Designing Competition Formats

Guiding Principles Designing Competition Formats Students get equal playing time learning to play different positions. Students get equal playing time learning to play different positions. Emphasis is on TEAM, & team performance. Emphasis is on TEAM, & team performance.

Progressive competitions Dual Meet Model Tournament Event Model Round Robin Tabloids (Skill Challenge Circuits) General Competition Formats

Progressive competitions Season progresses from. 1 v 1 to 2 v 2 to perhaps 4 v 4. Season progresses from. 1 v 1 to 2 v 2 to perhaps 4 v 4. Competition based on skill & experience to ensure teams are balanced. Competition based on skill & experience to ensure teams are balanced. Can also be based on changes in field space, equipment, etc. Can also be based on changes in field space, equipment, etc.

General Competition Formats Event Model Team members compete individually, but each performance counts to a total team score. Team members compete individually, but each performance counts to a total team score. Common format for sport like track & field, gymnastics, & swimming. Common format for sport like track & field, gymnastics, & swimming.

General Competition Formats Event Model (cont’d.) Early season focus is on a) technique and fitness development b) determining team representatives for indiv. events. Mid-season then includes a series of team competitions. Mid-season then includes a series of team competitions. End-of-season includes a celebratory event that could take several lesson, depending on the number of events. End-of-season includes a celebratory event that could take several lesson, depending on the number of events.

Dual Meet Model Two teams compete where each is represented by individuals or pairs. Two teams compete where each is represented by individuals or pairs. Teams typically compete in singles and doubles competitions. Teams typically compete in singles and doubles competitions. Common format for racquet games. (such as the Davis Cup for international tennis) Common format for racquet games. (such as the Davis Cup for international tennis) General Competition Formats

Round Robin Format Each team plays every other team during a season (at least once). Each team plays every other team during a season (at least once). Scope of the competition depends on the number of teams and levels of graded competition). Scope of the competition depends on the number of teams and levels of graded competition). General Competition Formats

Round Robin Format (cont’d. ) Organizational dilemma: Solution: General Competition Formats Create multiple divisions Larger number of teams Larger number of teams

Round Robin Format (cont’d. ) Use progressive competition, by splitting the season in half; with games during the second half of the season being technically & tactically more complex. After first half of the season, teams review performance and prepare for second half. Progressive Competition Variation: General Competition Formats

Tournament Format Compass Tournament (non-elimination ) Ladder & Pyramid tournament General Competition Formats

Nonsport Competition Formats Excellent format for dance competition Teams become “companies” Non-performing roles include: > Choreographer; Leader; Reviewer or critic; Dance judge, Master of Ceremonies, etc. Non-performing roles include: > Choreographer; Leader; Reviewer or critic; Dance judge, Master of Ceremonies, etc. General Competition Formats

Culminating Events Can include both competitive and social elements. Can include both competitive and social elements. ALL authentic sport experiences end with a culminating event. ALL authentic sport experiences end with a culminating event. ALERT!: In Sport Education ALL teams participate in the culminating event. ALERT!: In Sport Education ALL teams participate in the culminating event. General Competition Formats

Culminating Events (cont’d.) Essential to making the sport experience festive. Essential to making the sport experience festive. Awards & recognition should target not only winning teams, but also contribution to roles & fairplay. Awards & recognition should target not only winning teams, but also contribution to roles & fairplay. General Competition Formats

Culminating Events (cont’d.)  Awards Banquet Options for culminating events: General Competition Formats  Guest Speaker  Championship games (interdivisional finals)  Team-based Skill Challenges (i.e. pro- league all-star games) Requires A LOT of forethought and planning!