Split format tournaments need to run with plenty of mats as to where there are only about 30-40 matches on each mat. This keeps the matches moving and allows for the different age groups to run on their prescribed time. And honestly do 6 and Unders really need full size mats to wrestle on? maybe the heavyweights, but even then half a mat is sufficient in my opinion.

I know this is a "new" concept when Derby ran the Novice championships last year of having 6 and Under from 9:00-11:00 8 and Under from approx. 11:00-1:00 etc. and I believe that it is a good concept for the kids' sake as well as the parents of the kids.

Before anyone starts bashing the idea, figure it up with the number of entries in the tournament for each age group and set the mats accordingly so that there would be a maximum of 30 matches on each mat. 30 matches @ approx 4 minutes per match (give or take a few) is 2 hours of wrestling on each mat. Granted, you would have to waive the 30 minute rest time between matches, but that would need to be stated on the tournament flyer beforehand.

I'll be the first one to give props to Haysville for attempting the split format idea, however, more mat space was needed in order for things to run smoothly and get everyone out of there before 9:30 p.m. I believe this was a definite learning experience for everyone involved.

I believe we have had many dicussions on the split format style tournaments on this very website. I have already been to one this year where we were actually waiting 15-20 minutes in between rounds because you can't start the next session early. We were still done by 2:00 pm though.

I too would like to give props to Haysville for attempting the slotted tournament BUT as a tournament director you first have to know how many matches you will average an hour per mat. It would seem that nobody at Haysville had this information nor enough mats. Our last competitor got done at 9:30pm Saturday night which is unacceptable based on the number of wrestlers. Also, to combine 3 weights JUST to fill a 16 man bracket is more than a little unfair to those lighter guys. I understand this was likely done to save matches in an already overwhelming situation but if it happens again we won't be back. I will give Haysville a pass this year on this poorly run tournament as I believe it was likely done out of ignorance, and not just plain stubborness as we've seen at other tournaments.

Well, Haysville tried a new concept. In all my years as a wrestler and having seen various formats, I applaud them for being one to try a
new and different approach. I did attend and was
watching my young cousins in a 16 man format.
Given the formulas to try and pull this off was a valiant effort. As far as quoting the previous
post by sportsfan02" If this happens again, we won't be back." Do you speak for your club or for others in general. I for one like the trophies that are awarded and yes Haysville needs to try to improve things cause they have been getting a little awry recently.
But tell me this, why is it that Sub & District hosts can't master the split format formula after that has been established and done so may times? Do parents and wrestlers have the option
to bar a club for a poor performance at that caliber tournament? It's been happening at that level too you know.

We were planning to attend the Haysville Tournament, which would have been our first split format tournament. We elected not to go when we learned that we would have to weigh in by 8 am for the afternoon session. That required a night in a hotel and 3 extra restaurant meals. I realize that local wrestlers could weigh in and go home for a while, but the single weigh in seems to defeat the purpose of a split format for teams traveling a ways. You are still there all day anyway.

Excellent point! The organizing of a tournament
should include all aspects of consideration for non-local teams. Making a trek to an out of town
tournament should be a pleasant experience and be
formatted to understand peoples difficulties and
expenses. Why weigh-in at a given time if the host was not prepared or had a grasp as to how
the format was supposed to have worked, and then totally threw participants plans way off! Hope that others that try the format really get the numbers together and have adequate space and time for everyone's sake!
Overall, pretty good competition!!

I really hope that this does not hurt the rep of a split-format. If done right, it is a beautiful thing. But just like a regular tournament, if done wrong- it can cause a lot of headaches. I have never heard of a split format that had only one weigh-in time.

I'm not sure I know what tournaments you are referring to. I know I become frustrated when at the District II meetings the vote for qualifier hosts typically goes to the club offering the best coaches hospitality room. In my mind the vote should be for the best facilities/organization. Also, it used to be that the qualifier hosts had to inform the body, at the time of the vote, if they intended to host an invitational in addition to the qualifier. All things being equal, if a club didn't intend to host an invitational then they were awarded the qualifier.

Dear sportsfan02, you are so right. Back in high school I remeber certain clubs that hosted
at least 2 invitationals, open & novice, then a
novice championship, and then a qualifier.
It is unjust for one club in a district to be making so much money in one season. I agree that
it shouldn't be allowed. A club that can cater to mass numbers and have adequate facilities
should earn the priviledge to host, in my opinion.
I don't get involved with the politics but I can understand your point of view.