North Tyneside Table Tennis Ladder
A no fuss, no cost, no commitment way to play competitive table tennis matches against other people in the Tyneside area.
How it Works
The Basics
What you need to know about how the table tennis ladder works.
Read this first.
More Details
The finer points – you don’t need to worry too much about this section unless you are interested!
FAQ
The North Tyneside Table Tennis Ladder is new. In this section we have tried to anticipate some of the questions that you may have but we also expect more questions to be added in the future.
Based on the concept used on a squash ladder, the North Tyneside Table Tennis Ladder is free to join and requires minimum input from members. Outlined below is an explanation of how it works.
The Basics
Any member of the ladder can challenge any of the players up to three positions higher than them on the ladder. If the challenge is accepted, the players organise between themselves when and where they will meet to play. One of the players would book the table for a 1 hour slot at the agreed venue. The second player should pay the booker half of the cost of the table hire when they arrive on the night. Anybody that is reported as refusing to pay their share would be removed from the ladder. If you have booked the table, do not be afraid to ask your opponent for their half of the cost before starting – they will be expecting this.
At game time, players should spend a few minutes warming up (this is a good time to chat and get to know one another) before then playing a best of 5 series. If it becomes apparent that 1 hour is not going to be enough to complete the best of 5 series then the players should agree to play best of 3 games.
The result (i.e. “Win” or “loss”) is recorded by the players in the mobile app.
If you win, you move up the ladder, if you lose, you move down the ladder.
That’s the basics but there is a bit more to it which will come into play more as the number of players on the ladder increases. Further details of some of the mechanics are given below. This ladder is a new creation and a bit of an experiment. It has been set up to work a certain way initially but these settings may be changed if it becomes apparent that things need to work slightly differently.
Rewarding Participation
Behind the scenes, you are awarded points for a win but you are also awarded points (though less) for taking part in a match and losing. The aim is to reward active participation. In theory, those that join the ladder but never actually take part in matches will remain at the bottom of the ladder. From time to time, we may remove those that have never played a match and recorded their result.
Two Ladders?
We anticipate that there will be a big gap in the abilities of some players but feel it is important that players of all abilities are able to make use of the ladder. For this reason we are launching with the ladder split into two sections – one for those currently representing clubs in the local leagues and one for players that do not play in the leagues.
We want to avoid the situation where highly skilled club players end up playing those that are perhaps newer to the game. This is no fun for either player.
The nature of a ladder system means that it takes a few matches for the ladder to sort itself out and for any player to “find their level” on the ladder. An individual will eventually end up surrounded on the ladder by players of a similar level but will take a few matches against people who are either much better or much worse at the game for this to happen so if you are new to the ladder then please be patient as you find your level.
When there are enough players on both the league and non league ladders, they will be merged because the bottom of the league ladder should end up populated by players who’s skill level is not too far above those at the top of the non league ladder.
Restrictions to Challenges
Every new member will start at the bottom of the ladder that they join. They will initially have three unrestricted challenges to use which means that they can challenge anybody on the ladder. This will hopefully speed up the process of a new member finding their level.
Once the player has used their three unrestricted challenges they will then only be able to challenge players up to three positions above them on the ladder.
How do I arrange a match?
Log in to your Tap Leagues account via the mobile app
View the ladder
Click “challenge” next to the player you want to play
Wait for an acceptance of your challenge
Contact the other player to arrange when and where to play
Agree who will book the table and then book it
Play your best of 5 games
Record your overall result in the Tap Leagues App
Where are matches played?
This is entirely up to you. The two players agree when and where the match will take place. One of the players books the use of a table direct with the venue and the other player gives them half of the cost when they arrive.
Do I have to accept a challenge?
The simple answer is no. You can decline to respond to a challenge. Each challenge will expire after 7 days.
What happens when I challenge a player?
The player is notified of the challenge in their Tap Leagues account. The challenge expires after 7 days. While it is live, you can click on the member’s name in the ladder to view their contact details.
How much does it cost?
The ladder is free to join and always will be. This is not a money making scheme it is an effort to plug a gap for table tennis players who cannot commit to the demands of club membership and playing regular league matches.
The Tap Leagues mobile app is currently free. Should this change we may look at alternatives.
The only cost to you would be half the cost of hiring a table tennis table at your chosen venue and the cost of your travel to and from the venue.
We will attempt to provide a list of potential venues on the venues page but always contact the venue directly to check the prices.
I have a table tennis table in my garage, can the matches be held at my home?
No. We need to maintain a certain standard of venue so these will be predominantly sports centres where you can hire a table by the hour.
It is also not safe to meet somebody that you do not know anywhere other than a public place.
Create Your Tap Leagues Account
Tap Leagues is the app used to administer the ladder. You can create your account here.
Find and Request to Join the Ladder
If you are a regular local league player, please join the ladder for league players here.
If you are not a regular player in the local league please join the non league ladder here.
Eventually both ladders will be merged.
Arrange Your First Match
When you join the ladder, you will start at the bottom. You have three unrestricted challenges to help you find your level. After these, you will only be able to challenge players up to 3 positions ahead of you.
