6 players, only need 5

stutz

stutz

did you call that?
Silver Member
We picked up a strong 4 on our APA team this session. We always had the five that didn't mind showing up every week to play. It is somewhat nice to have that extra person just in case someone won't show. We had that happen once last session, but we initiated the "replay" rule meaning the opposing team picks who plays the last match.

My question is this. Anyone have a good way/method of who gets the night off? We're going into our third week, so far, it's been on a volunteer basis, but I'd like something alittle more concrete.

Any suggestions?
 
If everyone is willing/able to show every week then a set rotation can work allowing the person who is going to be off that week to make plans to do something else if they choose. Only downside to this is if something comes up last minute for a player that's set to play in a given week... I used to hate showing up and having to sit around for hours before knowing if I could just leave.
 
yeah that's what I'm worried about. I don't want one of my guys to come to a place for nothing.
 
Review the schedule, block out the nights when you're facing a strong team and need all hands on deck. Ask your teammates for requests what nights they can't play, then come up with a rotating schedule.
 
You're at a huge disadvantage if you ever go to a higher level tournament. A team of 8 is all but essential in having any chance to do well.

Is the location very far? Are there open tables you guys can just socialize and hit balls? We usually try to play double jeopardy so everyone can play every week.
 
I've been the captain of the team I am on for about 8 years with a full roster of 8 people. I generally try and rotate things from week to week, however the team understands that they may or may not play depending on how things unfold. There are two goals, come out and drink beer/have fun shooting pool, and win as a team. If they don't play, they enjoy drinking and shooting on the practice table. I also have people check in with me the night before league if they want the night off so I can make sure we are covered.

Bottom line is if coming out and playing pool, drinking beer and hanging with your friends becomes a chore for anyone, they should probably quit.
 
CoachDitka2001 said:
I've been the captain of the team I am on for about 8 years with a full roster of 8 people. I generally try and rotate things from week to week, however the team understands that they may or may not play depending on how things unfold. There are two goals, come out and drink beer/have fun shooting pool, and win as a team. If they don't play, they enjoy drinking and shooting on the practice table. I also have people check in with me the night before league if they want the night off so I can make sure we are covered.

Bottom line is if coming out and playing pool, drinking beer and hanging with your friends becomes a chore for anyone, they should probably quit.
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This right here...

I had a team for 7 sessions, 7 finals, 6 championships... Paid cash at end of every session... I also had a full roster... I believe its needed to have an edge matching up vs different teams, skill levels, etc.... My team played scotch doubles all night and worked with each other... We also had an off night where we all got together at a buddy's gameroom to practice.... It was a great time but I got tired of unloading players that became close friends because of their ranking... This league had 25 pts to work with instead of 23... Still though, everyone gets moved up when you keep winning... I had 2 original members left when we were done....


I think our biggest edge though was team unity, not talent... We won and loss together... Also, my players did not hesitate to sit if they were off... They didn't let their egos get in the way of the team....
 
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Set a rotation whereby if you win, you play next week, if you lose your match, you're relegated to the reserves the next week. As someone loses, you get back in rotation to play. Big incentive for folks to bear down and keep winning.
 
We did it this way for two seasons. The lowest score for the night sits the next week. Our team name was YSYS...You Suck, You Sit. Worked great as nobody wanted to be the lowest. In BCA, we had a total of 75 points to get and one week, a 48 had to sit!
 
tank69 said:
We did it this way for two seasons. The lowest score for the night sits the next week. Our team name was YSYS...You Suck, You Sit. Worked great as nobody wanted to be the lowest. In BCA, we had a total of 75 points to get and one week, a 48 had to sit!
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we did this too but we had alot of crappy people.. so we had our worst shooter of last week who would be the 5th person. so we would have the 5th person play the 6th person.. if he won he could play if he lost he sat..

so anyone coould have a bad week but you did get a chance to play the person who sat out.. this way we had a strong team every week.. also made a fun bet for the 4 of us...

they played a race to 7.. cuz one game can be all luck...
 
CoachDitka2001 said:
I've been the captain of the team I am on for about 8 years with a full roster of 8 people. I generally try and rotate things from week to week, however the team understands that they may or may not play depending on how things unfold. There are two goals, come out and drink beer/have fun shooting pool, and win as a team. If they don't play, they enjoy drinking and shooting on the practice table. I also have people check in with me the night before league if they want the night off so I can make sure we are covered.

Bottom line is if coming out and playing pool, drinking beer and hanging with your friends becomes a chore for anyone, they should probably quit.
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^^^^ This. +1.

What I don't understand from the OP is what happens to the OP's team if someone goes up. Will the original 5 still all be able to play? That's the biggest reason we have to have 7 or 8 players, to be able to play enough combinations, especially if someone can't make it.
 
I'm going to use all my willpower for the day and stick strickly to your question:

Go by the numbers. You didn't tell us your teammates skill levels. That's the fairest way. I don't know how new you are to APA but there comes a time in the season when playbacks are not allowed. You simply forfeit.

If you're very concerned about playing a league match every night then keep it bare bones. I (and everyone so far in this thread) strongly suggest you fill your team with a variety of reliable players.

You always have the 23 rule to keep in the back of your mind as well.


stutz said:
We picked up a strong 4 on our APA team this session. We always had the five that didn't mind showing up every week to play. It is somewhat nice to have that extra person just in case someone won't show. We had that happen once last session, but we initiated the "replay" rule meaning the opposing team picks who plays the last match.

My question is this. Anyone have a good way/method of who gets the night off? We're going into our third week, so far, it's been on a volunteer basis, but I'd like something alittle more concrete.

Any suggestions?
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stutz said:
yeah that's what I'm worried about. I don't want one of my guys to come to a place for nothing.
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Have you asked both players how they feel about coming out and not playing?

For a LOT of players, league night is their only night out of the house and they look forward to getting out, even if they don't play. Some just like to hang out and BS with their buddies.

I show up every week but only play about once a month, which I don't mind at all.
 
I was under the impression from the OP, his team is more social than competitive. That's why he asked for advice on handling rotation. If his team members don't have aspirations for nationals in Las Vegas, then advice with a competitive bent may not be useful.
 
I like coachditka's idea, and another team mate suggested the YSYS policy.

we have 2-5's, 3-4's and a 3 on our team. Yeah, not the strongest team numbers-wise, but we did win our division last session :grin:
 
I don't know what you mean by "not the strongest team numbers-wise". If you're playing 5,5,4,4,4 that's 22 points worth of players. You may not see any 7-9's in there but it's extremely balanced and that isn't a bad thing. You may give up a match vs a higher ranked player but you make up for it later in the night when they need a lower ranked player to balance out their numbers.

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we have 2-5's, 3-4's and a 3 on our team. Yeah, not the strongest team numbers-wise, but we did win our division last session :grin:[/QUOTE]
 
stutz said:
I like coachditka's idea, and another team mate suggested the YSYS policy.

we have 2-5's, 3-4's and a 3 on our team. Yeah, not the strongest team numbers-wise, but we did win our division last session :grin:
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Play the 22 combination, and play the 3 as needed. Make sure they get enough matches to be eligible for the playoffs. The rest of the time work with them to improve, have fun and enjoy the night out on the nights they don't play.

Black Cat :cool:
 
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