USTA Leagues - Getting the Match Score While Your Match is in Progress

[winchestervatennis]

Are there any rules against players getting the overall match score while their own match is in progress?

For example, assuming the normal 2 singles 3 doubles format, if 3 of the courts are finished can I ask or can a captain tell me the result of the matches that have finished?

Now I'm guessing some folks may initially think the only good reason for getting this information would be for rating manipulation (i.e. If the match outcome is decided there's no reason to win your own match), but I can think of some legitimate reasons to do so such as practicing a gameplan that you don't often use like serve and volley in singles or the power I in doubles if you know your team has won or lost. However, I could understand how a rule against soliciting the overall match score may be put in place in an effort to prevent rating manipulation (intentional tanking).

 

[Startzel]

I promise I wasn't tanking, I just was practicing losing points.

I don't believe there is any rule against receiving the score but those of you willing to let it influence how you play make it hard to justify not having a rule to prevent it.

 

[OrangePower]

No such rule. I captain a team, and I like to know how the other matches are going as I'm playing. Not that there is anything I can do about it, but can't help but be curious as to how it's going!

 

[wings56]

I like to know if we've clinched that's for sure. I can breathe a sigh of relief!

 

[J_R_B]

I found that for some people on my team, it was better to tell them and others not. Some people handle knowing the pressure is on them well and some don't. If it's the 5th court and everyone left is huddled around watching, it's hard not to know, though.

 

[winchestervatennis]

I promise I wasn't tanking, I just was practicing losing points.

I don't believe there is any rule against receiving the score but those of you willing to let it influence how you play make it hard to justify not having a rule to prevent it.

Did it occur to you that a player can win using an alternate gameplan? Don't make the assumption that changing strategy means you're not trying to win.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I promise I wasn't tanking, I just was practicing losing points.

I don't believe there is any rule against receiving the score but those of you willing to let it influence how you play make it hard to justify not having a rule to prevent it.

It would be difficult for me to swear under oath that I've never let such information influence me. If I know the team result has already been decided, might that influence whether I lunge for a ball and potentially crash into the fence? Will I leap for a ball if I know I'm on the verge of cramping? I'd do both [and have done both] when the team result was on the line. Heck, I've done both even when it was already decided. But 100% of the time? Likely not.

It sounds like your ideal would be for individual matches to be played in a vacuum and for the players to be sequestered, like a jury. Antiseptic and clean; no mess.

And, from a practical standpoint, how would your rule be written to prevent this? I'm sure if such a rule were passed, inventive people would immediately find a way to circumvent it. If it worked for Paul Revere ["one if by land, two if by sea"], I'm sure it would work for USTA.

 

[OrangePower]

It would be difficult for me to swear under oath that I've never let such information influence me. If I know the team result has already been decided, might that influence whether I lunge for a ball and potentially crash into the fence? Will I leap for a ball if I know I'm on the verge of cramping? I'd do both [and have done both] when the team result was on the line. Heck, I've done both even when it was already decided. But 100% of the time? Likely not.

Well, to that I could say something like... So then you are admitting to managing your rating - at least you're an honest cheater.
But I won't

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Well, to that I could say something like... So then you are admitting to managing your rating - at least you're an honest cheater.
But I won't

If you did, you'd sound like another poster we both know.

 

[NTRPolice]

I dont know of any such rule, but I for one do not like to know how the rest of the team is doing/did while im playing.

The only time I care about the scores while a match is in progress is if there is a time constraint, or if im playing while injured. Under normal circumstances, DO NOT TELL ME THE SCORES!

 

[Startzel]

It would be difficult for me to swear under oath that I've never let such information influence me. If I know the team result has already been decided, might that influence whether I lunge for a ball and potentially crash into the fence? Will I leap for a ball if I know I'm on the verge of cramping? I'd do both [and have done both] when the team result was on the line. Heck, I've done both even when it was already decided. But 100% of the time? Likely not.

It sounds like your ideal would be for individual matches to be played in a vacuum and for the players to be sequestered, like a jury. Antiseptic and clean; no mess.

And, from a practical standpoint, how would your rule be written to prevent this? I'm sure if such a rule were passed, inventive people would immediately find a way to circumvent it. If it worked for Paul Revere ["one if by land, two if by sea"], I'm sure it would work for USTA.

Why can't you just use common sense for just once in your life?

 

[Startzel]

Did it occur to you that a player can win using an alternate gameplan? Don't make the assumption that changing strategy means you're not trying to win.

Of course they can. But you clearly said practice. A league match is the time you're expected to play, not practice.

 

[Startzel]

I dont know of any such rule, but I for one do not like to know how the rest of the team is doing/did while im playing.

The only time I care about the scores while a match is in progress is if there is a time constraint, or if im playing while injured. Under normal circumstances, DO NOT TELL ME THE SCORES!

I usually captain so I enjoy knowing how my players are doing and how my lineup is working.

We won a state championship the other day and it was fun knowing how the match was going. Especially because once we got two points it felt like it was a race to see who would clinch the third point.

 

[NTRPolice]

Of course they can. But you clearly said practice. A league match is the time you're expected to play, not practice.

Well, if you've already "won", you could "practice" during an actual match. You could also elect to play a lot nicer if you've already won.

This is also almost like a determinism vs. free will debate.

If you know the outcome of a greater event, you can exercise a type of free will in a smaller event.
If you dont know the outcome of a greater event, you can exercise a different type of free will in a smaller event.

I usually captain so I enjoy knowing how my players are doing and how my lineup is working.

We won a state championship the other day and it was fun knowing how the match was going. Especially because once we got two points it felt like it was a race to see who would clinch the third point.

I understand why captains wanna know, but I as a player, prefer not to. I know a captain that sends out his lackeys with walkies to check the scores on every change over and report them to him.

 

[OrangePower]

I dont know of any such rule, but I for one do not like to know how the rest of the team is doing/did while im playing.

The only time I care about the scores while a match is in progress is if there is a time constraint, or if im playing while injured. Under normal circumstances, DO NOT TELL ME THE SCORES!

So then this would be you...

http://31.media.tumblr.com/8f6dca24e159d1ef1294f6a179cdaf69/tumblr_moc27c77rD1s8zkcyo1_500.gif

 

[NTRPolice]

So then this would be you...

I've actually said "nooOOoooOOOOOO! dont tell me the scores!" when someone was about to tell me.

(deleted the pic link so it doesnt take up double space)

 

[Startzel]

Well, if you've already "won", you could "practice" during an actual match. You could also elect to play a lot nicer if you've already won.

But you haven't won yet. Just your team. Your rating isn't based on how good your team is.