As a captain is a leader of the players on his/her team, ideally a captain would have at least 1 year experience in league play before agreeing to be captain; experience assists with team leadership as well as contributing to league discussion topics.
.
Communication management
Be organized; ensure your team always has enough players at the match to compete. Send lineup texts/emails out ahead of time – manage the lineup so that people receive breaks (weeks off) and also have enough players present. Every player should know how many matches they need for playoffs or other events. Every player should now the dates of playoffs, individual tourneys, etc. The league communicates, but not all players follow the communication tools – this is where the captain can help by being the communicator for their team. Know the league rules well; Communicate league rules and other league information to all members of their team. The rules are available on the website – captains should reference them and show players where they can find their answers.
Reference: Team Communication section of rulebook
Reference: Team Management section of rulebook
.
Recruiting management
Captains should recruit players to ensure team always has enough players on roster. A well balanced team has 8-12 players overall —- with the roster split between regular players and part-time players; thus all players can have weeks off without the team being impacted. Recruiting is key. Having options will result in team success long-term.
Reference: Rosters section of rulebook
.
Money management
As all captains are responsible for recruiting the players, and the captains decide who plays each match, they are also responsible for ensuring they recruited players who can afford their hobby — in short, captains are responsible for all team money owed (dues and fees). The captain shall pay for the entire match, each week, and collect from the players as needed.
.
Time management
Ensure matches are started on time and paced to finish in around an hour to 90 minutes. See the time management section for options.
Reference: Time Dimension section of rulebook
.
Sportsmanship management
Be an example of sportsmanship to the other members of the team; coach and counsel team members of expectations to ensure compliance with sportsmanship; support league management where necessary regarding discipline of players that do not conduct themselves according to league sportsmanship standards. Captains are responsible for handling the drama quickly without the need for the league manager to get involved. After reminders, pull your player aside and allow them a 5-minute cooling off period. If the captain cannot resolve the situation during the cooling off period, then the league rep must get involved and disciplinary action will be taken. If a captain doesn’t attempt to mend the situation, nor does he or she inform the league representative or bar manager in a timely manner, they may be removed as captain. Captains are the leaders of the team – they need to lead and not sit back and allow drama to escalate. Pool is an enjoyable hobby and players will continue to return if they have a good experience. The captain is the key person to ensure everyone is balancing competition and having fun, not only as an example for the players but also through reminders.
Reference: Discipline Policy section of rulebook
.
Updating weekly match data:
- The captain or assistant captain of the home team is required to enter their player match data into website.
- FAILURE TO HAVE ALL OR MOST OF THE SCORES ENTERED BY MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT OF LEAGUE PLAY, WITHOUT NOTIFYING LEAGUE STAFF OF ANY ISSUES OR EXPECTED DELAYS , UNTIMATELY REQUIRING ENTRY OF ALL SCORES BY LEAGUE STAFF, WILL RESULT IN A 10 POINT SCORESHEET PENALTY FOR THE TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTERING THE SCORES ONLINE (typically the HOME team)
- The captains should confirm the score is correct based on match results
- Sign the scoresheet indicating they agree with the results; turn scoresheet into coordinator or league staff at nightly closeout.
NIGHTLY CLOSEOUT
The HOME team captain is responsible for ensuring that the VISITOR team captain has account for each of their player’s fees and they are properly reflected on the back of the scoresheet. The HOME team captain is responsible for their team’s fee information and monies.
When the HOME team captain closes out at the end of the night with league staff, they need to ensure that the scoresheet is signed, all monies are accounted for, all scores are correctly entered online (or corrections highlighted for league staff).
SUMMARY
The expectations of a captain are stated clearly here and captains will be held to these standards to ensure a successful player experience overall. We provide a platform for success; the captains are the leaders of the team and manage the details to ensure success.
ASSISTANT CAPTAINS
Only 2 assistants per roster
Captains should train Assistants in all areas in the event of need that Captain cannot attend.
Captains should communicate who their assistant captains are to league coordinator.
League Operator should keep rosters updated weekly as this impacts who is eligible calling/managing timeouts as well as representing the team to the other captain.
HIT WATCH
Captain or assistant may ask for a hit watch —or— same may ask players if they understand the rule and explain. No coaching or hinting or leading player in any direction – just explain rule.
Example:
You cannot double hit the ball. Whenever the ball is within a distance equal or less than a chalk cube then it may result in a double hit so we ask for a hit watch.
You cannot tell them how to shoot*. You can only explain the rule and ask for a hit watch.
*unless of course you have a time-out to use.
Coaching on how to shoot the shot will either come from a time-out or after the game concludes.