ADA Rulebook

The ADA Badminton League consists of seven individual competitions (tournaments) held in various cities within the ADA region, according to the competition calendar published on the ADA League portal, available at www.ada-league.com.

The competitions include men's and women's singles, as well as men's, women's, and mixed doubles.

The abbreviated names of the disciplines used in this document consist of three letters with the following meanings: M – male; W – female; S – singles; D – doubles; X – mixed doubles, while the third letter indicates the category in which the player is competing (A, B, C, or D). The abbreviations without the category letter are:

MS – Men's Singles, MD – Men's Doubles, WS – Women's Singles, WD – Women's Doubles, and XD – Mixed Doubles.

The ADA League competitions are held in 20 disciplines:

• Category A: WSA, MSA, WDA, MDA, XDA

• Category B: WSB, MSB, WDB, MDB, XDB

• Category C: WSC, MSC, WDC, MDC, XDC

• Category D: WSD, MSD, WDD, MDD, XDD

All individual competitions (tournaments) are scored for the overall season ranking list. The scoring of individual competitions is conducted in accordance with the procedures defined in APPENDIX A of this Rulebook.

Registration for the competition is done through the league portal, while the tournament is managed using Tournament Software, which determines the match schedule and records the results of all matches.

There will be no referees engaged at the competition, and it will be conducted according to the fair play rules outlined in this Rulebook.

The ADA League competitions are divided into four categories, labeled A, B, C, and D.

Competitors who participated in the previous ADA season will receive a category suggestion upon registration on the portal, based on their past results. They can either confirm the assigned category or choose a higher one. It is not possible to register for a lower category than the one suggested.

Registration for the first tournament of the season determines the competitor's category, which cannot be changed during that competition season. Therefore, competitors will play all disciplines within the same category, and each individual will be assigned only one category letter.

Competitors registering for an ADA competition for the first time will assess their own badminton skills in accordance with the descriptions in APPENDIX B of this Rulebook.

If, based on the results of the first tournament, it is determined that a competitor has incorrectly assessed themselves, the league administration reserves the right to enforce a change in the competitor's category. In the event of a player's transfer to a higher category, their previously earned result will be erased.

Competitors may submit a written request to the ADA League administration for an exemption from the previous rule, providing reasons for the exemption. The ADA League administration will decide on each individual request.

From the new rule "all disciplines in the same category," there is only one exception: All men aged 50+ (born in 1973 or earlier) are allowed to mix A and B categories. This rule does not interfere with the organization of the tournament, and as a result, it will create situations in the system where, for example, female players participate in WSA or WDA and XDB. These entries are approved exclusively by the league's Technical Committee, and the system/portal will not accept them without administrator intervention. It is necessary to contact the league via: info@ada-league.com

Registration for competitions is done exclusively through the ADA League portal. Every competitor must be registered on the league portal. During registration, all competitors are required to fill in all the necessary fields in the form for the registration to be valid. Competitors guarantee that the provided information is accurate, and by registering, they accept the ADA League Rulebook, agree to the processing of personal data, and confirm that they participate in the competition at their own risk.

When registering, players will select their club or team from a drop-down menu. If their club is not listed, the competitor should write the name of the club or team, along with the city and country of origin, in the notes section. After verification, the league administration will add the club to the drop-down menu. The link for registration to individual competitions will be published at least one month before the event on the ADA League portal.

A confirmation of the tournament registration will be automatically generated and sent to the player's registered email.

The registration deadline is the last Saturday before the competition by midnight, while the withdrawal deadline is the last Wednesday before the competition by midnight.

Any cancellation after this deadline or a player's failure to attend the competition will require the player to pay the full registration fee.

Any outstanding fees must be paid at the next tournament, and the organizer has the right to prohibit the participation of all competitors from that club until the debt is settled.

Only competitors aged 16 and above are allowed to participate.

Competitors are required to pay a registration fee in the amount and manner defined by the ADA League administration at the start of the season, with this information being published on the ADA League portal before the season begins.

The fee is paid based on the number of disciplines in which the competitor participates, regardless of the specific disciplines.

The registration fee for the first discipline is €15. For any second and third disciplines, the competitor pays an additional €10 for each registered discipline.

The fee is to be paid at the registration desk no later than 30 minutes before the start of the competitor's first discipline, in the currency specified by the tournament organizer.

In cases of force majeure, the organizer may issue a refund of the paid registration fee.

Matches in the ADA Badminton League are played in a best-of-three sets format, with each set played to 15 points. In the case of a 14-14 tie, play continues until one side achieves a two-point lead (e.g., 17-15). If the score reaches 20-20, the final point is at 21.

Competitors must bring everything necessary for the match (shuttles, rackets, drinks, etc.) as the match cannot be paused due to a lack of or change in equipment.

Players should arrive on the court already warmed up, as post-arrival warm-ups should not exceed 2 minutes once the game has been called.

Upon arrival at the court, each side provides two shuttles before the draw (a total of four shuttles on the court). After the match, players share the remaining shuttles. If only one shuttle remains, a draw is conducted to determine who will keep it. The shuttle is dropped from the top of the net, and the player on whose side the cork of the shuttle faces wins it.

The draw (for choosing sides or serve) is conducted by dropping a shuttle from the top of the net. The side toward which the cork points decides whether they want to serve, receive, or choose the side of the court to start the match.

In the event of a third set, opponents switch sides after the eighth point is won (e.g., 6-8, 0-8, etc.).

The winner must report the result to the registration desk as soon as possible after the match.

The obligations of the ADA League are as follows:

• Regular and complete updates of the ADA portal.

• At least one month before the first league competition, publish the competition calendar for the entire season and the uniform registration fee amount.

• Provide a license for Tournament Software and post the competition results no later than 15 days after the tournament ends.

• Publish the registration link for the competition on the ADA League portal at least one month before the competition.

• Publish the official competition schedule no later than 24 hours before the start of the competition.

• Post an updated league standings table on the portal no later than 15 days after the competition ends.

The responsibilities of the tournament organizer include:

• Create and publicly announce the competition invitation at least 30 days before the start of the event (the minimum content of the invitation is defined in APPENDIX C of this Rulebook).

• Ensure all technical conditions for holding the competition, which must include at least:

◦ Courts marked with a single color using tape that is 4 cm wide;

◦ A screen displaying the competition status that is visible to competitors;

◦ Regular online updates of competition results (at least once every 30 minutes);

◦ A doctor or physiotherapist present in the hall during all matches;

◦ Clearly marked directions for movement;

◦ Signs on changing rooms indicating gender;

◦ Ensure and clearly state in the invitation options for water and food availability during the competition.

• Provide medals for the winners of the competition in all disciplines.

The obligations of competitors are:

• Register in the ADA database.

• Submit timely registration for each individual competition while adhering to all deadlines.

• Arrive at the venue no later than 30 minutes before the start of their discipline.

• Pay the registration fee.

• Bring all necessary equipment for the competition.

• The winner of a match must report the result as soon as possible after the match concludes.

• Medal winners must attend the medal ceremony or send someone to collect the medal on their behalf (the organizer is not obligated to deliver the medal afterward).

Access to the court is only permitted if it does not interfere with active matches. Movement around the court is not allowed while the shuttle is in the air. Wait until the end of the point before safely proceeding to the court to which you have been called.

Competitors must announce the points aloud. In the case of a disputed point, it is preferable to accept the decision of the competitor on whose side the dispute occurred, as they are considered closer to the situation on the court.

If competitors still disagree, it is recommended to replay the point. Competitors may request a referee to be assigned for the match, which will be determined by the tournament organizer.

Spectators in the hall must stay at least 1.5 meters away from the active match. If this is not possible, matches can be observed from the stands or seating areas designated by the organizer.

The ADA Badminton League is based on sportsmanship and fair play. Fair play means handling both victories and defeats with dignity, showing respect and maintaining friendly relations with competitors, coaches, referees, and organizers. It involves encouraging less skilled players, enjoying both personal and others' successful plays, and respecting others both on and off the court.

The ADA League tracks competitors' results across individual tournaments. The rankings combine results from 7 tournaments across all 20 disciplines. Rankings are published on the ADA League portal and are regularly updated after each competition.

Competitors earn a certain number of points simply by participating in a tournament. Players receive the following points based on their placement in the tournament for the rankings:

- 1st place: 100 points

- 2nd place: 80 points

- 3rd place: 70 points

- 4th place: 50 points

- 5th place: 40 points

- 6th place: 30 points

- 7th place: 20 points

- 8th place: 10 points

No third-place matches are held except in disciplines played in groups of 4 or 5 players, where the 4th place winner receives 60 points.

The performance percentage of a competitor is calculated by dividing the total points earned across tournaments by the number of tournaments in which the competitor participated.

Competitor performance is expressed as a percentage and serves as the basis for ranking competitors into higher or lower categories for the next season, in accordance with the provisions of Appendix B. Competitors who are among the season's medal/winners must also move to a higher category regardless of their performance percentage at the end of the season..

Competitors independently choose their participation category, respecting the category descriptions outlined in this appendix.

The ADA League management reserves the right to deny a competitor’s request to participate in a specific category without providing a justification. To accept a decision on category change, at least 50% of the ADA League Board members must vote in favor.

The competition categories are described as follows:

• A (Former Competitors, Highly Advanced Recreational Players)

This category includes all players who have actively competed as registered players for clubs or associations at any point, players assigned to this category based on rankings from previous seasons, and players categorized here by decision of the ADA League Board.

• B (Advanced Recreational Players)

This category includes competitors assigned based on their rankings from previous seasons, players who have trained more intensely and are familiar with various badminton strokes and techniques, and those categorized by the ADA League Board's decision.

• C (Recreational Players)

This category is for players assigned based on their rankings from previous seasons, players who haven’t had extensive training or do not train actively but engage in regular recreational play, and those placed in this category by the ADA League Board's decision.

• D (Beginners)

Absolute beginners who have not actively played badminton for more than 6 months, have not had significant training, or train irregularly, or those who only play recreationally. Competitors can remain in this category for a maximum of two seasons unless their success percentage after the first season qualifies them to move to a higher category.

• Name of the tournament organizer

• Date of the tournament

• Tournament venue/location

• Disciplines and categories

• Registration process and deadlines

• Participation fee

• Approximate schedule (tournament start time and the order of disciplines, if available at that time)

• Competition format

• Contact information for the person responsible for the tournament (Name, email address, phone number)

• Shuttlecock usage rules

Other information may include details about available meals during the tournament, notes on how to reach the venue, accommodation arrangements for participants, post-tournament entertainment details, and similar.