Team Tennis (Policies)

Rosters | Schedule & Standings | Next Match

Youth team tennis was offered for the first time in the summer of 2005. Plans for future leagues are now on hold. This summer, a Grand Prix event will be held in the place of team tennis.

League Values:

1. Good Sportsmanship
2. Participation of as many players as possible
3. Improving at strokes and strategies
4. Working toward a goal
5. Composure under stress
6. Competing to win

All league officials, site coordinators, and adult supervisors should encourage these values as often, and in as many ways, as possible.

League Philosophy:

1. The purpose of the youth league is to provide youth players with a team atmosphere in which they can practice, improve, and compete.
2. All players should compete against players of similar ability levels.
3. Arranging the closest matches possible is more important than winning. Therefore, “stacking” (intentionally playing a weaker player against a stronger player) is not acceptable.
4. When possible, all available players should play in the scheduled match. When the other team doesn’t have enough available players, replacements should be found or practice matches should be arranged.
5. The format for each match should be flexible, so that the maximum number of players can participate.

Player Assessment Process:

1. Site Coordinators are responsible for assigning a USTA rating to each player, estimating that player’s playing strength. This rating shall be precise (2.6, 3.4, etc.). As the player improves, the rating should be changed accordingly. Ratings may also be changed based on the players results against other players.
2. For the initial rating, a player shall be observed hitting the different strokes and competing in match play.
3. The initial rating may be formed without an assessment session, if the person doing the assessment already knows the player.
4. Player Assessment ratings shall be changed as players improve.
5. Player Assessment ratings can be sensitive issues for players, and therefore shall be kept confidential between the player and coach, and between different coaches. Teams may, however, decide to have their own player ratings known to all.

Team Formation:

1. When registering for the league, each player should designate a preferred home site, as well as other acceptable sites.
2. Every effort will be made so that the player can compete at the preferred home site.
3. If there are not enough players at the home site to form a team, the player may be assigned to another home site.
4. If an acceptable team or home site cannot be found for a player, the player may withdraw from the league and receive a refund or a credit for the next season.
5. Prior to the start of scheduled matches, players may switch from one team to another with the approval of the player and both Site Coordinators.
6. After the start of the season, switching from one team to another can seriously impact the competitive balance. Therefore, such switching is permitted only in serious situation and requires the approval of the SMCTA President.
7. Each team shall maintain a list of its players and of the ratings of these players. This list shall be maintained on a web site. The list shall be updated each time a player changes teams and each time a player receives a new rating.

Team Practices:

1. A practice should be made available to each team at least once per week.
2. Cost for team practices is covered in the registration fee. Site Coordinators and team coaches may not charge players additionally for team practices.
3. Practices should emphasize sportsmanship and match etiquette, as well as strokes and strategies.
4. Players assigned to teams further away may practice in their local area rather than with their home teams. Such players shall not be penalized for not practicing with their home teams.

Match Scheduling:

1. Prior to the start of each season, a match schedule will be announced.
2. Teams may be scheduled for one or two matches per week, on the agreed-upon days.
3. The schedule shall include makeup dates for each scheduled match.
4. Makeup dates should normally be used as scheduled. However, a makeup date may be changed if both coaches agree to this and with the approval of the Schedule Coordinator.
5. Prior to the season, each league shall determine the ideal number of singles and doubles matches for each team match. This may vary from league to league, based on the number of players per team, the interest level in doubles, and so on.

Arranging the Match:

1. Each player must have a copy of the schedule.
2. As soon as possible, and at least five days before the match, each player must declare their eligibility for the match. This may be done by calling or emailing the Parent Supervisor of the team. The communication should state either “I’m available for this match” or “I’m not available for this match.”
3. Players who declare themselves eligible for a given match are expected to follow through. In the event of illness or emergency, they should notify the Parent Supervisor immediately. Players who miss a match without prior notification may be suspended from playing in future matches, at the Site Coordinator’s discretion.
4. At least two days before the match, the coaches shall notify each other of the players available for the match, and of the current ratings of these players.
5. If the ideal number of singles and doubles matches is not possible, due to the unavailability of players, teams may pull in players from other teams based at the same location.
6. If neither team can field enough players, the team match shall consist of a fewer number of player matches. For example, suppose the ideal number of player matches for a given league is two doubles matches and three singles matches (7 players). Due to vacations, Team A can only field five players and Team B can only field six players. Team A recruits a temporary substitute from it’s other team, and the match consists of four singles matches and one doubles match (six players).
7. If the format for a particular team match is changed, an odd number of player matches should still be played.
8. If the coaches can’t agree on an altered format, the League Commissioner shall resolve the issue.
9. If one team has more players available than the other, every effort should be made to include the extra players in a real or practice match.

At the Match:

1. Players should normally arrive at the match at least a half hour early, to warm up with their teammates. Each team shall have at least one court on which to warm up.
2. Each Parent Coordinator shall exchange lineups before the scheduled start time.
3. Players must be assigned to positions based on their ratings. For example, if a 3.5 player and a 3.4 player are playing singles, the 3.5 player must be assigned to #1 singles while the 3.4 player must be assigned to the #2 singles.
4. Doubles players must be assigned to positions based on their cumulative ratings. For example, if a 2.5 player is teamed up with a 2.4 player, they could not play lower than two 2.3 players.
5. Players may not receive any coaching once the match starts. Parent Coordinators and other officials may only intervene in the event of sportsmanship issues and rule interpretations.
6. Players not present within ten minutes of their scheduled start shall be declared forfeited. Other players must then be moved up accordingly in the lineup. Suppose a 3.5 player is scheduled to play #1 singles, and a 3.4 player is scheduled to play #2 singles. The 3.5 player doesn’t show up. The 3.4 player must now play #1 singles, while the #2 singles is forfeited.
7. If one or more players loses by forfeit, every effort should be made to provide matches for all players who are present. Such efforts may include revising the match format, and arranging practice matches.
8. If court space requires, one or more matches may begin after the conclusion of the first matches. Players scheduled for later matches need not arrive until their scheduled times. However, they may still be forfeited ten minutes after those scheduled times.
9. If a player is late due to unforeseeable circumstances, such as a traffic jam, that player should contact an official at the match. At the discretion of the other team, that player’s match may begin up to a half hour late.
10. A player who is over a half hour late must be forfeited, regardless of the circumstances.

Preventing and Resolving Disputes:

1. Before each match, the Parent Coordinator or Team Coach should have a brief chat with players, reminding them of the league values.
2. The talk should include words to this effect: “The most important thing today is to play fairly. Don’t call a ball out unless you’re sure it was out. If you call a ball out, and then realize you weren’t sure, you should immediately change your call. If your opponent makes a bad call against you, this will only hurt you if you let it hurt your focus and if you feel you can’t win. You are expected to get through the match on your own, but you can report the problem afterward.”
3. Players who feel an incorrect call has been made against them should play on and report the problem later. They may instead calmly ask, “Are you sure of your call?” If the player making the call acknowledges being unsure, the call should be reversed. Players may not use this method continually, however, or as a tactic.
4. Players may not call for a line judge during the match. If a player believes he/she is the victim of cheating, he/she should still complete the match. The problem may then be reported later, to a team official.
5. Players who are repeatedly reported for cheating or poor sportsmanship should receive further education from their coach or Site Supervisor. If the problems persist, such players may be suspended from one or more future matches so that this further education can be received.
6. If an unforeseeable dispute arises at a match, the Adult Supervisors present shall attempt to agree on a resolution. If this can’t be done within fifteen minutes, the Adult Supervisor of the home team shall make the decision that will subsequently be reviewed by the League Commissioner or his/her designated alternate. Generally, the Adult Supervisor should resolve the dispute in the manner than benefits the visiting team.
7. Each match shall result in either a win or a loss. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances, such as a double forfeit at one position, a match may also result in a tie.

Match Results and Standings

1. After the team match, each Adult Coordinator must record the score of each player match.
2. Within 48 hours, each Adult Coordinator must report the scores to the Schedule Coordinator.
3. Within 4 days of the match, the Schedule Coordinator will post the match results and standings on the web site.
4. Teams will receive two points for a win and one point for a tie.
5. Since the number of player matches may change from one week to the next, the number of individual match wins will not count toward the standings, or be used to resolve a tie in the standings.
6. If two teams tie for first place at the end of the season, the tie-breaking criteria shall be:
     * Results of head-to-head team matches
     * Total player matches won in head-to-head team matches
     * Playoff match scheduled