1. USTA Region 6 Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie
Captain’s Presentation
Summer 2017 Leagues

2. 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.

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

4. WELCOME
WELCOME to returning as well as new captains and thank you for taking on the added responsibilities that come with being a captain. I greatly appreciate you!
I am Jessica Agee-Bradshaw, the Region 6 USTA Local League Coordinator (LLC), covering, Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties.

5. Leagues cannot exist without captains
Thank you for taking the time to review this presentation.
Hopefully you will find this an effective way to receive important Captain’s information.
Once your league season is underway, you will be eligible to receive a $30 Tennis Warehouse E-Gift card for letting me know you’ve reviewed this presentation.

6. IRMSL Participating Teams
Mixed 18 & Over
8.0
9.0
Wednesday PM
Saturday AM
Boulevard
Buttonwood
Hidden Palms
Lawnwood
Quail Valley
North River Shores

7. IRMSL Participating Teams
Tri-Level 4.5/4.0/3.5
Women
Men
Monday PM
North River Shores
Buttonwood
Legacy

8. Captains Responsibilities
Be accountable for upholding National Regulation 1.04E(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.

9. 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 TennisLink 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.

10. Captains Responsibilities (cont’d)
Report and/or confirm match score entries in TennisLink. This includes verifying set scores as well as players first and last names. If entry is incorrect, hit “Dispute” and me & opposing captain with what is incorrect.
Act on behalf of the team to properly handle complaints.
Know the rules and educate your players.
Communicate with me via on any issues –
especially on rain out makeup arrangements.

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

12. Mixed 18 & Over Play 3 positions of doubles
Maximum NTRP difference between paired players is 1.0
Paired players combined NTRP cannot be more than a 1.0 lower than the level in which the pair is competing
Paired players combined NTRP cannot be greater than the level in which the pair is competing

13. Tri-Level Play 3 positions of doubles Position #1 – pair two 4.5’s
Players are permitted to play UP one level
Defaults occur at position necessary

14. Play Format – 3 positions of doubles
Matches shall be the best of three (3) sets with a 10-point match tiebreak being played in lieu of the 3rd 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.

15. 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

16. 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.
**NEW for 2017** One (1) default counts toward eligibility for National Championships.
Tri-Level requires credit for one (1) match and NO defaults count toward advancement.

17. Websites- Three ways to access information
Local League Website - IRMSL
USTA Florida Website
Tennis Link

18. TennisLink https://tennislink.usta.com Captains can Players can
Build lineups for matches and practices
View and update player availability
View player preferences and statistics
Create match announcements
Players can
View published lineups for matches and practices
View and update their availability
Update their preferences
View player statistics

19. How to use TennisLink Sign in using your ID and password
Bookmark this location and stay signed in 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

20. Score Reporting
Match results should be reported in TennisLink following the completion of the final individual match in a team match. Preferably the same day match is played.
After match scores have been reported in TennisLink, 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.

21. Total Team Defaults
For each team match, a majority of the individual matches must be played. For Mixed and Tri-Level leagues, that means at least 2 courts must be played and completed. If two (2) courts can not be fielded, 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.
Arrangements to play a match early is always permitted.

22. 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 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.

23. 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.

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

25. Ratings Details on Ratings in Captains’ Guide (page 16).
Any player with a computer rating may play at that NTRP level or one (1) level above that NTRP level.
A player may be on two (2) local rosters within the same league type as long as the two (2) rosters are at different NTRP levels.
A player may not participate in different flights of the same local league - ie daytime 3.5W and nighttime 3.5W
A player may not be on the roster of two (2) different teams within the same area league at the same NTRP level.

26. 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.

27. Match Information
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:
1st offense one (1) point,
2nd offense loss of game,
3rd 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.
Play shall be suspended if any player feels the court is unsafe.

28. Team Line-Ups
Captains should print match specific scorecards from TennisLink 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 TennisLink 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.

29. Extreme Weather
An “extreme” weather condition could be, but is not limited to - heat, cold or rain.
When an extreme weather condition occurs, both Captains need to mutually agree to not play the match.
Both Captains will inform me via 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 will 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.

30. 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. Once a match has officially started, only the player(s) on the court are able to finish that match.

31. Rainouts 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 will inform me via 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 extreme weather. Both Captains will 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.

32. Rainouts
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 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.

33. Rainouts Match Started, Suspended and Resumed - Another Day:
Both Captains shall keep a copy of the team line-ups, scores, who was serving and resume play starting 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.

34. Rainouts, contd.
Match Started, Suspended and Resumed - Another Day:
The make up will be scheduled within seven (7) days and played within sixteen (16) days of the originally scheduled match.
Both captains will inform me via 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 will 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.

35. Rescheduled Matches
If an agreement between captains cannot be reached within the seven (7) day timeframe, the match will be played on the sixteenth (16th) day from the originally scheduled match date at the originally scheduled home facility and time.
This should eliminate the back & forth haggling between Captains.

36. Score Entry
Captains are responsible for confirming scores and player’s names (first and last) and set scores at the conclusion of the match to prevent errors during score entering in TennisLink.
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. TennisLink will automatically confirm match scores after forty-eight 48 hours and no changes will be permitted.
Disputed score entries need to be ed 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 so the error(s) can be corrected.

37. Advancement Mixed 18 & Over Section Tourney Location Surface National
8.0
Oct 13-15
Daytona Beach
Soft
November 3-5
Mobile, AL
Hard courts
9.0
Oct 6-8
Daytona Beach Soft
Hard Courts

38. Advancement Tri-Level 4.5/4.0/3.5 Feb 2-4, 2018 Daytona Beach Soft N/A
Section Invitational
Location Surface
National Tourney
4.5/4.0/3.5
Feb 2-4, 2018
Daytona Beach
Soft
N/A

39. 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.

40. Sportsmanship
Several acts of unsportsmanlike behavior have occurred over the past few seasons in our area
Examples:
Crossing the net to check a mark
Arguing over line calls
Use of profanity during play
Obsessive screaming or outbursts
Grievances have been filed and actions have been taken

41. Grievances
There is NO charge to file an NTRP grievance; however, you must provide the supporting facts. The burden of proof is on you.
An NTRP grievance can ONLY be filed against a “self-rated” or an “appeal” rated player – 3.5S or 3.5A
If a player has a “computer” generated rating, they are not subject to NTRP grievances or disqualification – 3.5C
All other grievances must be in writing and require a nonrefundable $50 fee. Specific information such as League Type, Age Division, NTRP level, match number and date of occurrence must be spelled out.

42. Let’s do better this season!
Areas for improvement
Entering and confirming scores
Single position defaults
Total team defaults
Compliance with deadlines
Sportsmanship
Let’s do better this season!

43. Support tennis with the “Play Tennis” Florida license plate
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
Visit your local tax collector’s office or go online to get your license plate. The fee is $ 25 annually.

44. Play tennis, make friends, winning is a bonus!
Closing
Please me that you have reviewed this presentation.
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 very positive 2017 Summer USTA local league experience!
Play tennis, make friends, winning is a bonus!