Is There A Way To Split Up A Team Successfully?

[Cindysphinx]

I am starting to have something of a numbers problem with my team.

For the fall 6.5 combo season, we will have 19 players (2 at 3.5, the rest at 3.0). The plan is to stay together for the 2008 3.0 season (except for the 3.5s, of course).

Trouble is, the team is so huge that everyone will likely only get 4 matches over the season that runs from September to December. That's not enough matches.

One solution would be to simply split the team in half and take a blood oath that we'll all get back together for the spring 2008 season. My co-captain would captain one team, and I'd captain the other. We'd still pratice together and cooperate and all that stuff -- who know, I could continue handling the scheduling for both teams because my co-captain hates that stuff. I have no idea how it would be decided who would play on which team, though.

Has anyone ever faced a similar issue? What did you do about it?

 

[QuietDaze]

Won't you have the same problem in Spring 08?

 

[spot]

You might have good luck splitting the team between people who want a more social team and a more competitive one. One team with the goal of winning the division and the other team that just wants to get together and play.

 

[goober]

blood oath hehe What's the penalty for not following through on your blood oath?

I don't get the part of why you have to get back together at all for 2008 if the 2 seperate teams are successful.

OTOH 17 is not that huge of a team. Some people may be happy with 4 matches. If you split it to 9 and 8 players you will still have to recruit extra players for each team.

 

[Topaz]

Right now they are preparing for combo league, consisting of 3 individual doubles matches per team match, thus you only need 6 people for a match. That leaves 11 people not playing for each match...if you have a team of people who like to play a lot, that doesn't work. So you split them up into two teams.

Why not stay that way? Well, in the spring, she will need 8 players for each match (3 doubles, 2 singles), and 17 is actually a bit short for that season, what with everyone's conflicts and schedules, and the lack of people willing to play singles.

If the women want to do it, Cindy, I say go for it. (split it, I mean) But yeah, you will have to be explicit in saying that you expect everyone to regroup in the spring. Doesn't mean they have to do it, but I've seen your team's results...they'd be pretty stupid not to...I think you guys are going to be very successful next USTA season.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Won't you have the same problem in Spring 08?

Nope. In addition to what Topaz said, two of the players are already 3.5, and another will surely rise to 3.5 by next spring. So the 3.0 spring team will have 16 and may have to recruit a few new people. Making the problem even worse for the 2008 fall combo season.

Hmmmm. The competitive team or the fun team. I have a feeling if I put that choice to them, I'd get 18 replies of, "I want Cindy's team!" That's not because I'm so wonderful, but because my teammates are returning because they are happy, and the new team would be an unknown.

Of course, perhaps if the competitive team required things like practice or working with a coach, this might thin the ranks somewhat . . .

 

[AR15]

You might have good luck splitting the team between people who want a more social team and a more competitive one. One team with the goal of winning the division and the other team that just wants to get together and play.

I'd like to know how to make this option work. I don't think I have many players that would opt for the team that doesn't want to win.

 

[Topaz]

Can you split the teams and try to keep them even in skill level? And, when it comes time to do the line-up, do what you would always do...don't change tactics just because you know the team.

Just a thought!

(and, to answer a previous post...yes, EW has LOTS of energy! )

 

[volleyman]

Have you considered just asking the team? You may find your players are happy with the idea of just getting 4 matches, or that they love the idea of splitting up into two teams so they play more.

 

[spot]

Cindy- I think you have the right idea- just start requiring more of the players. You have been badly frustrated because no one wants to put any effort into improving. This is your chance to say that the goal of the team is to win the division next season and that you think its time to get a group coach. If people will follow your lead- this is a great chance to start in that direction. And if a couple people fall by the wayside then that just makes your life easier.

 

[QuietDaze]

Good luck! Although I too am wondering who in the world would be on a team and not want to win?

 

[AP328]

I'd like to know how to make this option work. I don't think I have many players that would opt for the team that doesn't want to win.

Good luck! Although I too am wondering who in the world would be on a team and not want to win?

I don't think she would put together a team that doesn't want to win. However, there are players who are more competitive than others. Some recreational players are out there for the exercise and fun. Others are looking for championships and glory. The majority of players fall in between.

Not everyone enjoys a league where the captain/team feel that one loss effectively "ends" their season. Flip-side...most people would not sign up for a team/league knowing they expect lose most of their matches.

I agree you just have to talk with your team and find out their intentions. It's not easy being captain

side bar...I did play on a co-ed rec softball team one season that went 2-22. We still had fun because we had a great team. Would it have been a little more fun if we had won some more games? Sure! However, that wasn't the point. (plus, we had a league FULL of sandbaggers!!)

 

[tarheelbornjohn]

Well, I play with a group of guys that play on any number of teams together and appart. We have 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and some play on 9.0 mixed. We have a core of 4.0's. I play 4.0, 4.0 singles and 7.5 combo and 8.5 combo. Others add 8.0 mixed and 9.0 mixed. When you go to singles, mixed or combo you always have to have fewer players from your core group and it makes sense to break into two teams. It is also fun to play against each other. Guys are so much easier than the ladies when it comes to changing teams around.

 

[QuietDaze]

Well, I play with a group of guys that play on any number of teams together and appart. We have 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and some play on 9.0 mixed. We have a core of 4.0's. I play 4.0, 4.0 singles and 7.5 combo and 8.5 combo. Others add 8.0 mixed and 9.0 mixed. When you go to singles, mixed or combo you always have to have fewer players from your core group and it makes sense to break into two teams. It is also fun to play against each other. Guys are so much easier than the ladies when it comes to changing teams around.

Guys are so much easier than ladies when it comes to a lot of things....just another reason why I don't think I'll be joining a team. Women make a lot of things harder than it really needs to be.

 

[kevhen]

Usually you need about 15 players per season to avoid any defaults so 17 is not so many. You will have a stronger team and will have more for practices as well.

 

[ferocious4hand]

For the fall 6.5 combo season, we will have 19 players (2 at 3.5, the rest at 3.0)

Cindy, why do you only have 2 3.5s for Combo? how can you stay competitive?

 

[MacKenzie]

I can't imagine playing a match and not caring if I won!!!

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Strange that for some teams, I often hear, I want to play more matches so let's have fewer players, while for others, I hear, let's have more players and just focus on practice.

You just have to sort the players based on that requirement.

 

[Lisabosemcd]

Been captain and have faced this before between combo and mixed doubles.

First of all, have a team meeting and give them the facts. Also, give them the calendar. Ask who could commit to the entire calendar. There's no use putting someone on the team if they can't go to state or sectionals. That's how our mixed teams were decided this year.

Also, don't take a blood oath to bring the entire team back together. Someone new may come along that fits in with your friends and is more committed than someone who just wants to come out and play but is not committed to seeing the whole season through to sectionals. Believe it or not, my team was third on the list for mixed doubles two years ago and we didn't think that we'd go after our not so great showing at state and we call the call to go to represent Arkansas at Southerns. But, I only had one man willing to go and two women had bailed. Talk about being ticked off!!! It was a painful call to make to tell our state coordinator "no."