» Juniors

We have received feedback from referees and tournament directors that there is a need for players, coaches, and parents/friends to make themselves familiar with the rules of tennis. Therefore, we are placing shortened versions of the rules on this site for your convenience. We will also see to it that they are posted at every tournament site. PLEASE READ THEM! ! !

JUNIOR CODE OF CONDUCT

A. PREMISE

· All players, officials and organizers of any Southwest Sanctioned Tournament have the duty of encouraging and maintaining high standards of personal conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship.

· The highest type of sportsmanship is expected from every player. If a player is accompanied by a parent, coach, friend or any other person, the same example of conduct is expected of them.

· The following standards are to be used as a guideline in order that all will know what is expected of them as players or spectators.

B. SPECIFICS

1. Appearance

· Participants are required to wear proper tennis attire. Tournament Directors may, at their discretion refuse playing privileges to any participant who, in their opinion, is not properly attired. Unkempt appearance is considered discourteous.

2. Relations with Tournament Committee

· Entries must be filed on time and in the manner stated on the entry blank. When a time is set for your match, report to the Tournament Desk ready to play and properly dressed 15 minutes prior to your starting time.

· Promptness in reporting for play is essential. Anyone who is more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled match will be defaulted. It is mandatory that all sanctioned tournaments use the Point Penalty System. To hold up matches for the benefit of late arrivals is unfair to players who appear punctually and often causes matches to pile up in subsequent rounds, thereby imposing an unfair burden on players who are not responsible for the situation.

· Seeded players are not entitled to special consideration.

3. Conduct of Players

· Players must know and adhere to the official rules of the USTA and Code and Guidelines of the Southwest Section under whose sanction all players are participating.

· Players may not accept any coaching during the process of a match. At no time may they communicate in any way with parents, friends, coaches or spectators. Any player who receives coaching during the process of a match is subject to the USTA Point Penalty System. Time between the second and third set is not considered “time in progress,” and communication is acceptable. It is considered unsportsmanlike conduct to engage in:

1. Abusive display or temper

2. Loud or abusive language

3. Swearing

4. Obscene language or gestures

5. Racket throwing

6. Hitting the ball in anger

7. “Gamesmanship” or stalling

8. Cheating

· Any of the above may be considered as grounds for disqualification by the Tournament Referee or his/her designee. Official USTA Umpires, Tournament Officials, and their representatives are required to enforce the Point Penalty System. The names of players receiving point penalties should be sent to the Section office immediately following the tournament in which the violations occurred.

· Players are encouraged to study the Rules of Tennis, USTA Tournament Regulations, the SW Section Junior Suspension Point System, and The Code in regard to all aspects of ethical play.

· No player shall drink alcohol on or off the tournament site or participate in any illegal activity or improper conduct (i.e., rowdiness in the hotel rooms, obscene language, defiance of bedtime hour, arrival at a match in a physical condition less than tip top (illness accepted) and usage of nonprescription illegal drugs).

· If a player must default a match, the player or parent must notify the Tournament Director or Referee at once.

· Players may not enter two tournaments that run concurrently without the prior approval of the Tournament Director.

· No player may enter any tournament (including consolations) that the player will not be able to finish, or transfer his/her entry to any other player.

4. Parents, Friends and Coaches

· Parents, friends or coaches are not permitted on the court at any time.

· Parents, friends or coaches may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring or the conduct of a match except during the official rest period allowed between the second and third sets, excluding Boys’ 18 where play is continuous.

· Spectators are expected to observe good manners at all times. They will not be permitted to coach, talk to players, sit or stand near a court in such a manner as to provide a distraction to any of the players on the court. Neither will they cheer or clap in any way other than the applauding of good play. The Tournament Referee, after following Southwest procedures, may at his/her discretion default any participant whose parents, friends or coaches interfere with the match in any way.

· Line calls by unauthorized person: No player will ask any spectator for assistance in making line calls.

· A player may request assistance in officiating during a match from the tournament referee, although players are encouraged not to request such assistance until and unless the need has been demonstrated. Players may seek the Referee, but must tell their opponent what they are doing. When asked, the Referee, at his/her discretion, may supply an umpire. If available, and if necessary, this umpire will act as a solo chair umpire. If a certified official is not available, a court monitor may be used, if available. A non-certified official acting as a court monitor shall:

1. Provide the correct score if an error occurs.

2. Arbitrate disputes.

3. Request the Referee’s direction if, in the official’s judgment, a chair umpire is needed because Point Penalty System infractions are occurring, or there are questions about tennis law. The Referee is responsible for obtaining assistance from an unbiased volunteer. Parents and spectators do not have a voice in play disagreements.

· Often a Tournament Referee will assign someone to adjudicate the match. Where certified umpires are not available, this is the most reasonable solution. Players continue to call their own lines. Then, if a questionable call has been made, a player may appeal to the assigned judge. This judge then gives his/her decision based on what he/she has seen. That decision is final.

5. Courtesy

· Courtesy should be extended to your opponent. If you do not know him/her, introduce yourself. At the conclusion of the match, shake hands and if your opponent has won, offer him/her your congratulations.

· Courtesy should always be given to your assigned court official. His/her word is final in the conduct of the match. After the match, it is always courteous to thank the court official for his/her services and to shake his/her hand.

· Courtesy should be extended to your host. When housing, entertainment or meals have been extended to you. It would be appropriate for you to write a note of appreciation to your hosts, thanking them individual.

6. Team Play

· Team play at local or intersectional level will abide by the same Code of Conduct as individual players.

· All team members will be required to sign the acknowledgement of responsibility in order to play on any Sectional team.

· The coach will determine who is breaking the rules and will immediately put the offender on the plane home at the player and parents’ expense.