League Director Tip of the Week
September 16, 2008

LEAGUE DIRECTOR TIP OF THE WEEK

By Mitchell Seidenfeld

Tip #2: Use the Universal Point-Handicap System for recreational table tennis leagues

The United States Golf Association knew, as far back as the early twentieth century, that by leveling the playing field for golfers of differing abilities they would encourage growth in their sport. They created an enduring handicap system that has allowed golfers of different skill levels to compete against each other, measure their improvement, and develop friendships.  In doing so, the USGA laid the important groundwork for bringing new players into their sport.

The Universal Point-Handicap System does the same thing for table tennis. Point-handicaps enable the least experienced (relatively weaker) player in a league to be "somewhat" competitive with the most experienced (relatively stronger) player in a league. It provides new, recreational players with a scale to chart their improvement even before they venture into the cutthroat world of USATT sanctioned tournaments and its coinciding rating system. Above all, point-handicaps ensure that all league participants experience a degree of success early in their development as a player. This adds up to more fun for everyone.

Players are assigned initial point-handicaps between -6 (strongest, most experienced) and +6 (weakest, least experienced). If a player wins more singles matches than they lose on a given league night, their point-handicap is decreased one point for the following week. If a player loses more singles matches than they win, their point-handicap is increased one point for the following week. If a player wins and loses the same number of matches, their point-handicap remains the same for the following week. An inexperienced player’s handicap cannot rise above +6 and a strong player’s handicap usually does not go below -6, unless the League Coordinator decides that it would be appropriate. League Coordinators should be aware that if a strong player’s rating is allowed to go lower than -6, matches can take a long time to complete.

If a match is played between two players with "plus" point-handicaps (from 0 to +6), the difference between their point-handicaps is the number of points that the weaker player receives at the beginning of each game. The stronger player begins at (0) and the weaker player begins with the number of points they are to receive. The first player to serve in each game gets as many serves as is necessary to make the sum of the two players' scores add up to an even number. Subsequently, the serve will change every two points.

Example #1 Player A is (+5) and Player B is (+4) = Player A receives (1) point each game.   Player B begins at (0) and Player A begins at (1).   The first player to serve in each game gets (1) serve.

If a match is played between two players with "minus" point-handicaps (from 0 to -6), the difference between their point-handicaps is the number of points that the weaker player receives at the beginning of each game. In this case, the weaker player begins at (0) and the stronger player starts below zero, at a negative number equal to the number of points they are to give. The first player to serve in each game gets as many serves as is necessary to make the sum of the two players' scores add up to zero or a factor of two.

Example #2 Player A is (-2) and Player B is (-6) = Player A receives (4) points each game.   Player A begins at (0) and Player B begins at (-4).   The first player to serve in each game gets (2) serves.

If a match is played between one player with a "plus" point-handicap and one player with a "minus" point-handicap, the difference between their point-handicaps is the number of points that the weaker player receives at the beginning of each game. The stronger player begins at whatever their "minus" point-handicap is and the weaker player begins at whatever their "plus" point-handicap is. The first player to serve in each game gets as many serves as is necessary to make the sum of the two players' scores add up to an even number.

Example #3 Player A is (-4) and Player B is (+2) = Player B receives (6) points each game.   Player A begins at (-4) and Player B begins at (+2).   The first player to serve in each game gets (2) serves.

To calculate a doubles team's point-handicap simply add the two teammates' point-handicaps together, then divide by two.

Example #1 Player A is (-4) and Player B is (+2) = Player B receives (6) points each game.  Example #2 Player A begins at (-4) and Player B begins at (+2).  Example #3 The first player to serve in each game gets (2) serves.

If, after calculating the point-handicap for a doubles match, the spot includes .5 of a point, the weaker team gets the advantage of the extra .5 of a point for the odd numbered games.

Important Note: In leagues that use the point-handicap system players should not change sides in the middle of the fifth game.

Assigning Initial Point-Handicaps
Assigning initial point-handicaps is an important and challenging responsibility. You will undoubtedly discover that it is impossible to judge perfectly a player's level in relation to everyone else in your league. Minor errors in judgment will be corrected naturally by the point-handicap system within two to three weeks of play. You and a committee of league players can meet to adjust any gross errors (errors of more than 3 points) by simply agreeing on a more appropriate point-handicap for the player in question. If you are the league coordinator for a Community league, follow these steps for assigning initial point-handicaps.

Step 1:	At the start of the organizational night try to identify the three or four strongest players and the three or four weakest players as they warm-up out on the tables. Identify the remaining players who have participated in previous years or who have USATT ratings. Use this information to arrive at a preliminary, and very rough, ranking of all the players present.
Step 2:	Divide the players into round-robin groups of three or four players of similar playing level. Have them play matches and record the scores of all games. Use the results of this informal competition to refine your original rankings. Players who were placed in the strongest round-robin group will probably be assigned initial point-handicaps around -6, -5, or -4. Players who were placed in the weakest group will probably be assigned initial point-handicaps around +6, +5, or +4. Players who were originally placed in the mid-range levels will fill-in the handicap spots between +3 and -3. If you notice that a player is dominating one of the weaker round robin groups, have that player play against some of the players in the next strongest group to get a more accurate measure of his/her level. If you have several players who appear to be of a similar playing level, don't be afraid to start them at the same handicap. They will find their appropriate handicap within a week or two.
Step 3:	Assign an initial point-handicap to each player listed on your league roster. Use a "best guess" approach for players who are not present at the organizational night and make an effort on the first night of match play to assign more accurate initial point-handicaps for them.

For more information about the Universal Point-Handicap System or to learn more about organizing leagues, click here to register as a potential League Director and access the League Toolbox.