How about this one then...

Teams submit their line-ups and they are set in stone on both sides. No subs and no swaps. Every player would have fourteen days to engage with just one opponent to arrange a suitable time even if it takes compromises from one or both sides.

That would really sort out those that try and those that don't. Captains would also need to establish in advance that each list they put forward contained active and committed players for that period.

i actually think there would be far fewer unplayed games than you might think on first glance.

What happens when It just isn't possible to make your opponents times, which has been the case for me in this sl set with 2 opponents

When you have to keep constantly messaging your opponent is what makes me lose interest. It just becomes far 2 much hassle than It's worth.

That's a possibility, Chris. Maybe have it so that you only name 9 or 10 players to play in that match. The 8 original fixtures and then name one/two players that are able to sub into the games if there are any difficulties due to time zones, etc. Then the two teams will either have to swap the fixtures to get them played or if needs be, use one of the named subs. A bit like having a substitutes bench in football.

Been saying that a while now mav but always fell on deaf ears

It's a good option/idea.

Edited at 12:04 Wed 01/10/14 (BST)

I haven't seen it but think it's a possible option to stop the arguments about tactical subs and what not.

Define tactical sub?
All subs are tactical as they encourage the completion to any given fixture. Funny how only accused of being tactical when the calibre of player could damage or reduce the possibility for the original player to win.

Teams claim to have utmost respect, belief in ALL their players (or is it just a smokescreen when they don't?) so why cry Wolf when a player is subbed/swapped. Only time a sub/swap should be allowed to be reversed is IF there be an arrangement in place between the two original players with substantial evidence/proof. (ie. Offline messages)

If players and Captains alike expressed as much commitment as they do whining and moaning like little girls in to their teams then there would hardly be any problems, especially with subs/swaps. The issue ain't subs/swaps it's the selfishness in players believing it be their divine right to play when it's suits them and heaven forbid the word 'compromise' be even thought about.

Just my opinion.


Edited at 12:26 Wed 01/10/14 (BST)

There is always an opportunity within the fourteen days as long as both players are willing to compromise or sacrifice.

At the moment I am not sure exactly how much effort some players are putting into it because they know there is always the fall back of a sub or swap by their teams.

Without that option then the game score is in the hands of those impartially looking at the effort made. And Captains would have to take full responsibility for their picks and consider not using any costing them points.

i like the idea and as for time zone there still the option to swap.

Abolish subs/swaps, force players to play in a Voluntary environment and watch defaults increase. I agree with chris about teams knowing they have the subs/swaps to fall back on but this could be eradicated by teams submitting their subs along with the their team selections.

The subs could be posted up on the website too but only allowed in 2nd week and proof during the first one that ANY effort has been made should be submitted too. If none then no sub granted. That'll remove the dead wood so to speak. Subs/Swaps could be made as requests.

Clans are voluntary as is League Runnership but Effort and Application should be made by all who want to participate to encourage it's fluency.

Well I will only play between 7 and 9pm monday to Thursday. I wouldn't be willing to stay up later to suit my opponent and be knackered in the morning for work just to get a clan game played and I wouldn't be willing to ruin my weekend to come on and get a clan game played either.

I don't normally keep messaging my opponents as It gets frustrating and I start to lose interest, but I've never had a game go to default so my way of doing it can't be that bad

how about you can grab anyone who has not played in the fixture so Player 1 can choose anyone then same for P2 but not P1 choice.

i think the leagues are fine as it is. In Snookers 1st season we didn't allow subs and led to two or more defaults per team.

if you want to try it you can make your own event

7am and 9pm I assume, which is a pretty huge window. Even if you say 7pm and 9pm your results show you have played plenty outside those hours so there is clearly room for manoeuvre if really necessary.

You would only be dealing with one player and if you were having no joy in making a suitable arrangement then let it go to default.

I have never understood particularly why some are so afraid of defaults as its often the case that doing anything to avoid them leads to rogue scores which not only adversely affect the direct fixture but also other clans not even involved in it and the integrity of the whole competition.

No 7pm to 9pm, yeah now n again I'm on around 5pm but It's not very often I can get on at that time.

There's no reason to be afraid of defaults as I'm always confident my games will get played

So that shouldn't change then. Also another prime example of someone that shows how this should work is someone like dv8 who despite having time zones issues invariably gets games played even if he has to put himself out to do it.

I realise not everybody can be flexible all the time, but everyody can be flexible at least some of the time. If there was a player that simply could not be flexible at all a captain would have to decide whether they could risk putting such a player into the team. Maybe they would have to look at the opposing clan too to see how likely it is games would be played if they did use that player.

Well yeah I'm sure It would change If no swaps were allowed. I'd more often than not lose a default also as I'm not prepared keep sending my opponents multiple messages and logging in all the time looking for them. It's just not worth the hassle.

Adds abit more difficulty to it but I reckon my clan is one of the most active if here and don't think many will argue lol.
So I think that could benefit my clan really so im behind no subs

A tactical sub is sub when clans put in a better player even though the 2 original players could of played easily.
A non tactical sub, is a sub when it is used to make the games getting completed easier for example I just subbed out fastboysam for chapster_7. The reason for it was kaperisk can only play after 10pm and sams an afternoon player. Jamie offered to sub in as he can get on at that time the next few days.

But in this situation kaperisk vs fastboysam would be going to default. It's not about been active the problem is when people can't make each others times.

I would alter what Zac said above slightly

A tactical sub is sub made because of the scoreline, not the necessity of a sub being needed for a game to be played. The tactical part being that it poses no benefit to a game being played and just benefits one side. Subs should be made to accommodate the opponent receiving the sub (in terms of matching them activity wise, not someone who rolls over).

When clans think that because they made a sub, even if that sub was a bad match that it is then up to the other side to sort it out. If you have to make a sub then you shouldn't try to use it to your advantage. Also, subbing out a player because they're not trusted to get a good enough score is wrong. If they aren't good enough to stay in a fixture then they shouldn't be included in your clan.

Would it go to default if there was no other choice? I don't know. But looking back through events and results pages for both there is crossover.

There could be options for subs or swaps where there is definitely no other choice, and absolutely zero prospect of a game being played, however you are then bringing people's judgement in to when or if they are allowed and thats where you stray into grey areas which ideally should always be avoided.