Florida Judo Ki no Fuda's Technical Official

Tournament Scoring Systems
Modified Double Elimination
[Modified Double Elimination Score Sheet]

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Last Update: November 19, 2004

[Website Editor's note: This article ran in the paper newsletter Volume 1, Number 5 dated October 1989 written by John R. Ellis. It has been slightly modified for the location of the sheets and for the blue gi (or blue sash).]

It is not unusual to hear parents (and sometimes coaches) confused about a tournament scoring system. This is the first in a series of articles from the Ki no Fuda to explain popular scoring systems.

Tournament Scoring Systems

A scoring system should fairly find the best player(s) in each class. There are two types of scoring systems: Those that match each player against every other player in the class (e.g., round robin) and those where losers are eliminated from competition (e.g., single-elimination, repechage, etc.)

Elimination-type systems reduce the number of matches, and therefore the length of the tournament, by avoiding unnecessary matches. These scoring systems assume a player who defeats another competitor, would also defeat any player that the loser has beaten. For Example, if Joe beats Bill, and then Sam beats Joe, Same need not play Bill since he would probably beat him too.

With elimination, it is easy to find the best competitor in a class. Pair the players and let the winners keep playing until one player remains undefeated. This system is called "single elimination" and is used in "winner-take-all" tournaments. The problem with this system is that it does not select second or lower place finishers.

Single-elimination can be extended. For example, "double-elimination" continues until every player except one, the class winner, has lost twice. The last loser to the class winner takes second place.

Modified Double Elimination

Double-elimination scoring can be modified, as used by many Florida Judo clubs. The score sheet on the top of this page shows how "Modified Double Elimination" works.

Pairing Competitors

Initial matching (called "pairing") of players is very important in any elimination-type scoring system. On the score sheet, the order in which the competitors must be listed is given by the circled numbers.

Inexperienced scorers sometimes list players starting at the top and work down the sheet. In a 5-player class, this mistake puts the fifth listed player in the championship match for his first match and guarantees him at least a third place finish. This is not fair to the others in the class! Always use the circled numbers for the pairing order.

After all players are listed, fill unused slots with the word "bye". A bye is an automatic loser in any match.

After all players are listed and byes filled in, players matched with a bye can be advanced to the right as the winner of their first matches. Continue advancing until no players are matched with a bye.

Now, pairing is complete.

Pairing Hints

The following hints can make class competition more interesting.

First, pair so players from the same club don't meet in their first matches.

Second, in 3-player classes, 2 players meet in the first round and the third draws a bye. If the eventual class winner draws the bye, then he will only play one match and the other two players will play each other twice. If the pairing "seeds" the players to make sure the likely class-winners do not draw the first round bye, then each player will have two matches and no two matches will be between the same players.

Running the Matches

The upper half of the score sheet is called the "winners' pool". All players in the winners' pool have lost no matches yet.

Each match, identified by the match number in a rectangle, is between the two players listed to the left of the match number. By convention, the player on the top line wears the blue gi (or blue sash). When the match is over, the winner's name is written on the line extending to the right of the match number.

The lower half of the score sheet is called the "losers' pool". When a player loses in the winners' pool, his name is moved to the losers' pool on the line next to the letter "L-" and the match number that he lost. For example, if George loses match number 5, he enters the losers' pool next to the label "L-5".

All players start in the winners' pool. The winners' pool plays, with winners advancing, until the winner of match number 11 emerges as the class winner. Losers move to the losers' pool, where they meet others who have lost once. With a second loss, players are eliminated. Winners in the losers' pool advance until the last two players meet in match number 13. The winner takes second place and the loser third.

It is best to call matches in match number order. After match 6, there are enough players in the losers' pool to begin playing there. Matches can be alternated among 2 to 4 classes to give players rest time between matches without slowing the tournament.

An Example

[Example Modified Double Elimination Score Sheet]

The example above shows a 5-player class. study it carefully.

Notice that Bill beats George in the first round. George moves to the losers' pool. After George beats Jim in match 9, he meets Bill again. Players can meet twice, once in the winners' pool and again in the losers' pool. Here, George wins the second meeting and goes on to take second place. Any player entering the losers' pool has a chance to finish as high as second, but cannot take first.

Conclusion

Readers are free to make copies and use the blank score sheet shown at the top of this page.

Knowing the scoring system used at a tournament can make watching (or cheering a player on) much more enjoyable. In addition, parents, coaches, and even players who understand the scoring system can help make the tournament run smoothly by volunteering as a scorer.