airhockeyworld.com - The ultimate resource for competitive Air Hockey!

air hockey chat forums

Forums Home | Log in for Private Messages | Search | View New Posts (Mark All Read) | User List

Forums Home / Tournaments and Challenges / Colorado Weeklies Poll ( View Older Thread | View Newer Thread)

First | 1 | Last

Poll: Some players now appear to have conflicts with playing on Wednesday nights. Would a night other than Wednesday work better for you?

Let's keep it on Wednesday - Mouseover to see Voters

I would prefer Tuesday - Mouseover to see Voters

I would prefer Monday - Mouseover to see Voters

I would prefer Thursday - Mouseover to see Voters

Any day works for me, let's just get the action go - Mouseover to see Voters

Darth_Wafu - 20 May 2010
Total Posts: 117

Some players now appear to have conflicts with playing on Wednesday nights. Would a night other than Wednesday work better for you?

TheAirHockeyGuy - 21 May 2010
Total Posts: 472

Darth_Wafu said:

Some players now appear to have conflicts with playing on Wednesday nights. Would a night other than Wednesday work better for you?

I will be starting a new job in Englewood June 7th. I work till 5 M-F so it should be a little easier for me to make it since I will already be closer to Denver.

Chris Lee
Co-Founder, CEO
Air Hockey Players Association (AHPA)

MT - 25 May 2010
Total Posts: 62

Darth_Wafu - 25 May 2010
Total Posts: 117

Unfortunately, this poll confirms what our attendance numbers have been suggesting, that there are only 5 players interested in playing in our weeklies.

travis - 25 May 2010
Total Posts: 530

Darth_Wafu said:

Unfortunately, this poll confirms what our attendance numbers have been suggesting, that there are only 5 players interested in playing in our weeklies.

Well, it confirms that there are five players interested that check the forums and took the time to answer the poll.

Travis Luscombe
AirHockeyWorld.com Webmaster
http://twitter.com/air_hockey

Darth_Wafu - 25 May 2010
Total Posts: 117

True, but combined with the fact that we haven't had more than 5 players show up in a long time, it makes a pretty compelling case that only about 5 people are interested. This is particularly discouraging considering the world championships are right around the corner.

ajflanagan - 25 May 2010
Total Posts: 509

Just some friendly suggestions on what has worked for us in Houston to grow our weeklies...

We have found that a crucial component to our growth is consistancy. You already have a great venue in a great area of town with management that is very supportive of you guys. What seems to be missing is that core group of people who can commit to being there every single week, on the same night, at the same time. It's more important than you may think. Some nights you may have 2 players. Some nights you will have more. The important thing is that you are there... every week.

However, just being there is not the only factor. You need to reach out to all the millions of potential players out there. Post flyers on the walls. Talk to people who are playing recreationally. When you do have some newcomers step up to challenge, don't beat the living tar out of them just to show them you are an amazing air hockey player. Socialize with them. Make them feel welcome. Give them some pointers... but don't go overboard. Don't tape up their fingers and throw kneepads on them the first time the play. Just play the game. Let them score a point or two. Hold your defense out there an extra second and let them pound that right wall under in on you. That will help build their confidence and ensure they will come back for more.

I'm sure all of this is obvious to most of you... but knowing it and DOING it are two different things. These are the things we DO in Houston to help maintain and grow our community of players. Just my 2 cents!

Andrew

brain - 26 May 2010
Total Posts: 578

...and every time I let a beginner have a free point, I have to go to confession. But that's why I like being Catholic. :)

I agree with Andrew 100% here. Weekly tournaments take on a different meaning for those who show up to play versus those who want to grow them to encompass larger groups of players.

Whatever few players you have, stay focussed. Shooters started with 8 regular players and built up to 40. It takes time and, as Andrew very truthfully stated, persistence.

carolina phil - 29 May 2010
Total Posts: 1084

First, recognize your strenghts:

1. Colorado has a good place to play weekly ah.
2. You have a great veteran players
3. You have interest and desire to grow

To take advantage of these strenghts and to grow, do this:

1. Pick one night that works for most of you
2. Be cosistent and show up on that night.
3. Schedule a weekly tournament; and always do something on that night, even if it is a good practice session. That way, everyone knows that some ah will always be played on that night at that time.
4.Put ups flyers on the wall at that location with the time and your phone number. Put ah flyers with your phone numbers in other bars and ah places.
5. Put free announcments of your weekly ah event in the local papers where they list free events. Put your contact info; web site, etc.
6. Talk up the ah at the location to bar people; and tell others you meet during the week to drop in for some fun ah. Take time to show ah to them.
7. I suggest making the tournament a handicapped one to keep them coming back; if not, then have a free tourney for lower ranked players; and also a second one at the same time for them and for the rest of you.

Plus: on the web I see that there are "meet up" groups in Denver area who meet up to do things for fun. List with these groups immediately. Put the word out and people will trickle in and you will grow. Here is one I found; and it is a perfect model of what you could do to attract more players:

http://www.meetup.com/ColoradoTableTennis/

http://www.singlesnews.net/Denver_Colorado/Singles_Clubs_Organizations.htm

Invest a bit of time, contacting these groups, and you will get results.

You need, we need, VISIBILITY.

Phil A.

carolina phil - 29 May 2010
Total Posts: 1084

Samples meet up groups looking to play air hockey:

http://www.meetup.com/find/?keywords=air+hockey&country=us&zip=91316&op=search&jsCountry=us

http://www.meetup.com/UrbanAdventureRebels/

carolina phil - 29 May 2010
Total Posts: 1084

HERE IS THE BEST SITE IN DENVER AREA FOR YOU TO GET STARTED FINDING NEW PLAYERS:

http://sports.meetup.com/cities/us/co/denver/

First | 1 | Last

Forums Home / Tournaments and Challenges / Colorado Weeklies Poll

HOME | SPONSORS | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE