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Just a thought
This season i decided to try and get back into snooker after a long absence, i joined the CC, got some practice in, realised i was totally crap but was looking forward to playing again anyway. That feeling lasted all of 8 weeks when i realised how sadly boring and negative snooker has became in Aberdeen.
Surely something simple can be done to encourage players to go for some pots and positioning rather than just trying to win a frame at all costs especially when they are on a decent start. I never remember it being like that when there were no handicaps. Now i realise that the handicap system will not change but what about adding bonus points for teams when individual players reach a certain amount of points.
for example
players with handicaps of 0 - 10 score 60 match points on top of any start they receive a bonus point for the team
11 to 20 score 55 points
21 to 30 score 50 points
30 upwards 45 points
-1 to -10 60 points
-11 to - 20 65 points
-21 to - 30 70 points
-31 upwards 75 points
Each player can only win 1 bonus point per match.
Would this promote a more attacking or less negative style of play?
Also if you require more than 3 snookers on the colours its an automatic concession to deter players prolonging matches in the hunt for a bonus point.
The other thing that from a relative outsiders point of view is having to referee, there is no need, there never was at a league match.
Like i say just a thought
I'll await the barrage of abuse
Hi Craig, I don’t believe in a barrage of abuse for trying to suggest change. I am surprised you find it boring. Certainly from my experience guys go for their shots when the opportunity arises but play safe until then. I don’t think that has changed much since the introduction of handicaps. Clearly the ability to break build is dependent on ability. Tbh we needed the handicaps as was no fun for either a top player or a player with less ability on a Tuesday. I would say there are a small amount of players who maybe get a bit negative occasionally based on possible consequence of missing when in the balls but very few and depends maybe who they are playing. Also we have discussed referees many times in the past as this has been a tradition since the leagues began.
If the players score as you suggest above they most likely would be winning frames and maybe extra points for performing well would be a bit complicated to manage. It may also favour the top players.
We will be asking for suggestions prior to the next AGM and we can discuss your points above. Thanks for taking the time to look at improving things. Anyone else have thoughts on this?
I’ll explain how I found it boring
the length of time it takes to play 6 frames at times is ridiculous. The average match time back when I played was 3 hours, results were called in to me generally between 10pm and 10.30pm and that was with a 7.30pm start.
there was an odd occasion when matches went on a bit and maybe took half an hour longer and maybe it’s just the ones I have witnessed but we can still be playing at 10.30/11pm with a 6.30 start. That’s almost 50% longer,
The handicaps were essential as you say to level the playing field because the membership has dropped so much from 25 years ago.
Again just in my opinion but it seems to me it’s better not to lose than to win if you know what I mean.
the other boring part is refereeing, absolutely no point and should be scrapped or at least choices given to teams if they want to provide refs or not.
I 100% agree with the reffing bit actually but always gets out voted. I will be raising again as we are trying hard to get more pool players interested and if we stick to a Tuesday they will need to play then run off to pool..
back in those days once a team reached 7 the match was over whereby now every frame counts which does mean everyone gets a game.
Thanks again for the comments and we will discuss at AGM
Just my tuppence worth.
I have to agree with Craig in respect of the handicap system but it has to work both ways for it to be regarded as a fair.
For example players that have low handicap have that on merit and I completely understand why its in place but nothing wrong with adding slight adjustments especially to speed things up and make it fair for both players.
If a player is giving up a 30-40 point advantage it is obviously going to be difficult if his opponent gets off to a good start.....am maybe stating the obvious here but an idea would be the player giving the big lead gets ball in hand when his opponent makes a foul just to even things up a tad. This can only occur when the handicap is higher than say 35-40.
I know these ideas can only be addressed at the agm but anyone who reads can have a think on it.
Craig, someone has said it FINALLY and i absolutely agree with you!! There is far too much negative play going on, snooker on a Tuesday has almost become a game of chess on a 12x6. You see players pushing blacks into the pack or 'cushion pushing' balls onto cushions and dumping reds etc and quite frankly it is boring and almost at times like a tactical frame of pool, and their own team actually applaud these shots. We are now seeing 1 hour 30 min frames which is crazy. Players need to go for their shots but unfortunately protecting their leads is what it has become.
I agree with Derek, we need to keep the handicaps (which are needed) realistic. I would also say the current weekly adjustments must be a pain in the backside. If we were to categorise players.....
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L etc -21, -7, Scr, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, +42, +49, +56, +63
......then we have a system where we can accommodate players of every ability and our current handicaps would give us a good guide to where players fit. A player improves or gets worse, they move accordingly half way through each season and the system is EASY to workout, plus all teams could be given a graph for guidance. We have a huge variance in standards up here. You see games that players need bigger starts and some others that are quite frankly, laughable and players can't win because they have to clawback far too much. The system above would have players around their own level having fair matches which would encourage more open, fluent games where players can play less stressed and enjoy their Tuesday's again.
Congratulations to Culter on the league win. Arguably the best squad these days with Oldmachar (Hard to tell with handicaps haha), so to win giving all these starts was brilliant by them. The categories system would obviously also keep the league competitive AND potentially could be used in a competition if need be, it would just mean balls would need to be potted to win rather than free gratia from the opponent.
We need to start playing snooker again against the opponent and not against the scoreboard!
Marc
Have been saying this for years or certainly the last few agm's. We all agree that h/caps are required to keep the league going and as said previously the majority is a fair reflection on ability and skill. You will always get the odd anomalies but all in all with all the guys that have been playing over the years regularly, only the new ones coming in and down to captain's assessment (don't get me started on that one)
Anyway the handicap was given and this should encourage players to go for break building as the handicap is there start to go and win the frame, yes there will be times that a safety is the shot but not dumping balls to cushions etc. safety shots can still be done without this tactic.
This is one of the reasons that it is taking longer also as only a few players in the league that have the Cueball control to try and move the cushion balls etc. and most players are having to wait for any chances.
We have to encourage snooker for all levels but not just win at all costs for the detriment of discouraging players we have trying to play all sides of snooker break building, long potting, angles and safety. But all in proportion I would say and frames should be no more than 30-40 minutes.
Think someone had suggested if more than two or three snooker going to colours for example may encourage more players to go for points???? again suggestions for the AGM as Derek has advised
Rant over
Have a good summer Lads