Innovative Match Formats and Scoring Systems!

Transcription

1 Innovative Match Formats and Scoring Systems! Presented by: Randy Stephens CTDW Las Vegas February 8, 2004 Page 1

2 USTA Match Formats & Scoring Systems For Tournament Directors The following are formally USTA approved match formats and scoring systems as listed in Friend at Court, the USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules & Regulations: 1) Best of five The Professional Men s Grand Slam single match format, best of five is three sets won by a margin of two games each to determine the match. The set tiebreak, first to serve seven points, win by two is in effect should ant set reach six games all. Note: While the above is true at the US Open, the fifth set is played out first to win by a margin of two games at the Australian, French & Wimbledon grand slams. 2) Best of Three The industry standard best of three tiebreak sets is two sets won by a margin of two games each to determine the match. The set tiebreak first to seven points win by two is in effect should an set reach six games all. 3) Best of Two The new kid on the block, best of two is time friendly (1½ hr matches on average), preserves scoring integrity and plays the match tiebreak (first to ten points by two) in lieu of third set, should sets split. Best of two allows three singles or doubles matches to be played in one day. Results are often times good section* and district* rankings. format is currently being used in USA Leagues Tennis Nationals and USTA National Jr. Open Championships. SEE ATTACHMENT A 4) Eight Game Pro Set The eight game pro set is the collegiate doubles format. The first player or team to win eight games by a margin of two (i.e. 9-7) wins the set and the match. The set tiebreak (first to seven by two) is in effect at eight games all. Results are often times good for section* and district* rankings. 5) Ten Game Pro Set The first player or team to win ten games by a margin of two (i.e. 11-9) with the set tiebreak (first to seven by two) in effect at ten games all. 6) Set Tiebreak First to seven points, must win by a margin of two (i.e. 7-5) the set tiebreak is in effect at six games all in any regular set or eight games all or ten games all for any per set matches. 7) Match Tiebreak First to ten points must win by a margin of two; the match tiebreak is used in the best of two match format in lieu of playing a third set when sets split. Also referred to as a Super tiebreak. 8) No-Ad Scoring as opposed to traditional regular scoring (no ads, sudden death at deuce). See Friend At Court 9) Robin Draws 10) Multiple Current Robins (Pool Play) 11) Compass Draws Format is ideal for N.E.T.S. SEE ATTACHMENT B Page 2

3 12) Consolation Draw types (all can be performed on TMS/TDM software and with a qualified referee): a) FMC first match only loser consolation b) FIC feed in consolation c) MIC modified (Curtis) feed in consolation 13) Short Sets a) Starting at two games all first to win six games by margin of two, set tiebreak at six games all. b) First to four games win by a margin of two set tiebreak at four games all. c) First to win two games in a row, set tiebreak at two games all in lieu of a third set instead of a match tiebreak. 14) One Day NETS Non-Elimination Tournaments for Juniors of Adults. Enrich the menu of existing events. Allow these to happen in your district or section. These are being heavily promoted in many parts of the US. a) One-day only non-elimination tournament singles and eight player draws, each player guaranteed three best of two matches win or lose. No byes please. Results are good often times for section* and district* rankings. b) One-day only non-elimination doubles tournament collegiate format scoring. Eight game pro sets. Draws of eight, three matches guaranteed, win or lose. Results are good often times for section* and district* rankings. c) One-day only non-elimination singles or doubles tournament. Sixteen draw, four matches guaranteed, win or lose. Each match consists of a six game set, tiebreak in effect at five games all. Results are not good for any ranking purposes. Great format for unranked novice tournaments. (Format used by World TeamTennis). 15) Two-Day NETS Two-day only non-elimination tournaments-singles or doubles. a) Sixteen player draws, each player or team guaranteed two Best of Two matches each day win or lose. No byes please. Results good for section* or district* rankings. b) Thirty-two player draw, each player or team guaranteed five, Best of Two matches, three the first day, two the second, win or lose. No byes please. Results good for section* or district* rankings. 16) Teasers Innovative match formats or scoring systems not yet approved by the USTA. a) Numerical scoring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 instead of Love, 15, 30, 40 b) Simple Tiebreak c) Team oddballs 8 of 12 games played d) The ALTA Model e) Supersets - One day event in Portland, OR on Nov 22nd; Practical business decision: sell tickets, get TV ratings, 8 individuals play for $250,000 and it s single elimination. There are challenges for calls and coaching allowed. There is a superset of tournaments to tie local programming to the Pro event f) World Team Tennis match and scoring formats * Does not apply to all sections and districts, please check your section and district ranking requirements. Page 3

4 Best of Two Page 4

5 What is Best of Two? When the International Tennis Federation (ITF) allowed various experimental formats to be used in order to see tennis perceived as a 21 st Century sport, showing the characteristics of fun and fitness, and leading up to a healthy, fit, social lifestyle, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) was attracted to the option of two sets, with a ten point match tiebreak (first to win ten points by two) to determine the result if a match is tied at one set all. Tennis Australia, for simplicity sake, named this format Best of Two. Best of Two is a scoring format for tennis and the only one that addressed the issue of time Best of Two is played with two regular sets and, if tied one set all, a match 10 point tiebreak is played to determine the result, e.g. Peter def. John 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-4). First player to 10 by a margin of 2 wins. Best of Two is a scoring format that can be played socially as well as competitively for ranking purposes in sanctioned tournaments. Best of Two Benefits: Courts can be turned over faster with greater frequency of people playing Matches conclude at relatively the same time, therefore more players are willing to commit to regular scheduled competition. Matches conclude before dark when daylight savings finishes, so there is a reduction in matches being abandoned die to bad light Three singles matches, as opposed to just two, can be scheduled and played in one day. Perfect for one-day, non-elimination, 8-player compass draw events of two-day, 32 draw, non-elimination tournaments. Best of Two is the focus or hero of the 21 st century tennis. It has excellent promotional potential to attract all markets including time poor players. Time saving matches should be aimed at all markets. Page 5

6 The Best of Two Ways to Help Encourage club owners, facility managers and tournament directors to embrace Best of Two Just Use It! Conduct tournament directors workshops, highlighting Best of Two benefits Conduct Best of Two events at clubs and facilities throughout USA Allow Best of Two results to count for district, sectional and national rankings Display Best of Two brochures and posters at tennis facilities. Page 6

7 8 Players or 8 Doubles Teams All Match "Best of Two" Sets (Match Tiebreak 1st to 10 by 2 in effect should sets split) Minimum four Courts Required for All Match Play NORTHWEST (Semi-Final Losers from West) NORTHEAST (Semi-Final Losers fom East) WEST EAST Page 7

8 North Northwest Northeast South Southwest Southeast Page 8

9 4 NORTHWEST NORTH NORTHEAST ( #3 Losers from the North) ( #2 Losers from East) ( #3 Losers from the East) SOUTHWEST SOUTH SOUTHEAST ( #3 Losers from the West) ( #2 Losers from West) ( #3 Losers from the South) Page 9

10 The Simple Tiebreak One That s Player Friendly Comments from Greg Grover-Author & USPTA Pro (For grassroots players, league players, team tennis players, USA lesson takers and graduates, novice adult & beginning junior players, NTRP tournament players and any tennis professionals and tournament directors who want tot teach it & use it!) For years now, I have been teaching and playing the complicated, difficult to initially grasp & understand set tiebreak (first to seven points winning by a margin of two). More recently, I have been teaching and playing the relatively new, equally complicated, match tiebreak (first to 10 in by 2) in lieu of playing a third set, should sets split, i.e. the new Best of Two as opposed to Best of Three match format. Each of these tiebreaks is non-player, particularly non-new player friendly, complicated to communicate and teach, and difficult for novice grassroots players to grasp, and ultimately understand. And I ask myself why? Why can t there be a simpler, more player friendly tiebreak in effect when set scores reach 6 games all or 8 or 10 games all in a pro set or when sets split, the Best of Two match tiebreak? I say there can be a simpler, player friendly tiebreak that the players better understand, both its procedural format as well as its overall fairness. The simple set tiebreak is still decided by the first to seven points wining by two but with the following format: When playing singles, at six games all regular set, (or 8 or 10 games all when playing a pro set) Player A serves two points, one from the right deuce court and one from the from the left add court. Players A and B switch ends of the court. Player B then serves two points, one from the deuce (right) followed by one from the add (left). Player A serves two points (deuce followed by add). Players A and B switch sides of the net after these four points are played and every four points thereafter. Players A & B repeat this process of serving two points (first deuce then add) switching sides of the net after the first two points and after every four points thereafter until one player reaches seven and wins by two. When playing doubles, after Player A serves two points (deuce followed by add) change ends of the court where opposing player C serves two points (deuce court followed by add). Player B (A s partner) serves two points (deuce then add). Switch ends of the court again and every four points played there after. Player D serves two points (deuce then add) followed by Player A. Switch ends of the court every four points. Repeat this process until one team reaches seven points winning by a margin of two. The advantages of this simpler player tie-break are: 1. It is easier to teach and more easily grasped and understood by the players themselves, i.e. they will learn it quicker and not play it incorrectly as often as they do the present one. 2. No one player or team is penalized by the weather elements, i.e. having to play the first 6 points of a set or match tiebreak looking into the sun and/or with the wind at their backs or in their faces. Switching ends more often (after the first two and then every four points thereafter) evens things out as regards climatic conditions. 3. Changing sides of the net after the initial two points and every four points thereafter also prevents interrupting one player s service (i.e. in between his two service points) which Page 10

11 now occurs between the 6 th and 7 th point in the set and match tiebreaks. With the simple tiebreak switching ends only occurs after serving on the same side of the net he/she served throughout the set. 4. In doubles switching ends after the initial two points served & played followed by switching every four points there after keeps the server always serving on the same side of the net he/she served throughout the set. 5. The Simple Tiebreak, being more easily understood and perceived by the players themselves as equally fair for all concerned, will in turn make the game itself more simple and inclusive rather than complicated and exclusive. Page 11

12 The Oddball A Team Tennis Format for Pro/Ams or Pro/Celebrities Necessary Ingredients: 1. Professional and amateur players (we will use 16 of the former and 32 of the latter) 2. Eight reserved courts 3. New can of balls per court 4. Courtside food and beverages 5. Prizes Cost: $ 10.00per player to cover expenses Execution: Brian Marcus, Tennis Director at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, GA has a unique way to run a tennis pro-am or pro-celebrity. Once again, it incorporates a team format, which promotes social camaraderie and enthusiastic team spirit. Divide your 48 players (16 pros and 32 amateurs) into four equal teams. Each team has 12 players and four captains (usually the pro) who will determine your team s lineup for each round. Your captains will divide your team into four threesomes (i.e. 3 players will play the 3 position on court1; 3 at #2 on court 2, 3 at #3 on court 3, and 3 at #4 on court 4. Any two of the three players at each position will meet any two of the three players from the opposing team. They will play a total of four no-as games (switch ends after two games). The third player, the oddball sits out. After four games, the oddball replaces one of the two players and plays the second four games. process is repeated one more time, with the new oddball replacing the player who played the first eight games. Thus, each member of each court s threesome plays eight of the 12 games played. If due to no-shows, injuries, or lack of players, your threesome is a twosome, the twosome plays all 12 games for that round. Game scores after each round will wither be 12-0, 11-1, 10-2, 9-3, 8-4, 7-5 or 6-6. Each team plays the other three teams for a complete round robin. The team scoring the most games won from the round robin wins. If two or more teams tie, the place will be determined by: 1. Head-to-head results, if still tie: 2. Super tie-breaker featuring top two players from each team Three round robins takes 3 to 3½ hours. If you only have time for two rounds, have the first round team winners play each other for the team championships and the two losing teams play for third place. The following page is an oddball grouping sheet on which team captains can list their lineups for each round played. Listed below are the specific directions for making team lineups on this grouping sheet. The second page following is an oddball scorecard on which you can record the teams scores (games won) after each round is played. The Oddball a great flexible format for playing a team pro/am or pro/celebrity! Page 12

13 Grouping Sheet Directions 1. Equally, and by ability level divide all male entrants among four teams. 2. Do likewise with the females 3. On each of the Four grouping sheets (make copies of the first one in this packet), list on the left column, by strength, first your male players and then your females. 4. Now, from your four team player lists (the left column labeled players) have each team captain assign threesomes to the specific courts for each round (right thee columns - labeled courts). 5. As the captains assign players to specific courts, they should put the court number in the Rnd (round) columns next to their name. See grouping sheet and filed-out example and scorecard on the following pages Comments from Greg Grover-Author & USPTA Pro and Page 13

14 Oddball Grouping Sheet Team: Captain: PLAYERS Rnd 1 Rnd 2 Rnd Courts 1 Courts 2 Courts 3 Page 14

15 Team: Tom s Tomcats Oddball Grouping Sheet Captain: Tom Jones PLAYERS Rnd 1 Rnd 2 Rnd 3 Courts 1 Courts 2 1 Bill a+ ct 1 ct 3 1 Bill John 2 John a+ ct 2 ct 1 Mary Susie 3 Tim a ct 3 ct 1 Susie Tom 4 Greg a- ct 2 ct 2 2 John Greg 5 Brian b ct 4 ct 2 Greg Brian 6 George b- ct 3 ct 4 Judy Joni 7 Rosa c ct 4 ct 4 3 Tom Bill 8 Mary a+ ct 1 ct 3 George Mary 9 Judy a- ct 2 ct 3 Joni Judy 10 Susie b- ct 1 ct 1 4 Brian Rosa 11 Joni c ct 3 ct 2 Rosa Martha 12 Martha c- ct 4 ct 4 Martha George Courts 3 Page 15

16 Oddball Scorecard Team A vs Team B A vs D A vs C Team C vs Team D B vs C B vs D When playing two rounds only, the two first-round winning teams play the second round (final) and the two first-round losing teams play the second round (consolation). Team Team A Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 2: Total Final Place: Team B Total Final Place: Team C Total Final Place: Team D Total Final Place: Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Pos 6: Pos 6: Pos 6: Total Total Total Total Page 16

17 Oddball Scorecard Team A vs Team B A vs D A vs C Team C vs Team D B vs C B vs D When playing two rounds only, the two first-round winning teams play the second round (final) and the two first-round losing teams play the second round (consolation). Team Team A Tomcats Pos 2: Pos 2: Pos 2: Total Pos 4: 2 Total Pos 4: 6 Total Pos 4: 10 Total Final Place: 4 th Pos 6: 18 Pos 6: 25 Pos 6: 24 Team B Wolfdogs Pos 2: 9 Pos 2: 4 Pos 2: 5 Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Final Place: 3 rd Pos 6: 30 Pos 6: 14 Pos 6: 24 Team C Dinkers Pos 2: 4 Pos 2: 8 Pos 2: 2 Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Final Place: 2 nd Pos 6: 12 Pos 6: 34 Pos 6: 24 Team D Smashers Pos 2: 8 Pos 2: 6 Pos 2: 7 Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Pos 4: Total Final Place: 1 st Pos 6: 36 Pos 6: 23 Pos 6: 24 Page 17

18 A Recommended Prototype Based Upon the ALTA Model Keys to the ALTA Model s Success Social camaraderie friends are allowed to play with friends. Team averaging of abilities, as opposed to individual abilities, is used to position teams. Play is all doubles; Men s, Women s, Sunday Women s and mixed with either 3 or 5 positions in the line-up. Facilities dedicate prime time for dual match league play. The social experience (courtside cuisine, food, beverages, and raucous cheerleading) is indirectly emphasized and encouraged as all five doubles matches are usually played on just two courts, sometimes three if available. As a results, dual matches take at least four hours to complete, with a captivated, spectating crowd breathlessly observing every point. Bag tags are awarded to all division winners, city finalist, and city champions. Seasons last just seven weeks followed by three weeks of playoffs with a crowned city champion for each level of play. There are no further state, sectional or national championships in ALTA There are some 25 different levels of team-averaged play from AA-1 down to C-7. program is a new program menu for those adults looking to play socially orientated team tennis comprised of all doubles play. USTA Team Tennis for Adults Men s (3 or 5 doubles positions), Women s (3 or 5 doubles positions), Business Women s (3 or 5 doubles positions), Mixed-Up (3 positions: 1 Men s doubles, 1 Women s positions, and 1 Mixed doubles), Senior Mixed (3 mixed positions, 45 & over). Men play Saturday morning or afternoon or Sunday afternoon Women play weekday mornings (Wednesday or Thursday strongly recommended) Business women play Saturday or Sunday afternoon Mixed-Up doubles plays Friday night, Saturday or Sunday afternoon Senior Mixed play Friday night, Saturday or Sunday afternoon All matches Best of Two format. Match tiebreak (first to 10 by 2 points) in lieu of a third set should sets split. Minimum two courts required for five position dual matches Minimum one court required, preferable two, for three position dual matches Home team provides courts, courtside food and beverages, and bathrooms Each individual doubles team provides a new can of balls. Home team opens and plays the match with their can. Winning team gets the new unopened can. Initial division when starting up an adult team tennis program are as follows: o AA Team Average the majority of these players are advanced or very advanced (NTRP of 5.0 or above, an ITN of 1, 2, or 3) o A Team Average the majority of these players are high intermediate to low advanced. (NTRP of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5; ITN 3, 4, or 5) o B Team Average the majority of these players are advanced beginner to intermediate (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 NTRP; ITN 5, 6, or7) o C Team Average the majority of these players are novices and beginners (2.5 and below, NTRP; ITN of 8, 9, or 10) Page 18

19 Teams with similar team averages and geographical zip code locations play each other. Division winners, runner-ups, and sometimes third place team, qualify for the city playoff championships. Every match won counts one point. 3-2 or 2-1 wins a dual match but total matches won determine divisional standings. As more players and teams are added, more divisions within the AA, A, B, & C team average structure can be added as needed. ALTA makes it fun, ALTA makes it social, ALTA makes it perceived compatible competition, and finally, ALTA s season is just seven weeks, so players get over any problems they might have and get on with their tennis lives, i.e. they just wait for the next season to come around. Page 19

20 ITN Conversion Chart The ITN is an international tennis number that represents a player's general level of play. In time it is hoped that every tennis player worldwide will have an ITN. Following an initial meeting of the Taskforce in July 2001, a strategy was formulated to develop an international tennis rating system that could be used by national associations which currently have no national rating system, and could also be used in conjunction with those rating systems currently in place in some of the more established tennis nations ITN 1 2 USA to Page 20