2016 Oklahoma City Spring Captains Meeting
( ( ( February(8,(2016( USTA(OKC(Spring/Summer(Local(League(Captain s(meeting( ( ( AGENDA( ( 1. Welcome(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Bill(Towler( 2. 2015(recap((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Bill(Towler( 3. Communications(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Bill(Towler(and(David(Minihan( 4. Spring(League(Overview(((((((((((((((( ((Marc(Claude(and(Susie(Bert( a. Scheduling(for(all(programming(including(discussion(of(new( operators( b. NTRP(rating(system( c. Any(new(rules(that(need(to(be(presented( d. sportsmanship( e. Form(to(be(completed(by(Captain s(to(register(as(a(captain( 5. Questions((((((( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( USTA OKLAHOMA To Promote and Develop the Growth of Tennis Steve Henry Bill Towler Martin Brody Dwayne Campbell President Vice President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Immediate Adults Juniors Past President www.oklahoma.usta.com Lisa Prince Lisa Minihan David Urich David Minihan Executive Secretary Administrator
USTATEAMSPRINGREGISTRATIONSIGN.UP(OKC) TEAMNAME: Facilityplayingoutof:(Pleasecircleone)KBOKCTCOU OAKTREEWWOKCG&CCGREENSHIDDENTRAILS QUAILCREEKGAILLARDIA CAPTAIN: USTA#: Mobile#: Home#: Email: CO.CAPTAIN: USTA#: Mobile#: Home#: Email: 1.Adult18+Male Female 2.5/3.0/3.5/4.0/4.5/5.0 2.Adult18+MixedDoubles:6.0/7.0/8.0/9.0 3.Senior55+Male Female Mixed 6.0/7.0/8.0/9.0 4.Senior65+Male Female 6.0/7.0/8.0/9.0 5.Tri.LevelMale Female 3.5/4.0/4.5
2016 SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION/SCHEDULING Team Registration: Begins 02/21/16 Ends 3/13/16 Player Registration Begins: 2/28/16 (Player Registration Ends: Day of next to last scheduled match) DIVISION/LEVEL DAY OF PLAY 2.5 Men and Women..Tuesday 3.0 Men and Women..Tuesday 3.5 Men and Women.. Monday 4.0 Men and Women.. Wednesday 4.5 Men and Women.. Thursday Mixed Doubles... Sunday 55+ Men 7.0...Thursday 55+ Men 8.0 Saturday 55+ Women 6.0..Thursday 55+ Women 7.0..Thursday 55+ Women 8.0..Tuesday 55+ Women 9.0..Saturday 55+ Mixed..TBA 65+ Men and Women. Sunday Tri-Level Men and Women...TBA
Day League DIVISION/LEVEL DAY OF PLAY 2.5 Women.TBA 3.0 Women.TBA 3.5 Women.TBA 4.0 Women.TBA 4.5 Women.TBA PLEASE NOTE THAT IF WE RUN INTO WEATHER ISSUES OR HAVE MORE MATCHES TO PLAY THAN WEEKS TO PLAY THEM, WE WILL HAVE TO USE OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK TO COMPLETE THE LEAGUE. THERE IS A DEFINITE POSSIBILITY OF PLAYING TWICE IN A WEEK.
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Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules Local USTA League Contacts 18/40 & Over Leagues Coordinator: Marc Claude Tel: 405-640-9638 / Email: okcustaleagues@gmail.com 55/65 & Over Leagues Coordinator: Susan Bert Tel: 405-501-3463 / Email: okcseniorusta@gmail.com District Coordinator: Jose Falcon Tel: 918-629-5782 / Email: tulsausta@gmail.com New Rules/Changes Are Underlined General 1. The format for Adult 18 & Over and 40 & Over division matches will be two singles courts and three doubles courts, except for levels 2.5 and 5.0 the format will be one singles court and two doubles court. The format for Adult 55 & Over, Adult 65 & Over, Mixed 18 & Over and Mixed 40 & Over will be three doubles courts. 2. Not more than two (2) players from outside the district may play on a team. 3. Maximum number of players on a team: Adult 18 or 40 & Over 18 Adult 55 or 65 & Over 14 Mixed 18 or 40 & Over - 20 4. Additions to Team Roster: Players may be added to the roster from the start of player registration up to the next to last originally scheduled match of the season. That date, CANNOT BE CHANGED by modifications to the original schedule. Only if a completely new schedule is generated, as defined by the local coordinator, can that date possibly change. 5. Match tie break format will be used. Matches are regular scoring with set tie-breaks (first to 7 by 2) played at 6-6. Should sets be split after 2 sets are completed, a match tie-break (first to 10 by 2) will be played in lieu of a third set. 6. Coman Tiebreak Procedure will be used for all set and match tiebreaks. It is the same as the procedure for a set or match tiebreak except that ends are changed after the first point, then after every four points, and at the conclusion of the tiebreak. (USTA Handbook I.E1c) 7. On Level Player Requirements: All teams in the Adult 18 & Over or 40 & Over Divisions must maintain their roster with at least 40 of its players at the designated NTRP level of play. These on-level player requirements DO NOT apply, if the league type uses combined NTRP rating levels; e.g., Mixed Leagues or 55 and 65 & Over Leagues 8. A player must meet eligibility requirements for Oklahoma District, Missouri Valley Section, and USTA and must be registered on the team s TennisLink roster before he or she may play as a legal player for any team. 9. Age: 1.04E(3). Each player shall have reached the required minimum age prior to or during the calendar year in which such player participates in his or her first local league. 10. A player who has a mixed exclusive (M) rating or tournament exclusively (T) rating and subsequently chooses to participate in the Adult Division must enter by using a valid computer (C) or benchmark (B) rating from a previous year. If such player does not have a valid (C) or (B) rating from a previous year, he or she must self-rate with the minimum rating being the higher of the self-rating or valid mixed exclusive (M) or tournament exclusive (T) rating. These players will have an S designation and be subject to rules regulating self-rated players. Rev.12/2015 1of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules General (cont.) 11. Playing On More Than One Team: A player may play on two teams at different levels in the same Local League. A player may play on two teams at the same level in different Local Leagues, as in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In the event both teams make it to the district championship, a player may only play on one team. 12. Captains and players are responsible for checking NTRP ratings and ensuring that all players for each match are eligible to play. An ineligible player results in individual match disqualification for that court. 13. Oklahoma District Tennis Rules are supplemental to the Missouri Valley Section and the USTA National League Tennis Program Rules and Regulations. 14. The USTA official publication The Code (USTA 1.02) shall be used for all matches played without officials. The Code is available on the USTA national website and in the publication Friend at Court. Principles in The Code shall be in effect except where USTA /MV/Oklahoma District Regulations specifically apply. 15. Official Ball(1.05): A standard Type 2 USTA approved ball must be used in USTA League matches. Any USTA transition ball is prohibited. 16. A player may play only one (0.5) NTRP level above his or her published self-rate or computer rating. 17. NTRP Plus (+) Levels of Play. 2.01A(1) A player cannot have an NTRP rating higher than the NTRP level in which the player is competing except: 4.5+, Adult Division, 40 & Over, may include up to 2 players from 5.0 NTRP level (2 players may play per match) 5.0+, Adult Division, 18 & Over, may include up to 2 players from 5.5 NTRP level (only 1 player may play per match) 2.01A(1)a In Plus (+) NTRP levels utilizing three individual matches within a team match, no more than one Plus (+) level player shall be allowed to play in a team match and shall be required to play in the #1 position, either singles or doubles. (Two players may be on roster.) 2.01A(1)b In Plus (+) NTRP levels utilizing four or more individual matches within a team match, two Plus (+) level players may play in a team match and shall be required to play in the #1 position, either singles or doubles. Two 5.0 level players may partner to play the #1 doubles position in a 4.5 league. 18. Local League Playoff: At the end of the local season, a playoff may be held between the top teams in some divisions to determine which local team will represent the area at the District Championship. See Appendix A for details (under review for possible revision). 19. Only match participants are allowed on the court, at any time, during a match. 20. No Coaching Allowed: Coaching is considered to be communication, advice or instruction of any kind, audible or visible, to a player. 21. All players must turn off their Cell Phone before going to the court. Using a cell phone during match play is strictly prohibited. 22. Registration Deadline for Section Championship: Teams that win District must complete the On Line Registration in TennisLink within 3 days following the competition. The Local Coordinator will email the registration instructions to the captain. Players must register individually to confirm their participation at the Section Championship. Any teams that do not have the minimum number of players registered, by the deadline, will be contacted immediately by the District Coordinator and asked to complete the registration or the second place team may be invited. Once a team completes the online registration, no refunds will be issued for any reason. Rev.12/2015 2of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules Match Time Captains need to exchange line ups at 10 minutes before scheduled match time. Players are to be on their assigned court, with their opponents, at the specified match time. There is a scheduled 10 minute warm-up time, including serves. Penalties for Lateness: 5:00 minutes or less Loss of toss plus 1 game 5:01 10:00 minutes Loss of toss plus 2 games 10:01 15 minutes Loss of toss plus 3 games More than 15 minutes Default Note: Any player who is not ready to play at the scheduled match start time, although present, may be considered late and penalized per the above schedule. There is no break after the first game of a set, players change sides and continue to play until after the third game. There is a 90 second break on each changeover thereafter. There will be a 2 minute break between each set. If needed, a tiebreak will determine winner of each set. First to 7, win by 2 points. When the first two sets are split, there will be a 2 minute break, and there is no coaching allowed during this break. A Match tiebreak will be played in lieu of the third set. First to 10, win by two points. The winning team will record the tiebreak as 1-0 on the scorecard. Scores must be entered within 48 hours of completing the match. Teams have 48 hours after the score is reported to Confirm or Dispute. TennisLink will automatically confirm scores 48 hours after being reported. Failure to report scores 96 hours after completing the match may result in a Double Default on all courts. The 96 Hour Rule will be enforced unless the District League Coordinator approves a valid reason for delaying score entry. If a team has more than one match scheduled on a given day the rest period between matches will be a minimum of 1 hour. All matches will use the Coman Tiebreak Procedure: It is similar to the old tiebreak procedure except that ends are changed after the first point, then after every four points. Sides are changed more often, but in doubles each player will continue to serve on the side they served on throughout the set. Inclement Weather In the case of inclement weather, the Captains only should call their playing site, no more than 2 hours before match time. When a decisions is made then the captains will notify their players. TORNADO WARNING: If you are scheduled to play at a facility, and there is a TORNADO WARNING for that particular COUNTY, the USTA matches scheduled will automatically be cancelled. Captains should still call the facility to make sure the matches are cancelled. If the temperature is below 40, a match may be cancelled. Contact the USTA Local Coordinator. All rescheduled matches must be played within two weeks. Captains have the authority to cancel/postpone a match, by mutual agreement, if bad weather arises once they are on the courts. Rev.12/2015 3of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules Defaults Any team that forfeits a whole match may be ineligible to play the rest of the season. If both captains agree, a match can be postponed, only if the match can be made up within two weeks of original schedule. When defaulting individual courts, you must default from the bottom line up. At time of exchange you may adjust the line-up and put the late player on the court to be defaulted first. If a team is defaulting an individual match (either an empty court or ineligible player), the defaulting captain MUST notify the opposing captain as soon as he/she knows the team will default a court, no later than 24 hours in advance. If a captain has been notified ahead of time that the opposing team will default a court, his or her player may be on the score card and not be present Grievances NTRP Grievance: Players subject to NTRP Grievances are: M rated, T rated, A rated players who were granted a medical appeal and S or Self rated players. Players who enter the USTA Tennis program by inappropriately self-rating at an NTRP level lower that their actual skill level are considered to have violated the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship. These players may be subjected to a NTRP Grievance. A player who inappropriately self-rates, and captains and others who condone inappropriate self-rating, may be subject to possible sanctions, including disqualification and suspension. (USTA: 3.03E(1)a, 3.03E(1)c) A player with a valid NTRP Computer C or Benchmark B or granted an Automatic Appeal (A) rating of a Computer (C) rating is not subject to an NTRP Grievance. Any other player is subject to an NTRP grievance. (USTA: 3.03E(1)b) Auto-electronic appeal violation by someone other than the player: A grievance may be filed locally by the player and the District League Coordinator against any captain who appeals the player s rating without the player s prior knowledge or consent. Other Grievances: a formal complaint by a captain against an opposing team or player may be filed with the District Coordinator, accompanied by a $10.00 fee. General complaints involving violations of USTA or District Rules and Regulations should be forwarded to the Oklahoma District League Coordinator, Jose Falcon. The fee will be refunded if the Grievance is upheld. Championships Team standing is determined by, in descending order, winner of most team matches, winner or most individual matches, result of head-to-head play, fewest sets lost, fewest games lost within a round robin. Player substitution during Championships: During the USTA Missouri Valley Sectional and District Championships, no substitutions may be made in an individual match after the line-up has been presented, except for injury to, illness of, or disqualification of a player, prior to the start of such match, and under such future circumstances as the Championships Committee may authorize. If the substitution is made during the warm-up, the option to recommence the warm-up rests with the substituted player. If any player is replaced under the substitution rule, then that player s status becomes ineligible. Therefore, the player will not be permitted to compete in any future matches in that Championship. (MV#9C) Teams should not accept any District, Section or National Championship invitation unless they have enough players ttending to fill all courts for every match. Teams are required to play all championship matches scheduled. Any team withdrawing without coordinator approval is subject to a grievance and penalties. Player registration fee/team registration fee is required for all teams attending Section or National Championship. Registration will be completed online. Rev.12/2015 4of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules Championships (cont.) Eligibility for Advancing to Championships: A player is eligible to progress to flight, district or section championship level competition if that player has played on that same team in at least two (2) matches during its local league season. A maximum of one default received by the player during local league competitions shall count for advancing. A retired match shall count toward advancing for all players involved. (USTA: 2.03A(3)) A player is eligible to progress to national championship level if that player has played on the same team in at least three (3) matches through Section Championships. No defaults received by the player during all league competition shall count for advancing. A retired match shall count for all players involved. (USTA: 2.03A(4)) National Championship Teams Move-up / Split-up (National Rule 2.06): - No more than 3 players (2 for Adult 2.5 and 5.0+) who were on the roster of any team or combination of teams, that advanced to, or qualified for, any National Championship the previous year may play together in any age group within the same Division and NTRP level or lower NTRP level as the National Championship team. - Teams are allowed to move up an NTRP team level and play in another age group within the same division - There is no restriction for crossover between Adult and Mixed Divisions. - Move Up/Split Up requirements apply only to players who participated in 3 or more matches, excluding defaults, for that team during the championships year. APPENDIX(A( Rev.12/2015 5of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules OKC(2015(LOCAL(LEAGUE(MATCH(SCHEDULING/( PLAYOFF(PROCEDURE( (UNDER(REVIEW(FOR(POSSIBLE(REVISON( (WILL(UPDATE(BEFORE(ESL(BEGINS)( MATCH(SCHEDULING:( Forschedulingpurposes,anyleaguecomprisedof10ormoreteamswillbesplitintotwoflights.Each flightwillplayadoubleroundrobin. Flightassignmentswillbebasedonarandomdrawoftheeligibleteams.Alltheteamcaptainswillbe askedtoparticipateinthedrawing.thelocalleaguecoordinatorwillscheduletheevent. PLAYOFF(PROCEDURE:( Attheendoftheseason,thetoptwowinningteamsfromeachflight,intheirleague,willparticipatein aplayoff.thenumberoneteamfromeachflightwillplaythenumber2teamfromtheotherflight.the winnerswillplayadecidingmatchforthelocalleaguechampionship. Rev.12/2015 6of7
Oklahoma City 2016 USTA Local League Rules Rev.12/2015 7of7
1. TRI-LEVEL LEAGUE REGULATIONS 2015 Tri- Level Leagues All USTA League Tennis Regulations in 1.00 GENERAL and the following regulations shall apply to the USTA League Tennis Tri-Level Division. 2. LOCAL LEAGUE Team. A team shall consist of doubles teams for at least three NTRP levels. Team matches shall consist of a minimum of three NTRP consecutive levels (a Tri-Level Format ). For example, a team may have doubles teams at the 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 levels, but only three of those levels will be playing during a specific team match. 3. Number of Teams. A local league is a team competition in a specified geographic area that applies specific local league regulations and consists of Tri-Level formats with a minimum of two or more teams per format. 4. Entry. A player without a computer rating must self-rate on Tennislink to enter the program. A player with a current NTRP computer rating must use that rating to enter the program. Sections may require a self-rated player to play up to a higher level if demonstrated play suggests the player s self-rating is too low. 5. Levels of Play. For league play, doubles teams will use straight NTRP levels (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0). Local leagues may authorize a player to play one level higher than the player s rating. 6. Tri-Level Format. The local league shall determine which approved levels will be available for Tri-Level teams in local league competition. 7. Scoring. Any USTA-approved scoring method that is compatible with the USTA NTRP Computer Rating System may be used. 8. Competition Format. Round Robin. Each Tri-Level format within a local league shall play at least one round robin competition wherein every team plays every other team. Any Tri-Level format with only two or three teams is required to play a minimum of three matches. 9. Team Match and Scoring. Each team match in a local league shall consist of such number of individual matches of Tri-Level as determined by the local league. The method of awarding points in order to determine the winning team of a local league team match and the winner of the local league competition is any method compatible with Tennislink and the USTA NTRP Computer Rating System selected by the local league. The scoring in the event of a default or disqualification shall be 6-0, 6-0. 10. Individual Match. An individual match is any Tri-Level match played as part of a team match. 11. Player Participation. An individual may only play in one match within each team match. 12. Coaching. Coaching will be permitted only during authorized rest periods (e.g., if there is a 10-minute rest period between 2nd and 3rd sets) or suspension of play (e.g., for a rain delay). 13. All Tri-Level Matches will be used for Year End Ratings Calculations. 14. CHAMPIONSHIPS: All 2015 Tri-Level Local league play must conclude by November 1 st, 2015 to be eligible to compete in the section invitational. Tri-Level Section Invitational will take place November 13-15, 2015 in Des Moines, IA. Teams will play best of three matches to determine a winner. Self-Rated players are eligible to participate in a Section Championship, but are not eligible to compete at the National Championship tournament in Indian Wells (i.e., all players competing in Indian Wells must have a computer rating). Players must play at least one match with their team to be eligible to play at the section event. Defaults do not count for matches played.
USTA LEAGUE MAJOR REGULATION CHANGES FOR 2016 1. 2.01A: Adult 40 & Over 4.5+ may register three (3) 5.0 players but restriction of two (2) players in each match still applies. 2. 2.01A(1) and others: eliminated 2.5 Men s National Championship and 2.5 Mixed National championship
2016 District Championship Schedule DATE DIVISION DIVISION LOCATION (Starts Fri.) (Starts Sat.) 6/25-26 -- Adult 40+ OKC 7/15-16-17 Mixed 40+ Adult 18+ OKC 8/12-13-14 Adult 55+ Mixed 18+ TUL Updated 11/11/15
2016 USTA MISSOURI VALLEY SECTIONALS Dates and Locations Adult Sectional Championship I August 4-7, 2016 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City Tennis Center, Westwood Tennis Center and Earlywine Park Adult 18 & over 3.0, 4.0, 5.0; Adults 40 & over 3.5, 4.5 Adult Sectional Championship II August 18-21, 2016 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City Tennis Center, Westwood Tennis Center and Earlywine Park Adult 18 & Over 2.5, 3.5, 4.5; Adults 40 & Over 3.0, 4.0 Adult Sectional Championship III September 8-11th, 2016 St Louis, MO Dwight Davis Tennis Center, Shaw Park Adult 55 & Over Men & Women 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 Mixed Doubles Sectional Championship I September 15-18, 2016 Kansas City Plaza Tennis Center, Rockhurst College Mixed Doubles 40 & over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 Mixed Doubles Sectional Championship II September 22-25, 2016 Omaha NE Koch Family Tennis Center Tri-Level Section Invitational November 10-13, 2016 Des Moines IA Life-Time Athletic Club
TEAM CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Team captains are encouraged to be participating members of a local league team and should be familiar with the structure and procedures of the league, rules and guidelines as well as the Rules of Tennis. Attend or send co-captain to the captains meeting. The captain is responsible for knowing the rule changes and understanding the explanations/information provided at the meeting. Recruit enough players necessary to complete the season. Distribute all material to team members, including: o How to Register for a Team o Schedule of Play o Player Responsibilities o Local Rules o National Rules Make sure all players are registered before playing a match. Promote Sportsmanship among all team members Insure that all players meet eligibility requirements. Field a complete team for each match of the season Reschedule postponed or delayed matches within two weeks. Record and verify ALL match results using TennisLink within 48 hours of the conclusion of a match. Notify the coordinator, immediately, if any data is entered incorrectly. (The winner of the match is responsible for recording the scores; however, any team member can enter the scores. Failure to report scores within 96 hours after completing the match shall result in a Double Default on all courts. The 96 Hour Rule will be enforced unless the District League Coordinator approves a valid reason for delaying score entry.
TEAM MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Show your commitment to fellow players on the team by being willing to complete season under all circumstances. Be responsible for your personal registration through TennisLink by the deadline provided by your captain. Let your captain know the dates you will be unavailable to play. Block out the district, sectional and national playoff dates on your calendar. Be knowledgeable of the Rules of Tennis and The Code as well as USTA national, sectional and local regulations. Always be on time. Be supportive of your teammates. Remember the main objective of the league program is to have fun. Opt in to stay updated on League news. Text USTAOKADULT to 84483.
PRINT BLANK SCORECARD/ENTER/VIEW SCORES To print blank scorecard, enter scores or view scores (This procedure assumes the person performing the action is registered on the team): 1. Login to TennisLink: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx 2. Access the USTA LEAGUE tab. 3. Click on the team name requiring action. Team name will be found in midscreen, under the heading My Teams. 4. On the new screen, place the cursor over the match date. 5. A drop down menu that will appear; select the desired action: Print Blank Scorecard, Enter Score or View Score. When the score has already been entered, the only choice available will be View Score. When the person performing the activity (Print scorecard/enter/view Scores) is not a team member, follow these instructions: 1. Login to TennisLink: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx 2. Access the USTA LEAGUE tab. 3. Enter number of the team requiring action, in the blank space provided under the heading Stats and Standings (Top-Center of the screen). 4. On the new screen, place the cursor over the match date. 5. A drop down menu that will appear; select the desired action: Print Blank Scorecard, Enter Score or View Score. When the score has already been entered, the only choice available will be View Score. Alternatively, scores may be entered/confirmed as follows: 1. Login to TennisLink: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx 2. Access the USTA LEAGUE tab. 3. Click on the button labeled, ENTER SCORES. (Located in the center of the screen.) 4. On the new screen enter the match number, then click next 5. If the new screen is blank enter the scores; otherwise, confirm or view the scores. END
HOW TO PRINT CAPTAIN S REPORT (This report has the contact information for all captains in the league) 1. Login to TennisLink: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx 2. Click on your team name under My Teams. 3. On the new screen, click on Captain s Report to the right of Team Summary. 4. When the report is displayed, click on Print Report at the top-right corner of screen. Note: Make sure your contact information (captain s and co-captain s) is correct. To update, click on Manage Account which is located at the top-right corner of the USTA LEAGUE or MY TENNIS PAGE screens. At the new screen, click on Update My Personal Information.
How To Register for a Team/Create a USTA Account 1) To Register For a Team: If player has a USTA Account (different from USTA membership), access TennisLink and login: (Go to step #2 below to create a USTA account, if player does not have an account.) To Access TennisLink Click: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx Login Click on REGISTER FOR A TEAM under Start playing on the left side of the screen. Fill in the required information. You must have a USTA membership number and a team number (provided by team captain). If you do not have a USTA number (not a member), click Join to the right of the USTA number box. Notes: A credit card is required to pay the team fee or renew USTA membership The system will alert player if USTA membership renewal is required. The system will alert player if he/she must self-rate 2) To Create USTA Account access TennisLink: To Access TennisLink Click: http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/common/default.aspx Click on CREATE USTA ACCOUNT, under the USTA Logo, on the right side of the screen. Click on CREATE ACCOUNT (on right side of screen), under Create your USTA account. Enter the required information. When you press finish, it will bring you back to MY TENNIS PAGE in TennisLink. Login (follow login instructions listed above for team registration). END
COMAN TIEBREAK PROCEDURE The Coman Tiebreak is used in USTA league play for both singles and doubles play in two instances: 1. When a first or second set is tied 6-6 (first to 7, win by 2) set tiebreak 2. When a tie break is used in lieu of a third set.(first to 10, win by 2) match tiebreak A set tiebreak is considered a 13th game of the set, therefore the server and beginning side rotation continues as established for that set. Players will exchange ends after the first point and every 4 points thereafter (after points #1, 5, 9, 13, etc.). This will allow doubles teams to serve from the same side of the court as they had previously. Who serves after a set tiebreak? The individual/team serving the first point in a set tiebreak will be the receiver for the first game of the next set. For a match tiebreak, in doubles, the order or serving and receiving within the team may be altered, as in the beginning of each set.
Missouri Valley USTA Section Self Rate Questionnaire Instructions A self-rate questionnaire must be completed by all persons who would like to play USTA League Tennis for the first time or who have not played in two or more years. Usually, a player who fills out this form has a specific team in mind. Sometimes the form is filled out by the prospective team captain. In any case, it is strongly recommended that the captain of any team recruiting a player who will have to self-rate work closely with that player in filling out the form. Both the player and the captain are subject to sanctions for errors and omissions in the form, even if the player fills out the form without the captain s input and even if the captain fills out the form with omissions or incorrect information. Omissions and/or incorrect information may cause the questionnaire to generate a rating that is lower than the player and captain know is accurate. Any self-rating player may be subject to a fair-play grievance if the rating generated by the self-rate form is clearly too low and the player participates in League Tennis in a division below her or his true NTRP level. The player should work with his or her prospective captain to be sure that the resulting rating represents a good-faith assessment of the player s skill level. The penalties for not doing so can be serious: if a self-rated player is disqualified by the USTA s computer from further participation at his or her chosen level and is promoted to the next level during the course of a League season or the postseason, all matches generating strikes are forfeited, which penalizes the entire team as well as the player involved; any sustained grievance against a self-rated player for participating in Leagues below his or her proper level will likely result in reversal of ALL wins which will impact the individual player, the team captain, and the entire team. In addition, a sustained grievance may harm the reputation of a player who also teaches tennis professionally. The USTA s General & Experienced Player Guidelines Supplement to the NTRP Guidelines is available at http://www.usta.com/~/media/9b46ce5c64b14c04b9368 6466D9C47AA.ashx. In this guide top ranked means nationally ranked, whether top 100, top 75, top 40, or top 20, depending on the number of teams ranked within a certain division by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Below are all the questions a self-rating player may be asked. Most of the questions are selfexplanatory, but the comments following the questions offer some clarification where it may be helpful. As a player fills out the self-rate form, certain questions will be omitted as the result of prior answers. For example, a player who discloses in Question 1 that she played on a nationally unranked Division I team will not be asked if she is a teaching professional or played on a highschool team. Do not expect to see every question when filling out the self-rate form. Q"1:Pleaseidentifythehighestlevelyouhaveeverplayedtennis: Theanswersinorderfromhighesttolowestareasfollows:World"ClassPlayer,Professional Satellite/Future/CircuitPlayer,CollegeTeamCommittedtoorPlayed,InternationalorUSTANationalorSectionRanked,Full" TimeTeachingProfessional,PlayedHighSchool,PlayedRecreationalTennis,NeverPlayedTennis.
Q"2:DoyouhaveacurrentrankingontheATP,WTCoranyotherprofessionaltours? Checktherelevantwebsiteifyouhaveanydoubtswhetheryouarestillranked. Q"2b:WereyoucompetitiveonaHighSchoolorCollegeTeaminanothersport? Q"2c:HaveyouasanindividualHighSchooltennisplayeradvancedtoHighSchoolpostseasonplay? Q"3:AreyouaformerWorldClassplayer(rankedinthetop400intheworld)? Thereisnotimelimitastowhenthisrankingwasheld. Q"4:DoyouhaveacurrentWorldClassrankingabove#400? Q"5:HaveyoupreviouslyheldaWorldClassrankinghigherthan#400? Thereisnotimelimitastowhenthisrankingwasheld. Q"6:AreyoucurrentlyplayingProfessionalSatellite,Futuresand/orCircuitEvents? Evenifyoulostinthefirstroundorinqualifyingrounds,besureyourdisclosureiscomplete. Q"7:AreyouaformerProfessionalSatellite,Futuresand/orCircuitEventsplayer? Evenifyouhadapoorrecordinprofessionalevents,besureyourdisclosureiscomplete. Q"8:HaveyoueverplayedorcommittedtoplayforaDivisionIcollege,andyouoryourcollegeteamhavebeenrankedintheTop 75? Therankingreferredtocanberesearchedatwww.itatennis.com.Thisquestionreferstonationalrankings,not regionalorconference. Q"9:HaveyoueverplayedorcommittedtoplayforaDivisionIcollege,andyouandyourcollegeteamwereunranked? Therankingreferredtocanberesearchedatwww.itatennis.com.Thisquestionreferstonationalrankings,not regionalorconference. Q"10:HaveyoueverplayedorcommittedtoplayforaDivisionII,IIIorNAIAtopOrankedcollegeteamorasatopOrankedplayer? Therankingreferredtocanberesearchedat www.itatennis.com.thisquestionreferstonationalrankings,not regionalorconference. Q"11:HaveyoueverplayedorcommittedtoplayforaDivisionII,IIIorNAIAunrankedcollegeteamorasanunrankedplayer? Therankingreferredtocanberesearchedatwww.itatennis.com.Thisquestionreferstonationalrankings,not regionalorconference. Q"12:HaveyoueverplayedorcommittedtoplayforaJuniorCollegeorCommunityCollege? Q"13:Areyouacurrentorformer(foreignordomestic)Junior18'srankednationallyinthetop150orsectionallyinthetop20? Thereisnotimelimitastowhenthisrankingwasheld.Evenifyouarefromasmallcountryoryourjunior experiencewasalongtimeago,discloseanynationalrankingeverheld.ifthisresultsinahigherratingthan youfeeliscorrect,youwillbeabletoexplainduringanappeal. Q"14:Areyouacurrentorformer(foreignordomestic)Adultrankednationallyinthetop20orinaSectioninthetop10? Thereisnotimelimitastowhenthisrankingwasheld.Evenifnationalrankingwasalongtimeago,disclose anytop20nationalortop10sectionalrankingeverheld.ifthisresultsinahigherratingthanyoufeeliscorrect, youwillbeabletoexplainduringanappeal. Q"15:AreyouaformerJuniorwhohadnational(foreignordomestic)rankingsbutdidnottourorplayincollege? Thereisnotimelimitastowhensuchrankingswereheld.Evenifyouarefromasmallcountryoryourjunior experiencewasalongtimeago,discloseanyjuniornationalrankingseverheld.ifthisresultsinahigherrating thanyoufeeliscorrect,youwillbeabletoexplainduringanappeal.
NTRP Grievance Protocol Any league captain, coordinator or member of a championship committee has the right to file a NTRP Grievance against a player and/or captain. The grievance will claim that the player and/or captain committed or condoned obtaining a Self Rate or possesses a rating which is at a lower NTRP level but has demonstrated the ability to compete at a higher NTRP level. League administrators are not required to accept such filings unless the specific claims within the grievance meet certain conditions. The items listed below suggest a framework for administrators to use to judge the admissibility of such filings. Conditions Which Must Be Present: 1. The Grievance must be against a player of the following rating types: This list includes S, M, T, Dynamic Early Start League and Medical type ratings. A player with a valid NTRP Computer (C) or Benchmark (B) rating or granted Automatic Appeal rating of a C is not subject to a NTRP Grievance. 2. The complaint must state that the player has self-rated or possesses a rating which is too low and may also include information that a team captain or other person conspired to obtain that incorrect rating. 3. Factual information including the player s history that can be validated. Conditions Which Would Give Credibility to a NTRP Grievance: The player participated on a college team at a significant NCAA level (note: age of player, injuries, position on team, and strength of tennis team at particular school could affect a significant change in rating over time). The player participated at the professional level (including tennis or other sports). The player has earned international, national, sectional or state/district rankings that would reflect a strong probability that the player should have a higher rating. The player has ratings equivalent to national or sectional in some other country. The player has a history in league tennis and/or sanctioned tournaments that would substantiate a claim that the player has misrepresented their current skill level. The player may have produced one or more strikes in her/his current player record. (An administrator should review match results within TennisLink for determination.) There is credible written or online documentation that the player answered falsely or omitted information while obtaining a Self Rate. Contentions or claims that would not, on their own, be accepted as evidence in a NTRP Grievance. However, several of these, presented with additional tennis specific information that clearly suggests a pattern of abuse, may be grounds for filing a NTRP Grievance: I haven t lost a match all year and he beat me like a drum My player is at the top of his level and the opponent beat him easily That player is a teaching pro This player won all his matches by a significant margin in straight sets My player is very strong and was beaten 6-0, 6-0 (updated 10-21-2009)