AWVP

Another labor/neighbor day, another AAR.

One pool no waiting. Times have indeed changed at Riata. Gone see the massive crowds. So short court it was for most of the day. We did get one new guy. His skills were fair for first try. Approached us to get in but would then go wander off to hang with his friends and we’d have to bring him back. After like 3 games, he said he needed to “rest”. Rest? He’s like 20 years old.

I think we had 5s once and 4 on 5 short court full court which if memory serves 4s won, but not so much when we put both teams in full court action.

A brief stint of rain chased away Kenny, who we know is made of sugar so we didn’t want him to melt. Jarrod also departed, apparently for the season? It is getting to be that time.

But we soldiered on. From polling the pandas I think short court is gaining acceptance. I asked Dan how many meters we shortened it for 4s in meters. The answer was about a meter.

How does that change the game? A little and a lot. There were spikes, there were blocks. Blast serves are harder to pull off. You have to watch your spacing.

Often it reminds me of the old Argosy, where there are lot more touches per player per play than there are generally in 6s. I love it because it reminds me of the moove and groove bygone days Vs the 6s phalanx.

We’re establishing some proof of concept for the ropes that extend the season by allowing less players to be enough.

But don’t take my word for it. I polled the playing pandas and they’re starting to get the hang of it.

Games were close. We did a good job of talent distribution. Lil TJ returned to the game to claim his shirt, do Tbone impersonations in Neighbor Day and go up against Breylin all day. Thats an awesome amount of trust to put in an veteran player of smaller stature. I’ll leave it to your imagination as to how that worked out.

In terms of spacing and placing, in the 4 Vs 5 game, Erin on 5 team beat me on the net when I shifted into the middle and tried to dink it over her and she put it right back where I’d come from. I didn’t say moving off the wall and towards the middle is perfect, it’s about the percentages.

Todays roster included me navy “Dan” Kreg Jarrod Kenny Ram Erin Breylin Angel Jorge and briefly new guy. Did I leave anyone out?

But for the last games of the day, there were 8 is now enough. Rather than dynasty, went back to the ancient concept of best of 3 to 15.

Breylin and Dan were captains. We were blessed by clouds today so no sun advantage.

Teams end up being Breylin Erin Angel yours truly Vs Dan Navy Jorge TJ.

Team Brey won em both. The last one 15-13 which was a good back and forth battle.

Which brings me to an old Chiefism. In general, it is better to play than not to play. And we now have the ropes that really make one pool no waiting possible once just 4 pandas arrive.

Different game but playable. And Dallas is gonna do it so cool by definition.

Now this is a tough call for me, because I’m a scrapper, but given the choice of a shorter season standing amongst the tall trees and being faced down by sanders on the other side with murderous intent, but we don’t play until we get to 12 ballers, vs a longer season fueled by Erin’s girls get 2(shots of whisky enthusiasm and meatballs, I’m gonna go with the latter.

Because there is still game to be played and fun to be had.

Come and see.

I don’t think big games with full rosters are done yet. And if they are, 2 extra ropes can extend the season. If there is the will of even a few players to do so.

Either way, I will be there. Hope you soon too.