🏆 Ranking Systems Explained

A point-based ranking system designed for every skill level and those who may only compete in doubles events.

1. RFI Power: The Momentum Engine

RFI Power measures your performance relative to expectations. Your points are determined by the Rating Difference between you and your opponent.

🌱 Initial Placement & Starting Points

When a new player enters the platform or the timeline calculates, an unranked player establishes their initial baseline score anchored to a universal base floor:

Universal Base Floor: New unranked players enter the system with a baseline performance score of 300 points in their RFI Power profile.
Earned Upgrades: Rating increases above this baseline must be earned purely through active competitive matches and tournament performance.
Anti-Inflation Protection: Starting all newcomers at an identical floor prevents artificial rating inflation and ensures structural integrity across the entire platform.

📈 Provisional Calibration Jump

At the conclusion of a newcomer's 5-match calibration window (the Zero-Risk Shield period), the engine analyzes their performance trend. A one-time dynamic adjustment is calculated and inserted directly into their RFI Power based on their individual Game-Win Percentage, fast-tracking them to their accurate skill tier as shown in your match history logs.

The Payout Matrix (Standard Base Points)

Rating Difference	Higher Rank Winner (Expected)	Lower Rank Winner (Upset)
0 – 10 pts (Balanced)	Winner +7 / Loser -7	Winner +7 / Loser -7
11 – 25 pts	Winner +5 / Loser -5	Winner +10 / Loser -10
26 – 50 pts	Winner +4 / Loser -4	Winner +15 / Loser -15
51 – 100 pts	Winner +3 / Loser -3	Winner +25 / Loser -25
101 – 200 pts	Winner +2 / Loser -2	Winner +35 / Loser -35
201 – 400 pts	Winner +1 / Loser -1	Winner +45 / Loser -45
401+ pts	Winner +1 / Loser -1	Winner +60 / Loser -60

Base points are multiplied by the Event Multiplier to reflect the importance of the tournament:

0.5xLeagues / Club

1.0xRegional

1.5xProvincial

2.0xNational

2.5xInternational

The Asymmetric Exchange Rule

To ensure high-stakes events (like Nationals) don't unfairly penalize players, the Event Multiplier only affects the Winner's gain. The loser's penalty is always capped at a 1.0x rate.

Example (National Match x2.0): An upset worth 25 base points.
• Winner: Gains +50 points (2.0x bonus).
• Loser: Loses -25 points (capped at 1.0x).

🌪️ The Sweep Bonus (The Slingshot)

Triggered when an underdog wins a match where the opponent scores 5 total points or less. You receive 50% of the rating gap between you. Winner gain is uncapped, while loser penalty is capped at -100.

🎓 The Mastery Upset

Beating a player ranked 200+ points higher for the second time within 13 months triggers a 3x Multiplier on your base points.

⏳ Automated Inactivity Decay Rules

To maintain an active and competitive leaderboard that accurately reflects current player form, the calculation engine runs a systematic decay protocol for players on extended breaks:

The 13-Month Grace Window: Decay tracking values only trigger after a player has gone 13 consecutive months without a single recorded match.
1% Monthly Reduction Interval: Once the grace window passes, the player's active RFI Power profile is reduced by 1% at the end of each inactive month.
Absolute 12% Maximum Floor: To safeguard historical baseline points for veteran athletes, the monthly decay stops automatically after 12 consecutive deductions, capping the maximum lifetime penalty per cycle at 12% total value decay.

📉 System Maintenance & Safety

Zero-Risk Shield: First 5 matches are calibration. You lose 0 pts, and veterans lose 0 if you upset them.
Inactivity Decay: After 13 months of no play, RFI decays by 1% monthly. Penalties stop after 12 consecutive months (Max 12%).

2. Doubles: Team Averages & Carry Compensation

Doubles calculations use Team Averages, with points shared between partners based on individual ratings to ensure fairness.

The "Carry" Rule: Winners reward the underdog; Losers hold the veteran accountable.

Sample Win: Veteran (2500) & Junior (1500). Pool: 40 pts.
• Junior (1500): Receives +25 pts for "playing up".
• Veteran (2500): Receives +15 pts.

3. Racquetball Performance Index (RPI)

The RPI is a stabilized indicator of your "Level of Play," designed similarly to tennis (NTRP) or pickleball (DUPR) systems. It is primarily used for **Division Eligibility** and **Seeding**.

RPI = max(2.0, (RFI Power / 715) + 1.0)

🔬 Provisional Calibration Mechanics

To convert raw, high-velocity tournament points into stable front-end tiers, the engine runs a strict linear normalizer calculation: RPI = max(2.0, (RFI Power / 715) + 1.0).

⚠️ 💡 This calculation guarantees that no active player rating gradient can ever breach or drop below the absolute system floor value of 2.0 RPI.

What do these levels mean?

RPI 2.0 - 2.5 (Novice): Entry-level competitive players. Learning tournament strategy and working on consistent serves.
RPI 3.0 - 4.5 (Intermediate): Solid, consistent players who compete in B and C divisions. Understand court positioning and advanced shot selection.
RPI 5.0 - 6.0+ (Elite/Professional): National-level competitors and top-ranked pro athletes. Exceptional power, accuracy, and tactical mastery.

4. Double-Jump: A Positional Ladder-Like System

Double-Jump is a strictly positional ranking (Rank #1, #2, etc.) based on the "7-Rule" Tracking System. It allows you to "leapfrog" the ladder by proving you can defeat specific targets ahead of you.

The 7-Rule Mechanics

Tracking: If you beat a higher-ranked player, they become your "Target".
The Jump: Defeat that specific target again to instantly swap spots on the ladder.
Third-Party Upsets: If you beat a higher player who isn't your target, you jump to the lower rank involved and begin tracking the higher one.
Defense: If you are being tracked and you win your match against the tracker, their tracking status is cleared.
Reset Rule: To keep the ladder fresh, if a target is not defeated or passed within 13 months, the tracking status is automatically reset.