Ladder Season 2014
The Vermont Tennis Ladder season officially begins tomorrow Monday, June 9th. We are up to 33 players and my guess is that we will be adding a few more as we move through the summer. There have been many great matches played over the past two years and I'm looking forward to more this summer. Thus far the ladder has served its purpose by providing structure for regular competitive play and consolidating contact information within the Vermont tennis community. Below are the rules for the ladder. Please take note of two changes this season. Both of the new rules are in place to address minor problems over the past two seasons. The first rule, "One Free Challenge Match," is fairly self explanatory. The second rule is intended to address players who have developed a reputation for being protective of their position through not accepting challenges from stronger players or constantly rescheduling as to not lose their position. Behaving in this manner defeats the purpose of honest competition and is frustrating. Hopefully we won't see any of it this season. Other than these two changes everything will remain the same. Enjoy the season and play hard, I'm looking forward to seeing you all on the courts!
Andy
Format: 2014
-NEW THIS SEASON -
1. Anyone new to the ladder or didn't make the A or B playoffs last season has "One Free Challenge Match" (OFCM) This means you can challenge up as high as you want in the ladder in your first match. If you win, you take that person's spot and they move down one spot. If you lose you move to the bottom of the ladder.
2. If you challenge a player and they do not get back to you within 4 days, cancel at the last minute, or reschedule more than twice (for any reason) you will take their spot as if you have won the match. The result will be recorded as a default win.
- Matches can be played at anytime or place. Bring a can of balls.
- Best 2/3 sets with full third or 2/3 sets with a 10 pt match breaker are the two acceptable challenge match formats. It is better to decide about a full third or match breaker before the match begins, but not a rule.
- Each player must play a minimum of 1 match every two weeks. If you don't play a match at the end of a two week period you will be moved down 4 spots unless it's a planned absence (travel, injury, etc...) or you have made an effort to challenge 3 different players and weren't able to make it happen in the two week period. If you don't play over a 4 week period you will automatically be moved to the bottom of the ladder no matter the circumstance.
- Match scores need to be reported to vttennisladder@gmail.com before you play your next match so the ladder can be adjusted accordingly.
- Everyone can challenge up to 3 places in front of themselves. If the #1 player isn't challenged over the course of a two week period and doesn't play they do not move out of #1.
- If you win a match you will move into your opponents spot, or maintain your position. If you lose a match you will move down to your opponents position.
- The ladder ends Sunday, August 17th (matches can be played on the 18th). Playoffs will be split into A and B brackets. The top 8 players make the A playoff. Players number 9-16 are in the B playoff. This way we will have an A and B champ, and maximize the number of matches played.
-You are welcome to play anyone on the ladder anytime, matches won't count that are outside the rules.
