Players who have the following rating types are subject to Three Strikes: T (Tournament), M (mixed Exclusive), A (Adjusted), AND S (self rate or rating lowered by medical appeal).
Players with computer ratings are not subject to Three Strikes. This includes players whose ratings are in these categories: C (computer) and all Benchmark (B) ratings: BD (Benchmark Districts) , BS (Benchmark Sectionals) and BN (Benchmark Nationals).
A player must reach this disqualification level three times during the championship league year in order to be disqualified. Many players generate a single strike during the season. Relatively few generate three strikes in one championship year.
DNTPR (Dynamic National Tennis Rating Program) is the current system used to determine the level at which a player is rated based on demonstrated ability and/or performance. The program is run by the computer to determine if any players are "clearly above level" using the current Disqualification Procedure Guidelines. Players will be disqualified if they achieve the currently established "clearly above level" status three times based on all matches reported in the national database for Adult and Senior Divisions. This includes all match play in Adult and Senior divisions in all sections.
If a player is disqualified by the Three Strikes program during the local league season or less than 24 hours after the season deadline , all matches played at that level in that league will be overturned and posted as 6-0, 6-0 wins for his opponents. If a player is also playing in a league other than Senior or Adult, those matches will not be reversed, but the player may not continue playing at the disqualified level. If a player is disqualified during local league playoffs, the last match in which he played will be overturned. If a player is disqualified during District or Section Championships, all matches he or she played at that event will be overturned.
If this player is also, or only, playing at a higher level, his matches at that higher level are not affected.
This program is used in Norcal throughout the Adult and Senior seasons, including District and Section Championships. A disqualification can affect the standings of the team. It can affect the team in a minor way, not changing their standings, or it can affect them more seriously, removing the team from playoff contention or even from championships.
In the Adult and Senior Leagues for 2010, 98 players were disqualified through the Three Strikes process.
66 were men and 32 were women, 2 were 2.5 players, 41 were 3.0 players, 36 were 3.5 players, 19 were 4.0 players, and 0 were 4.5
Questions and Answers:
Q: How does it work?
Scores for all Adult and Senior matches are calculated in the dynamic NTRP computer program. NorCal will inform players if they reach the disqualification level three times based on all adult and senior matches appearing in the system. Results from Mixed Doubles, Combo, FiftyMixed, and both Super Senior leagues do not generate dynamics and do not produce strikes.
Q: Has the way that the computer program calculates ratings been changed?
The basic mathematical algorithm has not changed. The computer still looks at your match scores and not whether you won or lost the match.
Q: How often are "dynamic" ratings re-calculated? By whom?
Senior and Adult Leagues data will automatically be run through a national NTRP database, where the necessary calculations will be made. NorCal receives a report listing any players who accumulated a "third strike" and therefore are disqualified. This report is run daily.
Q: "I want to see my rating during the year. How can I?"
You will not be able to view the dynamic NTRP ratings during the year. These numbers will be used solely by administration to track play, identify those clearly above level and to finally assist with year-end benchmarking and ratings.
Q: Does Dynamic NTRP treat doubles partners differently?
Dynamic NTRP maintains whatever rating differential between doubles partners that existed before a match. For example, if a 3.3 and a 3.5 player are paired together, whatever "spread" between opponents is dictated by the specific match results, the two partners will have ratings only .2 different from one another after the dynamic calculation is completed.
Q: Do USTA sanctioned tournaments count in the dynamic rating system? If so, can a tournament win be used as one of the three "strikes"?
Age division tournaments do not count but NTRP tournaments are calculated in the system after the sectional championships. They do not count towards a strike; however, they affect your year-end rating.
Q: What is a strike and how do I get one?
Each time a player’s dynamic rating exceeds the maximum tolerance for the level, he/she automatically earns a "strike." Three strikes in one championship year—considering all matches in the Adult and Senior Divisions from all sections in the database from Local League up to and including Sectional Championships— and you are disqualified.
Q: How high can my dynamic rating go before I earn a "strike"?
The Dynamic NTRP system allows a certain tolerance for player development—more for lower level players where rapid improvement is more likely; less for higher-level players. The new Dynamic NTRP system uses the same criteria for "strikes" that were used by verifiers in the past. The new methodology has not changed that standard.
Q: What are the consequences of disqualification?
In all cases, the player is disqualified from participation at that NTRP level. The effect on Team Standings may vary, depending on when the DQ occurs. All local league matches played at the lower level are considered losses. During a championship NorCal has elected to overturn all matches played by the Disqualified player.
Q: Will a player be advised each time that he/she earns a "strike"?
No. Notice occurs only after three strikes are accumulated.
Q: Will I be told exactly which matches earned me "three strikes"?
The section will send you notice of disqualification along with your match records indicating matches that earned you strikes. Once you confirm that this information is accurate, you may request an appeal. You may appeal based only on missing or incorrect information.
Q: Who is notified in the event of a disqualification? By whom? How quickly?
When a "third strike" situation arises, NorCal notifies the player, by telephone, e-mail or voicemail message and the player’s Team Captain, using the Captain’s e-mail address Hard copy will be mailed to player’s address.
Q: How does playing on a higher level team affect the generation of a strike?
A strike occurs when a player’s scores reflect playing ability significantly above that player’s assigned rating. This is less likely to happen when playing against a weaker player, more likely to happen when playing against a stronger player, simply because being challenged by a strong player can bring out one’s very best tennis effort. A player who chooses to "play up" is more likely to face stronger opponents. Any player who is playing up and experiencing significant success against stronger opponents should reconsider his participation on the lower level team. Any captain with a player who is having this success should reconsider using this player on his team.