ntify teams awarded an At-Large bid by email, sent t the Cach and Club Directr whse emails are included n the GJNC entry applicatin. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 6

If a team previusly r subsequently earns a Natinal Club r American Club bid, either frm a regin r an NQ, the team must use the Open At-Large bid. The Rules fr Pririty f Use f a Bid (see sectin belw) determines which team receives the Natinal r American Club bid. Natinal Qualifier Club Divisin Bids (Natinal and American) If a NQ hsts a club divisin as a single divisin (i.e., des nt split the divisin) and that divisin has 64 r mre teams entered, the NQ has 2 bids t award ne Natinal bid and ne American bid. The Natinal bid ges t the team finishing first in the age grup, and the American bid ges t the team finishing secnd. If a NQ splits a club age divisin int a Natinal Club divisin and an American Club divisin (each divisin having at least 32 teams entered), each divisin will receive 1 bid t award t the highest finishing team in the divisin; the Natinal Club divisin has a Natinal bid, and the American Club divisin has an American bid. If there are less than 32 teams in either the Natinal Club divisin r the American Club divisin, the divisins will be cmbined int ne Club divisin. When cmbined, if the ttal number f teams equals less than 64, nly ne Natinal bid will be awarded. If the ttal number f cmbined teams equals 64 r greater, ne Natinal bid and ne American bid will be awarded. A team must accept r reject a club bid in writing, at the cnclusin f the divisin s cmpetitin. If rejected, the bid will trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished 4 th place r higher. A bid that is nt accepted by an eligible team at the NQ becmes a Reallcatin bid (see GJNC Bids Awarded Thrugh a Regin). Trickle dwn scenaris fr a NQ Club Bid: If a team that wins a bid (Natinal r American) accepted an Open bid frm a previus NQ, r the At-Large bid prcess, the current NQ Club bid may trickle dwn t the next highest finishing team prvided that team finished 4 th place r higher. The trickle dwn prcess must be applied at the cnclusin f the divisin s cmpetitin. If a team that wins a Natinal bid accepted a Natinal bid at a previus NQ, the current NQ bid ges t the next highest finishing team, prvided that team finished 4 th place r higher. If a team that wins an American bid accepted an American bid frm a previus NQ, the current NQ bid ges t the next highest finishing team, prvided the next highest finishing team finished 4 th place r higher. If a team previusly r subsequently earns an Open bid frm an NQ, the team must use the Open bid. A Pririty f Use rule will be applied t the Natinal r American bid (see Rules fr Pririty f Bid Use). GJNC BIDS AWARDED THROUGH A REGION There are 48 bids fr a GJNC Club divisin (except fr 12 American); there are 40 USAV regins. Each regin with 200 r mre registered junir female players is alltted at least ne Natinal Club bid, in each age divisin, t award t a team frm its regin accrding t its wn prcess. Sme regins may receive mre than ne bid (the additinal bids are American bids), depending n the ttal number f junir female members the regin has. Regins nly award Club bids. The Events Department determines which regins receive additinal bids and hw many each receives. Fr 12 & Under and 13 & Under divisins, the riginal alltment f bids and any reallcatin bids a regin receives depends n the number f junir girls registered in the 12 & Under and 13 & Under divisins, nt n the ttal number f junir girls registered in the regin. The number f bids received by a particular regin may change frm year t year. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 7

Reallcatin Bids Sme regins may nt use all f their riginally alltted bids; in each age divisin, these unused bids, alng with any American r Natinal Club bids nt accepted by eligible teams at an NQ, becme Reallcatin bids. The Events Department distributes Reallcatin bids t the regins in an rder determined bth by the number f junir female members and the prximity f that number t certain benchmark membership numbers. The rank rder that results frm this determinatin may nt be the same rank rder that determines which regins get additinal bids frm the riginal alltment f GJNC bids fr regins t award. The Events Department ntifies each regin f its riginal bid alltment and any reallcatin bids it may receive fr each age divisin. RULES FOR PRIORITY OF BID USE Sme teams participate in mre than ne qualifying prcess in a seasn, either thrugh their regin, by attending NQs, by applying fr an At-Large bid, r by sme cmbinatin f these prcesses. If the team earns mre than ne bid, the fllwing rules apply as t which bid the team must use, and what happens t the ther bid(s). When an Open bid is the secnd bid a team earns, frm either a NQ r the At-Large Prcess: If a team previusly accepted a Natinal Club bid, either frm a NQ r frm a regin, the team must use the Open Bid. If the Natinal Bid came frm an NQ that did NOT split its Club divisin int Natinal and American, the American bid recipient frm the riginal NQ is given the pprtunity t vacate the American bid and take the Natinal bid. The American bid becmes a Reallcatin bid. If the Natinal bid came frm an NQ that did split the club divisin, the Natinal bid becmes a Reallcatin bid. If the Natinal Bid was riginally awarded by a regin, the bid remains in that regin s bid alltment. If a team previusly accepted an American Club bid, the team must accept the Open Bid. The American bid becmes a Reallcatin bid. When a Natinal Club bid is the secnd bid a team earns: If a team previusly accepted an American bid frm either an NQ r a regin, the team must use the Natinal Bid. If the American Bid was frm a previus NQ, it becmes a Reallcatin bid. If the American Bid was frm a regin, it remains in that regin s bid alltment. If a team wins a Regin Natinal Bid after accepting an American bid at an NQ, the team must use the Natinal Bid. The NQ American bid becmes a Reallcatin bid. When a team wins a Regin American Bid after accepting a Natinal bid at an NQ, the team must use the Natinal Bid. The American bid remains in that regin s bid alltment. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 8

Bid Use Pririty Chart: 18s 17s 16s 15s 14s 13s 12s 1) 18 Open 18 Open 18 Open 17 Open 16 Open 15 Open 14 Open 2) 18 Natinal 17 Open 18 Natinal 17 Natinal 16 Natinal 15 Natinal 14 Natinal 3) 18 American 18 Natinal 18 American 17 American 16 American 15 American 14 American 4) 17 Natinal 17 Open 16 Open 15 Open 14 Open 13 Natinal 5) 18 American 16 Open 15 Open 14 Open 14 Natinal 12 Natinal 6) 17 American 17 Natinal 16 Natinal 15 Natinal 13 Natinal 13 American 7) 16 Natinal 15 Natinal 14 Natinal 14 American 12 American 8) 17 American 16 American 15 American 13 American 9) 16 American 15 American 14 American Penalties fr Nt Using Bids A team that des nt use a GJNC bid (Open r Club) which it has earned and accepted, may be subject t the fllwing penalties: IF a team earns and accepts an Open bid (NQ r At-Large) r earns and accepts a Club bid (Reginal r NQ) and subsequently des nt participate in the GJNC, ALL teams frm that club and ALL Adult Members listed n the NQ Official Rster and the Club Directr will be suspended frm participating in all NQs, Reginal Qualificatin Events, and the GJNC fr the fllwing seasn; and, The Club must pay USAV the GJNC entry fee fr the team. If the Club des nt pay the GJNC Event Entry Fee by December 31 st f that year, the suspensin frm cmpeting in qualifying events will remain in frce until the fee is paid in full. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 9

NATIONAL QUALIFIER TOURNAMENTS All NQs must use cmpetitin frmats apprved by the Events Department. The infrmatin in this sectin applies t all NQ turnaments. TOURNAMENT FORMATS The turnament frmat determines the number f pls in a divisin, the number f teams in each pl and the sequence f play, frm pl play thrugh playffs. A turnament flw chart illustrates the sequence f the frmat cmpnents. MATCH FORMATS The preferred match frmat is pls f 4 playing the best 2-ut-f-3 sets. The first tw sets play t 25 pints, rally scring, with ne team winning by tw pints and n pint cap. If a third (deciding) set is necessary, it is played t 15, rally scring, with ne team winning by tw pints and n pint cap. Sme pls f 3 may play all three sets t 25, regardless f whether a team wins the first tw. This exceptin depends n the number f pls f 3 in a divisin. In a 3-team pl, where 3 sets t 25 are played instead f 2 ut f 3, and the final finish in the pl is determined by set percentage, there will be a cin flip between sets tw and three t determine side, serve and receive, and teams will switch sides at 13. Open Divisin Frmats The tp 12 t 16 teams in an Open divisin play 3 runds f pl play, and, if necessary, a single eliminatin bracket t determine the verall winner f the turnament. The third rund f pl play is knwn as the Gld Pls. If a team in ne f the tp 3 psitins in an Open Divisin previusly qualified fr the GJNC, additinal matches may be required t determine which teams are awarded bids via the trickle dwn prcess. The Events Department apprves frmats fr additinal trickle dwn matches prir t the start f the NQ; and, The frmats are annunced in the turnament infrmatin prir t the start f the NQ. Teams in finish psitins lwer than the Gld Pls play tw runds f pl play fllwed by a single eliminatin bracket. Sme teams may have an additinal qualifying, crssver r seeding match prir t Gld Pls r playff brackets, depending n the number f teams in a divisin. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 10

Club Divisin Frmats All teams in Club divisins play 2 runds f pl play, fllwed by single eliminatin playff brackets. Sme teams may have an additinal qualifying, crssver r seeding match prir t Gld bracket r ther playff brackets, depending n the number f teams in a divisin. POOL PLAY SEQUENCE Pl play sequence, listed belw, is used fr all pls in a NQ, unless anther sequence is apprved by the Events Department: Rund Fur-Team Pls Three-Team Pls Five-Team Pls n 2 curts Match 1 1 vs. 3 (ref 2) 1 vs. 3 (ref 2) 1 vs. 5 and 2 vs. 4 (ref 3) Match 2 2 vs. 4 (ref 1) 2 vs. 3 (ref 1) 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 (ref 5) Match 3 1 vs. 4 (ref 3) 1 vs. 2 (ref 3) Break Match 4 2 vs. 3 (ref 1) 1 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 5 (ref 2) Match 5 3 vs. 4 (ref 2) 2 vs. 5 and 3 vs. 4 (ref 1) Match 6 1 vs. 2 (ref 4) 1 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 5 (ref 4) A team s final pl finish is determined by match results. If team(s) are tied at the cmpletin f pl play, tie breaker prcedures will determine the final rder f finish (see Prcedures fr Breaking Ties). PLAYING SCHEDULES All pl play matches are scheduled ne hur apart. Sme pls may have play n tw days t cmplete the pl (fr example, begin play ne day in the evening and finish the next mrning). The first match f a pl must begin at its scheduled time. Within a pl, and after the first match, a match may begin up t 15 minutes befre the scheduled starting time prvided the tw teams cmpeting, the fficials and the turnament staff all agree t it, and prvided that there is sufficient time fr the warm-up prtcl. Trickle dwn matches are played nly if necessary t determine bid awards. COURT USE A NQ may schedule n mre than 13 matches n a curt in ne day, unless therwise apprved by the USAV Events Department. Tie-breaking sets d nt cunt as scheduled matches. Final matches f the day must be scheduled t begin n later than 9:00 p.m. (with an 8:00 a.m. start) r 9:30 p.m. (with an 8:30 a.m. start). If a divisin is larger than 64 teams, the first rund f playffs can be scheduled fr the secnd day. Teams must still be given a minimum f 1 match n the third day. WARM-UP PROTOCOL Primary Warm-up Prtcl Fr all teams in their first match f a rund f play. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 11

Primary Warm-Up Prtcl (5-4-4): Five (5) minutes f shared curt time fr ball handling; and Fur (4) minutes f exclusive curt time fr the serving team; and Fur (4) minutes f exclusive curt time fr the receiving team. There will be n shared hitting time. A crssver match r tie-breaking match that immediately fllws pl play is part f that previus single rund f play; teams fllw the Secndary Warm-Up Prtcl set ut belw. A crssver match, seeding match r qualifying match that ccurs after a scheduled break, after the cnclusin f pl play, is a separate rund f play; teams in this rund fllw the Primary Warm-Up Prtcl. Secndary Warm-Up Prtcl Fr all ther matches within the rund f play. Secndary Warm-Up Prtcl (2-4-4): Tw (2) minutes f shared curt time fr ball handling; and Fur (4) minutes f exclusive curt time fr the serving team; and Fur (4) minutes f exclusive curt time fr the receiving team. There will be n shared hitting time. Only USAV members may be n the playing surface t assist with shagging balls during warm-ups. ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND ROSTER VERIFICATION Prir t beginning play, a Team Representative (Cach, Club Directr r ther designated adult) must cnfirm a team s presence at the turnament by signing an Official Turnament Rster (Official Rster). The persn wh signs the Official Rster, whether the Cach, Club Directr r ther designated adult (Signing Agent), assumes all respnsibility fr verifying that: All f the infrmatin cntained n the Official Rster is bth cmplete and crrect, including that: ALL caches listed n the Official Rster (Head and Assistant caches) have IMPACT caching certificatin, at a minimum. All reprted team cmpetitin results are cmplete and accurate. N player may be added t an Official Rster at a NQ nce a team has begun match play in that event. If a team wins an Open bid r accepts a Club bid at a NQ, the players n the Official Rster, as signed by the Signing Agent prir t the start f turnament play, are frzen t that team. The NQ will send a cpy f the Official Rster t the Events Department at the finish f the NQ. The players n this rster will be frzen with regard t the GJNC. The Events Department will pst the team s rster n the USAV website. (See Frzen Player rules belw fr additinal infrmatin abut regin bids and At-Large bids in regards t Official Rsters.) USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 12

PROCEDURES FOR BREAKING TIES At the cnclusin f a pl, the pl finish psitins f the teams are determined by their pl match recrds. If there is a tie in match recrd amng 2 r mre teams in the pl, tie(s) will be reslved using the GJNC Natinal Tie Break Rules. Even in 3 team pls where all 3 sets are required t be played, match recrd - nt game recrd - will determine a team s finish in the pl. (Cntradicts with 4 th bullet n page 13) TWO-WAY TIES: 2 teams tied in match recrd There will be n tie breaker sets. The first place team will be the team that wn the pl play match between the 2 tied teams (head-t-head). This is the prcedure fr all tw-way ties, even when ne team might still win a bid; the tied teams have already determined the better team thrugh head-t-head cmpetitin. THREE-WAY TIES: Where n team can advance t win a bid There will be n tie breaker sets. Ties amng teams will be reslved as fllws: If 3 r mre teams are tied in match recrd, the ties are brken by applying the fllwing steps, in rder, withut repeating any step. Head-t-Head results will nt be used at any time in breaking a three-way tie: Determine each team s set percentage (divide each team s ttal sets wn in the pl by the ttal sets played). The team with the highest set percentage is first. If sme r all f the teams have the same set percentage, then determine the pint percentage f the teams that are still tied (divide each team s ttal pints scred by the ttal pints scred by all the team s ppnents in that pl). Of the teams still tied, the team with the highest pint percentage has the next highest finish in the pl (finishes either first r secnd, depending n the utcme f the set percentage). If tw r mre teams are still tied: Cin tss. THREE-WAY TIES: Where 1 r mre teams may advance t win a bid There are several scenaris in which three-way ties can ccur. The reslutin fr each tie breaker scenari depends n bth the number f teams that can advance t win a bid frm the pl, AND which pl finish psitin is at stake fr the tied teams. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 13

SEEDING TIE BREAKER SETS The seeds fr teams tied in match recrd invlved in the tie breaker sets are determined by: Set percentage: The ttal number f sets played in the pl (sets wn divided by ttal sets played). The team with the highest set percentage is seeded first. If the teams are still tied: Pint percentage: Each team s ttal pints scred divided by the ttal pints scred by the team s ppnents in that pl. The team with the highest pint percentage is seeded first. If the teams are still tied: Cin tss. Playing Tie Breaker Sets Scenari One N. Teams Advancing Pl Finish Applicatins 1 First place 4-team pls: All teams have 2-1 match recrds 3-team pls: All teams have 1-1 match recrds All three teams will participate in tie breaker sets. Set 1: the #2 seed will play the #3 seed, and the #1 seed will fficiate. The lser f Set 1 will be third place in the pl and will fficiate the next tie breaker set. Set 2: the winner f Set 1 will play the #1 seed and the lser f Set 1 will fficiate. The winner f Set 2 will be first in the pl and the lser will be secnd. If, fr any reasn, ne f the tied teams is unavailable fr the reslutin f the tie at the time the curt fficial is ready t prceed, that team will autmatically becme the third place team and the ther tw teams will play ne tie breaker set. Scenari Tw N. Teams Advancing Pl Finish Applicatins 2 First place 4-team pls: All teams have 2-1 match recrds 3-team pls: All teams have 1-1 match recrds The #1 seed des nt have a playff set. The #1 seed finishes first in the pl. The #2 seed will play the #3 seed and the #1 seed will fficiate. The winner will be secnd place in the pl and the lser f this set will be third place in the pl. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 14

If, fr any reasn, ne f the tied teams is unavailable fr the reslutin f the tie at the time the curt fficial is ready t prceed, that team will be ranked third in the pl. The remaining teams will finish first and secnd in the pl based n the tie breaker seeding prcess. N ther penalty will be applied and n tie breaker set is played. Scenari Three N. Teams Advancing Pl Finish Applicatins 2 Secnd place 4-team pls: All teams have 1-2 match recrds All three teams will participate in tie breaker Sets. Set 1: the #2 seed will play the #3 seed and the #1 seed will fficiate. The lser f Set 1 will be furth place in the pl and will fficiate the next tie breaker set. Set 2: the winner f Set 1 will play the #1 seed and the lser f Set 1 will fficiate. The winner f Set 2 will be first in the pl and the lser will be third. If, fr any reasn, ne f the tied teams is unavailable fr the reslutin f the tie at the time the curt fficial is ready t prceed, that team will autmatically becme the furth place team. The ther tw teams will play ne tie breaker set. Scenari Fur N. Teams Advancing Pl Finish Applicatins 3 Secnd place 4-team pls: All teams have 1-2 match recrds The #1 seed des nt have a playff set. The #1 seed finishes secnd in the pl. The #2 seed will play the #3 seed and the #1 seed will fficiate. The winner will be third place in the pl and the lser f this set will be furth place in the pl. If, fr any reasn, ne f the tied teams is unavailable fr the reslutin f the tie at the time the curt fficial is ready t prceed, that team will be ranked furth in the pl. The remaining tw teams will finish secnd and third in the pl based n the tie breaker seeding prcess. N ther penalty will be applied and n tie breaker set is played. TIE BREAKER PROCEDURES FOR THIRD ROUND OPEN DIVISION POOLS (Gld Pls) If three teams are tied, ALL THREE TEAMS WILL PARTICIPATE IN TIE BREAKER SETS. Fllw the Seeding the Tie Breaker Sets t seed the teams, and Scenari One abve fr the Set Play Order. # f Bids Pl Finish Applicatins 1-2 First r Secnd place 4-team pls: All teams have either 2-1 r 1-2 match recrds 3-team pls: All teams have a 1-1 match recrd If all teams in the Gld Pl are qualified, there will be n tie breaker sets fr that pl. Ties are reslved by ranking accrding t set percentage, r, if necessary, pint percentage. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 15

FORMAT FOR TIE BREAKER SETS Tie break sets are played t 25 pints with ne team winning by tw pints, n cap. Teams will switch sides at 13 pints. PENALTIES FOR MISSED TIE BREAKER SETS It is the respnsibility f a team s cach t knw if there is a ptential tie in pl play finish and t have his/her team available curtside fr tie breaker sets as sn as the last match f the pl is finished. All teams must remain curtside fr the duratin f any necessary tie breaker sets regardless f whether the team is scheduled t cmpete r fficiate. Play f tie breaker sets will nt be delayed in rder t lcate a team r prvide time fr a team t return t the curt. In a three-way tie, where ne r mre teams is nt at curtside at the finish f the last match f the pl, the teams remaining will play fr psitin, if necessary. The team(s) that left will finish lwer than the team(s) that remained. The psitin f the team(s) that left will be determined fllwing the tie break prcedure as it pertains t the pl and advancing psitins available. There are n ther penalties fr a team that is nt present fr tie breaking sets. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 16

TEAM AND PLAYER POLICIES PARTICIPATION IN MULTIPLE DIVISIONS Each NQ that perates under ne name r ne USAV license is a single EVENT, even if the NQ activity is held n multiple weekends r in multiple lcatins. A team may nly cmpete in ne bid award divisin in a single NQ, even if it is eligible t cmpete in mre than ne divisin (e.g., a 16s team culd nt play in a 16 Open divisin ne weekend and a 16 Club divisin the next weekend even thugh the play divisins were hsted n separate weekends). A player may nly be n ne team rster in a bid award divisin in a single NQ. PLAYING UP A team must play in the divisin that cnfrms t the USAV age requirements fr the team s players. The team s GJNC cde stipulates its prper age divisin. If a team desires t play up an age divisin AND there is space available withut denying an age apprpriate team an entry psitin, the team may play in an upper age divisin. A team may play up a maximum f tw age divisins (i.e. a 15s team culd nly play up t 16s r 17s). A team may be mved up at the request f the turnament, but if this team is accepted in the prper age grup, they must agree t the mve. A team unable t gain access may be ffered the pprtunity t play up by the turnament. TEAM FORFEITURES A team that intentinally frfeits a match at a NQ will be excluded frm further participatin in that NQ. The frfeit is intentinal unless the team shws gd cause fr the frfeit. The Event Arbitratr will determine if gd cause exists. The QD will reprt any team that intentinally frfeits a match t the Events Department. If a team intentinally frfeits a match in the Gld Level during the third rund f pl play in an Open divisin r during Gld playff bracket matches in a Club divisin, the team s sanctin will be: ALL Adult Members listed n the verified event rster and the Club Directr will be suspended frm participating in all NQs, Reginal Qualificatin Events and the GJNC fr the fllwing seasn. Last Day Frfeits Teams that enter a NQ are cmmitting t participating in the full event. Teams have cntrl ver their travel plans and thse plans shuld be made s that a team will nt have t frfeit any matches. A team that frfeits a match fr any reasn ther than illness, injury r emergency is denying anther team a match. Additinally, in a single eliminatin frmat, it is pr sprtsmanship t deny a team the right t mve n by beating them and then frfeiting ut f the event. Furthermre, it is even mre unacceptable t frfeit and then, as lser f the match, nt t remain and fficiate the next match. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 17

Teams that have n flexibility in their travel plans and knw they will need t leave befre the cnclusin f an event shuld ntify the Turnament Directr early n the last day. The Turnament Directr will decide when the team will need t take their frfeit. Teams frfeiting shuld recgnize that additinal penalties may apply. Teams that refuse t play a match t determine 3rd and 4th place in the turnament will bth finish 4 th, and there will be n 3 rd place awarded in the turnament. Teams that frfeit a last day match are still respnsible t fficiate the next match scheduled n their curt. Teams playing the next scheduled match may nt be required t begin play early. TEAM OFFICIATING DUTIES The NQ must publish an fficiating assignment schedule fr the teams; the teams must fulfill all their scheduled fficiating assignments. Teams must prvide secnd referees fr all assigned matches (unless an assigned match has a certified fficial as secnd referee); tw line judges; a screr (screkeeper); and an assistant screr (visual screr and liber tracker). A team that fails t have a cmplete fficiating crew available fr an fficiating assignment - including a rstered adult fr that team - at the time the curt fficial is ready t prceed can be penalized by lsing pints in the first set f its next match. Fr every minute an fficiating team is late t fulfill its assignment, ne pint will be awarded t that team s next ppnent in the first set f the next match, up t a maximum f 25 pints. Penalty pints begin t accumulate at the start f the receiving team s warm-up. An adult listed n the event rster must be present at the screr s table and easily identifiable while any members f the team are fficiating. Perfrming duties as the R2 n the match the team is assigned t fficiate fulfills this requirement. A team may frfeit its entire next match fr failing, a secnd time, t have an fficiating crew available n time fr an fficiating assignment. *Penalties fr missing fficiating assignments in a three-way tie breaker differ frm these Team Officiating Duties penalties (see Prcedures fr Breaking Ties). REGIONALLY AGE WAIVERED PLAYERS Teams cmpeting in a NQ bid award divisin MAY NOT use any players wh have an age waiver frm their regin unless thse players are therwise age-eligible t play in the divisin. NQs may allw teams using players wh have a waiver frm their regin fr age requirements in any divisin that des NOT have a bid fr the GJNC. TEAM ROSTERS A team may have a maximum f 15 players and 5 additinal persns n their rster, ne f whm must be listed as the Head Cach. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 18

The ther nn-player rster psitins may be any cmbinatin f the fllwing: Assistant Cach 2 nd Assistant Cach Chaperne One Chaperne Tw Team Representative Team Manager All persns n an Official Rster must have cmpleted their regin s registratin prcess in an apprpriate membership categry, evidenced by a verifiable recrd in the natinal database. The verifiable recrd includes: A USAV cleared backgrund screening fr anyne ver 18. Caching certificatin level f IMPACT, as a minimum, fr all caches. Each player is required t wear the same jersey number listed n the Official Rster thrughut the entire event, with limited exceptins fr emergency r bld rule applicatins. An IMPACT certified cach, listed n the Official Rster, must be present and n the team s bench at all times the team is playing. USAV highly recmmends that teams have additinal IMPACT certified adults verified n their Official Rster and present at all times. In the event a Cach is nt present (late, sick, expelled r disqualified), the team must have anther IMPACT certified adult verified n their rster and n the team bench fr play t begin r cntinue withut frfeit. N additinal time will be allwed t cmply with the certified persnnel requirement t cntinue play except fr unused time uts and/r time allwed between sets. If a team elects nt t name a Team Representative, the Head Cach will fill that rle. The Team Manager is primarily reserved fr teams with participating Junir Members (members wh are 18 & Under and registered as a Junir Member) n staff. Junir Members cannt hld any staff psitin ther than Team Manager. Junir Members must be at least 10 years f age. Individual Participatin Eligibility Requirements (membership, backgrund screening, IMPACT, minimum age, etc.) are subject t verificatin by USAV, including use f randm ID checks by the Event Arbitratr. Frzen Players Earning an Open bid, submitting an Open At-Large bid applicatin r accepting any Club bid defines the team as qualified fr the GJNC. As f this time, the players n the qualified team s Official Rster are frzen t that team. The players n the team s Official Rster are subject t the fllwing restrictins: A Frzen Player cannt be n the rster f, r play fr, anther team in a Reginal r NQ event, the rster f a team applying fr an Open At-Large bid, r anther team playing at the GJNC. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 19

Once a female junir player has participated in a GJNC qualifying event (Reginal r NQ), she may nt be n the Official Rster f, r participate in, anther GJNC qualifying r champinship event with a different club. A club may add player(s) t the Official Rster f ne f its teams qualified fr the GJNC, prvided the additinal player(s) are members f the club and are nt n the Official Rster f anther f the club s teams, except that: N player may switch frm ne qualified team t anther qualified team, even within the same club. Vilatins f the Frzen Player rules will result in sanctins being impsed n the already qualified team, its club, the team s cach, the player and the club s directr. The Events Department will determine sanctins fr vilatins f the Frzen Player rules. The sanctins may be a warning, prbatin, suspensin, expulsin r match frfeiture. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 20

POLICY ON FOREIGN PARTICIPANT AND FOREIGN TEAM PARTICIPATION ONLY American Sama, Guam, Puert Ric, U.S. Virgin Islands and their assciated Federatins are eligible t participate in qualificatin divisins f the NQs and the GJNC. Definitins Freign Participant Nn-Resident Freign Participant Resident Freign Participant Freign Participant Release A participant wh is nt a citizen f the United States OR a citizen residing in a U.S. Territry having its wn Natinal Vlleyball Federatin with which the participant is affiliated. A persn wh is nt a citizen f the United States and resides utside the 50 United States OR an individual residing in a U.S. Territry having its wn Natinal Vlleyball Federatin with which the participant is affiliated. A persn wh is nt a citizen f the United States and resides in ne f the 50 United States and hlds resident versus visitr status. Prf f Resident status includes prviding dcumentatin substantiating enrllment and attendance in an educatinal institutin in the United States (excludes n-line curses) OR prf f emplyment in the United States AND a crrespnding physical residence address (excludes a P.O. Bx r care f address). A cpy f a current student r wrk visa is required fr the duratin f eligibility. Written apprval by a freign participant s Natinal Vlleyball Federatin f rigin fr that persn t affiliate r participate with USA Vlleyball. Plicy: Cncurrent registratin with mre than ne Natinal Vlleyball Federatin is prhibited. A Resident Freign Participant, wh has cmpeted in internatinal cmpetitin representing his/her cuntry/federatin f rigin (i.e. Yuth Natinal Team, Junir Natinal Team, Senir Natinal Team, r ther "elite" team that has represented that cuntry in internatinal cmpetitin) is required t have a written release frm that vlleyball federatin f rigin befre he/she can becme a registered member f a Reginal Vlleyball Assciatin. This wuld nt apply t a participant wh has been in cntinuus legal residence in the United States and unaffiliated with a freign natinal vlleyball federatin fr greater than tw years. FOREIGN PARTICPANT ELIGIBILITY Subject t the abve Table f Definitins, a Resident Freign Participant (residing legally in the United States, e.g. exchange student) may participate if she/he is a duly registered member f a USA Vlleyball Reginal Vlleyball Assciatin (RVA) and fllws all event participatin plicies and registratin prcedures. A Nn-Resident Freign Participant shall nt be eligible t participate. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 21

FOREIGN TEAM ELIGIBILITY Freign Team Participatin fr Natinal Junir Cmpetitins (e.g. USA Vlleyball Junir Natinal Champinships, Natinal Qualifiers and all Qualifying Events): A Freign Team (registered with its Natinal Vlleyball Federatin) may participate if it duly applies fr and is accepted in cmpliance with the event's regulatins, is nt representing its cuntry in an fficial capacity, and the federatin f rigin grants permissin fr participatin. Freign Teams must purchase freign participant insurance, which will be prvided by USA Vlleyball. The expense shall be debited t the event at cst and shall be added t the entry fee. A waiver t the freign participant insurance fee shall be granted t Canadians wh prvide written prf f 24-hur health cverage valid in the United States. Each member f a Freign Team shall have in his/her pssessin(s), and shall have previusly filed with the Event Directr, the fllwing dcuments: Pht identificatin (Driver's license, passprt r cmparable gvernment issued dcument); and A signed cpy f the USA Vlleyball Cde f Cnduct and Waiver and Release f Liability (prvided n page 2 f the Freign Participant Registratin frm). Additinally, fr junir-age cmpetitins, each freign player (f a freign team) must als pssess and have n file with the Event Directr: Cpy f birth certificate r Gvernment Issue Identificatin with birth date; and USA Vlleyball's "Cnsent fr Medical Treatment & Release" frm, signed by the player's parent r legal guardian. FOREIGN TEAM REGISTRATION This applies t ALL NON-USA Vlleyball members r Member Organizatins (Puert Ric, American Sama, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexic, etc.). Required Individual Frms Players and Staff: Freign Participant Registratin Frm, which includes the Cde f Cnduct n page 2 Players and Staff: Cpy f pht ID (i.e. Passprt) Players Only: Medical Release and Liability Frm (withut ntary unless the event is held in Flrida) Players Only: Cpy f Birth Certificate (nte, a passprt will als fill this requirement) Required Team Frms/Fees Entry Frm Freign Summary Team Participatin Frm $100 US Dllars fr Insurance (Canadian teams exempt with prf f cverage) A letter f gd standing frm their vlleyball federatin. NOTE: If any freign teams attend yur turnament, please cllect all f the required paperwrk and insurance checks. Yu will then frward the paperwrk and insurance checks t the USAV Office, Attentin: Kristy Cx. Freign teams are required t cmplete the paperwrk and pay the insurance fee nly nce during the current seasn. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 22

TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS OFFICIALS All pl play and playff bracket matches must have a USAV-certified fficial as the first referee. All third pl matches in Open divisins, Gld brackets in Open divisins, and semifinal and final matches f Gld Level Club divisins, must have USAV-certified first and secnd referees. It is recmmended that there be first and secnd referees fr Gld Level quarterfinals in Club divisins. AWARDS Each NQ will give a team plaque r trphy t each first, secnd, and third place teams in the Gld level f each Open and Club divisin. NQs will give an individual award f minimal value (nn-merchandise such as a plaque, trphy r medal) t each player n each first, secnd and third place teams in the Gld level f each Open and Club divisin. NQs may give additinal awards. NQs will nt select All-Turnament teams. TEAM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The date a NQ receives an entry applicatin des nt autmatically determine the team s acceptance int the turnament. All entry requirements must be met. Each individual NQ may have additinal entry requirements. These requirements shall be clearly specified in the respective NQs entry prcedure dcuments and infrmatin. TEAM ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA NQs will accept teams wh have met all entry requirements until available space is filled, r the deadline date, whichever cmes first, based n the fllwing criteria: Pstmark r electrnic date f cmplete entry requirements, as specified by each event. Strength. Number f teams per club per divisin, with a maximum f tw teams per club, per divisin, unless additinal space is available. Entries frm the hst state where the NQ is cnducted. After the deadline date teams may be accepted at the discretin f the turnament directr. USAV Qualifier Manual Revised Nvember 8, 2011 23