Nov 25th 2009

Why PAR-11 Isn't What You Think

I found this great article by Brett Erasmus in the MSRA newletter. Some great points on PAR-11.

The U.S. may have yet to adopt the metric system, it has caught up to the world when it comes to squash scoring. Point-a-rally to 11 points (PAR-11) has been the primary system of the softball singles game internationally for several years and after testing PAR-11 in certain skill levels last season, the MSRA and U.S. Squash are now using it for all levels this year. Not without controversy, as players have argued that PAR-11 scoring lessens the length and quality of games. But the reality is that for players who are closely matched, and/or for those playing at a high level, games will actually be longer, more athletic, and of better quality with the new system. Allow me to explain.

A common complaint is that without the hand-in/hand-out exchanges of point-per-serve (PPS), PAR-11 shortens games. However world number one, Karim Darwish, noted that PAR-11 scoring actually makes for more conservative play and longer rallies since nobody -- not even world champions -- can afford an error. PAR-11 punishes risk takers; every point played becomes more important to the outcome and can feel like sudden death.

Shot makers can still roll the dice by trying to put away loose balls to finish things off quickly, but this can lead to errors from forced shots from bad positions. Game scores are likely to be closer between a shot-maker and a non-shotmaker under PAR: under PPS a shotmaker would have been protected and not have ceded points but just the serve. Under PAR-11, the player who rushes shots, hitting some winners but also conceding easy points, will find himself at 10-10 too quickly. This effectively switches the game to a PPS system since the player would now have to win by two points to finish the current game. Even getting to 9 a piece means you are effectively in win by two (or PPS) territory.

Another complaint is that PAR protects lazy play. However as rallies become longer, PAR will lead to smarter, more strategic play, elevating the overall game quality and rewarding more athletic and fit players.

It won't take too long for New York players to get used to this "new" scoring system. Prior to 1994, the U.S. used PAR-15 scoring, so the concept will actually be familiar to many players.

Brett Erasmus (MSRA)