There is a new term that has surfaced this season in the EVSTL, players being ?stuck?, either at a level or Tencap rating. The logic used to describe the situation of being ?stuck? ignores some very important facts.
There are only three possibilities for a player?s rating.
1. Players will stay at approximately the same Tencap rating (within a few points), displaying a relatively flat trend line. This means their playing ability is about the same as their opponents who hold ratings influenced by many other opponents.2. Players will gradually decrease their Tencap rating, displaying a decreasing trend line. This means they are playing better than their opponents.3. Players will gradually increase their Tencap rating, displaying an increasing trend line. This means their opponents are playing better than the player.
In summary, players who feel ?stuck? are not playing better than their opponents over time, and that is why their rating does not improve. We all become ?stuck? when we are playing at the level we should be.
As a test, we have recently granted some changes to CL from official to 60% to allow a few ?stuck? players to rapidly improve their rating. Unfortunately, a few players ratings went in the opposite direction, and in most cases, the rating did not change much, if at all.
Anyone who wants to improve their Tencap rating, or level, must earn this by better play on the court. If you want to become the player that has a decreasing trend line (lowering Tencap rating), you can; by practicing, coaching, and improving strength and conditioning. Many people are doing this.
If improving your game is not within your capability or desire, then be happy where you are. We are all very fortunate to do what we are doing. Many, many people are not in this position.
Clayton Peterson
