This year we experimented with using larger mat surfaces. We could have used the mat space to make 12-14 surfaces. Instead, we made 9 surfaces, with no one wrestling on less than half of a full-sized mat. The thought process was that it may keep the action of a match going, keep guys from going out of bounds every 20 seconds, let the young guys wrestle on a full mat for once, and improve the wrestling as a whole. However, it took longer to run the tournament, and we could've possibly been out of the gym around 3:00-3:30 as opposed to 4:45.

As a parent/coach which would you prefer? Getting home sooner with smaller mats or having the matches flow a little better with the larger ones? Please answer honestly...the results of this poll will heavily influence the direction we take our tournament next year. Gotta give the people what they want!

Mill Valley poll single choice
	Large mat surfaces, but not as many
	More mat surfaces that are smaller
Votes accepted starting: 02/07/11 05:21 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Wasn't at your tournament, but honestly I would like to see it tried with the larger size. I think sometimes out of bounds is not called soon enough. I would also like to see matches keep going and not stopped so often. Good idea and I would like to see more tournaments at least give it a try.

Tell me what your average number of matches per mat were, and I'll tell you which I like best.

88 - 102 if I remember correctly.

we always run subs with half mats for all. makes for a little bit longer day, but the wrestling is much better. it's for the kids right???

If you're talking about a non-split format, that seems about right.

Damon,

You guys had a great tournament. Keep the big mat sizes. We were literally the last match in the auxillary gym and we were done by about 4:45-5:00 pm. Well worth the opportunity to wrestle on larger mats. Also, we got 6 matches in. Great day!

Shawn Budke