Many people confuse seeding and ranking. While "ranking" is a quantitative system that rewards individuals for their level of participation and/or placement in events, "seeding" is a qualitative method used to make the draw as fair as possible for all competitors. In seeding an event, the tournament director must consider as much information as possible on each competitor ... including -- but not limited to -- earned ranking positions.

Five Factors -- The USRA uses five major criteria to determine seeds for national events. They are:
1. the previous year's results
2. regional results (if available)
3. results from other national events in the preceding 12 months
4. rankings from other associations (IRT, LPRA, Seniors, etc)
5. national rankings

1. Previous Year's Results -- The current National Champion is always given the opportunity to defend their title ... they have earned the #1 seed position. The #2 seed is normally given to the previous year's second place finisher. Again it is felt that they have earned the position. With respect to #3 and #4 seeds, the previous year's semi-finalists may retain those positions, but it is not guaranteed. Other factors taken into consideration are regional results and new players moving into the division for the first time (someone who previously won 35+ but now moves into 40+.) Remaining seeds are determined by evaluation of all five criteria listed.

2. Regional Results -- Since all players must compete in regionals (for National Singles) this is a somewhat reliable indicator of a person's strength in their region. Of course, all regionals are not equal, and complete regional drawsheets are evaluated before final seedings are determined. Regional winners are normally placed within the remaining top 16 seeded positions.

3. Results from Other National Events -- Both the U.S. Open and National Singles events are evaluated before seedings are determined. In the "more mature" brackets, results from Senior and Masters tournaments are used to assist with seeding

4. Rankings from other Associations -- Rankings from other associations, such as LPRA and IRT, are evaluated, as well as Masters and Seniors records.

5. National Rankings -- National rankings are used to make sure someone who has established a national ranking (especially A, B, C) receives a fair placement in the draw. Since national rankings are based primarily on local events, these rankings are the last criteria evaluated.

After an initial division draw has been established, it is sent to second and third parties for evaluation and comments (normally people involved closely with the events: athlete representative for Open divisions, Masters Council representative for Masters draw, etc.) After all parties agree, the draw is finalized.

National events that offer skill divisions (Regionals, U.S. Open, Nationals) are reviewed to make sure individuals are competing in the proper division. The national philosophy is to allow any qualified person the opportunity to win one National Championship (U.S. Singles) in their skill level. Thus, if a person wins a state championship earlier in the same season, they are permitted the opportunity to play in that division in May at the U.S. Singles.

Any person who has won a national title in a skill division must move up to the next higher division for a period of no less than one year. After one year, that person may petition to return to the original division. If a competitor wins 55A/B they must move up to 55+ Open for at least one year. But since many athletes do not develop to the higher level, they may re-apply to compete at the lower division after one year.

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