New Ladder Rules

Ladder Rules

• Each week, #1 plays #2, #3 plays #4, #5 plays #6, and so on. Both players are responsible for initiating contact in order to schedule the match for a time convenient to both players.
• Depending on whether you're the higher or lower ranked player of the match, your movement on the ladder will be different should you win or lose. The rules are as follows:
  -If the higher ranked player wins - s/he moves up one slot.
  -If the lower ranked player wins - s/he moves up two slots.
  -If the higher ranked player loses - s/he moves down two slots.
  -If the lower ranked player loses - s/he moves down one slot.
  The purpose of the above this scheme is to increase the amount of movement within the ladder which will generate match-ups that haven't been played before.
• Players are required to play their assigned matches within the one week window. A player who does not arrange or show up to a match will drop one slot. Repeated offenses will result in removal from the ladder.
• Players who are planning an absence can be temporarily removed from the ladder by emailing upennsquashclub@gmail.com. They will be reinserted upon notifying the us.
• New, unranked players must challenge and win a match against a ranked player to get onto the ladder. By beating a ranked player, s/he will obtain the loser's rank and players will be shifted down accordingly.
• The winner of any match should email the match results by Saturday of that week so that standings can be updated. The email should be sent to upennsquashclub@gmail.com and the opponent should be CC'd.
• Ladder rankings will be updated every Monday night.

Rules of Play

• Matches are best of 5 games. If more than 5 games are played, only the first 5 should be considered in determining the winner.
• Each game is played to 9 points, where only the server may score a point. At a score of 8-8, the server offers the receiver a choice of playing 1 or 2 more points.
• Matches must be played with a standard double-yellow dot ball.
• Non-marking shoes are required.
• Protective eyewear is encouraged and must be worn upon opponent's request.
• Official rules are those of the United States Squash Racquets Association.

Please note a few additional items which are requisite to the success of this play format:

First, ladder matches can and should be competitive, but certainly must always be friendly.

Second, for the ladder to remain dynamic and exciting, it's necessary that everyone play their weekly matches. We've seen ladders that ended quickly because players either did not reply to challenges or failed to show up to matches. This is frustrating for the people who want to move up in ranking, or who were simply looking forward to a weekly game. Towards ensuring the success of this play forum, we will be strictly enforcing the no-show/expulsion policy.