October 09
Line-Up Thoughts for Teams
A League playoff match between two competitive teams consists of ebbs and flows in the momentum. These matches can be very entertaining to watch no matter the level. Equally matched teams inevitably find a match coming down to the number 5 doubles position. As a captain you need to have flexibility with your lineups if your team reaches the playoffs. The rules use an average to determine the position your teams can play for their playoff matches. So if your teams have been locked into positions then you are stuck. What if a player is out and hurt? How will your team's players deal with the switch in the lineup?
Here are five thoughts on lineups for League matches:
- I like a roster of 14. With 14 players each player sits out for two matches and gets to play in 5.
- Show movement with your lineups. Throughout the season show movement with certain keys players by having them play in different positions with different players. The current methods the League uses for determining where players should be in their playoff matches is based on an average of where they played during the regular season matches. In order to have the most freedom with your lineup at the end of the regular season show a record of moving teams. Once you reach the playoffs in is no longer about accumulating points but winning 3 out of the 5 that take the court that day.
- The number three team is one of the most important positions and does not have to the most firepower but they should be able to make balls under pressure and be competitors. When the 3’s take the court it really does not matter what happened to the 1’s and 2’s. Having a solid three team can put the match out of reach and or control the flow of the momentum.
- All teams and all players need to be able to serve and return well. But the number 5 position needs to be able to serve and return well when they take to the court. This should be their primary and singular focus. From the top divisions to the bottom divisions these initial exchanges of the ball are keys for the number 5 position. If they focus on this and this alone they just might clinch the match for your team.
- Try to get everyone on the same page when it comes to what constitutes good doubles. Then you can focus on having them play anywhere in the line-up and do what is best for the team. Partnerships should not be fixed unless a teams records wins over 80% of the time.
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