Allowing 2 5.0s to play 4.5 per team

[Darkhors]

I don't mind the rule at all, it gets more people involved and as said before, most of the 1 singles guys are probably 5.0's anyway. I also think the idea of making them play 1S is that they essentially have to play against the other 5.0, if there is one. The USTA finally did ONE thing right by adding this exception.

DH

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by Darkhors

I don't mind the rule at all, it gets more people involved and as said before, most of the 1 singles guys are probably 5.0's anyway. I also think the idea of making them play 1S is that they essentially have to play against the other 5.0, if there is one. The USTA finally did ONE thing right by adding this exception.

DH

Yes, but...

It also means, if you are playing against a team that has a good 5.0, and you don't have a 5.0 on your team, then you know exactly which line the opponent 5.0 is going to be playing. And you can stack your lineup accordingly and feed a sheep to the wolf

I think it's going to be hit or miss for the 5.0s. They will get some good matches against other 5.0s or top 4.5, but then will have to suffer through some blowouts of helpless lower 4.5 sacrifices.

[TommieF]

Originally Posted by OrangePower

Yes, but...

It also means, if you are playing against a team that has a good 5.0, and you don't have a 5.0 on your team, then you know exactly which line the opponent 5.0 is going to be playing. And you can stack your lineup accordingly and feed a sheep to the wolf

I think it's going to be hit or miss for the 5.0s. They will get some good matches against other 5.0s or top 4.5, but then will have to suffer through some blowouts of helpless lower 4.5 sacrifices.

I would agree. Great idea by USTA. 2 5.0s on a team. But many times they will get somewhat of a lamb in the one singles spot. Still the idea is good.

[NTRPolice]

I may be wrong because the sample size here is small, but I dont think many 5.0's play USTA league tennis. This "rule" sounds like an effort to get more people into adult leagues which I think is a good thing.

I know a few college players who have not signed up for USTA because trying to find a 5.0/9.0 team is nearly impossible here. I dont think there are any 5.0 teams, and the 9.0 combos are very small, about the size of 2.5, and maybe 3.0 now days.

A 5.0 self-rate is not something any wants to be when they're looking for a team simply because they're either a self-rate (risk) or they're limited to 9.0 doubles since 5.0 adult is practically non-existent.

I can totally see this as a business move for USTA to get 5.0's active in adult league since they can now play 4.5 and not be limited to 9.0

[Raul_SJ]

Originally Posted by bezerker

Our USTA leagues are allowing two 5.0 rated players to play down per team. These players must play 1s or 1d. I'm shocked by the rule, but am happy about it. This is going into effect when our indoor leagues start next month. Is this nation wide? Anyone else heard about this?

I also heard a rumour that there will be a limit on the number of players per team that are playing above their rated level.

Is that true?

[cneblett]

Here in Florida, there is a max percentage that can play out of level. 75% of team must be at the level. So on a 4.5 team with 12 players, 9 must be 4.5 and the other 3 can be 4.0 or from what I was told, 4.0 or 5.0 on a 40+ team. This is supposed to become a national rule is what was told in a captains meeting. Not sure when it will become national but that is direction

[Raul_SJ]

Not sure what the rationale would be for restricting the number of players
playing above their level...

If a 4.5 Team doesn't have enough 4.5 players, they should be able to field as many 4.0 players as they wish.

And why implement this restriction only for the 40+ league and not for 18+?

[catfish]

This is in the 2013 USTA National Rules draft, which is available to all. There is a link to National rules from Tennis Link:

2.01A NTRP Levels of Play:
- Changes 5.0 NTRP level to 5.0 Plus (+) NTRP level in Adult Division, 18 & Over League Type
and changes 4.5 NTRP level to 4.5 Plus (+) NTRP level in Adult Division, 40 & Over League
Type.
- Allows all Plus (+) NTRP level team rosters to include up to two players from the next higher
NTRP level.
- Requires Plus (+) players to always play in the #1 position, either #1S or #1D.
- Allows only one Plus (+) player to compete in a team match when the Plus (+) NTRP level
utilizes only three individual matches within a team match.
- Allows two Plus (+) players to compete in a team match when the Plus (+) NTRP level utilizes
four or more individual matches within a team match.

[cneblett]

The 75% restriction is for all numerical based leagues, I.e. 4.0, 4.5, etc. so in 18+ at levels below 5.0 the restriction is strictly on percent of team at level.

Reason for restriction is to ensure the teams are "competitive" and similar in level with each other. A team in individual week does not have to play 75%, they can play any number, just restricted on team membership

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by Raul_SJ

Not sure what the rationale would be for restricting the number of players
playing above their level...

Rationale is that 4.5s for example prefer to play other 4.5s, rather than 4.0s playing up.

Think of it as reverse sandbagging.

[Raul_SJ]

Originally Posted by OrangePower

Rationale is that 4.5s for example prefer to play other 4.5s, rather than 4.0s playing up.

Think of it as reverse sandbagging.

That's understandable.

OTOH, I have seen many players quickly improve by playing 0.5 level above their rating.

This rule would give them less opportunity to do that.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by Raul_SJ

That's understandable.

OTOH, I have seen many players quickly improve by playing 0.5 level above their rating.

This rule would give them less opportunity to do that.

Although I don't enjoy playing lower rated players, I agree that it's an opportunity for them to improve. And there are some lower rated players that are close to the next level and are competetive there. That's why I think the rule is reasonable - it still allows some room for lower rated players on a team (25%), whilst ensuring that most matches will be competitive.

Actually I would do it differently: I would grant automatic appeals to anyone wanting to appeal up. And then I would not allow playing up *at all*. So if for example a 4.0 thought he could be competitive at 4.5 (or improve to be competitive) and wanted to play at that level, he could appeal up and get a 4.5 rating, and then would be able to play on 4.5 teams without restriction.