2014 Procedures for Netlove Tennis Leagues

2014 Procedures for NetLove Tennis Leagues Local League Rules

General League Rules

1a) All leagues must abide by and enforce the rules listed in the 2013 USTA League Tennis National Regulations, the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Section Rules, and the 2013 Virginia/Maryland/DC District Rules for all USTA League play. These can be found on various websites: http://www.midatlantic.usta.com/USTA-Leagues/Regulations/Mid-Atlantic/ http://www.maryland.usta.com http://www.usta-va.com http://www.washingtondc.usta.com b) TennisLink is the USTA official system for registering teams and players, obtaining captain contact information (Captain’s Report), printing match scorecards, reporting match scores and reviewing posted standings for the league. c) Since USTA league matches are unofficiated, the most current edition of Friend at Court, “The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules & Regulations” and The Code: The Players’ Guide for Unofficiated Matches shall apply in any situation not covered by the rules. d) League Registration: Local League registration dates are set by each Local League Coordinator and may be found on TennisLink and on some Local League websites. Late registration is subject to the discretion of the Local League Coordinator. Late entries will not be accepted after the scheduling process has begun. e) Home teams provide USTA approved tennis balls if not provided by the facility/other party. f) Team captains handle all team administrative matters and represent their team in USTA League Tennis matters. All communication with the League Coordinators must go through the team captain. g) Team captains must be familiar with all Regulations in 1) a) above, TennisLink, District and the local league website, if available. h) Team captains are responsible for fielding a complete team for each match of the league season. Team defaults may affect the final league standings. Therefore teams should play all matches regardless of whether they are in contention for post-season play.

2) Team Rosters a) Players may play on one team per level, per local league. Players must self-rate in TennisLink if they do not have a current USTA NTRP rating. b) Players and captains may participate on more than one team under certain conditions. See MAS Rule 11 for further information. c) Players may play only one NTRP level above their current computer rating or self-rating. (USTA National Regulation 1.04G(5)). There is no limit to the number of players per team who “play up”, unless it is a 2 team league, in which case each team must maintain its roster with at least 60% of its players at the designated level of play. (USTA National Regulation 1.04D(6)). The exception is the Adult 55 & Over League Type that uses combined NTRP rating levels and will not be required to comply with this Regulation. The Section allows the same exception for the Adult 65 & Over League type.

3) Match Schedules and Match Times a) Matches are scheduled according to court availability. b) If due to court constraints timed matches are necessary, the minimum allowable match time is 1.5 hours. See Local League Procedures attached for timed match information.

4) Match Rescheduling a) Match Schedules are firm. Matches are to be played on the scheduled date with the following exceptions: i) Facility issues or weather (rain, heat, visibility) ii) USTA Local Playoff or post season Championship (Districts, Sectionals, Nationals). iii) LLC sponsored tennis events. Note: Delays or cancellations due to weather/facility issues are common; therefore, captains are expected to cooperate in the rescheduling process. b) For weather/facility issues, check your local league homepage, if available, or check the attached Procedures from your Local League Coordinator on how these situations should be handled. c) The home team determines court playability if weather/court conditions are questionable on the day of the match. If courts are not playable, home captain should contact visiting captain as soon as possible. d) Inclement weather make up matches must be played within 7 days. See MAS Rule 7. This does not preclude a local coordinator from formally re-scheduling a match date/time where local circumstances require, as long as established dates for completing local play are not violated. e) If inclement weather/or a facility issue occurs after a match has begun, completed individual matches will stand as played and incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players at the exact set, game and point when play was halted. If line-ups are exchanged and no matches have begun, different players can be presented at the make up match.

5) Match Format & Courts a) The Local League Coordinator may schedule any combination of hard courts, clay courts, or indoor courts for league matches. b) Warm ups are limited to no more than 10 minutes. If a player arrives late, but before the 15 minute default time, the player is entitled to a 5 minute warm-up. See MAS Rule 8. c) It is recommended that match play will consist of best of two sets using regular scoring and a set tiebreak (first to 7 points by 2 points) at six games all in each set. In the event of split sets, a match tiebreak (first to 10 win by 2) in lieu of a third set shall be played immediately following the end- of-set rest period. The Coman tiebreak procedure will be used for all tiebreaks, unless stated otherwise for indoor matches in the attached Local League Procedures. d) In leagues where there are timed matches, refer to the attached Local League Procedures for specific instructions to follow.

6) Line-up Exchange a) Team captains must simultaneously exchange written line-ups 5-10 minutes before the match start time. Printed TennisLink scorecards (showing rosters) should be used. b) If a captain is missing a player, but in good faith believes the player will arrive before the 15- minute default time, the line-ups must be exchanged at the scheduled time. If the captains allow a lower match to start out of sequence (first service attempt) and later the higher match ends in a default, all matches stand as played. c) If a team knowingly begins a team match without a full complement of players for the line-up, they must forfeit from the bottom up. (#2 singles before #1 singles; #3 doubles before #2 doubles.) d) If a match is postponed after line-ups have been exchanged, all line-up positions may be changed except for any positions that already started their match (first service attempt). (USTA National Interpretations, Page 6)

7) Team Defaults and Individual Match Defaults a) Captains should notify opposing team captains (by email) of known individual match defaults in advance (USTA National Interpretations, Page 6). Once defaulted, players do not need to show to play and the team receiving the default will be awarded a 6-0, 6-0 score for the court. If unplayable conditions exist (weather, facilities, etc.) and the match is rescheduled, the default is void. b) If a player arrives 15 minutes after a scheduled match time, his/her individual match is a considered a default. Below are the penalties for lateness: 5 mins. or less late, loss of toss and 1 game 5:01 – 10:00 mins. late, loss of toss and 2 games; 10:01 – 15:00 mins. late, loss of toss and 3 games; More than 15:00 mins. late, default See Table 16 in Friend At Court c) Team Defaults: For Leagues with 5 courts, a team may default a maximum of two positions in a match without defaulting the entire match. For leagues with 3 courts, a team may default a maximum of one position in a match without defaulting the entire match d) National Regulation 2.03L does not apply with respect to determining a defaulting team’s eligibility to advance to championship play, but does apply insofar as a team match default affects any other team’s eligibility to advance. Local League Coordinators will check TennisLink for full team defaults and will make any necessary adjustments to the standings before certifying the winning team for advancement to the next championship level. (MAS Rule 8.)

8) Score Entry a) Match results must be entered in TennisLink within 48 hours after match completion. Both team captains (not the Winning Captain) are responsible for making sure that scores are recorded and agreed upon at the conclusion of the match and entered into TennisLink. (See MAS Rule 6.) b) If a team match is split up or interrupted by rain or other situation, use the date of the last outstanding individual match for entering the score in TennisLink.

9) Post Season Play: Local League Playoffs, District & Sectional Championships a) A player must have participated in two (2) local league matches, with one default counting, prior to participating in any Local League playoff, District or Sectional Championship. b) If Local League playoffs are required, playoff formats will be determined by the Local League Coordinator and will be contained in the Local League Procedures.

10) Captain/Player Conduct a) All players and captains are expected to exhibit the highest levels of sportsmanship along with courtesy and fairness. Each league participant is expected to know, and is bound by the league rules listed in Rule 1) a). b) All matches should be played in good faith and to the benefit of tennis and fair play. Teams are expected to compete to win.

11) Grievances

There is a standard process in the National Regulations. Grievance and Grievance Appeal Committee members must be approved by the Section. Grievance and Grievance Appeal Committee members will be listed on the Local League Fact Sheet.

Warm-up Period

At private facilities do not take to the courts until your scheduled match time. Players may purchase court time prior to their scheduled match time for team warm-ups. In these cases, a receipt must be shown if asked for by the opposing captain. All players are entitled to a warm-up period, not to exceed five (5) minutes. A player who is late shall still be entitled to a five (5) minute warm-up. (See MAS Rule #8). The full five-minute warm-up period shall still be granted if desired by any player. A player may have a partner or team member, or any other person provide the warm-up if the opponent refuses to do so.

 PLAYING LEVELS

 ABOUT US

 CONTACT US

12) Miscellaneous Rules a) Medical Time Outs: No more than one (1) medical time out is allowed per player, per injury. Diagnostic time is 2 minutes. The medical time out can be up to three (3) minutes in duration after treatment supplies are on court. The maximum time allowed is 15 minutes. If the injured player is unable to continue after the medical time out due to the injury or illness, the match will result in a retirement. Bleeding time out is 15 minutes. b) Cell Phones: All players’ cell phones are to be turned off during all matches. Any match disruptions caused by a cell phone will result in the opposing team being awarded one point. c) Spectators: No communication and no coaching is allowed between spectators and players.

This document incorporates all local league rules. Procedures

. Warm-up Period

At private facilities do not take to the courts until your scheduled match time. Players may purchase court time prior to their scheduled match time for team warm-ups. In these cases, a receipt must be shown if asked for by the opposing captain. All players are entitled to a warm-up period, not to exceed 10 minutes. A player who is late shall still be entitled to a five (5) minute warm-up. (See MAS Rule #8). The full five-minute warm-up period shall still be granted if desired by any player. A player may have a partner or team member, or any other person provide the warm-up if the opponent refuses to do so.

Time/Clocks

Calling Time

 Lateness – A home team player on each court is responsible for marking the lateness time when a player shows up late. The penalty time continues until the player is on the court in position ready to play. Just being in the club is not sufficient readiness.  .  Before the match begins – After exchanging line-ups and before players take to the courts, the team captain or acting captain is required to confirm with all match players how the conclusion of the timed match will be determined. Options available at various clubs include: club buzzers, club clocks, individual watches on the court or cell phone alarms on the court. NO CAPTAIN, COACH OR SPECTATOR can call time for a match other than he/she is playing in.  After the match is about to end - NO CAPTAIN, COACH OR SPECTATOR can call time for a match other than he/she is playing in.  If players unknowingly play beyond their scheduled match time, all points that were played “in good faith” will stand.

Playing Beyond Time of Match Conclusion Court Shifts/Continuous Play

Exchange of sides should take place AFTER EACH SET is complete for all USTA/NOVA indoor league matches. Brief water breaks etc. are limited to 90 seconds after odd games except after the first game and during a tiebreak game in all mixed, and indoor adult leagues. Between points, a maximum of 20 seconds is allowed. This timeframe starts from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the point until the serve is struck to start the next point. This limit does not apply if a player has to chase a stray ball. Play is continuous; players are not to leave the court except in an emergency or other approved absence, e.g., bathroom.

Bathroom Breaks

In an attempt to minimize stalling towards the end of match, no bathroom breaks will be permitted in an ongoing match during the last 15 minutes of play. If a player chooses to use the bathroom during the last 15 minutes of play, the match will be considered to be RETIRED, resulting in a win to the opposing team. Scores are to be reported in TennisLink as they exist at time of the infraction checking the radio button to identify the winner.

Interruption of Play Due to Power Failure

In the case where a match is interrupted due to a power failure, the following rules shall apply:

 If the match is interrupted for 15 minutes or less, play will resume and continue for the full 1.5 hours – i.e., play will continue for the exact amount of time of the interruption past the time when the match would have ended.  The starting time of any match scheduled to use the courts following an interrupted match shall be delayed by the amount of time of the interruption, not to exceed 15 minutes.  If the interruption is longer than 15 minutes and both captains agree to an abbreviated match, then match may continue for no longer than 15 minutes past the time the match was originally scheduled to end.  If one hour of play (including 5 minute warm-up) has been played, and the power goes out, the match will be considered finished and "Timed" will be used in TennisLink when entering the scores.

2013 HCTL/USTA League Procedures Individual Match Scoring

Flow Chart for Matches with Third Set Match Tiebreaker [PDF]

All NOVA/USTA matches will play two full sets with a MATCH tiebreaker to be played in lieu of the 3rd set (first team to 10 points, win by two).

At 6 games each in any set, a 12-point tiebreaker will be used (first team to 7 points, win by 2.) At the end of the timed playing period, IF THE BALL IS IN PLAY, finish the point you are playing but do not start a new point. If a player is serving and a fault is caused during buzzer sounding, the player is entitled to finish the point and take the second serve. If all players in a match fail to note that match time has expired and they continue to play until they realize it, all points that have been played will count. The match is over once all players on the court shake hands.

In any situation described below, incomplete games are to be totally disregarded in scoring irrespective of what the score may be in that incomplete game. The exception to this is tiebreaker games: see "Tiebreaker Incomplete."

If at the end of the timed playing period the match is incomplete, the match status shall be reported on TennisLink as "Timed Match" and the following rules shall apply:

3rd Set Tiebreaker Incomplete: If a side is ahead by one or more points, it shall be considered to have won the ‘match tie-break’ and the match. If there is a tie in the number of points won, one point will be played to determine the winner of the match tiebreaker. A spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides.

All unfinished match tiebreakers will be recorded as 1-0 in TennisLink with a drop-down of "Completed" used.

2nd Set Split: (Where match tie-break has not begun) - The match shall go to the side that has won the most games during the match. If there is a tie in the number of games won, one point will be played to determine the winner of the match. A spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides. The match winner (by game count or point-break) is to be reported on TennisLink as the winner of the match with the actual game score (point break excluded).

2nd Set Incomplete: The following are all valid 2nd sets: 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 5-0, 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3. Any other second set score is invalid. If there is no value second set, the match goes to the winner of the first set.

If the sets are now split at one set each, procedure follows 2nd Set Split (Where match tie-break has not begun) and the match shall go to the side that has won the most games during the match. If there is a tie in the number of games won, a single tiebreak point will be played to determine the winner of the match. Again, a spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides. The match winner (by game count or point- break) is to be reported on TennisLink as the winner of the match with the actual game score (point break excluded).

2nd Set Tiebreaker Incomplete: If a side is ahead by one point or more, it shall be considered to have won the set tiebreaker. If there is a tie in the number of points won, one point will be played to determine the winner of the set tiebreaker. A spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides.

If the sets are now split at one set each, procedure follows for 2nd Set Split (Where match tiebreaker has not begun).

1st Set Incomplete: If a side is ahead by one game or more, it shall be considered to have won the match. If there is a tie in the number of games won, one point will be played to determine the winner of the match. A spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides.

1st Set Tie-break Incomplete: If a side is ahead by one point or more, it shall be considered to have won the match. If there is a tie in the number of points won, one point will be played to determine the winner of the match. A spin of the racquet shall be used to determine which player will serve the point (the non-serving team has the option of which side to receive serve, deuce or ad court), but in no event will players change courtsides.

Default

If a captain is aware of a default sometimes the court can be cancelled if the League Coordinator, Alice Hume, is notified with no less than 36 hours notice. If there is no notification, the defaulting team will be responsible for their part of the court payment.