USTA Flex League?
- Thread starter mabuhay
- Start date
I'm not in your area, but I had a decent experience. Some guys are not in the right NTRP, so some matches were blow outs, but more than half of the matches I played were good. I hear a lot about guys not being available to play, but in multiple seasons, I didn't have that problem - the only cancels I had were due to injuries. Some guys were harder to nail down a time, but that's why it's flex. Gotta be persistent.
sixftlion
Rookie
I joined the flex league once and it was miserable, never ever since then. I am in So Cal too, on the Westside. I joined 4.5, but not too many ladies, so I agreed to play with 4.0s. Some of the ladies were hardly 3.0 or 3.5s and couldn't even hit my topspin rally ball... not too fun. And the scheduling of matches was more complicated than the "regular" USTA weekend league. Days and times I could play, the other party couldn't and vice versa. Some people arrived to a scheduled match 1 or more hours too late. So, it was not a good experience for me... maybe it's better for the guys as there seems to be more of you playing.
I think you'll find it hit or miss depending on your area. I think it costs $20 per season - worth a try. You may get lucky.thank you guys for the input! i just keep getting emails from usta promoting the program, now i know why
volleygirl
Semi-Pro
I have done them twice here and really enjoyed them
Good place to learn how to beat pushers
I'm playing 4.0 and many of my opponents were working their way up from 3.5 and good at winning matches but their mechanics, spin control, etc don't look like great 4.0 skills. That said, I'm losing to some of them! I use it as a non-pressure way to get match tough and will learn how to beat players with this type of pusher/dinker game. Consider what with tourneys costing $40 a pop and league play embarrassing to lose for the team, this is a great way to learn how to beat different types of players.
I'm playing 4.0 and many of my opponents were working their way up from 3.5 and good at winning matches but their mechanics, spin control, etc don't look like great 4.0 skills. That said, I'm losing to some of them! I use it as a non-pressure way to get match tough and will learn how to beat players with this type of pusher/dinker game. Consider what with tourneys costing $40 a pop and league play embarrassing to lose for the team, this is a great way to learn how to beat different types of players.
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
What is your goal? What is your level? To get good matches or to find people to play with at your level? I'm in the South Bay and tried one last yr. - my goal was to find people to play with as my regulars are getting married and can't say 'no' to the boss and cancel at the last minute. I didn't have any luck. As others said, I got a lot of people who weren't at the prescribed level, trying to get back in the game; sprinkled in with the Gamesmanship masters and cheaters. Scheduling can be tricky too. Also, didn't like the attitude of the USTA person running the league - she had a freakout when my opponent and I mutually decided to play a TB 3rd set - the first two sets plus warmup had already taken 2.5 hrs.
goober
Legend
Best way to check to see how active it is in your area is check the stats and standings for your locale on the USTA website. Look at the most recent season. That will give you and idea of how many leagues/players. We had 4 different mens 4.0 divisions, three 4.5 mens, a 4.5+ and a 5.0 division last time I checked in my area. But your area may vary.