CSRATA Junior Team Tennis Rules

The CSRATA abides by the USTA (United States Tennis Association) National Junior Team Tennis, UTSA Southern, and USTA Georgia Rules and Regulations. We encourage captains and players to read and familiarize themselves with these regulations, the USTA’s Rules of Tennis and “The Code”. (The Code is the USTA’s official publication for all matches without officials.) Links to the rules and regulations can be found on www.csratennis.com by clicking on “Rules and Regulations”. Players and/or teams outside of Richmond and Columbia County are allowed to participate, subject of approval by Junior Team Tennis Coordinator. All home matches shall take place at Richmond and Columbia County tennis facilities.

I. Teams and Players

        A.   Membership

1.       All team members must be members of the USTA and the membership must be valid through the end of the current season.

2.       All team members must register on TennisLink (https://tennislink.usta.com/TEAMTENNIS/Main/RegisterPlayers.aspx) and pay the JTT fees for CSRATA Junior Team Tennis prior to playing a match.

3.       Any points won by a player whose USTA membership expires during a season are taken away from his or her team and awarded to the opposing team.

4.       Below is a breakdown of Membership and JTT fees.

       

       

 

        B.   Age Eligibility

1.       The date for eligibility for the Fall JTT is August 31 , 2012.

2.       Play in the age group that relates to your age before that date. For example, if you turn 13 in March, you will play in the 14 & under division for the Fall. If you turn 13 after August 31^st, you will play in the 12 & under division for the Fall. You may always play in a higher age group.

 

 

 

        C.   Court Availability

1.       Courts have been arranged and reserved for you per the JTT Match Schedule. Please refer to this schedule to determine your match location.

2.       It is advisable for the HOME captain to contact the match facility to confirm that courts have been reserved a few days prior to each match.

3.       If a match has to be re-scheduled, please make every attempt to re-schedule at the original match facility. If the match changes location, notify the JTT coordinator (Patty Strom). These facilities are paid based upon the scheduled usage.

4.       Each JTT match will be given 2-3 courts to complete 5 matches at each facility depending upon availability.

        D.   Rosters

1.       Each roster must be registered on TennisLink with a minimum of six players—three boys and three girls. To avoid forfeits, at least five boys and five girls are recommended.

2.       Only one boy and one girl can play two positions per match. However, you may only schedule a player in two positions when all other players of the same gender on the team have in an equal or greater number of completed matches during a season. The intention of this rule is to clearly encourage a FAIR rotation of players. "Stacking" your players and trying to "manipulate" the system in order to gain extra points is definitely discourage and not in keeping with the philosophy of JTT.

3.       It is also recommended to rotate your singles players each week.  Every child who wishes to play singles should be given a chance to play singles if at all possible. Please remember, JTT is trying to maximize fun and love of tennis for as many kids as possible!

E. Add-Ons

1.         A team may add players until March 10, 2011. After that, only add-ons for injuries may occur.

2.         The JTT Coordinator must approve all add-ons after the Team Captains’ Meeting.

3.         A player may not be added to a team if his or her rating is higher than the level the team is playing.

F. Ineligible Player

Any person not listed on a roster in accordance with these rules is ineligible to play.

G. Player Participation

1.       All players must play three matches during a season.

2.       Three matches must be played to advance to district championships.

3.       Only one "win" by forfeit counts towards a player’s eligibility.

4.       It is suggested that you rotate singles players evenly throughout the season. Everyone on your team should have a chance to play singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

II. Captains

A. Team Captain

1.       Each team must have a team captain.

2.       All USTA Southern Section Jr. Team Tennis Local League Coordinators, Captains and Co-Captains will be required to complete a background screening and online youth protection training program.  This process is now in effect for all programs starting with the Championship Year 2012, which begins September 1, 2011.

a. To access both the Background Screening Program and “Principles of Youth Protection” and “Tennis Program Safety Training” go to www.ustageorgia.com and scroll down the left menu to Jr. Team Tennis – Volunteer Background Screening.   After you have completed both the background check and online training, please email me any feedback or suggestions you may have as we want to promote this as a positive thing for our leagues.

3.       Rotating team captains may be used for scheduling the matches and only trained parents approved by the JTT should be in charge of a dual meet.

4.       Team captains listed on the match schedule must be accessible to all teams in the division and to the JTT Coordinator.

5.       Team captains may be captain of one team only.

6.       Professionals may not be team captains, assistant team captains or scorekeepers for divisions 12’s, 14’s, and 18's. They should only provide instruction to the players.

7.       Divisions 8’s and 10’s will have Professionals assisting the captains and scorekeeping as these players and parents learn the game of tennis.

B. Team Captains’ Meeting Attendance

It is mandatory that a team captain or team representative attend the Team Captains’ Meeting.

III. Dual Meets

A. Match Time

Dual meets for 8’s, 12’s, 14’s, and 18’s will be on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. Dual meet for 10’s will be on Sunday beginning at 4 p.m.  In some division, there may be two dual meets on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Warm-up begins 15 minutes prior to match time.

B. Format

Dual meets for division 10’s, 12’s, 14’s, and 18’s consist of one boys’ singles, one girls’ singles, one boys’ doubles, one girls’ doubles and one mixed doubles (in that order).

Dual meets for division for 8’s consist of three singles match.

C. Setting up Matches

1.       The home team captain contacts the visiting team captain at least four days prior to dual meetings to discuss directions, court reservations, etc. You are encouraged to work out any time or line-up conflicts.

2.       With the agreement of both captains, matches may be played earlier than the scheduled date. They may not, however, be played after the scheduled date.

3.       If a captain is unavailable for a match, a designated replacement who knows the rules and regulations must be named.

4.       All matches (including rescheduled matches) must be played at the facility named on the match schedule unless otherwise approved by the JTT Coordinator.

5.       The team captain calls the opposing team’s captain as soon as he or she knows that any or all individual matches will be forfeited. This prevents inconveniencing the opposing team’s players.

D. Line-Ups / Scorecards

1.       Blank scorecards should be printed from TennisLink, line-ups completed on scorecard, and exchanged 10 minutes before the scheduled match time.

2.       Last-minute substitutions may be made only in the event of illness, injury or absence of a player.

3.       Substitutions may not be made after a point has been played in that position.

4.       Team captains record the results of each individual match on the scorecard, verify, and agree on match scores at the completion of the match.

5.       The home team captain enters the match scores on TennisLink unless otherwise agreed on by both captains. The visiting team captain verifies the match scores on TennisLink.

6.       Match Scores must be entered and verified within 48 hours of the completion of the match. After 48 hours, TennisLink automatically verifies match scores for unverified matches. The opposing team loses all rights to contest any score discrepancies.

E. Rules of Play

1.       USTA rules and regulations govern play.

2.       “The Code,” a handbook of ethics and fair play, should be understood and followed by every captain and player.

3.       A copy of USTA rules and regulations, CSRATA rules and “The Code” should be available at all dual meets. All of the rules and regulations can be found on www.ustageorgia.com  under Jr. Team Tennis and Rules & Regulations.

4.       Captains are responsible for making sure a replacement has these documents.

F. Defaults

The 15-minute default rule is in effect for all scheduled matches. The default rule is in effect when a court becomes available for that match. Please be as lenient as possible — within reason — about defaults.

G. Balls

1.       The home team provides USTA-approved balls for each court.

2.       Captains may want to bring an extra can of balls in case an additional court becomes available.

H. Warm-up

Warm up is limited to five minutes including practice serves.

I. Coaching

1.       Coaching is illegal.

2.       Captains, teammates, spectators or coaches may not volunteer advice on line calls or scoring.

3.       Cheering or excessive clapping is not permitted. Please refer to the Behavior Guidelines for Parents.

4.       Both team captains are responsible for controlling spectators’ conduct during match play.

5.       It is acceptable during the first three weeks of play to assist the 10 & 12 under division players since they may need help in scoring, rotation of serve, etc.

6.       Parents may not be on the same court as their child. It is acceptable for the captain to help with the tiebreak in all age groups. In the older age groups, you may explain the tiebreak one time and then must leave the court.

J. Courts

1.       If the home team is unable to provide courts for any scheduled dual meet, the visiting team has first option of providing courts. (The host team is considered the home team.)

2.       If the visiting team does not elect to provide courts, the responsibility reverts to the home team, which must provide courts within the approved JTT area at the scheduled time.

J. Alcoholic Beverages

Spectators at junior matches should not consume alcoholic beverages.

L. Refreshments

Most tennis facilities (except Warren Road and Lakeside High School) provide cups, ice, and water. Please make sure the players have water before they walk onto the court.

M. Awards

At the conclusion of a season, the team with the most games won is declared the division winner. JTT division winners for divisions 10’s, 12’s, 14’s, and 18’s are eligible to participate in the play-offs for the Georgia Junior State Championships provided the player as played in three team matches and only one of the three matches is a default.

N. Play-offs

Play-offs may be held at the end of each season with the top teams in each division competing against each other. (This requires two or more divisions in the same skill level.) The number of teams that go to the play-offs depends on the number of teams in that division. The JTT Coordinator assists with scheduling play-off matches.

IV. Scoring

A. Format

·         Division 8 & Under – One mini-set to 4 games. If they tie at 3 games all, they play a regular game (no tiebreaker).

·         Division 10 & Under – One regular set to 6 games.  Must win by two. Tiebreaker at 6 games all.

·         Division’s 12's, 14's, 18's - Best two out of three mini-sets to 4 games. Tiebreaker at 3 games all. Match tiebreaker (10 points) if they split sets.

o        Therefore, two mini-sets will be played to 4 games with no ad scoring.  Examples of match score could be one of the following:  [4-0, 4-1] or [4-2, 4-3] or [4-1, 1-4, 1-0], etc.

o        Set Tiebreaker – If the set score reaches 3-3 in either set, then players are to play a set tiebreaker, i.e. the first one to 7 and leads by at least a two point margin. Examples of set tiebreaker scores can be 7-5, 7-3, 8-6, 9-7, etc.

o        Third Set Match 10-pt Tiebreaker – If players split sets, i.e. both opponents win a set, then the third set will be decided by a match 10-point tiebreaker, i.e. the first one to 10 and leads by at least a two point margin. Examples of match tiebreaker scores can be 10-8, 10-5, 11-9, 12-10, etc.

B. Team Points

The total number of games won is counted for the winner and loser. NO BONUS POINTS ARE AWARDED. The maximum number of points for any position is eight. The maximum total points per match are 40.

C. No-Ad Scoring

·         The team or player to win four points wins the game. If the score reaches 3-3, the receiver has a choice of receiving in the ad or deuce court. The winner of the next point wins the game.

·         Players may call the score as 1, 2, 3, and game; or 15, 30, 40, and game. They may call the score of 3-3 “deuce.”

·         In doubles, the receiving team chooses who receives the last point. Both players remain on the same receiving side they played on during the match.

·         In singles, the receiver may choose to receive on either the left or right side of the court.

·         In mixed doubles, the boy receives serve from the boy, and the girl receives serve from the girl. The receiver remains on the same side he or she has received on during the match.

D. Tiebreaks

·         If a set reaches 6-6 for 10 & under or 3-3 for 18 & under, players must play a tiebreak. The order of serving is the same as it was at the start of the match.

·         In doubles, the first server serves one point from the right side. The second server serves two points starting from the left side and ending on the right side. The third server serves two points starting on the left and ending on the right side. The fourth server serves one point from the left side and then players change ends of the courts. The fourth server serves 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 serves one point from the right side. The second server serves 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. Players change ends of the court every six points.

V. Penalties and Forfeitures

A. Ineligible Players

If an ineligible player participates in a dual meet, all points earned by that player are forfeited.

B. Penalties

The Local JTT Coordinator has the authority to impose penalties and violations in situations where no penalty is provided by these rules.

C. Excessive Defaults

Dropping points often has an impact on division standings and you are strongly encouraged not to forfeit entire matches. Consider playing a practice match if your team has to forfeit a position, and use a player who has already played. (These points do not count.)

1.     Excessive defaults are defined as defaulting all points of a dual meet or averaging more than one default per dual meet.

2.     If a team has excessive defaults, all its matches will be nullified and remaining matches will be treated as byes.

D. Suspension

If a team has excessive defaults, the team may be suspended the following season. This penalty also applies to any team withdrawing after schedules have been completed.

          E. Protests

1.       If the team captains cannot resolve conflicts, the JTT Coordinator should be contacted.

2.       Submit official protests in writing to the JTT Coordinator within seven days of the scheduled match being protested. The JTT Coordinator normally replies within 10 days.

VI. Inclement Weather

A. Rain

1.       In the event of rain, incomplete individual matches stand as played.

2.       The same players at the exact game and point resume incomplete matches as they stood when play was halted.

3.       Line-ups for matches not started (including any position previously defaulted) may be changed provided it does not conflict with the eligible player rules.

4.       Matches must be completed in accordance with the Rain-Out Rules.

B. Rain-Out Rules

1.       In the event a match is cancelled due to rain, teams have seven days to make up the match.

2.       If a day cannot be agreed upon, the match must be played the following Friday (fifth day).

3.       If it rains on the fifth day, the match must be made up the next day there isn’t any rain.

4.       Notify the JTT Coordinator of all rain-out matches. Give the Coordinator the date, time and place of the make-up match.

5.       Rain out of the last scheduled match of a season should be made up on the next day without rain.

6.       In the case of a rain out, it may be necessary to set up individual matches on different days to accommodate schedules.

7.       If disagreement occurs, Friday is the day for the make-up match.

C. Temperature

Teams are not obligated to play a match if the temperature is below 32° F or above 95° F. If teams decide to play, it must be the decision of both captains. Rain-Out Rules apply to rescheduling the match. There are no provisions for extreme wind.

VII. Ability Level Guidelines

Use the guidelines below to determine at which level a player should play. When in doubt, the player should play in the higher level, because the player will probably be at that level within one or two matches of the season.

Beginner

If an individual has never played a JTT match before or recently started playing tennis, the player is a beginner. This type of player may play in a beginner JTT for two seasons. (If a player has played in local sanctioned tournaments, the player is not a beginner.) If a player has played in local unsanctioned satellite tournaments and not won any matches, he or she can still be considered a beginner. All 10 & under players can be considered a beginner unless the above criteria are clearly exceeded.

Intermediate

If a player has: played in local satellite tournaments and won a match or matches in the tournaments; been a JTT player for two seasons; and can sustain a three-ball rally regularly, the player is classified as an intermediate.

Advanced

An advanced player is one who: has played local tournaments and routinely wins one or more matches in his or her age group; can place the ball to different parts of the court; and understands how to win points in his or her respective age group.

VIII. Georgia Junior Team Tennis State Championship Regulations

1.       If a team captain or player, regardless of intent, breaks any of rules, the team is subject to disqualification and will not be allowed to attend the championships.

2.       Any team that plays in the Fall or Spring JTT is eligible to participate. If you have players that have had birthdays before the championships (August 31, 2012), you are allowed to replace them with other players who played in the Fall or Spring JTT.

3.       Recruiting additional players is only allowed with permission of the JTT Coordinator prior to any contact being made with the other player or parent. Permission with the other team captain is normally required before recruiting additional players.

4.       A player will not be allowed to play up when a team in his or her age and skill level is in need of a player, unless that player played on the team during the JTT season.

5.       Missing the submittal deadline or the Team Captains’ Meeting will result in withdrawal from the championships.

IX. Georgia Junior Team Tennis State Championship Ability Level Determination Rules

The USTA Junior Team Tennis Program uses the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) guidelines for rating players. These guidelines are used for district championships. Parents or coaches using the NTRP guidelines below may rate players. Rate solely on ability. Do not adjust for age. Incorrectly rated players will be declared ineligible and will lose any points they may have won. The points are awarded to the opponent. It is the team captain’s and team coach’s responsibility to make sure all players are rated properly. Team placement is determined by the average NTRP rating of a team.

A. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NTRP PLAYING LEVELS (per 2010-2011 USTA Jr Team Tennis Rules & Regulations)

1.0 Player is just starting to play tennis.

1.5 Player has limited experience and is working primarily on getting the ball in play.

Note to team coach/manager: Player needs to coordinate moving when hitting the ball. In fact, 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 lacks court experience and their strokes need developing. Player is familiar with

the basic positions for singles and doubles play.

Note to team coach/manager: Player is now beginning to coordinate footwork but is not consistent in hitting the ball over the net. Player can serve to some degree, understands scoring as well as correct positions for serving and receiving, and has limited success with volleys.

2.5 Player is learning to judge where the ball is going, although their court coverage is

limited. Player can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.

Note to team coach/manager: Player can keep score unassisted, can call own lines, can serve overhand from the baseline, and has an understanding of the basic rules.

3.0 Player is fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable

with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. The most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.

Note to team coach/manager: Player is improving court coverage and can sustain a rally and serve with consistency. On ground strokes, player needs to improve control of height, depth, direction, and speed.

3.5 Player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on

moderate shots, but needs to develop depth and variety. They exhibit more aggressive net play, have improved court coverage, and are developing teamwork in doubles.

Note to team coach/manager: Player is starting to recognize opportunities to attack short balls by

coming to net. Player is developing more spin and power on the serve and seldom double faults.

4.0 Player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both

forehand and backhand sides on moderate-paced shots. Player can use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with some success and occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.

Note to team coach/manager: Player has added variety in shot selection by using lobs, overheads,

volleys, and approach shots with some success. Player can develop a game plan.

4.5 Player has developed use of power and spin and can handle pace. Player has sound

footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempts to vary their game plan according to your opponents. Player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. They tend to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Note to team coach/manager: Player is developing an offensive weapon.

5.0 Player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute

around which a game may be structured. They can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys. Player can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.

Note to team coach/manager: Player is match-wise and uses shots that have a high percentage of success in both singles and doubles.

5.5 Player has mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. They can vary

strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation. Player has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.

6.0 to 7.0 Player has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the

junior and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking.

7.0   Player is a world-class player.

B. Rules for Ranked Players (per USTA Southern Georgia Rules and Regulations)

1.05 Official Rating Program: Players with a sectional (12-18’s standings 1-300 and 10’s standings 1-100) standing in any age group as of July 31, 2010 must enter at the advanced level (NTRP 3.5 & above).  Players with more than 150 points in any age group on the posted Georgia standing list as of the end of July 2010 may not play Beginner level (NTRP 2.0 and below).  Point totals shall include both singles and doubles divisions from which points were acquired.  Points earned due to defaults will not be considered and may be deducted if noted in writing to the State League Coordinator at time of Championship registration.

The most current ranking information is available when Georgia Junior State Championships packets are turned in so that players may be rated properly.

Call the GTA office at 404.256.9543 if you have any questions as to whether or not a player is ranked.