George Mason HS Boys Tennis
TRYOUTS - 2015
Depending on the number of student-athletes that try out for the team, there may or may not be a try-out
period. The boy’s varsity tennis team will consist of a roster not to exceed fourteen players in grades 9-12. If
the numbers require that we make cuts, tryouts will be based on the following things:
1.
Each player will be evaluated on individual skills both shots and movement. Shots include forehand,
backhand, forehand volley, backhand volley, serve, shot variation (slice, spin, etc.), and placement.
Movement will consist of mobility, agility, and speed. (see attached NTRP Rating to be used in
accordance with the George Mason High School Team Tennis Program.
2.
A singles tournament will be simulated to indicate real time game speed and demonstrate a potential
student-athlete’s mental game of handling pressure situations. The coaches will be observing player’s
confidence, resiliency, and ability to control emotions on the court. Results from the tryout tournament
will be taken into consideration with individual skill levels to determine roster cuts (if needed).
3.
A prospective player with two unexcused absences from tryouts will be automatically removed from the
team roster.
All of these factors will be taken into consideration when choosing the team. The coaches will meet with
players individually following the conclusion of the tryout tournament and individual skill level evaluation.
Players will be coached on areas of strength/weakness and be told whether or not the prospective studentathlete has made the roster or not.
Reminders:
1.
The first tryout session is February 23rd (Monday) Time: TBD (check website). Meet courtside unless
weather does not permit. If there is bad weather you will need to view the mason website to get
updated information about location of practice. It will be posted to the tennis page under “News.”
2.
Bring all forms!! (see the GMHS Boys Tennis Team Informational Sheet page 2)
3.
Spring Sport Parent Informational Meeting – (T.B.A. on the mason athletic website
http://www.masonathletics.org).
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Boys Tennis Team Program 2015
Visit often: www.masonathletics.org
(Forms, Schedule, Roster, Pictures, etc.)
You MUST bring the following in order to participate:
#1
Physical Form: See your doctor BEFORE February 23rd!! Forms available on website:
(A separate examination is required for each school year May 1 st of the current year through
June 30th of the succeeding year.) Don’t wait! Get it now!
#2
Athletic Handbook Acknowledgement Form found on website:
Please print the acknowledgement form on page 23 (Appendix B) and return it by February
23rd.
#3
Athletic Program Fee found on website:
(Program fee for spring sports due before 1st scrimmage on March 5th and to be turned into
athletic department – Ms. Bravin)
#4
Concussion Training Acknowledgement Form found on website:
(New 2013 year players/parents will be expected to view the free concussion training video
prior to participation in extra-curricular activities)
#5
Boys Varsity Tennis Team Rules Sheet (last page of this packet): Bring back signed by
February 23rd.
#6
Water bottle: Water is essential to staying hydrated and healthy. Do not share water bottles!
#7
Practice Clothes and Gear: Wearing the proper clothes and having your own gear will
increase your own safety.
If you have any questions, please email Coach Sowers at sowersm@fccps.org.
Head Coach Matt Sowers
sowersm@fccps.org
703-720-5716 (work)
Assistant Coach William Snyder
snyderw@fccps.org
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George Mason High School Boys Varsity Tennis Program
Team Procedures
I. General Purpose
 Your Education!
 Participation in the Boys Varsity Tennis program is a privilege that you have earned.
 Develop friendships and life skills in an atmosphere of cordiality and purpose.
II. Coach Role
 Coaches will monitor your courses and grades to insure that you are faithfully attending class and completing
assignments.
 To provide you with the best possible tennis education in order to assure that you respond properly on the court,
giving you and the team the best possible chance to reach your tennis goals.
 To provide a proper environment, both on and off the court, so that you will have every opportunity to get the most
out of your time at George Mason.
III. Team Policies to Insure the Above
Appearance
 You are REQUESTED to dress properly around the campus, as you represent yourself and the tennis program.
You may wear your game shirts and shorts ONLY on game days and NOT to practice.
 You will wear appropriate practice attire everyday including appropriate tennis shoes. Bringing the following items
everyday will allow you to be successful on the courts. The beginning of the spring season can be very cold. You
will need to layer your practice clothes according to the weather. If you do NOT have the required attire, you will
not practice and your missed practice will be counted as an unexcused absence. Come prepared!
o MUST HAVE
 Tennis shoes (sandals/flip flops and dress shoes will not be acceptable)
 Pants (sweatpants, wind pants, and tights (Jeans will Not be allowed)
 Long sleeved shirt and/or sweatshirt/windbreaker (during colder temperatures)
 Shorts
 Short sleeved shirt (No tank tops or shirtless will be acceptable)
 Personal Tennis Racquet (you are NOT permitted to borrow other team members racquets)
o SUGGESTED
 GOAL BOOK: Keep it in your tennis bag or with your racquet. A goal book will be used to record
any challenge matches, matches verses other schools (may include scrimmages), movement
time trials, etc.
 Uniforms MUST be washed immediately after a match when practical and in no case later than 24 hours after a
match.
Class Attendance
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You WILL attend all classes regularly and on time.
You WILL NOT use class assignments or exam preparation as excuses to miss practice unless the teacher has
scheduled the class assignment or exam and it directly conflicts with the practice session. (Please give 24 hours
notice.) You WILL prepare yourself for assignments and exams over the course of the season, not on the last
day. If you are not available due to academics call, email, or message Coach Sowers. Do not tell another player
to remind the coaching staff about your absence.
The coaching staff will make every effort to find suitable academic assistance to any athlete who is attending
class regularly.
Any violation of these rules will be dealt with severely.
Student-Athletes MUST be in school by 9am in order to practice or compete. Any absence during the day
(including doctor appointments) must be approved ahead of time by the Director of Athletics (or the Asst AD).
Conduct On and Off the Court
 You will be EXPECTED to conduct yourself in a first class manner around the school and in the community.
 Any discipline action taken by the school or a municipal authority will impact your ability to help the team, and will
result in suspension or dismissal from the team.
 Any detention or school discipline issue will result in loss of playing time; recurring issues will result in match
suspensions and/or dismissal from team.
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Use of TOBACCO products is illegal under the age of 18, and is prohibited on school grounds and school related
trips. Any use of tobacco products by a tennis player under the age of 18 impacts his/her ability to help the team
and will result in suspension and/or dismissal from the team.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of non-prescription drugs is illegal for all athletes. Use or
possession, on or off campus, will result in the immediate suspension from team and until a meeting with athletic
director, coach, athlete, and parents can be set up.
Athletes will refrain from using swear words during the school day, at practice or at matches.
Practice
 All practice schedules are posted both on website and on athletic board. You are REQUIRED to read this
schedule and know exactly what your responsibilities are before you travel to the courts.
 Athletes are STRONGLY encouraged to use time after school (3:00-3:30) with teachers. Athletes not with
teachers are expected to change clothes and report to the courts no later than 3:30 if scheduled for an early
practice. When reporting to practice after 3:30, athletes MUST bring a note from a teacher.
 If athletes arrive early to practice, they must wait in the bleachers until a coach is present. You are not permitted
to hit on the courts without a coach present.
 If an athlete MUST be absent or late for practice, the player WILL tell a coach prior to the scheduled start time of
practice. The coaches must be contacted by the athlete and/or parent/legal guardian at least 24 hours in advance
in order for the absence to be excused (with the exception of extreme emergencies.). Not all requests to miss a
practice will be granted as “excused”. This will be up to the discretion of the coaching staff. Private lessons will
NOT count as an excused absence.
 An unexcused absence from practice or a match will result in being held out of the next match on the schedule
and forfeit the right to challenge others for (1) week. An unexcused absence will also require a meeting with the
coach to discuss personal and team goals. The 2nd unexcused absence will be penalized the same as the first
with the addition of notifying the family of personal and team goals. Upon the 3rd unexcused absence, the athlete
will be removed from the team ladder forfeiting the right to earn playing time. Upon the 4th unexcused absence,
the athlete will be removed from the team.
 If an athlete has an unexcused tardy to practice, he will be required to do the end of practice clean-up and forfeit
the right to challenge other players for (1) week. After 2 unexcused tardies, the athlete will be required to meet
with the coach to discuss personal and team goals and forfeit the right to challenge other players for (1) week. If
the unexcused tardies continue, this will result in removal from the team.
 After practice, athletes are expected to clean up after themselves. All athletes must pick up clothes, water bottles,
shoes, balls, equipment, etc.
Initial Seeding (for the tennis ladder)
 12 point tiebreakers will be used with ad-scoring (1st to win 7 points winning by 2 ex. 7-5, or 8-6)
 Seeding will be determined using a round-robin tournament style schedule. Seeding will be based on the coach’s
evaluations and previous experience on the team.
Challenge Matches and Subsequent Seeding
 Challenging within a level
 Eight (8) game pro-sets will be used with ad scoring until after daylight savings time when ten (10) game
pro-sets will be used with a time limit. i.e. challenge match MUST be completed within one practice
 If challenger wins, challenger moves to position of the challenged player and the challenged player
moves down one position.
 Challenging up one level
 The exact same pro-sets and time will be used (8-game or 10-game pro-sets used based on daylight
savings time)
 A player may only challenge the lowest seeded player on the next highest level.
 If challenger wins, challenger moves to position of the challenged player and the challenged player
moves down one position, usually to the next lower level.
 Challenge matches may be initiated by a player or by coaches.
 The number of challenges per week is at the coach’s discretion.
 Refer to the Challenge Match Procedures Handout for more information
Matches
 Upon arrival at a match, all athletes are required to warm-up and stretch as a team. After a match, all athletes
MUST cool down and stretch as a team. Failure to warm-up, stretch and cool down will result in loss of
participation in the next match.
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At matches, you are expected to cheer for your teammates.
o Only yell positive things to both your teammates and opposing team.
o Both players and parents are NOT permitted to coach players during match play.
o ONLY coaches will be allowed to meet with players during match play.
You are encouraged to bring homework, books, and things to study on bus. Bring Flashlights so you can do your
homework on the way back to GMHS.
Singles Matches
 Eight (8) game pro-sets will be used with ad-scoring (before daylight savings time).
 Ten (10) game pro-sets will be used with ad-scoring (after daylight savings time).
 The top six (6) players will compete in match play at every home game and away game.
 The top six (6) players’ records during a match will contribute to determining which school wins the overall match.
 The remaining players will play only if all other matches (singles and/or doubles) are complete and the opposing
tennis team has players available.
Doubles Matches
 Eight (8) game pro-sets will be used with ad-scoring (before daylight savings time).
 Ten (10) game pro-sets will be used with ad-scoring (after daylight savings time).
 The top three (3) doubles teams will consist of pairs of players from but not limited to the top six (6) players.
 The top three (3) doubles teams’ records during a match will contribute to determining which school wins the
overall match.
 The remaining players will play only if all other matches (singles and/or doubles) are complete and the opposing
tennis team has players available.
 The remaining players’ records do not determine which school wins the overall match.
Substitutions at Tennis Matches
 Any player that is absent during a scheduled tennis match will be replaced by an individual from the seeds of 714, or
 Players will be moved up in seed for the day of a tennis match to fill all necessary positions for the scheduled
tennis match.
Etiquette
 Athletes are required to show good sportsmanship all at times. This includes but is not limited to ALWAYS
wishing the competitors good luck before you begin and telling them good job afterwards (pat on the back,
handshake, etc). If a competitor addresses you in a negative way, do NOT respond to them in the same manner.
ALWAYS show good sportsmanship.
 Players witnessing poor sportsmanship either during practices or at a scheduled match will report the incident to
the coaches so that the coaches may watch the individual during a practice session or a scheduled match.
 The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Code of Conduct will be enforced.
 All players must control their emotions and tempers.
Travel and Bus Policy
 No talking/texting on cell phones on the bus before scheduled matches unless of an emergency or notifying the
coaching staff.
 Ipods with headphones are allowed on bus. Portable DVD players, gaming devices, or any other form of
entertainment are not allowed to be used during travel on bus. Players are encouraged not to travel with a lot of
expensive electronic equipment or cash.
 When traveling, boys will ride one bus, girls on another. Under the circumstance that boys and girls must share a
bus, one group will ride in the back, the other in the front. Team equipment will be used as a buffer between the
two teams.
 Athletes are expected to behave in a mature manner on the bus and at restaurants during road trips. You
represent GM, the City of Falls Church, and GM Boy’s Tennis Team, behave accordingly!
 Athletes are expected to depart and leave the bus spotless. Seniors will check the bus after a trip.
 Any travel violation will be dealt in a severe manner, resulting in suspension from the team and meeting with
school administration if necessary.
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Injuries and Illness
 Athletes that miss school due to sickness will not participate in the day’s practice sessions or matches. Athletes
should email/message Coach Sowers during the school day to let him know that they will not be at a practice
session/scheduled match.
 You MUST report all injuries first to the coaching staff. The coaching staff will refer you to the athletic trainer if
required. The athletic trainer may prescribe any limitations on practice and scheduled match performance. No
player will be allowed to participate at any level other than the trainers prescribed level, despite physician
clearance!
Earning a Varsity Letter/Team Pin
A varsity letter/team pin on the Boy’s Tennis Team may be earned by meeting ONE the following criteria:
 This applies to singles’ seeds 1-6 and doubles’ seeds 1-3 on the GMHS Tennis Team.
 Players earn a Varsity Letter or a Team Pin if they play in a minimum of two (2) tennis matches in a top
seeded position, regardless of the outcome of the tennis match. A Varsity Letter is awarded to a player
that has not previously participated in at least (2) varsity matches in the top seeded positions. If a player
has already earned a Varsity letter the player will be given a pin.
 A player participates in one of the Regional matches or State Matches.
 A Varsity Letter or Team pin shall be awarded to a senior member of a varsity squad if he has been out for the
sport all four (4) years and has attended practice regularly and generally contributed to the success of the team.
 All players playing in a minimum of two (2) tennis matches will earn a tennis pin.
Awards
 Awards and certificates will be presented at the conclusion of the season during the season’s awards ceremony.
 Most Valuable Singles Player:
Best singles player with the highest winning
percentage on the team.
 Most Valuable Doubles Player:
Best doubles partner that demonstrates high levels of both
direct/indirect communication during match play and contributes
to raising the level of play in his partner.
 Sportsmanship Award:
Best player under pressure situations/contested calls that
exemplifies the finest qualities of sportsmanship in both
scheduled matches and challenge matches.
Philosophy for ALL Athletes:
 “I understand that my education comes first; I understand that during my time at practice or at match, I will commit
100% of my energy to the goals of the team; I understand that what I do off the courts affects what I do on it; I
understand that I represent the GMHS Boy’s Tennis Team and will do so in a first class manner at all times.”
Player Name (print)
Player Name (signature)
Date
Parent Name (print)
Parent Name (signature)
Date
Parent Name (print)
Parent Name (signature)
Date
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