First Round Flex League Playoff Matches are now available to be viewed in MatchFlex for teams that have made the playoffs.  All players can check the Playoffs tab of the tournament site to see the brackets for the semifinals and the finals of the playoffs.

Playoff matches will be scheduled among the players in the same way that regular season matches were scheduled.

• That first round of playoff matches will need to be played some time between Friday January 9th and Tuesday January 20th with a Drop Dead date of Tuesday January 20th at 7pm local time.  Scores from the match will be reported within the system in the same way regular season match scores were entered.  Match scores must be entered into the system by midnight on the 20th.
  • If neither team can play the match on the Drop Dead date, then both teams will forfeit their spot in the playoffs and neither team will advance to the final round.
  • If only one team shows up at the club to play at the Drop Dead Match time, they will need to check in at the Front Desk to confirm with Management at the club that they were there and ready to play, but the other team was not.
• Once first round matches are entered into the system, winning teams will see the next and final round of the playoffs in their MatchFlex view.  These matches will need to be played prior to Tuesday, February 3rd with a Drop Dead date of February 3rd at 7pm local time.  Match scores must be entered into the system by midnight on the 3rd.
  • If neither team can play the match on the Drop Dead date, then both teams will forfeit their spot in the playoffs and neither team will win the league.
  • If only one team shows up at the club to play at the Drop Dead Match time, they will need to check in at the Front Desk to confirm with Management at the club that they were there and ready to play, but the other team was not.

Good Luck to all participating teams!!

Flex League Players,

Thank you for your participation in our inaugural Flex League!  We hope that you have enjoyed the chance to play some competitive matches and to meet and play with some new people throughout the season.  As a company, we are always looking to improve what we offer our members.  Although the initial offering of Flex Leagues was a strong start, we believe that we can make improvements to these leagues in following seasons.  

One aspect of the way the technology was developed for these leagues was that all Pool Standings were completely based off of winning percentage.  As we have discovered, this can be a flawed way to manage which teams move on to the playoffs.  Currently, we can run into situations where a team may only play 1 match, win that match and then never play again and finish the season with a 100% winning percentage and move on to the playoffs.  That was never in the spirit of what we intended to happen, but because that is the way the system is set up, it can happen in this upcoming playoff season.  In the future, we will implement a new rule where only teams that complete 4 or more of their scheduled matches will be eligible for the playoffs and then seeded by winning percentage.  That will promote participation and weed out teams that are not playing enough matches to be considered for the playoffs.

We will continue to evaluate our Flex Leagues and make changes as needed that will be implemented in future league seasons.

Going forward into the playoffs for this season, this is what you will see:

Teams that make the playoffs based on the Playoff Advancement content posted below (pulled from the Rules Section of the league software) will see new matches/rounds added to their MatchFlex view.  Essentially, these teams will soon (by Friday morning) have a new round added to MatchFlex, which represents their first playoff match.  That match will be scheduled among the players in the same way that regular season matches were scheduled.

• That first round of playoff matches will need to be played some time between Friday January 9th and Tuesday January 20th with a Drop Dead date of Tuesday January 20th at 7pm local time.  Scores from the match will be reported within the system in the same way regular season match scores were entered.  Match scores must be entered into the system by midnight on the 20th.
  • If neither team can play the match on the Drop Dead date, then both teams will forfeit their spot in the playoffs and neither team will advance to the final round.
• Once first round matches are entered into the system, winning teams will see the next and final round of the playoffs in their MatchFlex view.  These matches will need to be played prior to Tuesday, February 3rd with a Drop Dead date of February 3rd at 7pm local time.  Match scores must be entered into the system by midnight on the 3rd.
  • If neither team can play the match on the Drop Dead date, then both teams will forfeit their spot in the playoffs and neither team will win the league.

Winning teams will receive a APC Flex League CHAMPION bag tag to proudly display on their pickleball bag.

Thank you again for your participation in this inaugural Flex League.  Our next Flex League season will begin play on February 11th.  Registration for that season will be open from Jan 21st - Feb 4th.  Be on the lookout for registration links and more details coming soon.

Thank you,

Ace Pickleball Club

National Programming Team

--------------------------------------

Playoff Advancement

Pool Standings:

• Pool Standings are determined by Winning Percentage

Tiebreakers within Pools:

• Head-to-Head Match winner
• Average Point Differential
• If still tied, APC will flip a coin to determine the team that advances to the playoffs

Divisions with 11 teams or less (Single Pool):

• Top 4 teams from the Pool will advance to the playoffs
• Teams will be seeded based on Pool Standings and play a single elimination playoff
• Semifinal Match 1: 1st place vs. 4th place
• Semifinal Match 2: 2nd place vs. 3rd place
• Final Match: Semifinal Match 1 winner vs. Semifinal Match 2 winner

Divisions with 12 - 20 Teams (2 Pools):

• Top 2 teams from each Pool will advance to the playoffs
• Teams will be seeded based on Pool Standings and play a single elimination playoff
• Semifinal Match 1: 1st place from Pool 1 vs. 2nd place from Pool 2
• Semifinal Match 2: 1st place from Pool 2 vs. 2nd place from Pool 1
• Final Match: Semifinal Match 1 winner vs. Semifinal Match 2 winner

APC Flex League Players,

As advertised, all matches from APC Flex Leagues will be input into DUPR.  

We are currently working on the buildout of the API integration with DUPR that will allow scores to flow seamlessly to DUPR through our league software.  This process should be completed in a few weeks or less.

For now, there is no action needed on your part.  All past scores from the league will be posted to DUPR as soon as the integration is complete.

If you have a DUPR account already, that's great.  If not, no problem.  Feel free to get a jumpstart on the process and sign up for an account with DUPR any time (instructions provided below)

We will work with all players to properly connect your DUPR account with our system once the integration activity is complete.

Please contact flexleagues@acepickleballclub.com with any questions. 

Thank you,

Ace Pickleball Club

How to Sign Up for a DUPR account:

1. Click this link
2. Register for a DUPR account
3. Visit the "Clubs" tab
4. Search for "Ace Pickleball Club - insert your local club's name"
5. Click "Join Club"
6. Once you've completed the steps above, you are all set!

Flex League Players,

Several players have reported a few small issues with using the Flex League system.  Upon reviewing these issues, we have found consistently that those having issues are accessing the flex league website through the Ace Pickleball Club app, which is not the preferred launching spot for the system.  

The flex league system is not currently designed to run directly through the Ace Pickleball Club app.  This system will be integrated with the app over time, but is not currently set up to fully function through the app.

The Flex League System is a website and is meant to be run on the internet through a Web Browser (such as Chrome, Safari, etc.)  When players enter the flex league system through the app, the app is essentially acting as a less than optimal web browser for the flex league website and therefore certain designed functions are not working for players.
 

To be sure you have access to the full flex league system and do not experience errors, players should access the flex league system through their preferred Web Browser.  Directions for accessing the Flex League system in this way are provided below.

Accessing the Flex League system:

• Click this link (from your phone or computer) to access the Flex League site
• Check that the link has been launched in your preferred Web Browser and not through the APC App
• On the Flex League site, check the upper right-hand corner to see if you are already logged in
  • If you are already logged in, you are all set
  • If not, click the Login link and enter your email and password
• Once the above actions are complete, you will have full access to MatchFlex and the rest of the Flex League system
• Recommended: Bookmark this site on your Browser or save this site as a Favorite for easy access each time you need to return to the site.

Flex League Players,

Over the next few days, APC National Programming is offering several opportunities for any interested players to join virtual meetings to answer any questions you may have about APC Flex Leagues, MatchFlex technology, Score Reporting, etc.

Feel free to join any of the dates/times listed below over the next few days.  Spaces are limited to 100 participants.  If you do try to join and are unable to get in, please try to join the next upcoming session.

• Thursday, November 20th - 9pm EDT
• Friday, November 21st - 10am EDT
• Friday, November 21st - 2:30pm EDT
• Saturday, November 22nd - 11am EDT

There is no need to RSVP, just show up if interested.  To access any of the meetings listed below, click the "Join the meeting now" link to enter the online meeting in Microsoft Teams.

If no players have joined the meeting 5 minutes after the scheduled start time, the meeting will be closed.

We look forward to connecting with anyone who would like to join.

Ace Pickleball Club

Thursday, November 20th - 9:00pm EDT

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 216 192 726 148 80

Passcode: 3wM3zg9S

Friday, November 21st - 10am EDT

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 257 332 586 101 33

Passcode: Qf778Vx6

Friday, November 21st - 2:30pm EDT

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 288 108 713 828 24

Passcode: c2eH2PJ9

Saturday, November 22nd - 11am EDT

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 243 524 018 159 85

Passcode: kC2tJ9QN

If you are having any difficulties accessing the APC Flex League software, use one of the two options listed below for easy access:

Access Via the APC App:

• Go to you APC App
• Login to your account
  • If you are not already logged into your Member account on the app, you will not be taken to the correct site
• Select the Flex League Event, it's a featured event at the top of the app home screen
• You can now see the Flex League site and a tab for MatchFlex, use this area to coordinate match times and for scoring

Access Via the internet:

• Login to your APC Member account
• Once logged in, click here
  • If you are not already logged into your Member account, you will not be taken to the correct site
• You can now see the Flex League site and a tab for MatchFlex, use this area to coordinate match times and for scoring

Welcome to the first season of APC Flex Leagues!  

It's time to get started!  Please read the information below to get oriented to how APC Flex Leagues operate.

Each week, you will receive an email highlighting details about that week’s Flex League activity.  This email will give you a glimpse into the leaderboard for your Division and point out things that you need to be paying attention to that week.
 

APC Flex Leagues use the same software used for our APC Championship Series tournaments.  One additional feature that was designed specifically for Flex Leagues is MatchFlex.  MatchFlex allows all players to input time blocks throughout the week to show when they are available for match play.  MatchFlex then assesses all players' available time and searches for the earliest time when all 4 players are available.  It then sends a proposed match time to all players for them to Accept or Reject.  This automated process can save players countless phone calls, text messages, and emails sent back and forth to try to schedule matches.
 

Players will use MatchFlex to:  

• View your scheduled weekly matches
• Share your match time availability with other players
• Accept or Reject proposed match times the system generates based on all player’s availability
• Report and verify your match scores
• Message your teammate and your opponents at any time
   

MatchFlex covers the full lifecycle of every match!
 

To help get you started using MatchFlex, we recommend you review the following resources:

• Click here to access a high-level overview of MatchFlex an/or connect to a detailed instruction guide of MatchFlex
• Click here to access video tutorials of key activities processed using MatchFlex

To access your APC Flex League schedule and to begin using MatchFlex to schedule your first match:

• Be sure to Log In to your Ace Pickleball Club account
• After logging in, click the link below to enter the Flex League system
• Navigate to the Teams tab to view all teams within your Division
• Navigate to the MatchFlex tab to begin planning your first match

Please email us at flexleagues@acepickleballclub.com with any questions about Flex Leagues or using MatchFlex technology. 

Enjoy the season!

What is a Flex League?

• Leagues that allow members to play pickleball matches on the dates/times that fit best within their personal schedule

What puts the “flex” in a Flex League?

• Opponents work together to determine when the most convenient date/time is to play the match.
• Flex Leagues are the opposite of Fixed Leagues, where league matches are played at a specific date/time each week (i.e., every Tuesday at 7pm)
• Flex leagues are great for members who want the “flexibility” to schedule their league play around their day-to-day schedule.
• Scheduled opponents are set for the season, and all match results are scored and tracked leading to a league playoff system and eventual league champion.

What is the Flex League Season Schedule?

• 6 regular season matches are scheduled for each team
• Each regular season match has a defined two week timeframe to be completed.
• Matches can be scheduled and played early, but can't be played after the last date of the match timeframe.
• Default match times are set on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.  These are to be used if teams are unable to find a mutually agreeable time to play during the defined timeframe.
• Season Schedule:
  • 1st Match timeframe = Wednesday 11/19 – Tuesday 12/2 
  • 2nd Match timeframe = Wednesday 11/26 – Tuesday 12/9 (yes, there is a 1 week overlap among regular season match timeframes)
  • 3rd Match timeframe = Wednesday 12/3 – Tuesday 12/16
  • 4th Match timeframe = Wednesday 12/10 – Tuesday 12/23
  • 5th Match timeframe = Wednesday 12/17 – Tuesday 12/30
  • 6th Match timeframe = Wednesday 12/24 – Tuesday 1/6
  • Playoff Week #1 needs to take place between = Wednesday 1/7 – Tuesday 1/13 (one week)
  • Playoff Week #2 needs to take place between = Wednesday 1/14 – Tuesday 1/20 (one week)

When/Where/How can the matches be played?

• Matches can be played any day/time.  
• Matches are expected to be played at APC but can also be played at any other agreed upon location.
• Teams can reserve a court at APC through the standard Reserved Court process and play their match on that reserved court
• Teams can play their matches on Open Play courts at any time while adhering to the Flex League Open Play rules (see below)

How does a Flex League match get played within Open Play?

• Players meet at the club at the date/time they have scheduled among themselves and follow these steps to complete their match during Open Play:
  • Step 1: Players stack their 4 paddles on an Open Play court and wait their turn to play Game 1 of their match
  • Step 2: At the conclusion of a game, two scenarios can play out:
    • Scenario 1 – if no paddles are stacked at their current court, they can proceed to play the next game of their match on the same court
    • Scenario 2 – if paddles are stacked on their current court, the four players step off the court and allow the players with stacked paddles to take the court
      • Note – flex league players should let other players that are stacking their paddles know that all 4 of them are going to leave after this game so stacked players can recruit others to join them on that court for the next game.
  • Step 3: Players repeat Steps 1 and 2 until they have played all of the games needed to complete their match

How do players schedule their matches with opposing teams on their schedule?

• Players can use the online MatchFlex tool to facilitate the scheduling of their match with their opponents
  • Players individually input their date/time availability into MatchFlex 
  • All Player availability is consolidated within MatchFlex , and all players can see the overlapping good times to play the match
  • MatchMate will send a proposed match time to all players based on all players overlapping availability
  • Players can agree/confirm/reschedule a match time using MatchFlex 
• MatchFlex  is not required, but can be very helpful. Opponents can also contact each other directly to schedule a match (email, phone numbers, etc. available to players)
• If both teams are unable to agree on a convenient time to play the match, then the Default day/time for the match to be played will be the last day of the 2-week match time period at 7pm.
• If one team is unable to play at the default match time or does not show up for the default match time, the other team wins the match by forfeit
• If both teams no-show for the default time, the match is considered a tie and neither team gets credit for a win

How will the scores from these matches be recorded?

• Teams will use MatchFlex  to record/score their matches online.
• Each team will have to review/confirm the recorded score in MatchFlex  before it is registered into the system and results are reflected on the Leaderboard.

Will match scores be reported to DUPR?

• Yes, all matches played within Flex Leagues will be reported to DUPR.

How many teams need to sign up for there to be a league at any single Skill/Age level?

• A minimum of 4 teams need to register for there to be a league at any single Skill/Age level

Can replacement players or substitute players be used in the flex league if a player can't make a match?

• No.  Replacement players are not permitted.  
  • If a player/team can't make a match during a given timeframe, they will forfeit the match to the opposing team.  
  • If a partner gets injured or leaves the club, that team will be withdrawn from the league.