CERTIFIED OFFICIAL GUIDE

Transcription

1 AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION CERTIFIED OFFICIAL GUIDE SEASON XII OFFICIAL GUIDE AmericanCornhole.com

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 - ACO Certified Official 1.1 What is an ACO Certified Official? 1.2 Certified Official Requirements 1.3 Territory Exclusivity 1.4 Certified Official Qualification 1.5 How to become a new or renewing ACO Certified Official 1.6 Fee for new ACO Certified Officials and Renewals 1.7 I ve Been Certified! Now what? Chapter 2 - ACO Membership 2.1 Benefits of becoming a member of the ACO and ACO-PRO 2.2 How to become an ACO-PRO player 2.3 Does a player have to be an ACO Member to participate? Chapter 3 - ACO Tournaments 3.1 Types of ACO Tournaments 3.2 ACO Invitationals (NON-Points earning) 3.3 ACO Qualifiers (NON-Points earning) 3.4 ACO World Championships of Cornhole (NON-points earning) 3.5 What is the ACO Masters Series (Points earning tournaments)? 3.6 About the ACO Masters Series (Points earning tournaments)? 3.7 ACO Masters Series Majors 3.8 ACO Masters Series Regionals 3.9 Regional General Rules 3.10 Regional Points Scale 3.11 Regional Schedule and Names 3.12 Tournament Format for all Regional Divisions 3.13 Regional Scheduling 3.14 What do I need to submit to the ACO at the conclusion of my Event? Chapter 4 - ACO World Rankings 4.1 ACO World Singles Rankings 4.2 CornyForty 4.3 ACO World Doubles Rankings 4.4 TopGun Twenty 4.5 ACO World Womens Rankings 4.6 ACO World Seniors Rankings 4.7 ACO World Juniors Rankings 4.8 Tiebreakers Chapter 5 - Equipment & Rules 5.1 Rules for ACO Events 5.2 ACO Recognized Equipment 5.3 ACO Approved Equipment Specs 5.4 What types of Equipment do I need for my Event? CHAPTER 6 - Fees & Making Money 6.1 Certified Official Fee to the ACO for coordinating Regionals 6.2 Fees for Qualifiers 6.3 Submitting payments to the ACO 6.4 Making Money as a CO 6.5 Product Discounts for ACO Certified Officials 6.6 The Fast Track Pricing Guide 6.7 How to Order Product

3 CHAPTER 1 ACO Certified OffiCIAL 1.1 What is an ACO Certified Official? Answer: An ACO Certified Official (CO) is an individual qualified to coordinate ACO Masters Series Regionals according to the standards set by the ACO. ACO Certified Officials are eligible to: Host Masters Series Regional tournaments Sell ACO Memberships Purchase ACO Products and Merchandise at wholesale or discounted prices Recruit other new Certified Officials Sell ACO Sponsorships Be contracted to run various ACO Corporate activities 1.2 Certified Official Requirements: Certified Officials must have or create a PayPal account before certification. All Certified Official purchases throughout the season will be processed through the Certified Official login site with PayPal. Sign up for a free account at PayPal.com Certified Officials must have a computer, internet access, and a working knowledge of and basic programs. Much of the Certified Official s responsibility is to manage their Organization through the Certified Official Login Site by entering Membership info and Tournament Results, and scheduling Regional tournaments. Training in these processes will be provided through video training, but prior knowledge of computer basics is essential and required. Certified Officials must have or create a FaceBook profile prior to becoming a Certified Official. Much of the communication between the ACO and Certified Official is done through the Certified Official private page on Facebook. 1.3 Territory Exclusivity: All Certified Officials maintain a certain area of exclusivity, in which no additional Certified Officials will be added and no other Certified Officials will be permitted to coordinate ACO Regional tournaments. Guidelines During registration, the new Certified Official will be asked to name their home base zip code The home base zip code is not required to be affiliated with a home address, venue address, tournament address, etc. The only restriction is that it may not already be claimed by another CO. Any open zip code is fair game. Once the home base zip code is determined, the ACO will use an interactive populous map to assign additional adjacent zip codes to the original until approximately 50,000 households are included in the territory. Or approximately 125,000 persons. Certified Officials who wish to renew for the following season will be given the right of first refusal on all previously claimed zip codes. Certified Officials will have until July 1st to renew. After that time all zip codes will be reclassified as open. COs may acquire additional zip codes to add to their existing zip codes and/or zip codes in an entirely new area by purchasing additional New Certified Official Packages IMPORTANT NOTE: For each new territory acquired, the CO Group must coordinate Regional tournaments in six separate months during the course of the season.

4 1.4 Certified Official Qualification In addition to the basic and territorial requirements above, each new Certified Official applicant will be qualified based on the practical proximity to existing Certified Officials, demographics in their area, potential new Members in the area, past experience, and/or future prospects, etc. The ACO reserves the right to accept or deny any new Certified Official applicant at its discretion 1.5 How to become a new ACO Certified Official 1. Submit an electronic Certified Official Application found on AmericanCornhole.com. There is no obligation by completing the application. 2. Upon application submission, the applicant will be ed the ACO Certified Official Guide Season XII. 3. The ACO will contact the applicant within 48 hours to set up a time to talk/ qualify and answer questions Please review the Certified Official Guide and prepare any additional questions that you may have 4. Upon successful qualification, the applicant will be ed the ACO Certified Official Agreement. Scan and or fax a signed copy of the Certified Official Agreement to Eric Hinerman at ehinerman@ americancornhole.com or fax to After receiving the Agreement, the ACO will the applicant a username and password for ACO Login Site, along with directions for purchasing the CO package in the Login Site. Note: In the shopping cart, at the time of purchasing the Certified Official package, the new Certified Official will be required to choose the Certified Official who recruited them from a drop-down menu. If the new Certified Official was not recruited by an existing Certified Official, then choose ACO Corporate from the drop-down. 6. Congratulations! After your purchase, you are an ACO Certified Official! IMPORTANT NOTES: More documents and training videos are still in development for the new season and will be released over the next couple of months, including: ACO Advanced Rules Guide Season XII (Completed before 7/1/16) ACO Player s Guide Season XII(Completed before 7/1/16) ACO Certified Official Exam XII (Completed before 8/1/16) Training Videos will be added to the ACO Login Site on an ongoing basis Prior to September 1st, 2016, all COs will be required to review all documents, and complete and submit a Certified Official Exam. The Exam must be completed and returned before scheduling first Regional. Directions on this process will be provided 1.6 Fee for new ACO Certified Officials and Renewals New Certified Official Package = $ (Valued at $450.00) and includes: 2 Certified Official Certifications (includes ACO player Memberships for the new COs) Valued at $ ACO Memberships Valued at $ Memberships are included in the Certified Official packages to assist the Certified Official in recouping a portion of their initial package payment. Sell the Memberships for $25 each and pocket the money

5 NOTE: New Certified Officials who sign up after April 1, 2016 will be valid for the remainder of ACO Season XI (September 2015 July 2016) and throughout ACO Season XII (through July 2017). Sign up before July 1st, 2016 to be included in the ACO World Championships XI Event Program. Renewal Certified Official Package Certified Officials from ACO Season XI who are eligible to renew for ACO Season XII can choose from the New Certified Official Package (details listed above), or: CO Renewal Option = $225 (Valued at $325.00) and includes: 2 Certified Official Certifications (includes ACO player Memberships for the new COs) Valued at $ ACO Memberships Valued at $125 NOTE: Early Bird renewal discount! CO renewals between April 1st, 2016 and July 1st, 2016 will receive a $50 discount (Package for $175) Renew before July 1st, 2016 to be included in the ACO World Championships XI Event Program IMPORTANT NOTES: Certification of two Officials is included in the initial fee. Each applicant must fill out an application, complete the CO Exam, and submit a CO Agreement Each Group can have an unlimited number of Certified Officials. Additional Certified Officials can be added to your Group for a fee of $100 each. ACO Certification will be valid through July 31st, 2017 To be considered for renewal the following Season, a CO Group must coordinate Regional tournaments in six separate months during the course of the season, ensuring that players in the area receive an opportunity to achieve maximum Regional points. 1.7 I ve Been Certified! Now what? Answer: Once your certification has been approved, your Group: Will be added to our online directory of ACO Certified Officials Will be added to the private ACO Certified Official Facebook Group page. The FB Group is a forum exclusively for COs to ask questions, interact with other COs from around the country, vote on issues, receive early notifications, and more. Will be set up as an Organization in the ACO Members Login site, which will give you access to all training videos, forms, and processes to get you started. The Online Certified Official Login Site allows you to enter your own Tournament Results, Memberships, and update the World Rankings. The system tracks your activity and allows you to effectively manage your ACO Organization. Training on all processes are provided by online video tutorials. When you login in for the first time as a Certified Official, go to the Tools tab and click on video #1 You are now eligible to: Host Masters Series Regional tournaments Sell ACO Memberships Purchase ACO Products and Merchandise at wholesale or discounted prices Recruit other new Certified Officials Sell ACO Sponsorships Be contracted to run various ACO Corporate activities

6 CHAPTER 2 aco membership ACO Membership is $25 and is valid through July 31st, All new or renewing Members signed up after June 1st, 2016 will be valid through July Benefits of becoming a member of the ACO and ACO-PRO ACO Members: Receive an ACO Membership Card with Membership Number and welcome letter in the mail Are added to all eligible online ACO Rankings lists Are eligible to earn ACO World Ranking points at ACO Regionals and ACO Majors Receive access the ACO Members Login Site which allows them to view their own Season stats and manage their player profile Are eligible to be invited to compete in the ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII Are Cornyforty eligible Are TopGun Twenty eligible Eligible to purchase ACO Player Jerseys Players who achieve ACO-PRO status are: Eligible to purchase an ACO-PRO Jersey Eligible for ACO-PRO Only Invitational tournaments or Events that may arise 2.2 How to become an ACO-PRO player Finish ACO Season XII ranked in the top 80 of the ACO World Singles Rankings Finish in the Top 96 in World Singles at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII Finish in the Top 8 as a member of a Doubles team at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII Finish in the Top 4 in World Seniors at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII Finish in the Top 4 in World Womens at the ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII IMPORTANT NOTES: Once a player achieves ACO-PRO status, they will retain the status for the following 2 Seasons At this time, ACO-PRO status cannot be achieved in the Juniors Division due to a conflict in amateur sports/schools athletics eligibility regulations. 2.3 Does a player have to be an ACO Member to participate? ACO World Championships of Cornhole XII Yes, All players/teams must be a member of the ACO or acquire ACO Membership prior to the start of the event to participate (exemptions for international players) Masters Series Regionals and Majors Yes, All players/teams must be a member of the ACO or acquire ACO Membership prior to the start of the event to participate in the points earning tournaments. Players/ teams may sign-up for a membership on the day of the event during registration. ACO State Championships of Cornhole At this time, ACO Membership is not required ACO Invitational ACO Membership requirements may vary. See specific tournament details. ACO Qualifier Membership is not required by the ACO for a player/team to win a Ticket to the ACO World Championships and is at the discretion of the CO. All players/teams must be a member of the ACO or acquire ACO Membership to be eligible to compete in the ACO World Championships of Cornhole. Other Membership for all other tournaments added to an event, such as luck-of-thedraw tournaments, is not required by the ACO and is at the discretion of the CO.

7 CHAPTER 3 aco tournaments 3.1 Types of ACO Tournaments ACO Tournaments are divided into two categories: Points earning and Non-points earning tournaments: Non-Points earning Tournaments: ACO Invitationals ACO Qualifiers ACO World Championships of Cornhole ACO State Championships of Cornhole Points earning Tournaments (ACO Masters Series Tournaments): ACO Masters Series Majors ACO Masters Series Regionals 3.2 ACO Invitationals (NON-Points earning) The term ACO Invitational refers to any non-points earning event coordinated by the ACO Corporate Team. ACO Corporate is constantly working with existing and future sponsors to continuously add bigger and better events in order to reward ACO Members. Some ACO Invitationals may be open to all players, while others may require a player to have reached PRO status or to have reached a certain level of points in order to participate. ACO Invitations will be added to the Event Calendar as they are secured. EXAMPLE: ACO Players Championship 3.3 ACO Qualifiers (NON-Points earning) An ACO Qualifier refers to any tournament, league, or event in which the prize is an entry, or credit toward an entry to another upcoming ACO Event. Qualifiers are open for anyone to coordinate and will receive all promotional benefits of the ACO. COs can purchase upcoming Event tickets and coordinate Qualifiers whenever they choose. COs running ACO Qualifiers may receive a discount on ticket prices. The entry fee and format for an ACO Qualifier is at the discretion of the CO. Prize will be the purchased ticket to the ACO Event and other cash and prizes can be awarded at the discretion of the CO 3.4 ACO World Championships of Cornhole (NON-points earning) The ACO World Championships of Cornhole is the annual ACO Season ending tournament held in July which Crowns the best Cornhole Players in the World. Complete details of the ACO Worlds to come. 3.5 What is the ACO Masters Series (Points earning tournaments)? The ACO Masters Series is a world-wide Cornhole league in which ACO Members compete for points and prizes in Singles and/ or Doubles tournament play to acquire or achieve a World Ranking. The ACO Masters Series is comprised of a series of points tournaments held between September and May each calendar year. A player may choose to compete in singles and/or doubles.

8 3.6 About the ACO Masters Series Tournaments (Points earning) There are two types of ACO Masters Series tournaments in which players and/or teams can earn points: ACO Majors ACO Regionals 3.7 ACO Masters Series Majors Events in which players from all Regions and throughout the cornhole community come together at one location to compete for points and prizes. Coordinated by the ACO Corporate Team Divisions at each Major will include World Singles, World Doubles, Seniors Singles, Womens Singles, and Juniors Singles. Majors will be two day events: Friday Night: Seniors Singles, Womens Singles, and Juniors Singles Saturday: World Singles and World Doubles Seniors, Womens, and Juniors tourneys will all be played at the same time, so a player can only participate in one of these Divisions. However, players from these Divisions will have an opportunity to participate in the World Singles and World Doubles There is a projected goal of (16) Majors during ACO Season XII. These will be held at unique locations across the U.S. Playing format at each Major will be standard from one location to the next throughout the Season Of the Majors held throughout the season, a player/team s (3) best finishes will count toward their World Ranking Points total. Once a player competes in his/her 4th Masters Series Major, their lowest score will be dropped from the list, and so on) 3.8 ACO Masters Series Regionals Events in which players compete at a local level for World Ranking Points and prizes. Held once a month beginning in September (2016) and ending in May (2017) Coordinated by an ACO Certified Official in his/her local market at a location of his/her choice. Certified Officials can pick and choose which Regional Divisions they would like to coordinate in their areas based on the demand from players in that market. Certified Officials can choose from these Divisions: 1. World Singles Open to all players 2. World Doubles Open to all teams 3. Womens Singles Open to women only 4. Seniors Singles 55 years and older A player can start the season if they are 54 yrs old, as long as they turn 55 yrs old by July 1st, Juniors Singles - 17 years and under As long as a player is 17yrs or younger as of September 1st, 2016, they may play the entirety of ACO Season XII as a Junior and compete as a Junior at the ACO Worlds XII, regardless of turning 18yrs during the season. Each month s Masters Series Regional is identified by its surname. 3.9 Regional General Rules Singles players can participate in up to 4 Regional points tourney per month per Division, either at the same location or at different locations. Doubles players can participate in up to 4 Regional points tourney per month, either at the same location or at different locations, and either with the same partner or with different partners in the same month. Doubles note: A player may switch partners an unlimited number of times during the Season. A new World Doubles Ranking

9 spot will be created for each new team assembled. For example: The team of Toby Smith and Steve Wimmer may be ranked 23rd, and the team of Toby Smith and Haseeb Habiban may be ranked 75th. Minimum players: In order for Regional points to count, the following participation minimums for each Division must be reached World Singles Minimum of 7 players World Doubles Minimum of 3 teams Womens Singles Minimum of 2 players Seniors Singles Minimum of 2 players Juniors Singles Minimum of 2 players Players may participate each month in every Division in which they are eligible as long as scheduled tourneys do not overlap. If tourneys do overlap, then it will be the player s responsibility to choose one Division to participate, and if he or she desires, choose another location and date to play the other Division for the month. NEW FOR SEASON XII: Since players/ teams are now able to participate in up to 4 Regionals per month, each month s points total will be divided by the amount of Regionals in which they participated, creating an averaged single score for the month. EXAMPLE: Eric participates in 3 Cornhole De Mayo Singles tourneys during the month of May Cincy, OH - 3rd place - 23pts Sydney, OH - 5th place - 20pts Lexington, KY - 2nd place - 24pts Points earned =67 Points total divided by number of Regionals played - 67/3 = Regional points applied to rankings for Cornhole de Mayo = NOTE: Don t Worry! The system will do the averaging. You ll just need to add the results 1 ACO Masters Series Regionals 3.11 ACO Masters Series Regionals 3.10 Regional Schedule and names: Events in which players compete at a local level for World Ranking Pointsplayers and prizes. Events in which compete at a local level for World Ranking Points and prizes. Ofa the (9)Points months in which Masters Consists of a Singles Points Tournament and/or a Doubles Points Tournament. Additional divisionsand/or Consists of a Singles Points Tournament Doubles Tournament. Additional divisions Series Singles players and Doubles teams may be added to overall event at the discretion of the CO. may be added to overall event at the discretion of the CO. Regionals are held throughout the season, Coordinated by an ACO Certified Official inin his/her local at a location of his/her choice. participating ACO Regionals are market Coordinated by an awarded ACO Certified Official in his/her local market at a location of his/her choice. a player or team s 6 best monthly finishes Held once a month beginning in September (2013) and ending in May (2014). Held once a month beginning in September (2013) and ending in May (2014). ACO World Ranking Points based on their Each month s Masters Series Regional is identified by its surname. Each month s Masters Series Regional is identified by its surname. will count toward their final point total ACO Masters Series Regionals to the following scale: finish according Once a player competes in his/her 7th al level for World Ranking Points and prizes. Events in which players compete at a local level for World Ranking Points and prizes. 2 Regional General Rules 3.12 Regional General Rules and/or a Doubles Points Tournament. divisions Consists of aplace Singles Points Tournament and/or amonth Doubles Tournament. Additional divisions A player can only compete in one Regional points tourney for Points Singles andinone A per player can only compete oneregional Regional points tourney per month for Singles and one score Regional will 1st =Additional 25pts Regional month, their lowest discretion the CO. may be added overall event oftourney the pointsoftourney per month forto Doubles, either at at the the discretion samepoints location orco. different locations. per month for Doubles, either at the same location or different locations. 2nd Place =to 24 pts be dropped from the list, and so on. local only market at a1location of his/her choice. Coordinated by an ACO Certified Official local market at a1location of his/her choice. inahis/her player can choose teammate compete with inahis/her Doubles peronly month. player can choose teammate to compete with in Doubles per month. ber (2013) and in3rd May (2014). ending Heldtourney once a month beginning in September (2013) ending in Maymust (2014). A Regional Singles must have minimum of (7) players forand points totourney count. A Regional Singles have a minimum of (7) players for points to count. Place =a 23 pts by its surname. Each month s Series Regional of is identified by its surname Regional identified A Regionals Doubles tourneymasters must have a minimum (3)A teams for points to tourney count. must have a minimum Regionals Doubles of (3) teams forschedule points to count.and names: 4th Place = 22 pts Of the (9) Masters Series Regionals held throughout the season, a player or Series team sregionals 6 best finishes Of the (9) Masters held throughout the season, a player or team s 6 best finishes 3.12 Regional General Rules ACO Cornhole September (2016) will count toward their final point total. Once a player in toward his/her their 7th Masters Series will count final point total. Once a player competes inclassic his/her 7th Masters Series 5th-6th Place = 20 pts competes nal points tourney month forwill Singles andinone Regional A per player can only compete one Regional points tourney month forwill Singles and onefrom Regional Regional, their lowest score be dropped from the list, and so on. Regional, theirper lowest score be dropped the list, and so on. ACO Hole-0-Ween Classic October (2016) 7th-8th = 18 pts either at the same location or different locations. either at the samepoints location or different locations. tourney perplace month for Doubles, peronly month. inadoubles player can choose 1 teammate to compete in Doubles per month. ACO Turkeyhole Classic November (2016) 3compete Regionalwith Schedule and9th-12th names: 3.13 Regionalwith Schedule and names: Place = 16 pts minimum of (7) players for points count. must have a minimum of (7) players for points to count. A Regional Singlestotourney 13th-16th = 14 pts a minimum of (3)A teams for points to tourney count. Regionals Doubles must have a minimum of (3) teams for points to count. ACO Hole-I-Day Bash December (2016) ACO Cornhole Classic September, 2013 Cornhole Classic September, 2013 January (2017) throughout the season, a player or team s 6 best finishes Of the (9) Masters Regionals held throughout the season, aaco player or team s 6 best finishes ACO MaizeKraze 17th andseries over = 12pts l. Once a player competes in toward his/her 7th Masters Series will count their final point total. Once 2013 a player competesaco in his/her 7th Masters SeriesOctober, 2013 ACO Hole-0-Ween October, Hole-0-Ween ACO Icehole Classic February (2017) opped from the list,regional, and so on. their lowest score will be dropped from the list, and so on. ACO Turkeyhole November, 2013 ACO Turkeyhole November, 2013 lassic 3.13 Regional ACO Schedule and names: Hole-I-Day Bash December, 2013 ACO Cornhole Madness March (2017) December, 2013 ACO Spring Fling April (2017) January, 2014 ACO Cornhole De Mayo May (2017) ACO Hole-I-Day Bash ACO MaizeKraze January, 2014 ACO MaizeKraze September, 2013 ACO Cornhole Classic September, 2013 ACO Icehole February, 2014 ACO Icehole February, 2014 en October, 2013 Hole-0-Ween ACO CornholeACO Madness March, 2014 October, 2013 ACO Cornhole Madness November, 2013 ACO Turkeyhole November, 2013 ACO Spring Fling April, 2014 ACO Spring Fling March, 2014 Bash December, 2013 Hole-I-Day Bash ACO CornholeACO De Mayo May, 2014 January, 2014 ACO MaizeKraze December, 2013 ACO Cornhole De Mayo May, 2014 February, 2014 ACO Icehole February, 2014 March, 2014 ACO Cornhole Madness March, 2014 April, 2014 ACO Spring Fling April, 2014 adness g April, 2014 January,

10 3.12 Tournament Format for all Regional Divisions Seeding All Regional Divisions will be seeded based on that Division s World Rankings. The first Regional(Sept. Cornhole Classic) of the season will be randomly seeded Once the seeding has been determined, bracket play can begin. Double elimination bracket; The CO has the option of 1 game OR best 2 of 3 in the winner s bracket (to be determined at time of scheduling). A player can come from the loser s bracket and earn first place tournament in order to add the points COs are not required to split and have the option of keeping all players in one big bracket Certified Officials may schedule their Regional Divisions on the same day of the month or split them up on different days Direction for splitting and seeding a Regional will be available in the Tutorial Video Library in the login site. Directions for scheduling Regional will be available in the Tutorial Video Library in the login site Regional Scheduling The CO may choose the date of the month for their Masters Series Regional The CO must schedule their Regionals on or before the 25th of the prior month. After that time, the login site will no longer accept the next month s Regional Certified Officials may schedule more than one Regional per month either in the same location or different locations IMPORTANT NOTES: On the day of a Regional, if there are 34 or more players/teams registered for any Division, the Certified Official has the option of splitting the Division into two separate Regionals and awarding separate Ranking points to each, without prescheduling. For every additional 17 players registered thereafter, the CO has the option of splitting again, and so on Each split bracket must have a minimum of 17 players/teams to ensure that least 1 player/team in each bracket receive the lowest amount of points available Each time a CO splits, they ll be required to purchase an additional Regional 3.14 What do I need to submit to the ACO at the conclusion of my Event? All submission will be made electronically in the Certified Official Login Website. At the time of Certification, new COs will be given access to video training and instruction on how to access the CO Login Site and enter data. Certified Officials will be responsible for entering: 1. New Memberships 2. Tournament Results IMPORTANT NOTE: The Rankings will be updated with the previous month s results by the 5th of each month. All Certified Officials must have their Regional results entered in the login site within 24 hours of the conclusion of their Regional. This will be especially important this season as players will be permitted to participate in multiple Regionals per month Suggested Submissions by a CO Certified Officials are encouraged to submit photos and/or a recap of your Event to the ACO FaceBook page! Give your players and Organization the recognition that they deserve!

11 CHAPTER 4 ACO WORLD RANKINGS 4.1 ACO World Singles Rankings The ACO World Singles Rankings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Rankings. The World Singles Ranking Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitationals Seed players at various ACO Events Identify the CornyForty 4.2 CornyForty The CornyForty refers to top 40 players in ACO World Singles Rankings. Players earning a position in CornyForty at the conclusion of the points season win a free Golden Ticket to the ACO World Championships and direct entry into the World Singles bracket, bypassing the RPI tournament. The CornyForty will be seeded 1-40 in the World Singles Bracket. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO World Singles Rankings will be named ACO-PRO Player of the Season 4.3 ACO World Doubles Rankings The ACO World Doubles Rankings is the list of the Teams (2 player per Team) who have earned points competing in Doubles Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with Teams who have earned the most points at the top of the Rankings. The World Doubles Ranking Points are used to: Position teams to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitationals Seed teams at various ACO Events Identify the TopGun Twenty 4.4 TopGun Twenty The TopGun Twenty refers to top 20 teams in ACO World Doubles Rankings. Each member of a team earning a position in TopGun Twenty at the conclusion of the points season win free a free Golden Ticket to the ACO World Championships and direct entry into the World Doubles bracket, bypassing the RPI tournament. The TopGun Twenty will be seeded 1-20 in the World Doubles Bracket. The team finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO World Doubles Rankings will be named ACO Team of the Season 4.5 ACO World Womens Rankings The ACO World Womens Rankings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Womens Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Rankings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Womens Rankings will be named ACO Womens player of the Season The World Womens Ranking Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitationals Seed players at various ACO Events 4.6 ACO World Seniors Rankings The ACO World Seniors Rankings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Seniors Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Rankings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Seniors Rankings will be named ACO Seniors player of the Season

12 The Word Seniors Ranking Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitationals Seed players at various ACO Events 4.7 ACO World Juniors Rankings The ACO World Juniors Rankings is the list of ACO Members who have earned points competing in Juniors Singles (one-on-one play) Tournaments at Masters Series Events. The list is arranged with players who have earned the most points at the top of the Rankings. The player finishing the season ranked #1 in the ACO Juniors Rankings will be named ACO Juniors player of the Season The Word Juniors Ranking Points are used to: Position players to win cash and prizes Earn invites to ACO Invitationals Seed players at various ACO Events 4.8 Tiebreakers There will be a separate Ranking list on AmericanCornhole.com for each Division Tiebreakers for all Rankings lists will be as follows: 1 - Most major points earned 2 - Best finish in a major 4 - Best finish in a regional 5-2nd Best finish in a regional 6-3rd Best finish in a regional 7-4th Best finish in a regional 8-5th Best finish in a regional 9 Random draw 1st Place tie at the end of the Season If there is a 1st place tie in any Division at the end of the points season in which tiebreakers 1-8 above do not solve, the tiebreakers for Player/Team of the Season and the #1 overall seed at the Worlds will be: The player/team who surrendered the least amount of points in the finals matches of their Majors victories (maximum of best 3 Major victories) EXAMPLE: Ryan wins NC Major Finals games scores 21-7, Ryan wins GA Major Finals games scores 21-10, 15-21, Ryan wins IL Major Finals games scores 21-1, 21-8 Brian wins CA Major Finals games scores 21-12, 13-21, Brian wins PA Major Finals games scores 21-4, 10-21, Brian wins VA Major Finals games scores 21-7, Total points surrendered by Ryan = 85 Total points surrendered by Brian = 105 Ryan is Player of the Season and #1 overall seed at the Worlds Cointoss

13 CHAPTER 5 ACO Equipment and Rules 5.1 Rules for ACO Events ACO Rules MUST be followed during ACO Events. Please refer to our complete ACO Rules Guide, refer to americancornhole.com 5.2 ACO recognized equipment The ACO recognizes two types of equipment: ACO Certified Equipment ACO Tournament Series Boards and ACO PRO 450 Bags ACO Approved Equipment Not limited to ACO branded equipment it need only comply with the following criteria in order to be ACO Approved Equipment Specs 5.3 ACO Approved Equipment Specs Hardwood plywood playing surface of 47.5 to 48 x 23.5 to 24 rectangle. The playing surface has a minimum thickness of 5/8 with cross-section backing, or 3/4 with or without cross-section backing. Each Board in a set should weigh no less than 25 lbs. Each hole is 6 diameter, centered 9 from the top of the board and 12 from each side edge. The front of the board is 3 to 4 from the ground to the top of the playing surface. The back of the board is 12 from the ground to the top of the playing surface. The playing surface should be finished - sanded to a very smooth texture. There should be little to no blemishes in the wood surface that may disrupt or distort play. The playing surface can be painted with a high gloss latex paint or varnish. The surface should allow bags to slide when thrown, but not be so slippery that the bags slide back down the platform. Each bag is made from two fabric squares with minimally a double-stitched seaming. The bags should be made from a durable fabric like canvas, twill, or synthetic suede. Each bag measures roughly 6 by 6 filled and weighs 15 to 16 ounces, approximately 450 grams NOTE: The ACO may choose to approve nonwood boards. To be considered for Approval, boards must be submitted to the ACO for testing. Boards may be mailed or dropped off at the ACO offices. TIP: No bouncy boards will be approved! 5.4 What types of equipment do I need for my Event? ACO Certified or Approved Equipment may be used for ACO Regionals and ACO Qualifiers. When scheduling Regionals, COs will be given options of which types of equipment they will allow players to bring, if any. The options will be posted on the tournament listing.

14 CHAPTER 6 Fees and Making Money 6.1 Certified Official fee to the ACO for coordinating Regionals $25 per Division. Divisions include: World Singles World Doubles Seniors Singles Womens Singles Juniors Singles Fee for Regionals includes: Ability to award World Ranking Points Rights to use ACO logo upon Approval Exposure through ACO websites and event calendars Tournament listing on AmericanCornhole.com FaceBook event created in which the CO will be made host and can use to promote and invite Blasts 6.2 Fees for Qualifiers includes: Purchased Ticket at face value (COs may be eligible for ticket discounts on certain Events) Rights to use ACO logo upon approval Exposure through ACO websites and event calendars Tournament listing on AmericanCornhole.com FaceBook event created in which the CO will be made host and can use to promote and invite Blasts 6.3 Submitting payments to the ACO Certified Officials are required to submit all payments through the Login Site Market. Video training and instruction will be provided on this process 6.4 Making money as a CO Selling ACO Memberships Valued at $25 each. When selling an ACO Membership, the Certified Official will charge the player $25. The Certified Official can then purchase the Membership through the login site for $20, keeping $5 (20% commission) Running your events The Certified Official will keep all Regional player entry fees collected. Player entry fees are standard for Regionals in all areas and are as follows: World Singles - $10 per player World Doubles - $10 per player ($20/team) Womens Singles - $10 per player Seniors Singles - $10 per player Juniors Singles - $10 per player These fees go directly to the Certified Official. Side-pot cash buy-ins and payout or the Certified Official adding any money or prizes are at the discretion of the Certified Official and may be listed in tournament listing Being contracted by the ACO to run various ACO Corporate activities ACO Corporate may contract Certified Officials in good standing to run tournaments and/or events when needed(not obligated). In order to be contracted, COs must have an ACO Certified Official Jersey, available on the CO Login Site for purchase. ACO Product Sales Purchase ACO Products for resale. Recruiting new Certified Officials All Certified Officials are able to recruit new COs, earn an initial sign-up commission, and ongoing commissions from the COs they

15 recruit throughout the Season. A Certified Official becomes a Director as soon as they recruit their first new CO Group. Here s how it works: In the shopping cart at the time of purchasing the Certified Official package, the new Certified Official will be required to choose the Certified Official who recruited them from a drop-down menu. If a new Certified Official chooses you, then you will receive: $75 for each new Certified Official Group signed-up OR $75 for each Certified Official Group renewal under option #1 (If the renewing CO was under your directorship the previous season, they will automatically be reassigned to you) OR $50 for each Certified Official Group renewal under option #2 $5 for each Membership purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $5 for each Regional tournament coordinated by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season World Singles, World Doubles, Women, Seniors, and Juniors are counted separately and the Director will be paid for each. $5 for each set of ACO boards purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season $1 for each set(4 bags) of PRO 450, Tailgator, Classic, or Traditional bags purchased through the login site market by each Certified Official under direction throughout the season NOTES: Directors will receive payment for commissions on the 15th day of each month Commission will be deposit directly into the Director s Paypal account As long a Director remains in good standing and renews their own territory by July 1st for the next season, then they will retain all COs who were under their Directorship from all previous Seasons 6.5 Product discounts for ACO Certified Officials ACO Certified Officials receive discounts on all ACO merchandise for personal use or resale. At the time of approved certification, the Certified Official will have access to the online login market which reflects all CO pricing. 6.6 The Fast Track Pricing Guide Below features our most frequently purchased gear to get you started. *All prices subject to change. ACO151 Blank Tournament Series Boards $ (includes shipping) ACO151 Star Logo Tournament Series Boards $ (includes shipping) Shipping/freight discounts may apply for orders of 5 or more sets of boards. Call for quote ACO-PRO 450 Bags $27.50 per set of 4 bags (plus shipping) ACO Tailgator Bags (Canvas & Suede) $17.00 per set of 4 bags (plus shipping) 6.7 How to order Product Memberships, Tournaments, and Product all MUST be purchased through the Certified Official Login site All pending Certified Officials must have a Paypal account prior to becoming a Certified Official. Sign up for a free account at Paypal.com

16 GAME ON!