Picking Teams in Elimination Rounds

[Joe Johnson]

It is very hard to do picking well. The pressure is very high and the timeframe is always tough and sometimes insane (we've had to pick when we didn't think we even had a chance to pick until the very last match of Sat. morning).

I have argued both sides of this one:

On one hand, I have told teams over and over that as a picking team they should try to do their best to pick the best partner available. That they sort of owe it to the good teams down the ranks to find them.

On the other, I have also told teams that there is no right to be picked. I know of teams that were picked because of reasons that are too silly to relate in public. But, that is the right of the team that is doing the picking. It is even their right to be unprepared or to flip a coin. The pick is theirs to do with as they like.

Here is where I come down: When I am picking team I advocate the first hand -- the entire season of another 2 teams is in your hands. When I am a pickee, I advocate the second hand.

Life is unfair. Learn to deal with it or be unhappy.

Joe J.