Classification Policy

The NSA Classification system combines input from a Classification Committee comprised of various tournament and area directors, coaches and player representatives.

The statewide process maintains balanced team competition in tournament play.

The classification of each team is based primarily on the following criteria:

1. Last years classification
2. Last years results from championship play
3. League information
4. Other organizations classifications
5. Prior & current NIT performances

Teams winning State the prior year will play up the entire year - C class teams or lower.

Minor Program - This program was created to allow teams with a MINOR classification to play at the next lower class at NIT’s, Westerns and Supers provided they have played in at least two in-state regular tournaments prior to entering the NIT, Western and Super. During regular tournament and state play MINOR teams will play at the regular level. IE - C Minor (C-) plays regular qualifiers and the state tournament as a C team, but may play at NIT's/Western/Super Worlds as a D team.

Reviewing the criteria of each team throughout the season will enable NSA to more accurately determine at which competitive level a team should be placed.

New Teams start classified as D level (unless players come from a recently reclassed team or players who previously played C or above) unless the Program Director grants an exception.

If a team plays in only one tournament and earns a State/World berth, the team may be subject to playing at the next level up at State/World. Playing in more than one tournament allows NSA to more fairly evaluate a team's classification.

A player may not be classified. However, a player coming from another organization submitting to play on an NSA team cannot play down more than one division from the other association.

For Coed use these guidelines for classifying your team:
Open Teams: team is limited to one male Major player
C Teams: Team is limited to two male B (no A or above) and two female B (no A or above)
D Teams: Team is limited to two male C (no B or above) and two female B (no B or above)
E Teams: Team is limited to two male D (no C or above) and two female C (no C or above)
Other associations classifications for the male and female players will be used for these purposes. Classification committee may grant exceptions.

After two or more tournaments, the following criteria will be considered for reclassification:

1. Number of returning players
2. Ability of new players on the team
3. Offensive power & defensive ability
4. Tournament performance
5. Teams placing in the upper or lower 25% of 2 tournaments could be considered for reclassification

Submit all classification appeals to: nsawashington@msn.com or mail to:

NSA of Washington
PO Box 444
Bellevue, WA 98009

Include your current classification, team name, results from tournaments played (teams you played and scores), number and names of returning players, changes in roster from last year (names of new players and names of players who your team has dropped) and any other relevant data.