Team Lightning has using a split format at the Buhler Open for the past several years. There are several other events around the state that have used, or are currently using this format. I'm interested in getting some feedback about how people feel about split format tournaments.
These are the positives that I see:
- Allows most families to cut their time at the tournament in 1/2, giving them the rest of the day for other activities.
- Reduces the crowd size at the tournament. This year's Buhler tournament had 549 entries (and very few scratches), and the only time that congestion was a factor was during the late morning when there was some overlap between the afternoon participants arriving before the morning participants were done.
- Reduces down time between matches. I've seen kids wait as long as 4-5 hours between matches at regular tournaments. This shouldn't happen at split format tournaments.
Here are a few negatives:
- More work for the tournament host, dealing with additional weigh-ins, scheduling to avoid the conflicting problems of ending the first session too soon vs. starting the second session late, and getting volunteers back to the tables for the second session.
- A longer day for coaches and club directors, since they have to stay for both sessions as well as any dead time between sessions.
What other positives/negatives do you see? Which format type do you prefer? Why? All honest and constructive feedback is appreciated.
