“Player Exemption” Explained

July 1, 2023

     Player Exemptions can be confusing. 

     There are two types of Player Exemptions. 

     1.
     The first is in the Rulebook and is the most common. It concerns players that were not on the Qualifying Roster used for the Eastern or Western Nationals, the World Championships or the TOC.  

     These “Player Exemptions” basically allow teams to add players in the same age and skill level. For example, on aged 40 to 60 teams, managers can add these players to get to 12. 

     In addition, teams can add even more Roster Exemption players who are older or in a lower skill level. Again, in the 40-60 age divisions, managers can add these players to get to 15 total players.   

     No players can be added if a 40-60 age division team is at 15 players.  There are different limits for older teams with 11 and 12 defensive players. (See Section 4.2 in the Rulebook).

     2. 
     The second type of Exemption Player is designed to help teams that fall short of the minimum number of players shortly before the tournament begins and is an emergency exemption.  This is called the “One-Time Exemption” and can only be used if the team falls below the minimum number of defensive players: Less than 10 in 40-60 age divisions, less than 11 in the 65-80 age divisions, and less than 12 in the 85 age division. 

     SSUSA had expanded the “One-Time Exemption” during COVID, which may have caused some of the confusion.