USTA SFV Local League Rules 2015
(Please check Supplement Rules for each Division’s Format)
Welcome Captains!
I look forward to working with you! I have compiled our Local League Rules that take effect January 2015. As the
USTA league seasons change, some rules may be added or amended. Please read through the USTA Rules and
Regulations pamphlet as these are the basis for our local league rules. Also, Section Rules can be downloaded on
my website www.justplayUSTA.com under the tab “Rules”
USTA Major National Regulation Changes for 2015
2.01C(1) Round Robin: Include language to allow Sections to have the option to allow additional
matches within a flight, additional randomly selected matches across flights and additional playoff round
robins within a flight.
2.01C(5) Team Line-ups: Remove of the word “card” and emphasized that the line-ups shall be
exchanged simultaneously.
2.05E(2): Include language to clarify that a player 65 or older is moved up with an early start rating will
retain the previous valid year-end rating.
2.06A Move Up/Split Up: Relaxed restrictions for Move Up/Split Up:
- 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 championship year.
- Add table to clarify at what level players may participate
*NOTE: This Regulation is applicable for play in the 2015 Championship Year for any team that advances
to, or qualifies for, any 2014 National Championship.
2.07: Championship Benchmark (Rating Type “B”) will no longer be published although process will
remain unchanged. Championship players will not be allowed to appeal their ratings down for one year
after playing in Championship matches but will be allowed to appeal their ratings up if they otherwise
qualify.
SCTA Major Sectional Regulation Changes for 2015
1.00 General:
If a Local League does not have a regulation in place to address an issue and there is a Sectional Championship Regulation on
that issue, the Local League must follow the Sectional Championship Regulation.
1.04C(1) Official League Registration:
A player may register for a team no later than 4 weeks following the team‟s first scheduled match. Registration
deadlines may be extended under Special Circumstances such as for players that have been Dynamically Promoted
and/or if a registration error was caused by a documented computer glitch in Tennislink.
Refund Policy: Refunds will be available under the following circumstances:
a)When a team is not included in the League due to insufficient registrations and the
Coordinator is unable to move the players to a different team. The Coordinator must
request the refund from the Section Office.
b)When a player is injured or becomes ill, and will be unable to play for the season. The
player must request the refund by filling out the Refund Request From that is on the
scta website.
The request must be made no later than one week following the team‟s first scheduled
match, and must be accompanied by documentation from the physician.
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1.04D Local League. (Weekday and Weekend)
1.04D(1) Definition.
A Local area offering Weekday NTRP levels that consists of six or more teams in the USTA Adult 18 & Over and 40
& Over Age Groups, will be considered a qualified separate local league. Exception: San Diego & San Diego NC
Areas.
1.04G Player Participation Eligibility.
1.04G(1) Also applies to SCTA Leagues.
1.04G(3) A player can play on more than one team in an NTRP level within an Age Group in the same season as
long as it is in separate local leagues, which includes qualified Weekday leagues in the Adult 18&Over and 40&Over
Age Groups.
1.04G(4) A player can play on no more than two NTRP levels within an Age Group in the same local league during
the same season.
1.04G(6) A player who qualifies to advance to Area Playoffs and/or Sectionals on more than one team must declare
which team he or she will represent. In the absence of a declaration, the first match played will determine which team
he or she will represent.
1.04G Player Participation Eligibility
1.04G(3) A player may play on more than one team in an NTRP level within an Age Group in the same season
provided it is in separate local leagues. The Section has the authority to accept or deny participation.
A player can play on more than one team in an NTRP level within an Age Group in the same season as long as it is
in separate local leagues, which includes qualified Weekday leagues in the Adult 18&Over and 40&Over Age
Groups.
1.04G(4) A Section may authorize participation in more than one NTRP level within an Age Group in the same local
league during the same season.
A player can play on no more than two NTRP levels within an Age Group in the same local league during the
same season.
1.04G(5) A player may play up to one NTRP level above the player‟s current NTRP level.
1.04G(6) A player who qualifies to advance to championships on more than one team may be required by the
Section to choose which team he or she will represent.
A player who qualifies to advance to Area Playoffs and/or Sectionals on more than one team must declare which
team he or she will represent. In the absence of a declaration, the first match played will determine which team he or
she will represent.
2.01C(1) Round Robin:
SCTA will delegate authority to implement option 2.01C(1)a to the Local Areas.
2.01C(1) Round Robin: Include language to allow Sections to have the option to allow additional matches
within a flight, additional randomly selected matches across flights and additional playoff round robins
within a flight.
2.02A Local League.
2.02A(1) Local League Competition.
If a local area offers a qualified Weekday local league at a specific NTRP level(s) in the Adult 18 & Over and 40 &
Over Age Groups, the winner will be given a spot directly into the Area Playoffs. See 1.04D(1).
All other Weekday winners (that have fewer than six teams) are not considered separate leagues and may participate
in a Local League Playoff against the winner of the Weekend league to determine which team advances to the next
level of competition. This regulation does not apply to the San Diego & San Diego NC Areas because the women‟s
divisions play only on Weekdays and the men‟s divisions play only on weekends.
2.02B Championships.
2.02B(1) District/Area Championships. .
Local League Winners may progress to an Area Playoff to earn a spot(s) at a Sectional League Championship.
Areas with the largest number of teams will automatically fill a spot at the Sectional Championship.
Exception: A qualified Weekday league will go directly to an Area Playoff.
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2.04B(1) Local League NTRP Dynamic Disqualification..
All matches played at the disqualifying level, in any “on-going” league, will be considered losses. Exceptions:
a) In a “combined” level Age Group when the new combined rating between partners is not higher than the
team level.
b) If the local league season is over.
SCTA will not restrict crossover between Adult and Mixed Divisions.
The Move-up/Split-up regulation applies to all USTA Sectional Winners and/or teams that qualify to advance to
a National Championship. It does not apply to the Section Leagues: SCTA Doubles and Trilevel.
GLOSSARY:
Heat Rule: Air Temperature of 95 degrees & higher.
Unplayable Conditions: Conditions that make it impossible to continue playing, which may include, but is not limited
to: Rain, Fire, Ash and if a State of Emergency prevents teams from getting to their locations in a timely manner. See
any official National Weather Service such as: www.weather.com or www.weather.gov.
SFV USTA Website-Direct Resource to find EVERYTHING SFV USTA
SFV has a new website that can be used for everything USTA! You‟ll find links to Tennislink reports, information on
the new age restructuring formats, local league rules, National rules, Sectional rules, information on flight winners,
dates of Sectional and National Championships, information for new players, league play dates, resources for
captains looking for new players and players looking for teams! Make sure you visit the website often!
www.justplayUSTA.COM
Registration
Captain‟s numbers are available after the meeting.
Only captains may register with the captains number (Co-Captains may not).
When registering please make sure your contact information is correct. Also, very important, you‟ll be registering with
a special number so when you come to the page where you enter your USTA number and captains number do not
click on the captains box, the number I gave you is already reserved for captains and the computer will usually give
you an „error” code. If your team members are experiencing problems registering it‟s usually because of the following:
The new registration fee for USTA is $25.00 ($22 plus non-refundable $3 computer fee)
1) Wrong USTA # or USTA membership expires before the season ends. They must re-new.
2) Wrong Team # (if a player registers with a captains #, they must immediately notify me and re-register with
the correct team #).
3) MAC computer users must use a PC. TennisLink does not support MAC computers.
Match Play and Flight Playoffs
All matches (including flight playoffs) must be completed by the end of the season date. Incomplete matches may
result in double defaults. Please make it your number one priority to complete all matches, even if you are not in
contention for advancement to championships. Missed matches, defaulted courts and double defaults skew the team
standings and do not reflect true results. Please use common courtesy when less than perfect situations arise.
Please do not expect a „reminder” email for any deadlines. These „written” deadlines are your reminder. All deadlines
are final, please plan ahead!
Coman Tiebreak Rotation
Players change ends after the first point of the Tie-Break, and then after every four points. Example, after 1,5,9,13,17
and so on.
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Match Format
ALL USTA Age Groups and „Divisions” in SFV will be using the 3rd set Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set.
Because there is no full 3rd set, there is ”NO COACHING” . Time between ALL sets is 2 minutes. The Coman
rotation procedure will be used. 3rd Set Tiebreak is the team first to 10 by 2.
Flight Playoff Eligibility Requirement
To be eligible to participate in Flight Playoffs, players must have played at least twice during the season. One “play”
time may be a default. Basically, the rules for Sectionals now apply to our area. Flight Playoffs will be played at either
Balboa Park or CSUN. The teams will split the cost. It will be no more than $10.00 per person.
Confirming Matches
It is the visiting team captain‟s responsibility to call or email the hosting captain at least 3 days prior to the match.
Please confirm day, date, and time. Also helpful, if and when courts will be available to warm-up on. If the hosting
captain has not heard from the visiting team, they must make the contact. If you are having difficulty reaching a
team captain, please contact me as soon as possible to prevent “no shows”. This must be done before the match.
You can find team captains contact information by signing on national.usta.com with your personal USTA number,
clicking on your flight, then „Team Captains Report” tab.
Exchanging Line-Ups and Recording Scores
Score sheets must be printed out and used for ALL matches. Prior to your match, please print your score sheet by
entering your match number and clicking on “print a blank score card”. All eligible players will be listed. If a player has
had difficulty with registration (and is not listed) but is scheduled to play a match, I must be notified BEFORE the
match.
Line-ups must be exchanged simultaneously AFTER all your players have arrived. Please compare and confirm
scores with opposing captain before you leave the site. In addition, please verify that names are correct and legible.
Scores must be entered into TennisLink with 48 hours of your completed match by the winning captain. The visiting
captain must confirm or deny as well.
Scheduling
I will have each club‟s or facility „blackout” dates prior to creating the schedule. These are dates of events that the
club or facility may be hosting. There will be no home matches scheduled for that site on “blackout” dates.
Once the preliminary schedule is completed and posted, captains will be given a few days to make
“urgent” change requests. Then a FINAL schedule will be posted. All captains will be notified of the FINAL schedule
via my Facebook page. The Area League Coordinator reserves the right to reschedule matches on a case by case
basis after the 2 day deadline and after the Final schedule is posted but before the commencement of the league
season. If changes are made after the FINAL, you will be notified immediately.
Although I will try my best to not schedule “away” matches for club events (one day events only), it is the captains
responsibility to request a “bye” for that day. Captains must make this request within the above time period before the
Final is posted.
If I cannot accommodate the change, captains may request a change from the opposing captain but the opposing
captain will not be required to make the change. In addition, one court will be defaulted in a 3 court division and 2
courts will be defaulted in a 5 court division for teams requesting reschedules.
Club tennis directors may not cancel away matches at any time.
Team Match )201.C(2)
Team Defaults: If a team defaults an entire team match for any reason during round robin play, all matches of the
defaulting team already played shall be null and void when determining standings but will be used for ratings and
advancement purposes. As a result, the standings will only reflect actual matches played by the other teams and
prevents a team from advancing due to a whole team default. If all teams with a mathematical chance to advance
have played the defaulting team in good faith, those matches shall stand as played when determining standings. In a
multiple round robin format each round robin is considered a separate unit. If the team default took place in the 2nd
round robin unit, for example, only those matches may be affected. The local league may impose further penalties on
the defaulting team.
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Match Play and Reschedules. What is permissible?
All local matches must be played on the scheduled dates unless they have been Postponed or Rescheduled. If a
match is rescheduled for any other reason than those mentioned below, the following penalties will apply:
The team asking for a reschedule will default 2 lines (for formats using 5 lines) or 1 line (for formats using 3
lines). The team agreeing to reschedule shall decide which lines will be forfeited from the following options:
a). #1 and # Singles
b). # 2 Singles and #3 Doubles
c). # 2 and 3 Doubles.
Postponements: Due to “unplayable conditions”.
Unplayable Conditions. May include, but is not limited to: Rain, Fire/Ash & Heat (95 degrees & higher) at the time of
the match.
If the day of the before the match, unplayable conditions are forecast during the time of the match, it may be
rescheduled with no penalties, if there is suffiecient time within the league season to do so. Any official National
Weather Service is acceptable such as: www.weather.com or www.weather.gov . If “Unplayable Conditions” exists
prior to or after the match started, teams should not wait more than ½ hour past the originally scheduled time or when
the match stopped, whichever applies, to see if conditions change (both captains may agree to wait longer or choose
a different location within their area to play the match. for the start of the first match to determine if the conditions are
playable.
Incomplete matches must be continued by the same players and resumed at the exact score - set, game point - as
they stood when halted (any point played is always counted and never replayed). The ALC must be informed of any
change in the schedule. ALC‟s will confirm "unplayable conditions" if there are any questions or disputes.
Reschedules: Due to the following reasons, reschedules will be allowed with no penalties:
 If a minimum of 4 players on the team is representing that area at a USTA/SCTA League Area Playoff or
Championship.
 If the Home Facility scheduled an unplanned event and there are no courts available on or off site.
Reschedule (no penalty)
Reschedule (no penalty): 1) If a minimum of 4 players on the team is representing that Area at a USTA/SCTA
league Playoff or Championship; 2) If the Home Facility scheduled an unplanned event and there are no courts
available on or off site; 3) Due to Unplayable Conditions; 4) Due to the Heat Rule.
Unplayable Conditions & the Heat Rule (see Glossary for definitions):
If there is not a local league regulation in place, the following will apply:
 If the day before the match Unplayable Conditions or the Heat Rule are forecast during the time of the
match, it may be rescheduled with no penalties, if there is sufficient time within the league season to do so.
 If Unplayable Conditions or the Heat Rule were not forecast the day before the match and it becomes
unplayable the day of or prior to the start of the match, it may be rescheduled with no penalties. Teams
should not wait more than ½ hour past the originally scheduled time, to see if conditions change. (Both
captains may agree within their Area.
 If Unplayable Conditions exist after the match has started, the Timed Match Procedure may be used to
determine a winner, if the match is unable to be rescheduled.
 The Heat Rule will not apply once a match has started. It must be played to completion.
ALC‟s may confirm “Unplayable Conditions and the Heat Rule” if there are any questions or disputes.
Foot Faults
Foot Faults have come up more than once. The “Foot Fault” Rule can be found on page 48 #23 in “Friend at Court”.
It states that a “foot fault” may be called by the receiver or receiver‟s partner only after the server has been warned at
least once. This call should only be made when the receiver or the receiver‟s partner is absolutely certain and the
foot faulting so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the receiver‟s side.
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Medical Time Outs
The maximum amount of time out is “3 minutes”. This includes the time to determine whether the player is able
to continue play. However, there is a 15 minute “bleeding timeout” for bleeding to be stopped, playing area to be
cleaned up, and someone has disposed of contaminated items. Page 108 FAC.
The Code
“The Code” can be found on my website, www.justplayUSTA.com under the tab “Rules” . It is your responsibility to
make sure your team members are practicing good sportsmanship. Please “enlighten” them on “The Code”. Please
make sure your spectators know that they cannot interfere with the match at all.
Rules
It is the captain‟s responsibility to know the rules. A complete set of National, Section, and Local League Rules can
be found at www.scta.usta.com or a link on the front page of www.justplayUSTA.com.
Facility Accommodations/ Split Times
Teams from facilities that have 5 courts or less, may split the match into no more than 2 different times. On split
courts, singles players will always go first.
This standardized format must be used as it will avoid confusion and teams will know well in advance, who goes
where and when and thus enables them to schedule the appropriate players.
Levels of Play Restriction
A team must have a minimum of 50% of their players at level. For example, at the 4.0 level: A team of 16 players
must have a minimum of (8) 4.0 players; A team of 18 players must have a minimum of (9) 4.0 players.
You must have met your „levels‟ of play restriction by the date of your first match or your team may be subject to a
team default. Levels of players will be monitored until the registration deadline. Levels with only 2 teams with must
have at least 40% at level. New Move Up/ Split Up regulation for 50% rule. See Move-Up/ Split Up chart.
Flights and Flight Playoffs
The league season is usually 12 weeks. Flight Playoffs will not be part of the regular season.
I will try my best to give you as many matches and as many different teams to play as possible. However, please
know that the number of teams in a particular level determine how I will separate teams into flights. For example, if
there are 14 teams I will separate them into 9 teams in Flight 1 and 5 Teams in flight 2.
Players must have played at least twice during the season in order to be eligible to participate in Flight Playoffs,
However, a player receiving a “default” may use that default as one of the required matches.
Unforseen Circumstances to Cancel or Postpone Flight Playoffs
If for any reason Flight Playoffs cannot be played on the original scheduled date, the ALC will move
the Flight Playoffs to another date (if possible). If it is not possible (Section deadline has passed) the ALC
will work with the Section League Coordinator, Ali Ordonez to determine which team will advance to the next
Championship level. The flight winner may be determined by the team with the best percentage, a coin toss or
other “fair‟ method.
Defaults
If you are going to default a line or a match, you should notify the opposing captain ASAP, but no later than 5:00pm
the night before the match.
Team Line-Ups
Due to “imposter” issues, team captains may ask for photo ID‟s (if no photo ID is available, the player(s) may be
replaced. If an eligible substitute is not available, that line(s) will be defaulted.
Whole Team Defaults
A whole team default may affect the standings at the end of the season. Two whole team defaults (per team) may
result in a suspension and/or suspension of the captain from captaining in SFV. Penalties include: very rostered
player on that team may not be allowed to register for the next USTA Adult & MxD Division or the SCTA Doubles
league, whichever comes first.
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Timed Matches
Every once in a while matches must be completed at a certain time (especially on paid public courts).
In the winter, some clubs turn the lights out at closing time while matches might still be playing.
If this situation arises (for the above mentioned situations only), captains may agree BEFORE
the match to utilize the “Timed Match” procedure. “Timed Match” procedure chart is on my
website, www.justplayUSTA.com under the tab ”Rules”.
Match Scoring and Formats
In the event of a tie, whether in round robin for single elimination competition, the tie shall be broken by the first of
the following procedures:
2.03H(1) Individual Matches. Winner of the most individual matches in the entire competition
2.03H(2) Head to Head. Winner of the head-to-head match.
2.03H(3) Sets. Loser of the fewest number of sets.
2.03H(4) Games. Loser of the fewest number of games.
Sectionals
Flight winners who are advancing to Sectionals must submit a “Captain‟s Championship Registration Form to the
Championship Director as soon as their team is announced as the local league winner or wildcard spot, in order to
ensure their spot at the championship. Teams may not be accepted into the championship if the registration form is
received later than two weeks prior to the event. The registration form can be found on www.justplayUSTA.com.
Move Up/ Split Up
If you were on a team in 2013 that WON Sectionals, or advanced to Nationals or an Invitational (even if you were a
wildcard) you can have no more than 3 rostered players on ANY team the same level in ANY USTA or SCTA
division.
The only exception is, if more than 3 players from the same NTRP level team wish to stay together as a team in
whole or in part, they may do so:
-If they move up one NTRP team level (if their individual NTRP levels allow)
-If they do not combine with players who were rostered on any other team that advanced to, or qualified for any
National Championship the previous year.
* NOTE: All the changes above for Reg. 2.06A will be applicable for teams that advanced to or qualified for,
2013 National Championships, for play in the 2014 Championship year.
Applies to ALL Sectional Winners and teams that advance to Nationals or Invitationals. The following procedure
Will be followed as soon as it is discovered that a team is not in compliance: Players with the latest registration dates
that are out of compliance, will be disqualified from the team and the matches played shall be considered 6-0, 6-0
losses and wins for the opposing player or doubles team.
See Move-Up Split Up chart.
Registration Deadlines
The registration deadline is always the first day of the second month of the league.
For example, the Adult 18 & Over League starts in April, May 1st is the registration deadline
regardless of what day it falls on.
The ALC reserves the right to register brand new teams in the 2.5, or 5.0 levels after the registration deadline.
Sportsmanship: All teams and players MUST exhibit
good “sportsmanship” AT ALL times.
Failure to do this will result in Sportsmanship grievances filed by the captain of a team or
the ALC.
*** League Schedules and Flight Playoff dates are subject to change for cogent reasons.
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