About this event:
This is an introductory Tournament Director course presented in a series of four interactive Zoom sessions. Assigned reading, practical exercises, and discussion will help participants gain a solid understanding of basic tournament formats and how to schedule and run a tournament from start to finish. There are no requirements for prior experience or advanced computer skills, but some experience as a tournament player or official is undoubtedly helpful, and basic numeracy is assumed. Participants are expected to attend all four sessions, and to complete the reading and homework assignments on time.
A croquet tournament is first and foremost a competition, and that is the focus of this course: the technical aspects of various formats and how to plan, schedule, and run a competition. A tournament is also an event, with the same general concerns—budgeting, publicity, hospitality, logistics, etc.—shared by other kinds of events, and which are the responsibility of the Tournament Manager. While there are many tournaments where the Tournament Director also fills the Tournament Manager role, that role is mainly outside the scope of this course.
For the most part this course will not cover tournament-specific software (such as the John Taylor Excel workbooks, available on the USCA website). However useful such tools can be, they are no substitute for the thorough grounding in the basics this course aims to provide. An exception is the Croquet Scores website, knowledge of which is practically a requirement for Tournament Directors; the course covers the basics of how to use Croquet Scores as both a user and an administrator.
The Zoom sessions will be recorded, and also transcribed by an AI notetaker, for possible use in preparing educational materials to supplement future versions of the School and/or to be posted publicly on the USCA website and/or video sharing sites. By registering for the School you are agreeing to allow the USCA unrestricted use of these recordings and transcriptions for these purposes.
Session 1: Event Management Basics
Roles and responsibilities
The schedule grid; event capacity
The knockout format: rounds, byes, seeding patterns
Session 2: The Block Format
Standard blocks: seeding, pattern of rounds
Tallies and tie-breaks
Incomplete blocks
Session 3: Other Formats; Case Studies
Brief review of Swiss format; two-life formats
Practical issues when planning and scheduling tournaments
Complex tournaments
Session 4: Miscellaneous Topics
Using croquetscores.com
GC and AC rankings
USCA reporting requirements
Review and conclusion
Schedule
Please note that all times are in the US Eastern zone.
Monday, May 4th, 2026 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Monday, May 11th, 2026 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Monday, May 25th, 2026 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Participants who successfully complete all four sessions will receive a Certificate of completion from the USCA.
Please contact our office if you have any questions.