Rules and Regulations
This is the page where the Rules and Scheduling of the leagues will be described.
League Founder
A Refresher on the Rules of the Elite League: The present scoring system has been undergoing changes for years and has been given a lot of thought. The main priority was to eliminate the time element found while playing indoors under exact time constraints. The following system below has evolved.
-teams will be decided by the spinning of racquets (3 spin with odd man out playing with the non-spinner). For the 2nd set only one racquet need be spun. For the 3rd set the remaining teams shall play, and all set thereafter shall maintain this order. In this way, no one is rewarded by who plays with whom.
-All scores are tabulated for final statistics based on that individual team against the other individual team and averaged over the whole year (ie. a running average for only the two teams involved). In this way, there is no benefit to playing with or against any particular player.
-Averages are based on sets won as well as games won. In this way, every game counts but the emphasis is still placed on winning the set. In detail, 17 points are given for winning the set and 1 point is given for each game advantage.
Example:
6-0 = 23 pts winner,0 pts loser
6-1 = 22 pts winner, 1 pt loser
6-2 = 21 pts winner, 2 pts loser
6-3 = 20 pts winner, 3 pts loser
6-4 = 19 pts winner, 4 pts loser
7-5 = 19 pts winner, 5 pts loser
7-6 = 18 pts winner, 6 pts loser
-Note, the reason this has been adopted is in order that players will struggle for every last game no matter how far down while still rewarding the winner of the set with more points. Other systems that only consider games and not sets won fall short because you end up with cases where losing three 7-6's and winning one 6-0 is far far more valuable than winning three 7-6's and losing one 6-0 {sorry, but that's not tennis}. Note, this year we are using set=17 not 10 and this was done in order that two 7-6 victories (36 pts. for winner,and 12 pts. for loser) plus one 6-0 loss (23 pts. for winner 0 points for loser) would leave the person who won two sets @ 36 pts while the person who only won the one set @ 35 pts., in keeping with normal sanctioned tournaments. .
-Classical "Naherny-Type Stalling" has been almost completely eliminated thanks to the rule that any time a team is up by three games the set shall be awarded to that winning team. Note, the rule is that if the buzzer has gone off after the server has set up for the serve (ie. server ready {see Match Termination definition to follow} regardless of whether the receivers have set up yet) then that and only that final point shall be played. In such a case, if that final point does not result in a game won then the score will remain as it was before that final game started. For Cases where the set is unfinished (and of course no one is up by three games) the running points shall still be averaged into the final statistics.
Example: 3-2 = 3 pts winner, 2 pts loser 4-2 = 4 pts winner, 2 pts loser
-Note, again the reasoning is to make every game won count while not rewarding the bonus points for the set since no sets have been won. In addition since '99/'00 season we have adopted a new rule (a loop hole was found which must be covered) which states you must actually play 3 games for the 3 games up rule to come into play. That is, since Tony Cotton starts at 2-0, a 3-0 score at buzzer end would not constitute a set (only 1 game played). It would be recorded as two sets of 2-0 and 1-0 so the computer would still attribute the games but not count as a set bonus (ie. never 3 games up). Also, it was noted that the 3 games up rule is a little harsh to the loser since 3-0 is the same as 6-0 for the loser (ie. gets zero points out of 23). Since '99 the 3 games up rule constitutes a set but the set is out of 11 pts with 6 pts for the set awarded as bonus plus difference. A normal set is out of 23 pts with 17 points awarded as bonus plus difference. This new short set rule is in keeping with the normal set maximum being 23 pts. based on 6-0 being the maximum one could get (6-0=17+6=23pts). Thus, the short set of 3 games up is based on 11 pts as this is the maximum one could get while not finishing the set proper (5-0=6+5=11 pts). The loser would get zero out of 11 pts which is still quite harsh but not as bad as a 6-0 loss (zero out of 23). On a final note, water breaks were deemed ok between sets but not allowed during the set. If a water break is taken at the beginning of a Cotton set the 2-0 score will stand whether or not the person returns.
-Year End Most Improved Player (M.I.P.) has been set up to reward the most improved player and not the most valuable player. In this way, all players have an equal chance for the year end steak dinner and not just the best player. The statistics for the most improved player are based on how that player plays on each of his teams. It is not based on his individual status but rather on how much of a team player he is. In detail, 4 pts are awarded for each team one plays on that is in the top three teams of the league; 3 pts are awarded for each team one plays on that is ranked 4 thru 6 in the league; 2 pts are awarded for each team one plays on that is ranked 7 thru 9 in the league; 1 pt is awarded for each team one plays on that is ranked 10 thru 12 in the league; and 0 pts are awarded for each team one plays on that is in the last three teams of the league. This was the initial breakdown, when the league started with 6 players. Since then the breakdown has been undergoing adjustment as the number of players in the league has changed from time to time. The computer is unbiased so whatever breakdown chosen it will be the same for all and is just a matter of preference. In 2008 we had 7 players and the breakdown was 4,3,2,1,0 (21 teams, groupings 4,4,4,4, and 5). At present, in 2010, we have 5 players in Super League with a breakdown of 4,2,0 (10 teams, groupings 4,4, and 2) and in the Elite League we have 6 players with a breakdown of 4,2,1,0 (15 teams, groupings 4,4,4, and 3).
Also for 2007/2008 a new penalty for coming late has been added:
The latest arrival of all who come late (late defined as not being ready to play when the buzzer to start goes off) must now in addition to lose lateness fees also pay for the balls for that day and not be recorded as having paid for the balls.
Also at the 2007/2008 steak dinner a tie was drawn between the two top players (MIP's). This has happened only once in the history of the league (at that time two dinners were awarded to the two tied players) but it was decided that to prevent a possible situation in the future where three or more may tie that the best way to handle this situation is with the largest dinner cost of all tied members getting that dinner for free while the rest of the remaining winner's dinners be split amoungst the winners. It was also decided that whatever lateness fees happened to be collected on that night be thrown into the tied winner's pot. So for 2008/2009 and in the future this is how ties will be handled.
For 2008/2009 the handicap maximums are adjusted to the auto-programming that intelligently decides how many players are in the league (no new code needs to be written every time the number of players change). Max=(4*4+2*3)-0.5=21.5 if 7 players ; Max= (4*4+1*2)-0.5=17.5 if 6 players ; Max=(4*4)-0.5=15.5 if 5 players
See link below for more details:
Handicap Evaluation
Handicaps
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In addition to the afore mentioned M.I.P. points there are also handicap points. By using a handicap system the idea of improvement is maintained rather than raw results. The handicap is added to each individual's M.I.P. statistics and is based on how well that player played the previous year. The reference is from the best player of the previous year not including the handicap (Note this may or may not be the winner of the steak dinner the previous year). The best player of the previous year is given a handicap of zero, however all other handicaps are offset in order to allow the best player to still win the steak dinner even if he does not improve (the best player of the previous year is the only player that does not have to improve in order to win the steak dinner; and as it should be since it is most difficult to improve when you are already the best). Similarly, all other handicaps are offset so that the previous year's ranking not including the handicap will be maintained if every player plays the same as they did the previous year.
- Bill's handicap will be based on how he did this year. If himself and Roberts decide not to split the total tennis costs with everyone else but rather play as one team and pay for half of a normal share (as they did last year) their handicap will simply be the average of Bill's and Roberts' (I gave in here) but the steak will also be halved and they will have to pick who gets the steak at the end of the year if they win (only one steak amongst the two).
- An additional rule to the handicaps has been added for 2005/2006. After a review of the handicap system at the 2005 AGM it was noted that to provide incentive for excellence, if a player reaches the maximum possible points (ie. all teams within the top grouping and the remaining two teams in the next top group then one would get maximum points not including handicap points he had) then he would win the league that year regardless of other's handicaps. This was deemed prudent as it would be impossible for that player to do better and in such a situation should win regardless of artificial handicaps to others. This would only apply for the perfect maximum score and gives the player trying for excellence something to shoot for as opposed to the tactic of 'tanking' in order to improve one's handicap for the following year. If the player did not reach the perfect maximum then all handicap scores would apply like normal. See link to handicap evaluation below.
For 2006/2007 an extra player was added to league to bring the total number of players to 7 instead of 6. This increases the perfect maximum possible from 18.0 (not including handicap) to 27 (4*4 + 2*3 = 22.0) and sets the cap in the preceding paragraph to 21.5 instead of 17.5
For 2007/2008 it was difficult to ascertain a proper handicap with so many substitutions taking place , so from now on handicap methods will remain the same but be based on who actually played and not count substitutions. The steak dinner, however, will still be based on the schedule and the spare's performance in order to keep the proper schedule (problems with uneven pairing of teams as well it allows the match to be completed regardless of who shows up).
Also note, the perfect maximum decreases from 22.0 with 7 players to 16.0 with five players (4*4) and sets the handicap cap at 15.5.
Match Termination
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For 2008/2009, the termination of the match for the doubles tie break third set in the Super Mixed League was extended beyond the buzzer if it was deemed there was reasonable time to finish the match. The buzzer would be used as a guideline only with discretion and this rule would be extended to the termination of all matches in the Super League. In the Elite Mens Doubles League a full match is never played so the termination of the unfinished matches will remain the buzzer.
For 2010/2011, it was noted that the server being ready to serve should be clearly defined:
Server Ready means: Only that the server is in the spot he normally serves from facing his opponents and he has two balls. He does not need to have bounced the ball, his partner does not need to be ready, the opponents do not need to be ready, the server does not need to say "ready", and a let caused from another court does not change the fact the server is ready. If the buzzer then subsequently goes after the server is ready (as deemed prior) the final point shall still be played.
Scheduling
Refresher on the Rules of Scheduling
A schedule for the complete year has been decided. This schedule will never change so everyone is aware of who plays when for the entire season. In the event you cannot make a date on the schedule you will have two options:
First option is to find another player within the regulars of the Elite League to play for you and notify Tony Weekes (his answering machine is always on) as to who you plan to get. Given that person has agreed to play for you the scheduler (Tony Weekes) will try to swap weeks with that person so no one else will be affected except you and that person who has agreed to play for you (maintains the fact the schedule never changes). For cases where weeks can be swapped the substitute player will play for himself and you would play for yourself in the week you swapped. In the event that there are no weeks that can be swapped the substitute player will represent you and his wins or losses will be yours. Note, it is up to the players to get themselves a substitute not the scheduler.
Second option is to find one of the players on the spare list or from wherever to play for you and again notify Tony Weekes as to who you plan to get. Substitutes outside of Elite League members always represent you and their wins or losses will be yours.
Awards: As always there will be the traditional steak dinner where the M.I.P. will be honoured at the head of the table and his meal will be gratis.
Due to lack of collection by Secretary Langan, lateness collection has been returned to Weekes. The fee has been returned to $10 and is simply $1 per week late. Late is any time after the buzzer that a person is not ready to go onto the court.
For 2012/2013, lateness collection is retained but a new rule is implemented that if a player is late 3 times for whatever reason he loses his court time (and the money paid for the whole year) and is removed from the league. Serious measures were added after contract negotiations stalled in 2011/2012 and led to a lockout which cancelled the whole remaining season.
GROUP TRAINING
Training used to be at Morfit Fitness on Tache every Monday 7:30pm
Sessions catered to tennis fitness for balance, strength, and cardio.
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As of 2020, there is no fitness program outside of the weekly tennis.