Players not turning up for matches/ Showing match cards.

[matt_ward]

Hello Everyone,

I could not resist but to comment on the two following Subjects in which suggestions would be appreciated and of interest.

Firstly Regarding players not turning up for there league game for whatever the reason or problem, what should the time be allocated the leagues which I play are 1 hour 30 minutes, and therefore 30 minutes is the default time but should this be acceptable.

Personlly I feel this is far to much and is unfair on the team, and the player itself, and can be exploited as a tactic. I think 20 minutes is more than adequate.

And in alot of Leagues the leagues that I play in myself the team can substitute a player within the rules and constitution and the captain of course can decline or accept to whom the player that might get substituted in.

But really I can't see this should be allowed. Especially last minute because sometimes then the team is not in grade order, and alot of advantages to the opposed team to whom have substituted a player in.

I think it should be automatically defaulted.

Secondly Regarding match cards should it be made mandatory for the two captains to show the team list so many hours before the match to stop board changes and any disadvantageous tactics.

Views on these two issues would be gratefully received.



Kind Regards Matthew Ward.

[Mike Truran]

Leave it to each league to decide for itself.

[Roger de Coverly]

Leave it to each league to decide for itself.

Both the Berks League and the Bucks League have adopted a fixed default time of 8.30 pm. This is one hour after the nominal start time of 7.30 pm although in practice matches often start only once a majority of players (and both match captains) are present.

As regards the missing board one gambit (you announce a top board knowing he or she won't show) , match captains tempted to try this should be reminded that both offended players and league officers have unofficial routes of communication with the non-appearer.

As regards substitution, it's not unknown for a home player to be a no-show legitimately. This can arise because of communication issues or because of travel delays. In the case of a legitimate no-show, it's usually accepted that a substitute can be added.

I suspect a 4NCL style pre-declaration of teams is now feasible, I don't know which league would be most likely to regard itself as sufficiently professional to change its rules to demand it. It would rely on match captains having internet access at the critical time and perhaps more crucially a trusted third party able to keep the declared teams confidential until the moment of revelation.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I suspect a 4NCL style pre-declaration of teams is now feasible, I don't know which league would be most likely to regard itself as sufficiently professional to change its rules to demand it. It would rely on match captains having internet access at the critical time and perhaps more crucially a trusted third party able to keep the declared teams confidential until the moment of revelation.

What do you do if you are still desperately trying to find players in the days and hours before a match starts? Should you be forced to declare the night before that you still only have half a team and your team-mates are being hopeless about replying to you but will hopefully come good the next day when you shout at them some more?

[Roger de Coverly]

What do you do if you are still desperately trying to find players in the days and hours before a match starts? Should you be forced to declare the night before that you still only have half a team and your team-mates are being hopeless about replying to you but will hopefully come good the next day when you shout at them some more?

I rather suspect that outside of the 4NCL and possibly the London League, that press-ganging players at the last minute may well remain the norm. The 4NCL rules are over stringent in some respects. If a captain is short of players after the registration deadlines, default is the only option if all the wild card slots are taken.

[matt_ward]

Roger, it appears your in favour do you think there would be a chance of this being proposed at the next AGM.

It appears so far people don't think it's a bad idea, because I do suspect most captains would probably be in favour of it. And possibly the head of the committee.

Do you think I should make a partition, I'm personally for the annoucements for the two captains to exchange the match cards before the match. A good amount before possible few hours notice.

Matt.

[Roger de Coverly]

Roger, it appears your in favour do you think there would be a chance of this being proposed at the next AGM.

I have no intention of proposing it (advance team notification in evening leagues) because it would just make life difficult for match captains struggling with last minute team changes. It doesn't stop anyone else proposing it but I would see little chance of it being adopted. There's nothing to prevent match captains exchanging team details by email, telephone or text if they should so agree.

[Alan Walton]

The problem with individual captains exchange prior to the match, is that it relies on honesty, what people could do is wait for the mail from the opposition captain see his mail and select his team accordingly, you would need to submit via a third party (like the 4NCL) to stop this happening (like Roger has previously stated)

What is wrong with the current system of exchanging before the start of the match on the night?

[David Pardoe]

Quite right Alan. The other possible issue with early exchange of team lists is players brushing up on particular Opennings, if they know who there opponents are beforehand.
But in the case of player lateness...I`m quite happy with the 1 hour allowance. There can be any number of valid reasons for a player/team being late. Its not unknown for players to have trouble finding venues, to give one example.
Being late is quite sufficient punishment in my view...and I agree that allowing say up to 15 mins max delay (before starting clocks) ....on match starts, to cover for unexpected delays, etc...is good sportsmanship.
However, some flexibility on substitutes might be useful..ie, if a player has not showed up after half an hour, I think the captain should be able to substitute that player, if no contact has been made to explain the delay. You might argue for `quarter point penalties` for players failing to show up.
Good email/communications are of course vital, as is good match detail communication...some leave things very late before informing others about what is going on.