NOGTA League Rules 2009/2010

I. Regulations

North Georgia Tennis Association ( NOGTA ) agrees to the league tennis rules and regulations of USTA National, USTA Southern and USTA Georgia as published. In addition, NOGTA also sets forth the following rules to apply to local team matches. This document and all references contained within constitute the general rules and regulations as defined by NOGTA for tennis play within the membership. Where not specifically covered within this document, play shall be in accordance with the current rules of play as defined by USTA National, USTA Southern and USTA Georgia. All players and teams have the responsibility of playing within the Rules of Tennis and the principles of The Code A. The Local League Coordinator with approval from the USTA Georgia Director of Leagues will establish all local regulations. B. No cell phones on the court. If a player's phone rings at any time during the match, the point is awarded to that player's opponent. 

II. Membership

A. All players must be members of the USTA through the completion of the championship year. 
B. Players may play at or above their NTRP level, but cannot play more than one level above their rating (3.0 player may play 3.0 or 3.5, but may not play 4.0). Players who do not have a current rating may self-rate. Guidelines are in place on Tennis Link to clearly steer new players through the process. Any omission of information regarding a player's tennis history will subject the player, the captain and/ or others who condoned inaccurate self-rating to sanctions and disqualification. Players must register on a team through Tennis Link. 
C. Players may be added to a roster as long as there are 2 matches left on the schedule.

III. Captains

A. The captain should read and be familiar with the rules and regulations of USTA National, USTA Southern, USTA Georgia and NOGTA. Team captains must make certain players are NOGTA members in good standing. Players will lose any match points played as non-members. Dues must be postmarked no later than the day before the player's first match. 
B. Team Registration - Captains must establish a team number through Tennis Link by the designated date. The LLC has the discretion to make changes to deadlines as he/ she determines necessary. Team captains must provide a current email address to receive all information pertaining to the league during the season. If the captain does not utilize email, then he/ she must designate a player on the team as co-captain in order to receive email information. EMAIL WILL BE THE PREDOMINANT MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COORDINATOR AND THE CAPTAIN. Captain must also provide a current phone number when creating the team on Tennis Link. 
C. Team captains must exchange line-ups FIVE MINUTES before the scheduled match time. Ten minute warm-up begins promptly at scheduled match time, even if all players are not present. 
D. Winning team captain must report match scores on Tennis Link within 24 HOURS of completed match. Matches not reported may be considered defaults. 
E. When matches are rescheduled by date, time or site, captain of the home team is responsible for securing the courts through the Local League Coordinator. 
F. Once a player has played a match for a team, they cannot be removed from that team's roster.

IV. Format of Play

A. An Adult team match will consist of 2 singles and 3 doubles matches with the exception of the 2.5 level which will consist of 1 singles and 2 doubles matches. 
B. Matches for Seniors, Mixed and Combo will consist of 3 doubles matches. 
C. All match schedules will be posted on Tennis Link. 
D. A rescheduled match must be played on one surface unless the captains agree otherwise. 
E. All matches will be the best of 2 sets with regular scoring and a 12-point tiebreak (first to 7 by 2) at 6 all in each set. In the event of split sets, a match tiebreak (first to 10 by 2) shall be played in lieu of a third set and shall be played and scored in the following manner: PLAY: The tiebreaker shall be played according to the Rules of Tennis and Tournament Regulations with the following exceptions: (1) In a doubles match partners may change sides of court for service return just as they would be allowed in a third set. Once the change is made, they will continue to play that side of the court for the remainder of the tiebreak. (2) In a doubles match partners may change order of service just as they would be allowed in a third set. Once the change in order is made, they will continue to serve in that order throughout the remainder of the tiebreak. (3) If a change of ends is appropriate at the end of the second set, the players change ends and have up to 90 seconds to begin play. If a change of ends is not appropriate, players have up to 25 seconds to begin play. SCORING: (1) At local or championship competition, scores should be reported in the following manner: 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 with winners' scores reported first. (2) The winner of the third set shall be credited with a set won and a game won (4.04D). The loser shall be credited with a set lost and a game lost (4.04D). (3) Should the "Procedures in the Event of a Tie" go to GAMES, 4.04D(3), only the actual number of games played will be counted. Example: With a score of 6-4, 4-6, 1-0, the winner shall be recorded with 10 games lost, and the loser shall be recorded with 11 games lost.

V. Schedules

A. The 15-minute default rule is in effect. This refers to scheduled match time. 
B. Inclement weather: (1) the only weather conditions which authorize cancellation of a scheduled match are rain or severe temperature (32 degrees or lower including wind chill - use weather.com). Matches may NOT be canceled more than 1 1/2 hours before match time. (2) If inclement weather does occur after play has begun, completed matches will stand as played. Incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players at the exact set, game and point that existed when play was halted. (3) If teams have assembled to play and the match is interrupted by rain or wet courts, teams should be prepared to wait 1 HOUR to determine if courts are playable. If courts are still unplayable after 30 minutes have elapsed and BOTH CAPTAINS AGREE, teams are free to leave and reschedule. (4) If scorecards have been exchanged, but no ball has been put in play, teams are free to change their line-ups before the make-up match. (5) Make-up matches must be completed within 2 weeks of the regularly scheduled match with the exception of the last match of the season. The LLC must be notified of the new match date within 4 days. If captains cannot agree on a date within 4 days, one will be set by the LLC and treated as a scheduled match. The last match of the season must be made up within 4 days, state schedule permitting. 
C. Team or individual matches may be rescheduled if both captains agree. Rescheduled matches must be played prior to the date of the originally scheduled match. Courts must be secured through the LLC. 
D. Any team forfeiting or defaulting an entire match 1 time during the season may be dropped from the schedule. 

VI. Championship Play

A. The league will determine championship teams. Each season is separate from the others.
 B. A level which has 3 or more teams for 2 seasons may send 2 teams to championship play. In the event the same team wins both seasons, they will be allowed to declare a roster from either season, and a team from the other season will be chosen to compete in the district tournament also.
C. A level or league which has 2 teams every season may only send 1 team to championship play. A playoff may be necessary to determine which team advances to championship play.
 D. If NOGTA receives a wildcard entry into the district championships, generally at a specific level it will be awarded to the team with the highest percentage of wins of the teams not previously qualified for district play.