Should I say something?

[LazyBuddy]

Here's what's happening in my club now:

We are a club with more than 50 memembers (mix of advance, int. and beginners). On each friday, we constantly have 35-45 ppl show up to practice.

Originally, we have 4 courts. We use 3 for regular practice (ppl sign up, each session lasts 20 min, then need to sign up again), and 1 for "game court" (sign up, play a 1-set match, winner stay, but no more than 3 consecutive games)

Now, some ppl convienced the supervisor to take away 1 regular court into another game court. They say, it's good to get competition going, and since more skillful ones going to the game court, un-skillful ones still have enough chance to practice in the 2 courts left.

However, I don't think the same way (even though, I can kick a lof of their ass in game court):

1. Skillful ppl will surely take advantage: they can sign up either game court or regular, on the other hand, will beginner really "dare" or "willing" to embrass themselves to against the advanced ones? I mean, learn from defeat is ok, but blowouts??? You can't learn how to run, before u can even walk.

2. More un-skillful members will wait much longer to get a regular court to practice the basics. Also, since all the skillful ones will enjoying their games, who will help the beginners to train (personally, if I sign up a court with beginners, I often teach them something)? Don't tell me two beginners just "smash" around with wrong tactic can give them any good....


Therefore, I am trying to let the club officers know about my feeling.

Just wonder, what u guys think about this? Am I right?

[Winex West Can]

It all depends on how your club operates. At my club, being a non-profit organization, it is open to membership votes. So if the majority of the membership votes for one thing, then there is nothing much you can do about it. But it is very common to voice concerns and if those concerns are echoed by other members, the executives will usually investigate further and if action is warrantied, then membership will be contacted depending on whether the action require membership approval.

In your case, 35-45 ppl is quite large for four courts. Not sure how your practise court works but let assume that you have 4x3=12 ppl on those 3 courts for 20 minutes and then 1 court for playing which leaves around 19- 29 ppl sitting around for up to 15 minutes on average.

Do you have anyone who would want to be a volunteer coach? If so, then in arranging the practise sessions in doing drills and then playing some modified games like half court singles or doubles will allow the club to get more people active on those practise courts.

Don't see why it would be a problem for the beginners can play on the game courts too since the idea is to pair them up so that both teams are more or less evenly matched. No point in having two beginners play against two advanced players.

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by Winex West Can


Don't see why it would be a problem for the beginners can play on the game courts too since the idea is to pair them up so that both teams are more or less evenly matched. No point in having two beginners play against two advanced players.


The problem is, everyone sign up the "Game court" all together. There will be a sign up board for everyone. The pairs will just sign up, can wait for the turn to play, and winner stay for at most 3 matches.

Therefore, there's no way to do free "pair up" (like u metioned, to have ppl with similar skill lvl play together). In another word, if 2 beginners sign up, very possible, they will end up play with advanced players (since, u know, winner stay rule).

Like I metioned before, I really don't see the point about "encouragement" in this movement. How could they force the un-skillfull (beginner + some int.) to give up their own practice time and to get embarrased by the "super" powers.

Even though, I play a lot in the game court myself, and lucky enough to win a lot of double matches. Personally, I would rather consider this as advanced players kinda take advantage over beginners, since advanced ones always have the most voice in this club.

[Winex West Can]

Originally posted by LazyBuddy



The problem is, everyone sign up the "Game court" all together. There will be a sign up board for everyone. The pairs will just sign up, can wait for the turn to play, and winner stay for at most 3 matches.

Therefore, there's no way to do free "pair up" (like u metioned, to have ppl with similar skill lvl play together). In another word, if 2 beginners sign up, very possible, they will end up play with advanced players (since, u know, winner stay rule).

Like I metioned before, I really don't see the point about "encouragement" in this movement. How could they force the un-skillfull (beginner + some int.) to give up their own practice time and to get embarrased by the "super" powers.

Even though, I play a lot in the game court myself, and lucky enough to win a lot of double matches. Personally, I would rather consider this as advanced players kinda take advantage over beginners, since advanced ones always have the most voice in this club.

Hmm...I see what you mean. Maybe it is time to change the game court rules in that you play two games with the players (all four of them) paired up to ensure more or less level teams. Regardless of who win, both teams comes off and the next four goes on. Based on what you got at your club, you could end with the best pair playing for three games and then getting off and on again for another three games (meaning that they would probably be on the game court the majority of the time).

[kwun]

LB,

what's the ratio of advance/beginners in your club?

if they are around 50/50, then if the rule says player can only sign up on the challenge court or the regular court, but not both at the same time, that should be a more fair arrangement...

[Yong]

Hi LB,

Nice that your club has organized something as a 'challenge/game court'. I haven't seen this in clubs yet, my experience is mainly that you have to wait until peek hours are over and nobody is claiming your court after 20 minutes, then you can play some consecutive games, or.. playing a match on a court as part of the training / league or internal tournament.
The fact that players are enthousiastic about the court is nice, but with the number of members waiting along the side, i agree that with the present rules, it is not very fair to the less advanced members to add another game court.
Actually, i'm surprised that the beginner members are not (aren't they?) complaining already about that 1 court, combined with their own waiting time. Probably your club has a nice balance at the moment in waiting time for both type of courts.
When the more advanced players are seeking for more competition, maybe, if your club is not doing it already, having a little tournament on a few courts once in a while is something they like?
For you, sure, tell the supervisors your thoughts. Maybe they didn't think it over well enough.

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by kwun
LB,

what's the ratio of advance/beginners in your club?

if they are around 50/50, then if the rule says player can only sign up on the challenge court or the regular court, but not both at the same time, that should be a more fair arrangement...


The ratio is about 50, 50.

The sad thing is, everyone (actually, u know, only skillful ones have this choice) can sign up whatever court. Therefore, skillful players = 4 choices, beginners = 2 choices.

Think about the fact, on peak time, we have 35+ player, sometimes, even hit the mark of high 40s. Image what the beginners will think, 20 ppl (if skillfyl ones are "kind" enough not to sign regular court) have to wait for 2 courts for regular practice. that means, u won't get on the court again, for 1 hr!!!

I also think the skillful ones should also realized that they need a regular court for 1 game or two to warm up first.

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by Yong

For you, sure, tell the supervisors your thoughts. Maybe they didn't think it over well enough.


I sent in my comments, guess what the "lovely" response is??? A hint: between beginners and advanced ones, u know who's the boss....



They use very polite word to give me such a "perfect solution": "We are only going to set the new rule as "trial" on off peak time (Tues/Thurs) first. If good, we will continue on Fri (peak). If not, we will keep the original" Wow, sounds very reasonable.

But the truth, the off peak time, there are hardly 20 ppl. So, who cares about what court is what? Everyone get a court!!!

ppl!!! plz!!! The real and only (but serious) problem is fri, when we sometimes hit 40+ members. The trial just totally ignore the real issue. I can see that after 1 wk or 2, "bosses" will say, "cool, Tues and Thurs went well, such a big success, let's change the rule!" Bang... Then, I have to just shut up, since the "fact" is there, and the "experiement / trial" is very "successful".

Don't know just the club officers did not think carefully (but isn't that just a common sense???), or, they just use this to let ppl like me to "shut up" and show how "fair" this decision is.

BTW, the fact is, currently, skillful players can skill sign up a regular court to get a game going. (20 min, good enough for a game or even 2). 2000% don't see why they just want a "change" besides taking advantage over beginners.

[Yong]

Best hope is, when the second challenge court is official on 'peak' Fridays and doesn't work, everyone gets reasonable and finally drop the idea of that court on that peak day.

Interesting that, at your club, friday seems very popular. At our club, tuesday is peak time (all 12 courts in use for training and recreational play with waiting time), friday is off-peak. We have difficulty promoting friday, having sometimes a few courts totally empty. Maybe we can exchange some members some time ? ;)
Personally, i think playing on friday is fun combined with having a drink and a chat after play.

[LazyBuddy]

Since the gym is located in a college, and the majority members are college students, therefore, Fri night is the most popular time. For me, Sat is my favorite, since always less than 15 ppl show up, and everyone there, is hardcore badminton fan. Therefore, always have a lot of good matches going on.

I am going there this friday night, and hopefully I can talk with ppl face-to-face, and see how things going over there.

[MacGyver]

I had the same problem a few years back, trying to put more people into too few courts. You can implement the 4-on/4-off rotation. This may help to solve the problem with advanced vs. novice players. The two groups will get together by themselves to form their own double match. Since your gym runs by the clock, the organizer doesn't even have to care what the players are doing on the courts (practice or competition).

Since we move to a larger facility (8 courts at a local college). The club has to increase fee to cover the cost while reduce the number of players (maximize the supply and demand). We have regular members and walk-in. I have decided to limit the number of player to 50 by limiting the number of walk-ins, and use the losers-off/winners-stay-one-more match of 15-point game. The method keeps the better player on a little long and gives them a fresh pair of opponent. I am not comfortable to keep player seating around for too long.

[jwu]

Hey LB, at least there is some organization at your club. Where I play on wednesday people just walk up to a court and play, it don't matter if you've been waiting for a while or no. If you get up too late, you don't play. sigh...

[LazyBuddy]

Update:


The flu season helped the outcome of the 1st night. Fri night is cold, and a lot of ppl kinda sick. Therefore, not too many ppl showed up (around 30-). The officers set the rules to be the following:

1. old game court: int + advance

2. new game court: beginner + int.

3. both courts winner stay for at most 3 games

Since I've been listed in the "int." sections, so, I am qualified for both courts. played on both courts, and with different lvl of players. So far, so good, most matches seems to be fair and nice going.

I will wait to see, how it's going to be turned out when more ppl coming in.

[jwu]

so in a way the new rule benefits intermediate players more then. :D hope there are more intermediate players at the club.

[LazyBuddy]

Well, actually, the pool of "int." are the majority of the club. The problem is, there's no "test" to be applied to set the standard. Everyone just self-claiming to be in which section.

I believe there are some really good ones, who's kinda lack of confidence or shy to claim themselves to be "advance". Also, there are some rookies just know how to swing the rackets properly, and can sometimes get a good powerful smash, also claim themselves to be "int.". Guess they are just think "beginner / rookie" is shameful... hehehehhehhe...