New Orleans Jr. Team Tennis RULES & INFORMATION for

Parents and Coaches

www.neworleanstennis.com  

Advanced – The Southern Tennis Assoc. rule for 12 & above is if a player has a Southern standing of 1-300 as of July 31, 2009 or their NTRP ranking is 3.5 and above, they MUST play advanced. The Southern Tennis Assoc. rule for 10 & below is if a player has a Southern standing of 1-100 as of July 31, 2009 or their NTRP ranking is 3.5 and above, they MUST play advanced. A player who is advanced in any division is considered advanced in all divisions.

Intermediate – This is for non-tournament players who can serve and rally.     

AGE Divisions –USTA age requirements govern what age division a child can play in the State tournament. Make sure when you are putting together your teams to determine what their age eligibility will be for August 31. Example- If a child is 12 now, but will turn 13 before August 31, that child must play in the 14’s in the State tournament. Please note that if your team advances to state and for whatever reason the team size drops below the minimum of 6, you can only add one boy and one girl.     

8 & Under Player is 8 or under on August 31, 2010
10 & Under Player is 10 or under on August 31, 2010
12 & Under Player is 12 or under on August 31, 2010
14 & Under Player is 14 or under on August 31, 2010
18 & Under Player is 18 or under on August 31, 2010

12 & under, 14 & under, & 18 & under divisions
Team roster must have a minimum of “6” players (3 boys & 3 girls). When teams compete, there will be 5 matches – One line of each boys & girls singles, and one line of each boys & girls doubles and 1 Mixed. Males may not compete against females.

8 &10 & under Quickstart
Please note in the 8 & Under Quickstart and the 10 & under Quickstart divisions ONLY, The team can consist of boys and girls. Males can compete against females. Team roster must have a minimum of “4” players. Go to
www.neworleanstennis.com and click on the Junior link for more details on Quickstart.

10 & Under Intermediate/Advanced Combo. The format will be two lines of singles of any gender, with the strongest player playing on line 1 and the second strongest playing on line 2. There will be two lines played of doubles of ANY GENDER. Any gender meaning girl & girl, boy & boy, or boy & girl doubles team. Please play the strongest doubles line on line 1.
1. Team members may play a “Maximum” of 2 positions per team match. One player may play a singles and a doubles or mixed position, but NOT 2 singles or 2 doubles positions.
2. Team members may play on one team per AGE division. Dual registration on two teams in the SAME division is not allowed.
3. Spring Season only…. All players must play in THREE matches during the
spring season to be eligible for state tournament.

SCORING
10 & U, 12 & U, 14 & U, 18 & U will be 4 games each, 2 out of 3 sets. The seven-point Tie Breaker as specified by USTA rules will be in effect anytime the score reaches 3-All. 10 point tiebreaker for third set. Winners of divisions are based on games won, not sets.

Warm-Up and Default
Players will observe a ten (10) minute warm up. The 20-minute default rule is in effect for all scheduled matches. Captains please be on time and make sure you send your team to the correct place.

Forfeit
If a team cannot play all of the positions, then it must still play the other matches. You must make every effort to play all scheduled matches.  Write FORFEIT in place of the forfeited player’s name and be sure to put the names of the players receiving the forfeit.

Rescheduling Matches
All matches will be played according to the schedule unless the facility closes. In the event of inclement weather, teams should wait 30 minutes to make sure the courts will not be playable. Rained Out or interrupted matches should be  rescheduled and played before your next match date if possible. The Home Team Captain is to make court reservations for make up match. PLEASE STICK WITH THE SCHEDULE!!!!!

Team Captains
Home Team must contact the Guest Team at least 3 days prior to match date to confirm match times, line-up & location. The Home Team is also responsible for providing BALLS.  Please record scores www.neworleanstennis.com, click on Junior Tennis, click on Tennislink within 24 hours of the completed match.

Coaching & Parents
If we want to participate in Junior Team Tennis we must follow their rules to the best of our ability. Understandably there is a little more help provided in the 8 & U and the 10 & under divisions but even there, as soon as the children are able to play unassisted, they should do so.
1. A court monitor may be appointed for the younger divisions only (8 & under and 10 & under). Their only job is to make sure that play is fair and continuous. Parents please volunteer to help monitor a court.
2. They may overrule bad line calls on either team.
3. It is acceptable to assist with rules of the game at the beginner levels only.
They may need help in scoring and rotation of serve. However, the goal is to allow the children to play unassisted as soon as possible.
4. Parents that are not court monitors are not allowed to change the score or to interfere with any line calls.
5. Coaching is allowed only by the team coach, although, the team coach may not coach during a tiebreaker. NO COACHING IS ALLOWED FROM PARENTS OR SPECTATORS!!
6. Parents, juniors and fans are encouraged to cheer GOOD PLAY only!  Please do not cheer for double faults or unforced errors. Captains should inform parents of this rule.
7. Please pick up your trash after all matches.
8. Make sure that younger siblings sit or stay near their parents while visiting other clubs. Parents and friends are NOT allowed to sit on the tennis court at ANY time. Remember, this is Jr. Team Tennis. At no time should any parent call a foot fault on any player. In case of a scheduling conflict or miscommunication between captains, please remind parents and players when visiting a club do not take this conflict out on the club workers, players, etc.  Remember that most clubs are allowing us to use their courts free of charge for our Juniors. We must keep this relationship with the clubs a positive one.
Try to resolve issues “first” between captains.

Please feel free to contact your junior coordinator with any problems or questions.