USTA Region 6 Indian River Martin St Lucie

USTA Region 6 Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie Captain’s Presentation Winter 2019

USTA PLAYER PROMISE I recognize that tennis is a sport that places the responsibility for fair play on me. I promise to abide by the rules of the game, which require me to give the benefit of the doubt to my opponent. At all times, I shall strive to compete with the true spirit of sportsmanship, recognizing that my behavior on the court is a direct reflection of my character. Whether my match ends with my victory or defeat, I promise to conduct myself in a way that honors my opponents, my team, my club, those who support me and the game of tennis.

Member Services Ø 1 – 800 – 990 – USTA (8782) Ø Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm Ø Saturday 10 am to 6: 30 pm Ø Purchase a new membership Ø Track down a misplaced USTA membership # Ø Renew USTA membership Ø Lost or forgotten password help Ø Replace a lost membership card Ø They do NOT handle any league or NTRP questions.

INTRODUCTION • I am Jessica Agee-Bradshaw, the Region 6 USTA Adult Play Coordinator (APC), covering Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and North Palm Beach counties. • My website was designed to help you and your players – IRMSLTENNIS. NET. The majority of the following info can be found on my website so please familiarize yourself with it.

IRMSL Participating Teams Adult 65 & Over 3. 5 Women 8. 0 Women Monday Afternoon Wednesday Morning Harbour Ridge Boulevard NRSTC Harbour Ridge

IRMSL Participating Teams Adult 55 & Over 3. 0 Women 3. 5 Women 4. 0 Men Sunday Afternoon Saturday Morning (begin 2/16/19) Saturday Morning Harbour Ridge Boulevard Magnolia Lakes Grand Harbor Buttonwood Friendship Park Harbour Ridge Vero Beach TC Legacy Magnolia Lakes NRSTC

IRMSL Participating Teams Adult 40 & Over Winter (4. 5+ only) A 2 nd season will be offered in 2019 4. 5+ Women Modified format – 1 singles/3 doubles 4. 5+ Men Modified format – 1 singles/3 doubles Saturday Morning Thursday Night Boulevard NRSTC Buttonwood NRSTC

IRMSL Participating Teams Mixed 40 & Over 7. 0 8. 0 9. 0 Tuesday Night Monday Night Sunday Afternoon Boulevard Harbour Ridge Lawnwood Moorings Legacy Vero Beach TC Liguori Vero Beach TC Sea Oaks Vero Beach TC Tucker

IRMSL Participating Teams MOMBO (Mixed Combo / non-advancing) 6. 5 7. 5 Tuesday Night Thursday Night Harbour Ridge Buttonwood Legacy Harbour Ridge NRSTC Lawnwood Whispering Pines NRSTC

Captains Responsibilities Be accountable for upholding National Regulation 1. 04 E(4) Player Agreement…. . All players participating in the USTA League agree to abide and be bound by the USTA Constitution and Bylaws, the FRIEND AT COURT – The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations including THE CODE, the USTA LEAGUE REGULATIONS and the standards of good conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship.

Captains Responsibilities (cont’d) • Review this Captains Meeting presentation completely. • Ensure all players have an NTRP rating, have a current USTA membership through the entire league season and are registered in Tennis. Link BEFORE they play a match. • Make sure that players are committed to play on the team, as there are NO registration fee refunds. • Make weekly match line-ups. • Advise players when they are in the line-up and if they need to bring a new, unopened can of tennis balls. • Print your match scorecard and exchange with opposing Captain simultaneously before your scheduled match begins once ALL players are present.

Captains Responsibilities (cont’d) • Report and/or confirm match score entries in Tennis. Link. This includes verifying set scores as well as players first and last names. If entry is incorrect, hit “Dispute” and email me & opposing captain with what is incorrect. • Act on behalf of the team to properly handle complaints. • Know the rules and educate your players. • Make sure your roster complies at all times with the 75%/25% regulation (for Adult 40 & 55 and Over league programs only). • Communicate with me via email on any issues – especially on rain out makeup arrangements.

Adult 40 & 55 and Over League Programs • 75/25 regulation applies to the roster at all times • Regulation does NOT apply to weekly line-up Total # of players on roster Lower NTRP players allowed 5 – 7 1 8 – 11 2 12 – 15 3 16 – 19 4 20 – 23 5

Contacting me • Please contact me using email. It allows me to keep record of our communication. ageebradshaw@ustaflorida. com • Only call or text in the event of an emergency or a time sensitive issue. (407) 613 -2745 • Communication protocol – 1. – 2. – 3. Players contact their captains with questions Captains then contact me if they can’t answer Players should not contact me directly

Play Format – Adult 55, 65, Mixed 40 & Mombo Leagues – 3 doubles Adult 40 & Over 4. 5+ – 1 singles/3 doubles • Matches shall be the best of three (3) sets with a 10 point match tiebreak being played in lieu of the 3 rd set. • The SET tie-breaker (first to 7 by 2) is played at the end of a set when games are tied 6 games all. The set is recorded 7 -6. • The MATCH tie-breaker (first to 10 by 2), sometimes called a “super tie break”, must be played in lieu of a third set when the match is tied at 1 set each. The match tiebreaker result is recorded as 1 -0.

Play Format – cont’d • The Coman Tie Break Procedure will be utilized for all tiebreakers. No breaks including bathroom breaks during tiebreakers and no coaching at any time during the match. • Please access my website – IRMSLTENNIS. NET and click on the “Resources” tab to review the Coman Procedure.

Breaking a Tie If at the end of local league play, two (2) teams have the same win/loss record, below is how the league winner is determined in order of determining factor - – Individual Matches – Winner of the most individual matches – Head to Head - Winner of head to head match – Sets - Loser of the fewest number of sets – Games - Loser of the fewest number of games

Breaking a Tie Adult 40 & Over 4. 5+ Leagues In your individual matches since 4 positions are being played, if you are tied at 2 positions won each, below is how the match winner is determined in order of determining factors. (Tennis. Link will calculate this for you and display properly in your league’s stats & standings. ) – Sets - Loser of the fewest number of sets – Games - Loser of the fewest number of games

Player and Team Advancement • To participate in any local league playoff or championship level match, each player must be credited with at least two (2) matches during the local league season. • Only one (1) of those two (2) matches may be a win by default. • A retired match is credited for all participants.

Disqualifications • NTRP Dynamic DQ’s (Page 17 in Captain’s Guide) – You CANNOT be disqualified if your NTRP rating is: Letter Rating C Computer Rated M Mixed Exclusive T Tournament – Exception to ALL above is as follows: Year-end (M) & (T) rated players are required to self-rate to enter the Adult league types and then are automatically designated as a Self-Rated (S) player and therefore are subject to NTRP dynamic disqualification.

Disqualifications • NTRP Dynamic DQ’s (Page 17 in Captain’s Guide) – You CAN be disqualified if your NTRP rating is: Letter Rating A Appealed- all granted appeals including Medical and Promoted Players 60 or Over S Self-Rated Players D Dynamic or NTRP Grievance Disqualified Players E Dynamic rated players for Early Start Leagues – When a player playing in an Adult league type is DQ’d and promoted to the next higher NTRP level, that player must play at their new NTRP level in all USTA league programs from that point forward.

Websites. Three ways to access information Local League Website - IRMSL irmsltennis. net USTA Florida Website ustaflorida. com Tennis Link tennislink. usta. com

Tennis. Link Accessible from my website by clicking on the Tennis. Link logo on the right hand side of the home page. • Captains can – – Build lineups for matches and practices View and update player availability View player preferences and statistics Create match announcements • Players can – – https: //tennislink. usta. com View published lineups for matches and practices View and update their availability Update their preferences View player statistics

How to use Tennis. Link Captains Guide pages 30 -34 • Sign in using your ID (email address) and password • Bookmark this location for easy access • On the WELCOME page, you can access – – Stats and Standings for a player, team or match Find NTRP rating of a player Record/Confirm a score My team information to perform most of the duties of a captain • On the TEAM page, you can – – – View Team Standings Match Schedules Player Rosters Captains Report Print a blank scorecard Confirm/Dispute a match

Score Reporting • Match results should be reported in Tennis. Link following the completion of the final individual match in a team match. Preferably the same day/night match is played as other teams may be looking for your results. • After match scores have been reported in Tennis. Link, the opposing team must either confirm or dispute the match within 48 hours of the initial entry or the initial score will be considered valid automatically; and no appeals will be allowed. • The USTA Mobile App for I-phones is a great way to enter scores right after a match. One captain can enter and the other captain can confirm a match using the app right at the courts.

Total Team Defaults • For each team match, a majority of the individual matches must be played. If this does not happen, a TOTAL team default occurs. • If a team defaults an entire team match for any reason during round robin play, all matches of the defaulting team played or to be played in that round shall be null and void when determining standings but will be used for ratings and advancement purposes.

Impact of Total Team Defaults and Individual Position Defaults • A certain level of dissatisfaction enters the league affecting others negatively by no fault of their own. • Players register/pay expecting to play tennis. • Matches played in good faith may have implications for the winner of the division if they are removed. • Matches scheduled to be played are cancelled which denies players of both teams opportunities to play. • Player eligibility to advance can be impacted.

Consequences of Total Team Defaults and Individual Position Defaults • Any team/club that defaults an entire match (a total team default) will not be permitted to field a team in that league/NTRP level if offered again in that same Championship year. • Any team/club that defaults three (3) or more positions during a league season will not be permitted field a team in that league/NTRP level if offered again in that same Championship year.

Consequences of Total Team Defaults and Individual Position Defaults (cont’d) • For either infraction, a total team or three (3) or more individual position defaults, at the APC’s discretion, the club may be restricted from entering a team in that same league/NTRP level the next Championship year.

Ratings • Details on Ratings in Captains’ Guide (page 20). • Any player with a computer rating may play at that NTRP level or one (1) level above that NTRP level. • NEW - A player may participate in different flights of the same local league - ie daytime 3. 5 W and nighttime 3. 5 W – as long as teams do not play each other during regular local league play. • A player may not be on the roster of two (2) different teams within the same area league/flight at the same NTRP level.

Match Information • Captains should contact each other at least two (2) days prior to the scheduled match to verify location and number of courts. It is BOTH teams players responsibility to be at the designated facility on time. • Default time is defined as fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled match time. A player that is late to the match will forfeit his/her right to the warm-up period. Late is any time after the scheduled start match time, however; if the players are still in the warm up, the “late” player may join in, BUT WILL NOT BE GRANTED ADDITIONAL TIME PAST THE OFFICIAL 10 MINUTE WARM-UP. • Substitution of a player can occur only during the warm-up period and only in the position where the original player was scheduled to play. • No coaching is allowed at any time during the match by an off-court captain, tennis professional or spectator. Players should not converse with anyone other than players on their court.

Match Information (cont’d) • Line calls or disputes during a match can ONLY be resolved by the players participating in that individual match. • ALL electronic devices, capable of sending and receiving any type of communication, including cell phones and Apple watches, must be turned off. If during an individual match this is violated, penalties are as follows: • • 1 st offense one (1) point, 2 nd offense loss of game, 3 rd offense match default. Penalties to be enforced by opponents on the court. • There is NO rest period between the first and second game of any set. • There is a 90 second rest on changeovers and a 120 second rest between sets. During the set, play should be continuous with the server ready to serve the next point within 20 seconds of the end of the previous point.

Team Line-Ups • Captains should print match specific scorecards from Tennis. Link as close to match time as possible that lists ALL eligible players for both teams. • Captains should exchange their completed line-ups simultaneously and immediately prior to the start of each team match. • It is the responsibility of each captain to verify that players appearing in the written line-up are registered via Tennis. Link and proceed to the correct designated court. • Team matches must proceed on court in the following order: #1 Doubles before #2 Doubles, #2 Doubles before #3 Doubles.

Extreme Weather • An “extreme” weather condition could be, but is not limited to, extreme heat, extreme cold or extreme wind. • When an extreme weather condition occurs, both Captains need to mutually agree to not play the match. • Both Captains must inform me via email that the match was not played. Captains will have seven (7) days to agree upon a new date/time to play the match. Captains will have sixteen (16) days from the originally scheduled match date to complete the match - all positions. • The agreed upon date/time of the rescheduled match is not subject to change for any reason other than rain or extreme weather. Both Captains must inform me of this situation and are still responsible for having the match played to completion within the sixteen (16) day timeframe from the originally scheduled match date.

Rainouts • An individual match/position has officially started when the ten (10) minute warm-up period has been completed and the first service attempt has occurred. If this occurs on all the scheduled positions, the team match has officially started. Once a match has officially started, only the player(s) on the court are able to finish that match.

Rainouts (cont’d) • No Individual Matches Have Started Play: • If line-ups have been exchanged and subsequently the team match has been declared rained out, a new line-up may be presented at the start of the rescheduled match, including any previously defaulted position(s). • Both Captains must inform me via email that the match was not played. Captains will have seven (7) days to agree upon a new date/time to play the match. Captains will have sixteen (16) days from the originally scheduled match date to complete the match - all positions. • Each individual position may be made up separately or the match may be made up as a team. In either situation, Captains are agreeing ONLY to what position will be played on what date/time. Player(s) names are not required to be given. • If each individual match is being played separately, a team line-up is not exchanged. • The agreed upon date/time of the rescheduled match is not subject to change for any reason other than rain or inclement weather. Both Captains must inform me of this situation and are still responsible for having the match played to completion within the sixteen (16) day timeframe from the originally scheduled match date.

Rainouts (cont’d) • Match Started, Suspended and Resumed - Same Day: – If it rains after play has started during a team or individual match, both Captains shall keep a copy of the team line-ups, scores, who was serving and resume play starting exactly where play stopped with the same players. – Any point played is always counted and is never replayed. Upon restarting the match, a ten (10) minute warm-up is allowed. – No player changes may be made to the exchanged line -up. – Any court that cannot resume play will be recorded as a retirement.

Rainouts (cont’d) • • • Match Started, Suspended and Resumed - Another Day: If it rains after play has started for a team or individual match and play will be resumed on another day, both Captains shall keep a copy of the team line-ups, scores, who was serving and resume play starting exactly where play stopped with the same players. Any point played is always counted and is never replayed. Upon restarting the match, a ten (10) minute warm-up is allowed. The same players at the same positions where play stopped are required to resume play at the exact score, set and game point where they were when the match play was suspended. A new line-up may be presented for any individual match that has not started and for any individual match previously indicated as a default on the initial line-up. The make up must be scheduled within seven (7) days and played within sixteen (16) days of the originally scheduled match. Both captains must inform me via email of the date/time of the rescheduled match. The agreed upon date/time of the rescheduled match is not subject to change for any reason other than rain or inclement weather. Both Captains must inform me of this situation and are still responsible for having the match played to completion within the sixteen (16) day timeframe from the originally scheduled match date.

Rescheduled Matches • If an agreement between captains cannot be reached within the seven (7) day timeframe and communicated to me, the match will be played on the sixteenth (16 th) day from the originally scheduled match date at the originally scheduled home facility and time.

Score Entry Captains Guide Pages 33 -34 • Captains are responsible for confirming scores and player’s names (first and last) at the conclusion of the match to prevent errors during score entering in Tennis. Link. • Either captain may enter the scores after the completion of the match. The other captain is responsible for confirming or disputing the score entries within forty-eight (48) hours of entry. Tennis. Link will automatically confirm match scores after 48 hours and no changes will be permitted. • Disputed score entries need to be emailed to me and the opposing captain immediately. Details of the match - league name, NTRP level, match number and all information related to the error(s) need to be included in the email so the error(s) can be corrected.

Advancement Saturday, Sunday & Monday Adult 65 & Over Section Championship Location / Surface 3. 5 April 13 -15 Lake Nona / Soft 4. 0 April 13 -15 Lake Nona /Soft Adult 55 & Over Section Championship Location / Surface 3. 0 May 4 -6 Lake Nona / Soft 3. 5 May 18 -20 Lake Nona / Soft 4. 0 May 4 -6 Lake Nona / Soft Mixed 40 & Over Section Championship Location / Surface 7. 0 June 22 -24 Lake Nona / Soft 8. 0 June 1 -3 Lake Nona / Soft 9. 0 June 22 -24 Lake Nona / Soft

Advancement Saturday, Sunday & Monday Playoff may be needed between season league winners to determine which team advances. Adult 40 & Over Section Championship Location / Surface 4. 5+ July 27 -29 Lake Nona / tbd

Championship Attendance • If a team realizes it cannot attend the Section Championships for any reason, the team must let me know immediately. • The second place team will then be offered to play and represent our area – Region 6/IRMSL - at the championships. • Any team that does not attend the Section Championships after registering, without sufficient notification or reason, or withdraws from play during the Championships, may be ineligible to participate in any USTA League Tennis programs the following year.

Sportsmanship • Several acts of unsportsmanlike behavior have occurred over the past few seasons in our area • Examples: – Crossing the net to check a mark – Profane language on the court – Obsessive screaming or outbursts – Racquet abuse and/or launching balls off the court – Approaching another player physically or in a threatening manner • Grievances have been filed and actions have been taken

Support tennis with the “Play Tennis” Florida license plate Visit your local tax collector’s office or go online to get your license plate. The fee is $ 25 annually. 90 % of all proceeds from the “Play Tennis” plate allows USTA Florida to operate tennis programs for Florida’s youth and special needs populations as well as renovating our public tennis courts! http: //myfloridaspecialtyplate. com/play-tennis. html

In Closing • Please email me that you have reviewed this presentation – ageebradshaw@ustaflorida. com • I am available for questions and to show you how to access information on any of the websites. • Thank you for being a USTA Captain and supporting USTA programs. Local leagues cannot exist without you! • I sincerely hope you and your teammates have a successful and positive 2019 Winter USTA local league experience! Play tennis, make friends, winning is a bonus!