RULES AND REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 1:  Rules and Regulations
     All matches and tournaments of this association shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Top of Utah Tennis Association, the Northern Utah Tennis Association, the Intermountain Tennis Association, and the United States Tennis Association

ARTICLE II:  League/Team Structures and Rules of Play

Section 1:  The "NTRP" Rating Categories shall be used in the league structure.  Players will use the self-rating guidelines to establish their league play level.

NTRP LEVEL: 1.5

This player has had limited experience with stroke development and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play. This player is not yet ready to compete.


NTRP LEVEL: 2.0

This player needs on-court experience, with an emphasis on play. This player struggles to find an appropriate contact point, needs stroke development/lessons and is not yet familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles.

NTRP LEVEL: 2.5

This player is learning to judge where the ball is going when receiving the ball, although movement and recovery are not in sync. Can sustain a rally of slow pace with other players of similar ability and is beginning to develop strokes. This player is becoming more familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles. This player is ready to play social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments.

Potential limitations: grip weaknesses; not attempting full swing on serve; inconsistent toss on serve; limited transitions to net.


NTRP LEVEL: 3.0

This 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,  pace or altering distance of shots. Most common doubles formation is one up, one back.

Potential limitations: consistency when applying or handling pace; difficulty handling shots “outside of their strike zone”; can be uncomfortable at the net.

NTRP LEVEL: 3.5

This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth, variety and the ability to alter distance of shots. The effective use of lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys is limited due to a lack of confidence. This player is more comfortable at the net, has improved court awareness, and is developing teamwork in doubles.

Potential limitations or strengths: “This is the level at which it begins to be about what skills a player can display on court, not what they can’t.” Players at this level may start to utilize mental skills related to concentration, tactics and strategy.


NTRP LEVEL: 4.0

This player has dependable strokes, including directional control, depth and the ability to alter distance of shots on both forehand and backhand sides during moderately paced  play, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with more success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.

Potential strengths: less likely to beat themselves; more dependable second serve; recognizes opportunities to finish points.

NTRP LEVEL: 4.5

This player has begun to vary the use of pace and spins, has good movement, can control distance and depth of shots, and is beginning to develop game plans according to strengths and weaknesses. This player can hit the first serve with power and accuracy and can place the second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Potential strengths: points are won and lost off the serve more often; better able to cover weaknesses; beginning to develop a weapon around which their game can be built.


NTRP LEVEL: 5.0

This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which their game can be structured. This player has the confidence to regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overheads, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.

Potential strengths: better decision making; covers and disguises weaknesses well; mentally tougher, but can still break down in stress situations.

NTRP LEVEL: 5.5

This player has developed pace and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive situations and hit dependable shots in stress situations.

Potential strengths: can hit offensively at any time; can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive situations; first and second serves can be depended upon in stress situations.


NTRP LEVEL: 6.0 - 7.0

The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournaments or top level collegiate competition, and has obtained a national ranking. The 6.5 and 7.0 are world-class players.





SECTION  2:   League Structures

1.     USA Team Tennis shall be comprised of three divisions:  Men's Women's & Mixed

2.    Each Division will have it's league established and based on the playing levels of members of each team.  Playing levels will follow the NTRP Rating Categories and teams will be assigned in leagues with teams of equal playing abilities, insofar as possible.

3.  The League Coordinator shall have the right to re-assign teams or individual players that are believed to be misplaced


SECTION 3:  Team Structure

1.  Each team shall consist of a minimum of six (6) players, including a team captain.  No new players will be accepted for membership on a team roster for the last three scheduled matches of the season and any required play off's.

2.  The playing ability of the membership of each team shall be consistent with the league in which the team is placed as per NTRP ratings, except that individuals may "play up" from their classification for experience, but may not "play down" for competitive advantage.

3.     The League Coordinator may review an individuals self rating.  If it is determined a player is "playing down" the Coordinator may take the following actions:
                  A.    Membership Removal
                  B.    Forfeiture of matches played by the team in questions
                  C.    Reassignment of the player in questions

4.    The team captain shall be responsible for the collection of dues, conduct, preparation and disposition of team rosters, match scores, and player participation as pertains to his/her team.  It shall also be the responsibility of the team captain to get approval from and appropriate League Coordinator for each new team member prior to the player's participation in league play.

Section 4:  Rules of Play

Scoring

A.    Game Score:  The Deuce-add method of scoring in tennis will be used.

B.    Set Score:  A set is composed of a minimum of six games and a maximum of twelve.  The first player to win six games and be ahead by at least two games is the winner of the set.  Should the set be tied after twelve games of play at 6-6, a 12 point tie-breaker will be used to break the tie.  For scoring purposes, the winner is awarded one point for the tie-breaker, thus the set score would be 7-6.

C.     Match Score:  The match score of a team will consist of the total number of games won by the team and the number of tie-breakers won.  The team with the highest match score at the conclusion of the match, to include the overtime period if played, is declared the winner of the match.

D.    The 12 point tie-breaker:  The tie-breaker is a scoring device used in tennis to prevent a marathon set and match.

Singles (tie-breaker)

1.     A player who first wins seven points shall win the game and the set, provided he leads by a margin of two points.  If the score reaches six points all, the game shall be extended until the margin has been achieved.  Numerical scoring (1-0, 1-1, 2-1 etc.)

2.     The player whose turn it is to serve shall be the server from the first point, which is served to the "deuce" court.  His/her opponent shall be the server for the second and third points (serving first to the "add" court and then to the "deuce" court).  Thereafter, each player shall serve alternately for two consecutive points (serving firs to the "add" court and then to the "deuce" court) until the winner of the game and set has been decided.

3.    Payers shall change ends after every six points.  Note that after any changes of ends server will be serving his second serving point.

DOUBLES (tie-breaker)

1.    In doubles the procedures for singles shall apply.  The players whose turn it is to served shall be the server for the first point.  Thereafter, each player shall serve in rotation for the two points, in the same order as previously int he same set, until the winners of the game and set have been decided.

Matches

1.    A match will consist of four (4) sets singes and two (2) sets of doubles

Rosters

1.    The team captain of each team will individually prepare a team roster for his/her team prior to the start of the match.  The roster will be prepared as follows:  Players for singles play shall be ordered 1, 2, 3, 4 and the doubles 1 and 2.  After the rosters for both teams have been prepared, they will be exchange between team captains.  Changes int he rosters will be allowed after the exchange up until 6:30 (1/2 hour after scheduled starting time).  Singles set shall be played against correspondingly numbered teams on the opposing ream roster.

Play Limitations

1.     A player may play in only two sets per match.  One single set and one doulbes set.  (not two singes or two doubles).

Substitution

1.      No substitutions will be permitted.   If a player must retired during a set, the set is lost and forfeited to the opponent (s).

Balls for Match Play

1.    It is the home team captain's responsibility to insure that appropriately playable balls that have been provided by the Association are available for match play, not worm up or practice prior to play.

Number of Players

1.     In order for the team to be completed, it must have at least two players present by game time (6:00 p.m.) and no fewer than four players present within a half-hour by (6:30 p.m.) If only three players are present by 6:30 that team will have to default one singles and one doubles & opposing team will get six points per set that was defaulted.  A team may not use a "temporary Substitute" (someone not on the team's regular roster).  Only registered team members may play.

Tie-Breaker at the End of Regulation Play

1.     Should both teams be tied in total games at the end of regulation play, a 12 point tie-breaker will be played.  The winner of a racket spin shall have the option of playing singles or doubles.  The winner of second racket spin shall have the option of either service or court choice.

SECTION 5  Match Schedule

All matches must be played on the date and at the site specified by the Association except as provided for paragraphs A. and B. below:

A.  If the scheduled site of a match is unavailable for play at the date and time scheduled, an alternate facility may be used if agreed upon by both team captains or their representatives.  If no other facility is available on that schedule date, or if no agreement can be reached between the team captains or their representatives, the match will be rescheduled by the League Coordinator.  The rescheduled match should fall within seven (7) days of the originally scheduled match.

B.  Play may be discontinued under adverse conditions by mutual agreement of both team captains or their representatives.  Severe weather conditions or darkness may constitute grounds for suspension of play.  The match should be rescheduled within seven (7) days upon mutual agreement by both team captains or their representatives.  If no agreement can be reached, the match will be rescheduled by the League Coordinator.  When resumed, play will continue at the point of interruption with the same team roster, players, set and game scores as through no break in play had occurred.  (The failure of a team to have the minimum number of players present on the scheduled date, time and site of a match does not constitute grounds for rescheduling of the match).

SECTION 6  Reporting Scores and Submitting Score Sheets

The captain of the winning team of a match is responsible to report the score and submit a score sheet as required.  Failure to do so will result in a loss penalty to a winning team and league standing being computed reflection such loss.  SCORE results must be turned in no later that end of the week-of-play or the game may count as a forfeit for both teams.  Score results must be turned in at the drop boxes at Mt. Ogden and Ogden High courts on the night of match and absolutely no later than the end of the week-of-play.  Results may also be phone into XXXXX or Email at XXXX

SECTION 7 Protests/Grievances

A protest or grievance must be made in writing within 24 hours after the alleged infraction occurred and submitted to the League Coordinator or Ogden City Recreation.  A grievance committee will then act on the protest or grievance and submit an answer to the party filing the grievance as soon as possible.

SECTION 8 Season League Standings

Final Standings shall be determined on the basis of total matches won by the teams during the course of the regular season.  In the event of a tie in total matches won by two or more teams, the tie-breaker will go to the team that won the most total games.