Prgram Guide Ren-Sparks, Nevada
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 fr all Divisins except the Patrit Divisins thrugh ne f tw main paths; ne is the NQ prcess and the ther is the Reginal prcess. In the case f the Patrit Divisins, a team may simply enter the turnament thrugh the established means. Teams will be accepted t the Patrit Divisins n a date-fentry basis until the Divisin is full at which time teams will be placed n a wait list. 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 divisins, as well as pssibly the USA divisin), r thrugh the Regin Reallcatin prcess (fr Natinal and American divisins nly). DIVISIONS OF PLAY - OPEN, NATIONAL, USA, AMERICAN & PATRIOT There are five majr divisins f play at GJNC Open divisins, Natinal divisins, USA divisins, American divisins, and the Patrit divisins. The gal f the GJNC Open divisins is t identify, thrugh cmpetitin, the best team in each GJNC divisin frm amng 36 teams that have earned bids. The NQ Open divisins are designed t select thse 36 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 Open At-Large Bids). The gal f the GJNC Natinal, USA and American 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 Natinal, USA r American divisin: Earn a bid at a NQ (Natinal (12 & Under Only), USA r American); Earn a bid thrugh their regin s qualifying prcess (Natinal r American); r Earn a bid frm their regin thrugh the Re-allcatin prcess. Age Classificatin, Divisins & Team Entries OPEN Divisin NATIONAL CLUB Divisin USA CLUB Divisin AMERICAN CLUB Divisin 18 & Under 17 & Under 16 & Under 15 & Under 14 & Under 36 teams 36 teams 36 teams 36 teams 13 & Under 24 teams** 12 & Under 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 48 teams 36 teams 36 teams 36 teams 36 teams 64 teams 64 teams 64 teams 64 teams 64 teams 64 teams 48 teams 11 & Under PATRIOT 32* teams 72* teams 72* teams 72* teams 24* teams Divisin *Patrit divisins will have a sft cap f the number listed abve, but may accept up t 72 teams in a turnament, in multiples f 4 teams, dependent n available curt space. Page 2
**The 13 Open divisin has a cap f 24 teams with the ability t raise t 32 at the discretin f the Turnament Directr. (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 Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA and American teams in varius age divisins t cmpete at the GJNC. There are a number f secndary purpses fr the NQs, including: 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 12 NQs: Big Suth (Atlanta), Clrad Crssrads (Denver), Disney Vlleyball Shwcase (Orland), Far Western (Ren), Mideast(Indianaplis), Lne Star (Dallas), Nrtheast (Philidephia), Nrthern Lights (Minneaplis), Pacific Nrthwest (Spkane), Shw Me (Kansas City), Suthern Califrnia (Anaheim), and Windy City (Chicag). 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 Directrs f each f the NQs, determines the maximum number f teams a NQ may hst in each Open, Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA and American divisin. Currently, a NQ may hst a maximum f 48 teams in each Open divisin and 128 teams in each Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA and American 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. Page 3
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, Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA and American 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). OPEN: 13 s OPEN: 14 s 17 s NATIONAL: 12 s USA: 14 s 17 s * AMERICAN: 12 s - 18'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 Number f Teams < 8 0 < 8 0 < 8 0 < 8 0 < 8 0 8 11 1 8-15 1 8-128 1 8-15 1 8-128 1 12-48 2 16-23 2 16-23 2 24-48 3 24-128 3 Number f Bids 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 may be reserved fr the At-Large Pl and sme Natinal and American bids are reserved fr the regins t award (see Age Classificatins chart abve). Bids awarded at NQs must be accepted in writing at r prir t 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 Bids Open Divisins 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 in the turnament. If a team previusly r subsequently earns a Natinal, USA r American 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, USA r American 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 will autmatically be cnsidered fr an At-Large bid 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, Page 4
Cmply with the bth their regin s and USAV s GJNC deadline dates and applicatin prcesses; 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. Natinal Qualifier Bids Natinal Divisins (12 & Under Only) At a NQ, bth a Natinal divisin and an American divisin will be ffered fr the 12 & Under age divisin. Each NQ will receive ne Natinal bid t award, prvided they have a minimum f eight (8) teams registered in the divisin. A team must accept r reject a Natinal bid in writing upn earning the bid. If rejected, the bid will trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished n lwer than 4 th place in the turnament (see GJNC Bids Awarded Thrugh a Regin). Shuld either divisin fail t receive the minimum number f eight (8) registered teams, the divisins will be cmbined and will be called the Natinal divisin. In rder fr the cmbined Natinal divisin t retain bth bids, the divisin must have a minimum f sixteen (16) registered teams. If the cmbined Natinal divisin has less than sixteen (16) registered teams, the NQ will award nly ne Natinal bid. Natinal Qualifier Bids USA Divisins At a NQ, the USA divisin has up t three bids. There is ptential fr a Qualifier t earn an additinal USA bid if anther Qualifier des nt meet the number f required teams t receive the three bids. A USA Divisin must have at least eight (8) teams t be able t award a bid in that respective turnament. A team must accept r reject a USA bid in writing upn earning the bid. If rejected, the bid will trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished n lwer than 4 th place in a turnament with up t tw (2) USA bids available, r n lwer than 6 th place in a turnament with three (3) USA bids available, r n fewer than 8 th place in a turnament with fur (4) USA bids available. Trickle dwn scenaris fr a USA Bid: If a team that wins a USA bid earned an Open bid r accepted a USA bid frm a previus NQ, r accepted a Natinal bid frm a Reginal Bid Turnament, the current USA bid may trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished n lwer than 4 th place in a turnament with up t tw (2) USA bids available, r n lwer than 6 th place in a turnament with three (3) USA bids available, r n lwer than 8 th place in a turnament with fur (4) USA bids available. The trickle dwn prcess must be applied at the cnclusin f the divisin s cmpetitin. Natinal Qualifier Bids American Divisins At a NQ, the American divisin has ne bid. An American Divisin must have at least eight (8) teams t be able t award a bid in that respective turnament. A team must accept r reject an American bid in writing upn earning the bid. If rejected, the bid will trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished n lwer than 4 th place in the turnament (see GJNC Bids Awarded Thrugh a Regin). Trickle dwn scenaris fr an American Bid: Page 5
If a team that wins an American bid earned an Open bid r accepted a USA bid frm a previus NQ, r accepted a Natinal bid frm a Reginal Bid Turnament, the current American bid may trickle dwn t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided that team finished n lwer than 4 th place in the turnament. The trickle dwn prcess must be applied at the cnclusin f the divisin s cmpetitin. If a team earns and accepts an American bid thrugh a regin turnament and then earns an American bid at a NQ, the NQ American bid will supersede the regin American bid and the regin American bid will return t the regin it was riginally awarded frm fr reallcatin. If a team that wins an American bid accepted an American bid frm a previus NQ, the current American ges t the next eligible, highest finishing team, prvided the next highest finishing team finished n lwer than 4 th place in the turnament. The trickle dwn prcess must be applied at the cnclusin f the divisin s cmpetitin. GJNC BIDS AWARDED THROUGH A REGION Regins award bids t tw Divisins at the GJNC Natinal and American. Each Regin will receive at least 1 Natinal bid t award at their discretin. As there are a ttal f 48 bids t be allcated t 40 Regins, the 8 largest Regins based n Girls Junir registratins frm the previus seasn (except as nted belw) will be awarded a 2 nd bid t the Natinal Divisin at the GJNC. Of the 48 American Divisin bids, 12 will be awarded at NQ Events with the remaining being allcated t the 36 largest Regins based n Girls Junir registrants frm the previus seasn except as nted belw: 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. Reallcatin Bids Sme regins may nt use all f their riginally alltted bids; in each age divisin, these unused bids, alng with any American 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). Generally, the pririty f bid use is as fllws: 1. Open 2. Natinal 3. USA 4. American Page 6
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 USA bid, the team must use the Open Bid. The USA bid will remain in the regin f the team that riginally accepted the USA bid. If the regin refuses t allcate this USA bid, it reverts back t the NQ and fllws the trickle dwn prcess. If a team previusly accepted a Natinal r American bid, the team must use the Open Bid. The Natinal r American bid will remain in the regin f the team that riginally accepted the Natinal r American bid. If the regin refuses t allcate this bid, it reverts back t the NQ and fllws the trickle dwn prcess. When a Natinal Club bid is the secnd bid a team earns and accepts: If a team previusly accepted a USA bid, the team must use the Natinal Bid. The USA bid will remain in the regin f the team that riginally accepted the USA bid. If the regin refuses t allcate this USA bid, it reverts back t the NQ and fllws the trickle dwn prcess. If a team previusly accepted an American bid, the team must use the Natinal Bid. The American bid will remain in the regin f the team that riginally accepted the American bid. If the regin refuses t allcate this bid, it reverts back t the NQ and fllws the trickle dwn prcess. When a USA Club bid is the secnd bid a team earns: If a team previusly accepted a Natinal bid frm a regin, the team must keep the Natinal Bid. The USA bid will trickle dwn t the next eligible team (see Natinal Qualifier Bids USA Divisin fr trickle dwn rules). If a team previusly accepted an American bid frm either an NQ r a regin, the team must use the USA bid. The American bid will remain in the regin f the team that riginally accepted the Natinal r American bid. Penalties fr Nt Using Bids A team that des nt use a GJNC Open bid which it has earned, r a GJNC Natinal, USA r American bid which it has earned and accepted, may be subject t the fllwing penalties: IF a team earns an Open bid at a NQ, earns and accepts an Open At-Large bid, r earns and accepts a Natinal, USA r American bid (Reginal r NQ) and subsequently des nt participate in the GJNC, ALL members listed n the Official Event Rster and the Club Directr will be suspended frm participating in all NQs, Reginal Qualificatin Events, and the JNCs (bth Spring & Summer) fr the remainder f that seasn and 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, the suspensin frm cmpeting in qualifying events will remain in frce until the fee is paid in full. Page 7
NATIONAL QUALIFIER TOURNAMENTS All NQs must use cmpetitin frmats apprved by the Events Department. The infrmatin in this sectin applies t all NQ turnaments. RULES OF PLAY The rules f play are as prescribed in the USA Vlleyball Dmestic Cmpetitin Regulatins. 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 match recrd. Shuld ne team win the first tw sets f the match, that team has wn the match, but teams will still play the 3 rd set. Shuld there be a 3-way tie in the pl with all 3 teams having a 1-1 match recrd, ALL sets played will be used when determining set percentage when ging t a tie-breaker. When playing the 3 rd set, there will be a cin flip between sets tw and three t determine side, serve and receive, and teams will switch sides at 13. Fr divisin sites f 8-16 teams, pls cmprised f mre than 5 teams may be utilized. Open Divisin Frmats The tp 4 t 12 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. Page 8
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. Fr a field f less than 17 teams, shuld large pls (mre than 6 teams) be used, ne rund f pl play fllwed by single eliminatin brackets is allwed. Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA and American Divisin Frmats All teams in Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA r American 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 sequences, listed belw, are allwable fr use with all respective 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) ½ Hur 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) ½ Hur Break 1 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 5 (ref 4) Rund Fur-Team Pls curt 1 Fur-Team Pls curt 2 Match 1 A 1 vs. 3 (ref B3) A 2 vs. 4 (ref B2) Match 2 B 1 vs. 3 (ref A3) B 2 vs. 4 (ref A4) Match 3 A 2 vs. 3 (ref B3) A 1 vs. 4 (ref B4) Match 4 B 2 vs. 3 (ref A2) B 1 vs. 4 (ref A4) Match 5 A 1 vs. 2 (ref B4) A 3 vs. 4 (ref B1) Match 6 B 3 vs. 4 (ref A1) B 1 vs. 2 (ref A3) 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 can be seen n the next page: Page 9
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PLAYING SCHEDULES All pl play matches are scheduled at least 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 required t be 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. 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. Page 11
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) are backgrund screened and 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 that team has begun match play in that event. If a team wins an Open bid r accepts a Natinal (12 & Under nly), USA r American 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. Fr all NQs and fr GJNC, each player is required t wear the same jersey number as listed n the event rster thrughut the entire event, with limited exceptins as required by emergency r bld rule applicatins. (See Frzen Player rules belw fr additinal infrmatin abut regin bids and At-Large bids in regards t Official Rsters.) Page 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 set recrd - will determine a team s finish in the pl. 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. NON-ELIMINATION SCENARIOS If n team is eliminated frm an pprtunity t win a bid, there will be n tie-breaking sets. In three-way ties, ties will be brken, withut repetitin, in this rder: Pl match recrd. Head-t-head results (applicable fr pls with 5 r mre teams). Set percentage (sets wn divided by ttal sets played). Pint percentage (each team s ttal pints scred divided by the ttal pints scred by the team s ppnents in that pl). Cin tss. Page 13
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. 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. Page 14
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. 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 (GOLD POOLS) 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 In the case that there is nly ne Gld Pl in the third rund and tw bids are available: Page 15
The #1 seed des nt have a playff set. The #1 seed finishes first in the pl and receives the first bid. The #2 seed will play the #3 seed and the #1 seed will fficiate. The winner will be secnd place in the pl and will receive the secnd bid. The lser f this set will be third place in the pl. If all teams in the Gld Pl are qualified r if n teams are, by virtue f the tie, autmatically eliminated frm the pprtunity f winning a bid in that event, there will be n tie breaker sets fr that pl. Ties are reslved by ranking accrding t set percentage, r, if necessary, pint percentage. 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. Page 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. Exceptin: An 18s NQ, even if using the same name as a NQ fr the 12-17 age grups wuld be cnsidered a separate event if nt cnducted n the same dates as the NQ fr the yunger age grups. 18-&-Under athletes may nt play in a qualificatin divisin in bth the SGJNC and the Summer GJNC. Athletes meeting the age definitins fr age grups yunger than 18 may participate in bth events, but nly 1 Champinship Divisin per event (Spring r Summer). The qualificatin divisins fr the 18-&-Under age grup are Open, Natinal, USA & American. 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 11 digit 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 penalty 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 Page 17
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. 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). The secnd referee must be a rstered adult fr all 14 & Under and yunger age divisins. 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. Teams chsing nt t play a match r fulfill their fficiating respnsibilities n the final day f cmpetitin may be financially penalized at a level established and published by the Event. Teams being penalized shall be restricted frm playing in further Natinal Qualifiers and/r the USAV Girls JNC until this penalty is fulfilled. *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. With regin apprval nly, teams with waivered players may be eligible t participate in the nn-qualifying Patrit Divisin f the GJNC. USAV will fully supprt the regin s decisin n whether r nt t allw waivered players in this divisin. Page 18
TEAM ROSTERS All caches listed n the rster (Head and Assistants) will be backgrund screened and pssess a minimum caching certificatin level f IMPACT (Entry Level). An IMPACT certified cach, listed n the rster, must be present and n the bench at all times. It is strngly recmmended that teams have additinal IMPACT certified adults verified n their rster and present at all times. In the event a Cach(es) is nt present (late, sick, ejected 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. A team may have a maximum f 15 players and five (5) additinal persnnel n their rster, ne f which must be listed as the Head Cach (Please nte: a chaperne is als required n each team s rster fr the Girls Junir Natinal Champinships). The ther fur rster psitins may be any cmbinatin f the fllwing: 5. Assistant Cach 6. 2 nd Assistant Cach 7. Chaperne One 8. Chaperne Tw 9. Team Representative 10. Team Manager In the event the team elects nt t designate a Team Representative, the Head Cach will fill that rle. The Team Manager psitin is primarily reserved fr, but nt restricted t, junir level members (members wh are registered in a junir level membership categry r are under the age f 18) participating with a junir team in a nnplayer capacity. These members cannt be placed in any team staff psitin ther than Team Manager. Junir level staff members must be at least 10 years f age. USA Vlleyball and the event arbitratrs reserve the right t cnduct randm ID checks n any staff persn listed n the rster at any time. All rster persnnel (nn-players) must have cmpleted the club s regin s registratin prcess and cleared the backgrund screening if applicable. Junir level members under the age f 18 d nt need t be backgrund screened. Junir members 18 years ld and abve, serving in nn-player capacity n a junir team, must apply fr and clear a backgrund screening within 30 days f their 18th Birthday." 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. 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, Page 19
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. Age Exceptin fr 2016 An age EXCEPTION will be granted t a high schl junir whse date f birth is prir t September 1 f 1998 t participate in the GJNC. This exceptin nly applies t the GJNC event. It des nt extend t Natinal Qualifier events. A player may participate in the qualificatin prcess with ne team that has nt yet qualified. Once a team has qualified, that player is frzen t that rster fr the Champinship (GJNC r GSJNC) at which the Divisin (Open, Natinal, USA r American) is being cntested. If that player is eligible by age definitin t play in an age grup yunger than 18s, she may participate at the Champinship that des nt cincide with the Divisin with which she qualified, prvided it is within the same club EXAMPLE 1: A player in the 17s age divisin plays n an 18s team and that team Qualifies fr the GSJNC in the Open Divisin. That player may nt play n any ther team, let s say a 17s team trying t qualify fr 17 Open, t help that team qualify fr the GJNC. She may, hwever, be added t the 17 Open rster t play in the GJNC within that club. EXAMPLE 2: A club has a team that has qualified fr the 18 USA Divisin f the GSJNC, they may add a player frm their club wh plays n a yunger team t play in the GSJNC even if the yunger team has qualified fr the GJNC. POLICY ON FOREIGN INDIVIDUAL AND FOREIGN TEAM PARTICIPATION Only U.S. Territries (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. Beginning in 2014, freign teams may be eligible t participate in the Patrit Divisins f the GJNC if they fulfill the requirements utlined belw. Freign teams will be accepted int the Patrit Divisin beginning May 1 st, r sner, depending n space available. Definitins Freign Participant Nn-Resident Freign Participant 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 t which the participant is affiliated. A persn wh is nt a citizen f the United States residing utside the 50 United States OR an individual residing in a U.S. Territry, having its wn Natinal Vlleyball Federatin t which the participant is affiliated. Page 20
Resident Freign Participant Freign Participant Release A persn wh is nt a citizen f the United States and resides in ne f the 50 United States and hlding 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. POLICY: 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 and Plicy, 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 (see the Freign Guest Cach Plicy fr exceptins). FOREIGN TEAM ELIGIBILITY Freign Team Participatin (this nly includes U.S. Territries fr qualificatin divisins f the NQs and GJNC) fr Natinal Junir Cmpetitins (e.g. USA Vlleyball Girls 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 Page 21
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 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. OFFICIALS TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS All pl play and playff bracket matches must have a USAV-certified fficial as the first referee. All Gld Pl (3 rd pl) matches in Open divisins, Gld brackets in Open divisins, and semifinal and final matches f Gld Level Natinal, USA and American 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, Natinal (12 & Under Only), USA and American divisin. Page 22
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, Natinal (12 & Under Only), USA and American 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. If the NQ limits the number f accepted teams per club, per divisin, that limit can be n less than tw teams per club, per divisin, but may be higher (maximum number f accepted teams per club, per divisin t be set by each NQ and clearly stated in the NQ s pre-turnament infrmatin). Entries frm the hst state where the NQ is cnducted. A NQ may priritize the criteria pints abve as it best meets the needs f that NQ, hwever, the methd by which a NQ will turn teams away shuld the Event, r a Divisin f the Event, be versubscribed must be clearly stated in that NQ s pre-turnament infrmatin. After the deadline date teams may be accepted at the discretin f the turnament directr. If a divisin is filled t capacity by the time a team cmpletes the entry prcess, the NQ may ffer teams denied entry int an Open divisin the pprtunity t mve int a Natinal (12 & Under Only), USA r American divisin, if space is available. A NQ may als ffer teams denied entry in a Natinal (12 & Under Only), USA r American divisin the pprtunity t mve int an Open divisin if space is available. Under n circumstance is a team that is denied entry int any divisin guaranteed a berth in any ther divisin. TRAINERS Each NQ must prvide athletic trainers during all hurs f cmpetitin and fr at least 45 minutes prir t the beginning f cmpetitin each day. PROTEST COMMITTEE Each NQ must have an n-site Prtest Cmmittee cnsisting f the Head Official, the NQ Turnament Directr r his/her designee, and anther qualified persn t rule n prtests ldged by teams regarding fficiating. N Prtest Cmmittee member can cach a team in the turnament. Page 23