To ensure fair, balanced and competitive matches for everyone, our tournament is divided into six playing levels: A, B+, B-, C++, C+ and C-.
Players should register at the level that best reflects their current playing ability. For doubles, the team’s level is determined by the stronger player’s classification.
Group C: Learning & Developing
C- | Foundation Level
- Target: Newer players and casual social players.
- Profile: Still learning the basics and developing consistency. Play is primarily for fun and exercise.
- Key Markers: Inconsistent serves and returns; frequent unforced errors. No established footwork technique; players tend to run towards the shuttle rather than move using structured footwork.
- Threshold (To enter C+): You can consistently hit 3–5 consecutive clears to the back third of the court under no pressure.
C+ | Solid Recreational
- Target: Regular club players and social competitors.
- Profile: A good recreational player at your local club, although basic techniques still need improvement. You have reasonably reliable strokes and understand basic doubles positioning.
- Key Markers: Reliable clears, average smashes and drops. Developing but inconsistent footwork. Difficulties maintaining high-speed flat rallies. Backhand shots are typically defensive or short, and routine errors may still occur under pressure.
- Threshold (To enter C++): You demonstrate reliable basic strokes, purposeful footwork and increasingly consistent backhand defence. You can maintain rallies under moderate pressure but struggle with faster attacking exchanges and more advanced tactical play.
C++ | Advanced Recreational
- Target: Strong recreational players, experienced club players and those transitioning into competitive badminton.
- Profile: Among the stronger recreational players at your club. Your game is consistent and increasingly tactical, with reliable shot placement and a good understanding of doubles positioning and rotations.
- Key Markers: Consistent clears, controlled drops and effective smashes. Purposeful footwork, although not always efficient under pressure. Reliable defensive backhands, but full backhand clears remain inconsistent. Comfortable with moderate-speed flat exchanges, although prolonged high-speed rallies remain challenging. Good understanding of basic attacking and defensive formations in doubles.
- Threshold (To enter B-): You consistently apply efficient footwork, maintain accuracy under pressure and use attacking and defensive tactics intentionally. You can sustain fast rallies against competitive league players without regularly making basic technical errors.
Group B: Competitive & Advanced
B- | Competitive Amateur
- Target: Established competitive club players, regular league players and experienced tournament entrants.
- Profile: You regularly participate in competitive badminton, potentially representing a club in a regional league. Your game is consistent, intentional and tactical. You can maintain good technical execution under competitive pressure.
- Key Markers: Efficient footwork and regular use of the split-step. Strong smashes, sharp drops and consistent attacking clears. Functional and reasonably reliable backhand clears. Ability to apply basic deception and maintain fast rallies. Good understanding of doubles rotations, attacking transitions and defensive formations.
- Threshold (To enter B+): You have a strong and consistent backhand clear, use a split-step naturally before most shots and can sustain a high-speed flat drive rally (10+ shots) without lifting. You consistently maintain tactical awareness and shot quality under pressure.
B+ | High-Performance Advanced
- Target: Top-tier club players and highly competitive regional players.
- Profile: Among the strongest players in your region. Matches are played at high intensity, with very few unforced errors. You demonstrate advanced tactical awareness, excellent court coverage and consistently high technical quality.
- Key Markers: Steep and powerful smashes, tight net shots and accurate placement. Comfortable in high-speed drive exchanges and prolonged attacking rallies. Natural split-step, consistently efficient footwork and rapid recovery. Advanced doubles positioning, rotations and anticipation. Effective use of deception and variation in shot selection.
- Threshold (To enter A): You demonstrate exceptional consistency under sustained pressure, advanced shot selection and deception, and the ability to compete successfully against elite regional or national-level players.
Group A: Elite & Expert
A | Elite / Expert
- Target: Elite regional, national-level, semi-professional and professional players.
- Profile: The highest competitive category of the tournament. Players demonstrate exceptional technical ability, tactical awareness and physical conditioning. This category includes current or former national circuit players, elite regional representatives and other players capable of competing at a comparable standard.
- Key Markers: Explosive and highly efficient movement, mastery of advanced strokes and exceptional court coverage. Powerful and accurate attacking shots, outstanding defensive skills and sophisticated deception. Very few unforced errors, even under heavy pressure. Excellent tactical awareness, anticipation and the ability to adapt strategies against elite opponents. Ability to sustain maximum-intensity rallies and maintain a high level of performance throughout demanding matches.
Experience & Eligibility Check
The following criteria help determine the appropriate playing level based on experience, league participation and previous tournament results.
If you meet any of the criteria for a higher category, you must register at that higher level. Years of experience are indicative only; competitive results and demonstrated playing ability take precedence.
| Category | Typical Experience | League & Tournament Standings |
| C- | 0–2 years | Social play and beginners. Ineligible if you have won 1 or more medals in a C- event within the last 2 years. |
| C+ | 2–4 years | Regular recreational club players. Mandatory if you are a regular C+ (club)player or a C- finalist (4th position or higher). Ineligible if you have won 1 silver or 2+ medals in similar C+ events within the last 3 years. |
| C++ | 3+ years | Strong recreational players. Mandatory if you are a strong C+ (club)player or a regular C+ finalist (4th position or higher). Ineligible if you have won 1 Gold or 3+ medals at similar C+/C++ level events within the last 3 years. |
| B- | 3+ years, competitive experience | Experienced club players.Mandatory for mid-tier league players, regular B- (club)players, regular C+ winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd position) and C++ finalists (4th position or higher). Ineligible if you have won 1 Gold or 2+ medals at B- level within the last 3 years. |
| B+ | Advanced competitive experience | Very strong and experienced (club) players. Mandatory for top-division league players, regular B+ (club)players and regular B- finalists (4th position or higher). Ineligible if you have won 1 Gold or 2+ medals at B+ level within the last 3 years. |
| A | Elite / Regional / National | Elite (club) players. Mandatory for elite regional or county representatives, strong university first-team players, extremely strong (club) players and regular A finalists (4th position or higher). As well as current or former national circuit or BWF-ranked players who continue to compete at an equivalent level. |
Classification & Fair Play Rules
How classification decisions are applied
Players must register at the level that best reflects their current playing ability. Classification decisions are based on the following principles:
- Mandatory promotion: If a player meets any mandatory promotion criterion or is ineligible for a category due to previous tournament results, they must register in a higher eligible category. Where multiple criteria apply, the highest applicable level takes precedence.
- Playing ability and experience: Level descriptions, technical thresholds and years of experience are guidelines rather than strict requirements. Overall playing ability, consistency, competitive performance and previous tournament results (singles and doubles) are considered together.
- League equivalence: As league structures and tournament categories vary between countries, the Tournament Committee will assess their actual competitive standard rather than relying solely on league or division names.
- Medal results: Medal-based promotion criteria apply to tournaments with a meaningful competitive field. Results from very small draws or categories with limited participation may be assessed individually.
- Current playing ability: Previous achievements remain relevant, but current ability will also be considered, particularly for players returning after a prolonged absence. A lower classification is not automatically granted because a player has stopped competing.
- Double classification: Both partners must register individually. The team’s level is determined by the stronger player’s classification, even if the other partner plays at a lower level.
- Verification and final decisions: The Tournament Committee may review playing histories, previous results and other relevant information, and request clarification where necessary. Registrations may be reassigned to a higher or lower category when justified by the available evidence. Players affected by a classification change will be informed.
- Fair play and sandbagging: Players are responsible for providing accurate information about their playing level and history. Deliberately registering below the appropriate playing level (sandbagging) may result in disqualification, including during the tournament. The Tournament Committee and Tournament Director has final authority over classification decisions to ensure fair competition.
Not sure which level is right for you? No worries! Choosing the right category isn’t always easy, and we’re happy to help. Feel free to reach out to us at tournament@queerbadmintonamsterdam.nl with any questions or doubts. We’ll gladly help you find the level that suits you best so everyone can enjoy fair and exciting matches!