Untitled Document

League Coordinator:
Laura Rogers
lprogers@optilink.us
706-270-1119

Fall 2009

DATES TO REMEMBER

August 24th................................................................................... Registration Opens

Weeks following September 6th ......................................... Team Practices Begin

August 28th ...................................................... Registration Closes in TennisLink

September 20th ....................................................................... Team Matches Begin

September 13th ………………………………………………………….Schedules Published

TBA.............................................................................................................. Player Party

Use the following guidelines to help place participants in correct skill levels locally. These are guidelines that can be used by a coach, parent, or a player. These are the skill levels that help determine which division to enter your players in local leagues.

1.0      Player is just starting to play tennis and is learning the basic skills of serving, forehands, backhands and volleys.
1.5       Player needs to coordinate moving when hitting the ball. Player is still concentrating on getting the ball over the net from a stationary position. Player is learning to serve and keep score.
2.0      Player is now beginning to coordinate footwork when contacting the ball but is not consistent in hitting the ball over the net. Player can serve to some degree but double faults often. Player understands scoring as well as correct serving and return of serve positions. Player has limited success with volleys but has knowledge of court positioning in singles and doubles.
2.5      Player is able to judge where ball is going. Player can sustain a slow paced rally of several shots with someone of the same ability using both forehand and backhand sides and can volley with moderate success. Player can keep score unassisted, can call own lines, can serve overhand from baseline and has understanding of basic rules.
3.0      Player is getting better at moving to the ball and is improving court coverage, can sustain a rally with consistency on slow to moderate paced shots. Player serves with fair consistency with few double faults. On ground strokes, player needs to improve control of height, depth, direction and speed. Player attempts to move opponent from side to side and hit to the opponent's weakness.
3.5      Player can sustain a rally and is beginning to develop directional control and depth of ground strokes. Player is starting to recognize opportunities to attack short balls by coming to the net. Player is developing more spin and power on the serve and seldom double faults. Player is becoming more aggressive and applying basic strategy in singles and teamwork in doubles.
4.0      Player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on higher-paced shots and has good court coverage. Player has added variety in shot selection by using lobs, overheads, volleys, and approach shots with some success. Player is developing a game plan, is serving with good consistency and is now forcing some errors with power and/or spin. Player demonstrates good teamwork in doubles.
4.5     Player has a very dependable game and executes most shots consistently on higher-paced shots. Player's court coverage and footwork are sound and has begun to master the use of power and spins. Player can vary depth of shots and game plan according to opponents. Player's first serve may produce some winners and second serves are hit with good spin and placement. Player can be aggressive in both singles and doubles and covers weaknesses well. Player is developing an offensive weapon.
5.0      Player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or weapon around which a game may be structured. Player can regularly hit winners or force errors on short balls and is capable of all shots. Player's first serve is an offensive weapon and often allows rushing the net after the first or second serve. Volleys and overhead smashes are typically winning shots. Player is match-wise and uses shots that have a high percentage of success in both singles and doubles.

USTA MEMBERSHIP - TO JOIN OR RENEW
You will need:
• Credit card information (name on card, expiration date, billing zip code)
• If renewal, USTA Number of player

Step 1:    Go to www.ustageorgia.com
Step 2:   Click on “Membership” on left menu.   Also read more about “ Membership Benefits” here.
Step 2:   Complete registration form or click on “Renew Membership” on right menu.
Step 3:   Complete process, write down or print out membership number.

PLAYER REGISTRATION
If you HAVE a team number, you will need:
•        Credit card information (name on card, expiration date, billing zip code)
•        Team number
•        USTA Number of player

Step 1:    Go to www.ustageorgia.comon left menu, click on “Jr. Team Tennis” under TennisLink
Step 2:   Click on Register to Play found at the top of the home page.
Step 3:   Enter Team number ID then on next page enter USTA number of player and shirt size
Step 4:   Click Proceed to check out
Step 5:   Verify registration is for correct team
Step 6:   Enter payment information; select Submit. Print a receipt for a record of your payment.

For open registration programs only
If you DO NOT HAVE a team number, you will need:
• Credit card information (name on card, expiration date, billing zip code)
• USTA member number

Step 1:    Go to www.ustageorgia.com on left menu, click on “Jr. Team Tennis” under TennisLink
Step 2:   Click on Register to Play found at the top of the home page.
Step 3: Click on Find A Program, select Jr, and enter zip code
Step 4: Choose our league program, enter USTA number, division and shirt size (check sizing chart)
Step 5:   Enter payment information, select Submit. Print a receipt for a record of your payment.

TEAMS/DIVISIONS
TEAM
•     Fall Teams are co-ed.
•     There is not a minimum number of boys and girls on these teams as we are not
advancing the fall teams to state.

AGE ELIGIBILITY
•     Players must be age eligible for their age division through August 31, 2010

      •     10U - Intermediate (3.0 and below) regulation court
•     12U - Beginner (2.0 and below); Intermediate (3.0 and below); Advanced 3.1                          and above)
•     14U –Intermediate (3.0 and below); Advanced (3.1 and above)
•     18U –Intermediate (3.0 and below); Advanced (3.1 and above)
•     The number of players signed up for the program will ultimately determine levels                  and divisions.

SCORING
•     Each individual match will be no ad 2 out of 3 short sets first to 4 games with a match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set (first to 10 by 2). Set tie-break played at 3 all, first to 7 by 2.   Flight win criteria is total games.
•     A team shall receive 1 point for each game won.
•     See section ‘Detailed Division Scoring’ for each age division

WARM-UP
•     Warm ups should be limited to five minutes

SUBSTITUTION
• No substitution may be made in an individual match after the warm up has begun, except for illness, injury, or no show of a player prior to the start of the match. (i.e. the first point has not been played.)
• If no substitution can be made within 15 minutes, that position will be forfeited.

Match Schedules
•     Matches will be scheduled using Team Tennis TennisLink Scheduler computer
program
•     The schedule will be available on Team Tennis TennisLink and will include the dates, times and location of all matches.
•     Matches will be played on Sunday’s

• A match, which includes a 5-minute warm up, must begin at the scheduled time.
• A default occurs when a player fails to appear within 15 minutes of the scheduled match time.

Inclement Weather
•     Weather conditions that shall authorize the cancellation of a scheduled match are lightning, rain or severe temperatures (a temperature of 32º or colder, or a temperature of 100º or more).
•     Weather decision will be made one hour in advance to play. Captains will contact their teams if cancellation. If players do not hear from Coordinator or their Captain, assume matches will be played as scheduled.
•     Make-up matches should be played as soon as possible.
•     Both captains should agree on the makeup day, time, and location.
•     Inclement Weather During Play: In the event inclement weather occurs after play has begun, completed individual matches will stand as played and incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players at the exact game and point that existed when play was halted. Suggestion: write match details, (score, servers name etc…), down as players leave the court.

Rescheduling
• If both captains agree, a match may be rescheduled due to a majority of players being absent from league play and should be played before the originally scheduled match date.

Stacking
• Deliberate stacking of players on a team is not allowed.
• If stacking is found to be deliberate, the league coordinator will have the discretion of forfeiting that match.

Spectators/Parents/Coaches
•    No excessive cheering or clapping is permitted.
•     No clapping for errors.
•     It is the responsibility of the coaches and captains to work together as a team to control the spectators and parents conduct during match play.
•     No one should be on the court or in the players’ seating area unless they are assisting with helping players keep score.

LOCAL LEAGUE CHAMPION
• Winners will be determined by total games won at the end of the season. The team who has accumulated the most games won will win their division.
• In the event of a tie at the end of the season, the tie shall be broken by the first of the following procedures that does so:

No-ad scoring. The first player to win 4 points wins the game. If the score reaches 3 points all, the 7th point becomes the game point. In singles, the receiver may choose to receive either in the ad or the deuce court. In doubles, the receiving team may choose to receive in either the ad or deuce court. In mixed doubles, the boy must receive serve from the boy and the girl must receive serve from the girls. In calling the score of a no-ad game, players may either use 1, 2, 3 and game: or 15, 30, 40, and game. They may call the score of 3 all deuce.

Tie-Break. Be sure they know how to play a tie-break. If a set reaches 3 all, players must play a tiebreak – for 12 & Under, 14 & Under and 18 & under divisions only – See below detailed instructions for complete scoring instructions

In doubles, the first server shall serve one point from the right side. The second server shall serve two points, starting from the left side and ending on the right side. The third server shall serve two points, starting on the left and ending on the right side. The fourth server shall serve one point form the left side and then players change ends of the courts. The fourth server shall then serve one point from the right side. Play continues in such a manner until one team wins at least seven points with a two-point margin. Teams change ends of the court every six points.

In singles, the first server shall serve one point from the right. The second server shall serve two points, starting on the left side and ending on the right side. The players continue to alternate serving two points each until one wins a minimum of seven points with a two-point margin. Player’s change ends of the court every six points.

2 games - 1st one to 7 - do not have to win by two points - each game is considered a set- For 3rd set tiebreaker play a 3rd game - 1st one to 7 points
Kids use numbers to score such as 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Positions played will be 4 singles
boys can play boys or girls can plays girls or boys can play girls...
*** See QuickStart Tennis Page

Each match will be no ad 2 out of 3 short sets first to 4 games... match tiebreaker play another game- No Tiebreaker
This age will use 15,30,40, game to score
Positions played will be 2 singles and 2 doubles -
boys can play boys, girls can play girls or boys can play girls...
*** See QuickStart Tennis Page

Each match will be no ad 2 out of 3 short sets first to 4 games with a match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set ( first to 10 by 2).
Set tiebreaker played at 3 all, first to 7 by 2.
Age group will use scoring 15,30, 40, game
Positions played 3 singles 2 doubles...
boys can play boys, girls can play girls or boys can play girls...

Each match will be no ad 2 out of 3 short sets first to 4 games with a match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set ( first to 10 by 2).
Set tiebreaker played at 3 all, first to 7 by 2.
14 & Under Positions played will be 2 singles 1 doubles
18 & Under positions played will be 3 singles 2 doubles

Ball Type	Foam Ball	Low compression
Racket length	21 - 23 inches	23 – 25 inches
Court Size	36 x 18 feet Lay out court sideways (doubles line to doubles lines).	60 x 21 feet Set inside of full tennis court.
Net height	2’9” (normal height for portable nets)	3’ (played over the regulation net)
Scoring method for competition	Best of 3 games to 7. Sudden death at 6-6.	2 out of 3 “mini-sets” with 7 point game instead of a third. Mini-sets are first to 4 with sudden death at 3-3.
Serving method	2 serves Underarm with no bounce is acceptable (ball hit from hand).	2 serves Overhead serve. Younger or less able players could hit 2nd serve as underarm

FIRST RULE OF TENNIS:
ALWAYS TREAT YOUR OPPONENTS WITH COURTESY AND RESPECT

Server/Receiver—Players stand on opposite sides of court. The person who delivers/hits the ball is the server and the other the receiver.
Spin of racket—The player that wins the racket spin may choose or require the opponents to choose the right to serve or receive. The other side shall choose which side he (she) wants to start on.
Beginning—Server waits on receiver to be ready and stands behind the baseline to put ball in play. Receiver must allow ball to bounce in service box before returning. In delivering the service, server stands alternately behind right and left courts beginning every game from the right side. Ball served shall go over the net and land in service court, which is diagonally opposite the server.
Faults—Service of a fault if server misses ball in attempting to serve, if ball does not land in proper court, or if ball touches anything before hitting ground.
Service after Fault—After a fault (if it is first serve), server serves again from the same side/place. If the second serve is also a fault, server loses the point.
Service Let—During service, a ball that touches the top of the net but lands in proper court is termed a let and counts for nothing. Serve is replayed. There is no limit to the number of lets.
Receiver becomes Server—At the end of the first game, the receiver becomes the server. Player’s change ends at the end of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and subsequent alternate games.
Players lose point—Players lose the point if ball hits ground twice, if ball hits any object such as net post before landing inside lines, if player or racket touches the net, if ball touches anything other than player’s racket.
Ball landing on the line is good. (Repeat…BALL LANDING ON ANY PART OF THE LINE IS GOOD.)
Scoring—If player wins 1st point, score is called 15 for that player and love [zero] for the other player. The server’s score is always given first. On winning the 2nd point, the score is called 30. On winning the 3rd point the score is called 40. On winning the 4th point, the score is called game. If both players have won 3 points, the score is called Deuce (same as 40-40). The player that wins the next point in no-ad scoring wins the point.
Set—A player who wins 4 games wins the set, except the margin must be by 2 games over opponent. A 12-point set tiebreaker is played at 3 games all.
THERE IS TO BE NO COACHING OR CALLING OF LINES BY PARENTS OR SPECTATORS DURING MATCHES (except during regular season by agreement of both coaches.)

Besides the rules of tennis there are also some important unwritten laws, which come under the title of tennis etiquette. Tennis is a social game, a game involving simple politeness and consideration. Everyone will enjoy the game so much more if those standards are maintained. Here are some of the rules, which are most important: