The Ladder is a brand new format created to improve a great many elements of the game. Here's a brief synopsis of what it's about and why we think you'll enjoy playing...

 

 

More Players: More players, more courts, more action! We want a buzz at the courts when you arrive! You'll see your favourite players more often and compete against your closest rivals more frequently.

Better Matches. Great rallies make great games. Long rallies come from well balanced 'fours', the Ladder naturally arranges the best possible games at every fixture. You should never experience a dire mis-match again.

A Unique Challenge. For the competitive it's a unique opportunity to pit your skills against the best players in the game. Can you climb to the top court and stay there? For others it's a great chance to play well-balanced friendly Fives in a highly sociable atmosphere - with little organisational hassle.

More Fun. The ladder is constantly shifting, both during and between fixtures - you'll get to play with and against a number of different players at every fixture.

More Sociable. Games are played against the clock so finish simultaneously (at a predictable time), making it much easier to organise post-match grub and a few pints afterwards.

Introduce New Players The ladder is an ideal regular competition to introduce your new recruits - they can meet the rest of the community, find their form and swiftly improve, without constant assistance from you.

Minimal organisational Hassle It's easy to play - just enter online and turn up! Everything else is done for you.

OK. Here's how it actually works...

 

 

What is the actual Ladder?

It's a list of Players ranked by form from top to bottom - once you enter, your name will appear on the ladder. The better you do - the higher up the ladder you climb. Your position on the ladder dictates the court you'll be playing on at the next fixture. At the end of each fixture you score points based on the court you finished on and the number of games you've won. These points are fed to the computer and it instantly rearranges players on the ladder ready for the next match. (Note: The ladder is carefully balanced - winning in higher courts is worth a little more than winning in a lower court - however, if you start too high (out of your depth) you will no doubt loose and tumble down the ladder - gaining very few points! It is best to start where you think you might have a chance of winning!)

How is each Ladder match structured?

Each fixture consists of three or four GAMES (depending on whether it's a mid-week or weekend event). Each GAME is played against the clock - 25 minutes per game. So, for instance, a midweek fixture will run for about 1hour and 30 mins including warm up and change around, finishing around 9:00 -9:15 pm...leaving plenty of time for a pint or two and match-teas afterwards.

How is each Ladder game played?

Play begins once the whistle is blown. Each game scores indefinitely until the whistle blows again (making for some nail-biting finishes!) Should the score be even - the team that reached that score first takes victory. Players that arrive on court after the whistle has blown (i.e. late arrivals) start at a 5 point deficit.

How are players paired up throughout a fixture?

Competitors gather at the match venue and are arranged into courts working down the current ladder positions. Court 1 will be the top four entered players, court 2 the next four and so on...

Each player is allocated a starting number - which they should remember. Throughout the event players pair up - following a simple rule...

The highest number always plays with the lowest against the two in the middle.

1 & 4 --- vs --- 2 & 3

5 & 8--- vs --- 6 & 7

...the only exception is if you find yourself playing with the same partner twice - in which case the highest number should play with the second lowest number.

How do you Score each fixture?

Players score points for each GAME they win. (individual game points e.g. 15-8 are completely disregarded).

Additional COURT POINTS are scored at each fixture depending on the court that you finish in. If you finish in the bottom court – you earn fewer court points than the top court and everyone inbetween earns something inbetween...the higher you climb the more court points you can win. This correctly shuffles the ladder based on ability. In other words your victories are worth more the higher you are able to climb - but obviously its harder to win the higher you go! Currently we are allocating 25 points for each game won and an incremental of 5 poin court bonus from court to court.

How do you gather the Results?

At the end of each fixture you must give the organiser your result.

How many games you won & The court you would have moved to after your last game.

...the organiser is able to feed these results back into the computer system - it immediately updates the Scoreboard & Ladder online for all to see!

Your points accumulate over the season – forming your running score. This is shown on the LEADERBOARD and it illustrates exactly who (and which club) is ahead. The aim of the competition is to accumulate as many points as you can. All end of season prizes are linked to the Leaderboard. (NOT the ladder itself)

If the Leaderboard shows who's winning - what's the ladder for?

The ladder is a mathematical tool for correctly judging ability irrespective of how often you play. It's devised so that things don't go astray even if players come and go now and then. If you can't make a match or a number of consecutive matches (injured perhaps) you do not fall down the ladder and end up unbalancing a lower court the next time you play (and thereby winning easy points at the same time).

The Ladder works on averages. It divides the number of points you've won by the number of fixtures you've played, to estimate your ability. Do not take it as an exact reflection of your standing in relation to other players - It can be deceptive, e.g. a player who has only played once, but happened to win all his games, will sit near the top of the ladder indefinitely throughout the season even if he doesn't participate again. Should he play again and have a shocker - his position on the ladder may plummet.

Do I have to play in every Fixture?

Each player may compete in as many or as few fixtures as they wish. Just one is fine - and does not harm the scoring or ladder in any way. The format is exceptionally flexible - an individual is under no obligation to play absolutely every fixture. Missing a fixture or two does not mean you will be in the "wrong" court next time you play. Essentially you come back pretty much where you left off - in the heat of the action. This season we're asking clubs to recruit a minimum team of three to each fixture (a Ladder Captain, or managers might be helpful) to get the new format off the starting blocks.

Can I miss some fixtures and still be in the running?

Obviously if you want to have a chance at glory - you've got to play in most of the fixtures and score lots of lovely points. However, there is a system in place to make sure that victory goes to the best performers rather than the one person who managed to make every single fixture!

Once you've played in a certain number of matches the system starts disregarding your poorest performances. For instance, this season - with 12 fixtures - the system will only score your 8 best results. By playing more than 8 fixtures you still have the opportunity to improve your score - but not markedly. If you've been unable to play in more than 8 fixtures - you're certainly in the running if you've played well!

Who am I playing for ?

Each Player scores points for themselves and towards their club tally. There are a number of preposed end-of-season prizes...

1st , 2nd , 3rd Place on the Leaderboard. (acknowledging individual excellence!)

Inter-Club Prize for highest overall score (rewarding club strength-in-depth!)

Inter-Club Prize for leading 3 players (rewarding club quality!)

 

Entries & Withdrawals

When can I enter a Ladder Fixture?

Each fixture page holds a timeline for the approaching fixture (as above).

 

Before each fixture their is a long phase when you CAN enter, a short period when you SHOULDN'T withdraw but can still enter (24 hrs prior to the draw) . Followed by the DRAW itself, after which the players involved are published and the fixture is ready to go. Drawn Players have made a commitment to play. Please note that this commitment should be taken as seriously as a League commitment - if you do not show up on the day (i.e. hungover) you WILL leave three other players without a game - and cause considerable disruption to the format. You may also receive penalty points to your own tally and your clubs!

Should I enter early?

YES - it's best to enter a good few days before the DRAW, to make sure you get a place on court. The ladder needs COMPLETE COURTS to function - so numbers for each fixture must be divisible by 4. If you enter quite late you risk missing the draw because you aren't making up a complete court.

Once you click ENTER on the fixture page, your name is added to the list of Entered Players. The list is chronological with the most recent entrants at the bottom. If your name is close to the bottom of the list - you are in danger because you may not make up a full court. To remedy the situation simply get on the phone and encourage another player or two to enter and make up the numbers (until they are a multiple of four) - you can do this safely after the withdrawals deadline...(skull & crossbones).

BEWARE! Before the Withdrawals deadline - there is still a chance that another entrant may pull out, again unbalancing numbers. General rule: If you enter late, always take care to check that you've actually made the draw by checking this site or your e-mail after the draw has actually happened (you'll receive an automatic e-mail telling you if you are in the draw).

Do not just turn up on the day expecting a place on court unless you are in the DRAW.

Well - that's "The Basics" I think. I hope to write up some more detailed rules. regarding "what if" situations, injuries, missing players, penalty points etc...shortly...

Clubs - Please get your lost and young players back on court - get them registered and in the Ladder!

Ed Taylor