Team Captain S Handbook of Guidelines and Responsibilities

TEAM CAPTAIN’S HANDBOOK OF GUIDELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES VIEWPOINT TENNIS CLUB (Effective with the VPTC Board Meeting October 22, 2014, The VPTC Dispute Resolution Process is incorporated)

Revised October 2014

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITES: Both captains and co-captains are responsible to be familiar with and follow East Valley Senior Tennis League and Viewpoint Tennis Club constitution, by-laws, guidelines (including Guidelines for EVSTL Team Captains) and policies. They must also maintain a working knowledge of USTA Rules and Code of Conduct. The Captain’s Handbook and Conflict Resolution documents are located in the Player Policy Advisory Tab, and the USTA Rules in the Links tab of the Club’s website (viewpointtennisclub.com)

Captains are responsible to:  organize the team  coordinate team duty assignments  maintain team records  determine league match pairings  contact opposing team to arrange match competition  plan and supervise team practices  arrange for team coaches if deemed appropriate  maintain open communication with team members  serve as a voting member of the VPTC Board of Directors and  actively represent the members of the team and communicate information as necessary.

Co-captains work co-operatively with the team captain by assisting with organizational tasks, match competitions and record-keeping. They provide input into pairings for match competition and lead the team when the Captain is absent.

ACTION RESPONSIBILITIES:  Attend monthly Tennis Club Board Meeting (with co-captain), date, time, and place to be determined each season by the Executive Committee. (Additional meetings may be scheduled, if necessary.)

 Attend General Membership Meetings (with co-captain) Scheduled @ 7:00 p.m. in the North Point Multi-Purpose room, 2nd Monday of November, January and March.

 Distribute Team Handbook at first meeting (provide copies to members during the season as they arrive (see below for suggested Team Handbook items).  Conduct weekly team meetings and practices.  Prepare agenda in advance of meeting.

1  Distribute individual league play statistics regularly and as requested.  Review weekly match information.  Review social plans for the team.  Review team member responsibilities as necessary.  Review any rule questions that may have come up during practice or match play.  Communicate current information from the board and/or general meetings.  Encourage participation in Club functions.  Foster sportsmanship and fair play.

KEY DUTIES AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE CAPTAIN

The captains should involve everyone on the team in some responsibility or duty to ensure a shared workload. Care should be taken to select individuals who want to lead or take responsibility for specific functions. Where appropriate, designate committees to plan assigned social events.

The captain and co-captain can determine what functions and tasks are necessary for successful team operation. Listed below are activities which typically are necessary for team function. Captains may organize or divide these and other activities to fit the needs of the team.

A. TEAM TREASURER It is expected that the team treasurer will work closely with the Club Treasurer to ensure that all approved procedures are followed and that accurate records are maintained.

General duties: 1. Collect team member information sheet & dues. Take key forms and pens/pencils to each team meeting. Follow the procedure outlined in the first meeting agenda. Individuals are not eligible to play in EVSTL matches until dues are paid. 2. Manage team money and pay expenses: The Team Treasurer is responsible to keep a record of all team income and expenses. Team expenses will include home match costs (refreshments) and the “assigned” social event for the team (see the Social Events and Activities Calendar) The coffee supplies & paper products in the kitchens are purchased by the Club and are provided ONLY for team matches and tournaments. If teams have “team parties” they are to provide their own paper products, drinks, etc. 3. Manage ticket sales. Each team is assigned a specific social event for the season. Each team has been assigned one activity and is responsible to provide lunch when we are having an invitational or in-park tournament or dinner & possibly entertainment if it is an evening event. The team treasurer will be given specific guidelines (from the Club Treasurer) for all ticket sale procedures.

B. TEAM SOCIAL CHAIRPERSON 1. The team social chairman (or committee) will plan team social activities. It is recommended that the team have a social event once a month, although the frequency of activities is determined by each team. The team determines how these functions are funded. 2. The social director (or committee) will also be responsible for managing the “social event” assigned to the team for the season. If the event requires ticket sales, the social director will work with the team treasurer to sell tickets for the event.

2 3. The team member responsible for the event will obtain the ticket-sale money box with tickets from the Club Treasurer. Follow the specific guidelines as outlined by the VPTC Treasurer.

C. COURT HOST 1. Prepare coffee pots the evening before your home matches. Be sure person making coffee has a key to the kitchen. Be sure this individual knows whether you are playing on the WEST or EAST courts. 2. When making coffee, follow the special instructions posted in the kitchens for the “electrical” situation prior to plugging in the pots. Note: Timers for the coffee pots are not to be unplugged. 3. Purchase pastries/fruit, etc. the evening before your home match. If weather is an issue, you may want that person to wait until the morning of the match to make these purchases. The individual will turn in their receipt to the team treasurer and be reimbursed. 4. Greet the other players when they arrive and make them welcome.

D. COURT SET-UP AND CLEAN-UP 1. A chair and cushion will be placed on the court for the scorekeeper. 2. Place cushions on bleachers for spectators. Pick up and return to shed when match is finished. 3. Empty the trash cans on the courts and the patio after the match and replace bags. 4. Clean the tables and chairs in the viewing areas before each match. 5. Hang the American and Canadian flags. After the match, take down the flags and store them properly. 6. Measure the nets at center. They should be 36” high. Make adjustments as necessary. 7. Assist kitchen committee by setting up tables for food.

E. GAME BALLS AND SCOREKEEPER/SCORE TABLE 1. Obtain game balls for all home matches. One new can of balls may be used for each match. Balls are obtained from the Club’s Ball Chairman. NEW GAME BALLS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR PRACTICE. 2. Place game balls on the score table for the scorekeeper to take on the court. Collect balls after the match and retain for team practice. 3. Recycle practice balls by placing sleeves of balls in marked bins at both courts. 4. Insure that courts are set aside for the home league matches by the court scheduler. If additional courts are required contact the Vice-President in advance, according to policy, to arrange them. If courts are not needed release them for social play at the earliest opportunity. 5. Contact and confirm scorekeepers for all home matches. Current listing of VPTC scorekeepers is available on the website. 6. Arrange for match scorekeepers for both 1st and 2nd rounds. Some individuals may be willing to do 2 rounds. Make a list of the scorekeepers for each match (and which round they will be scoring) and have it at the score table. 7. Prepare score sheets for the match. The blank score sheets, clipboards and pencils are in the shed(s).

F. KITCHEN CO-ORDINATOR

3 1. Works under the direction of the VPTC Kitchen Chairperson, using specific guidelines for kitchen activities (see guidelines in each kitchen) 2. Supervises all activities which take place during home matches or events for the team. 3. Sweep and wash kitchen floors after league play and other team functions 4. Coordinate with Court Host to ensure coffee and refreshments arranged for home matches.

PAIRINGS FOR COMPETITION: GUIDELINES

All player rankings are the CAPTAIN’S ESTIMATE of player skills (based on observation and actual win/loss records) that will place the individual player that week at the most competitive level. Avoid pairing players who vary significantly in their level of play. Individual ranking on the match play log may change from week to week depending on physical condition, practice, lessons, partners, athletic ability, and desire. Match players so that you get the best possible competition.

The captain will rank all players on the team and place each player into Position 1, 2, 3. Players ranked #1 should be the top players on the team and most capable of representing VPTC in competition. Players ranked #2 should be competent in skills, but possibly less experienced than the top players. Players ranked #3 should be at the next level in skills and experience. Generally, players ranked #4 will include conditional players, and those players less capable of higher level competition.

1. The Captain may use any information necessary to rank players. Captains and co-captains should watch matches and assess skill levels of each member on a regular basis.

2. Players ranked #1 should ONLY be paired with #1 or when necessary with #2 players. Players ranked #2 should be paired with #2 players and occasionally with #1 or #3 players. Level 3 players may play lines 2,3,or 4. Players who are #4 should be paired with #4 and #3 players. Captains are not to randomly pair or schedule all players to play with everyone on the team. This does not conform to the EVSTL or VPTC scheduling guidelines. This will be monitored by the Executive Board throughout the season. Players should NEVER be paired in a match with a stronger player ONLY to achieve a game winning percentage to prevent season end “move down”.

3. Captains are encouraged to have players self-rate themselves as well as teammates. While this is not an “official” rating, it will give the captain an idea of how the team members feel about the ranking of players. Where possible, consideration should be given to pairing players who are compatible and play well together.

4. Borrowing players from the same level. When it is necessary to borrow a player always borrow a player from the same level team if possible. Only borrow the level of the person you need to complete your line-up. Borrowed players from the same level may not play in position one. A position two player should be moved up to position one and the borrowed player should be played in a lower-ranked position. Borrowing captains will call other captains to obtain a recommendation of which player will fill their need. Lending captains will assist the effort by notifying other captains when they have a player sitting out or their team has a bye and returning phone calls from the borrowing captain in a timely manner. Lending captains should assist the borrowing captain, if necessary, to contact the player to assure their availability and involvement.

4 Borrowing players to play “up”. If no player is available from another team of your level borrow from a lower level and play a person “up”. To insure fairness to all players who qualify to and wish to play up proceed as follows: Borrowing captain contacts the lower level captains who are in the best position to know the skill level of their players and the number of players who are qualified to and wish to play up. Unless there is a creditable reason, the borrowing captain will not reject the recommendation. The lending captain will assist the effort by returning phone calls in a timely manner, and if necessary, contacting the player to assure their availability and involvement.

5. The team captain is required to provide an alphabetical list of all players with their current position rankings (1,2,3,4) to the Club Vice-President prior to each monthly board meeting starting in November through March, and any time thereafter when a player has moved up to a higher position or down to a lower position.

6. TEMPORARY (SHORT-TERM) PLAYERS “All residents of Viewpoint RV Resort, both long and short term, shall be eligible for membership in the Viewpoint Tennis Club” (VPTC Constitution, III). The annual fees are $50.00 per person, non-refundable and not pro-rated. The member is entitled to participate in the many social events of the club including weekly round robin play, access to the club professional, beginner lessons and many other social activities and amenities.

If a short term player wishes to participate in the East Valley Senior Tennis League (EVSTL) doubles match play which runs from November 1 to mid-March, they are required to purchase a club membership and to self nominate to a team level as a conditional player with the approval of the VPTC President or his/her designate. The President can assist in determining what team level is appropriate if the player is uncertain. The player must meet all eligibility criteria under EVSTL rules. The VPTC President shall assign the new short term player to the team next in rotation to receive a player unless another team has less men, or women, whichever applies. The receiving team shall not have to give up their place in rotation for the next full-time player. The playing of any player, including conditional or short term players, is at the sole discretion of the Team Captain. Factors such as team size, opposing team shortages, inclement weather or the need for team mates to attain match statistics may preclude all team members from playing each week.

If a short term club member does not wish to play EVSTL league they may qualify for other social tennis groups in Viewpoint such as STARS or 75 Plus and would still be eligible to access round robin, tennis lessons and club sponsored social events. Club membership would be required.

Short term visitors to Viewpoint that are not paid members may access the tennis courts for recreational play only but they are required to book court time on the schedule sheets posted at the East Courts and follow prime time policy rules.

5 MATCH COMPETITION AND PRACTICE: GUIDELINES. 1. Captain should contact visiting team captain as early as possible to determine the number of matches you will have. If possible, accommodate the other team by having opponents for all their players. Obtain names of players prior to the match if possible. 2. Create a match play log for each game (identify partners & positions). Match play logs are necessary for both home and away games. List the players on the match play log in order of the position they are playing. List the position beside the team name. The position number is NOT to be changed under any circumstances after the match. 3. Match play logs should be arranged so that play shows positions 1, 2, 3, and, if necessary, 4. Matches that contain more than one match at any given position, including position 1 matches are permissible, but only with the agreement of the opposing captain. 4. Captain should submit a copy of the completed match play log to the Club Statistician immediately following each match (home and away). The Club Statistician maintains records for all team members during the year and will provide information to the Executive Board, as required. 5. Maintain records of each player’s performance during the year. Should include player name, partner’s name, position played, results of match (6-2, 4-6, 7-4 TB, etc.). 6. Records of play in the #1 position are reported by the Club President to the East Valley Seniors Tennis League. Each team captain will provide this information to the Club President at the end of each season. 7. Once a match begins and a player withdraws for any reason, the opposing team has an automatic match win by forfeit. Results are recorded on the match play log as two (2) points to zero (0). All games that have been finished will be recorded for both teams. 8. Check schedule to clarify place and time for team practice/matches (either 9:00 or 9:30, depending upon the park). Captain should prepare a written schedule for team members identifying dates and times for practice as well as practice location (east or west courts). 9. For home matches, if more than 2 rounds will be required, team captain may request an additional court. Contact the Vice-President as soon as you know that you will have 3 rounds so that the court can be reserved prior to the schedule being posted. 10. If any assigned courts will not be used, Captain should release those courts on the reservation sign-up sheets at the earliest opportunity. 11. Team Captain and Co-Captain should have a copy of USTA Tennis Rules at ALL league matches for reference. Captain and Co-Captain should have read the rules and have a good understanding of them. 12. If your practice is scheduled immediately following another team’s league play, request permission from the captain responsible for the league play, before entering the existing or adjacent courts, until match play, including match tie-breakers are concluded.

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR TEAM HANDBOOK  Current season’s Social Events and Activities Calendar.  Complete VPTC Team Rosters.  Own Team Roster with phone numbers.  Team Duties and Assignments.  Team League Match Schedule for Season.  Schedule of Home Match Responsibilities (Coffee, Refreshments etc).  Maps or Directions to EVSTL Parks.

6  Personal Statistic Sheet.