• The coach/team manager is responsible for holding their players accountable to play and act in accordance with the Rules of Tennis and The Code as outlined in the Friend of the Court. 
• Register all of the players participating in matches on TennisLink before their first match. 
• A coach/manager who rates a player and places that player on a USTA Junior Team Tennis team by intentionally misrepresenting that player’s actual skill level is considered to have violated the standards of good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship and may subject that coach/manager’s player or team to a grievance and the ramification could result in disqualification. 
• Both Captains should confirm the agreed-upon match time and location 5 five days before the match date. 
• When sending a team manager or parent, the other coach must be notified of their name. The team manager must be SafePlay-approved and understand the rules of the local league and USTA rules. 
• The coaches/managers for each team shall exchange their team lineup cards simultaneously prior to the beginning of the team match. 
• The home team must enter scores in TennisLink within 48 hours of completion of the match.
• If a team is unable to field enough players for a team match, they shall notify the opposing coach at least 24 hours prior.
• New tennis balls must be opened for each match. 

Here is this Saturday’s match Schedule: 

Location: 
Warm-up: (Time)
Match Start: (Time) 
(Coach’s Name + Facility Name)

• Teams shall be knowledgeable of the league rules and regulations and adhere to them. 
• Coaches, players and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship and treat all players, coaches, and others in attendance with respect at every match. 

• Inappropriate behavior from parents, coaches, spectators, or players will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: breaking rules, cursing, threats, arguing with a coach, etc. There is a NO TOLERANCE policy and violation may result in a ban from the league.

• Minimum # of players for the match: Four (4) players 
• Should a team not have the required number of eligible players at the start of the match, it may participate in the match, but any and all matches will be defaulted to the opposing team. 

• When a team presents a scorecard reflecting defaults, the opposing team will be notified and extended the opportunity to adjust their line-up.

PENALTIES FOR TARDINESS

• If one player is late 5 minutes or less: loss of toss plus 1 point;
• If one player is late 5:01 – 10 minutes: loss of toss plus 2 games; 
• If one player is late 10:01 – 15 minutes: loss of toss plus 3 games; 
• If one player is late more than 15 minutes: Default
• The timer begins once one payer is on the court

• If you think there may be rain, please connect with the opposing coach. Decisions related to playable courts are the host facility’s responsibility. Don’t assume that it is raining everywhere. 

• Do not cancel at 9 AM for a 3 PM match start time.

It is recognized that emergencies do occur. If a coach/team manager is notified in a timely manner that there will not be enough players to field the team, then good faith effort must be made to reschedule the match. If teams cannot agree on a reschedule date, the matches must be recorded as default.

AGE ELIGIBILITY

• All players must be of the correct age before the league start date. 

MATCH PARTICIPATION

• Players must compete in at least two team matches during the regular season to be eligible for local league playoffs. 

• Coaching is allowed only during changeovers and only by the team coach/manager. Only ONE coach.
• All names of team managers or assistant coaches must be submitted to the league coordinator before the league start date. 

• Coaching is allowed after the first game, but it must be kept short and cannot be a disruption to the flow of the match. 
• In no event is coaching permitted during a tiebreak.

WHAT COUNTS AS A STRIKE? 

• Not showing up for a team match
• Not notifying the opposing coach of a cancellation prior to 24 hours before.
• Not communicating match schedule in a timely manner. 
• Not attempting to reschedule an unplayed match. 
• Playing a player who is not registered on TennisLink 
• Not recording scores within 72 hours.
• Not bringing the minimum number of players to a match 
• Player or parent violates USTA rules while at a match .

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO STRIKE OUT?

• Your team is put on probation, and appropriate consequences will be applied. Sample consequences include: Your team cannot participate in a Championship or Local League Playoff. 

HOW DO STRIKES GET REPORTED?

• A coach or program administrator directly involved must complete a short strike reporting form. 
• USTA Southern California will maintain records of strikes against coaches. 
• All strikeouts will be reviewed by a USTA Southern California Jr. Team Tennis Grievance Committee in accordance with the USTA Jr. Team Tennis grievance procedures on pages 16-22 in the regulations booklet. 
• The USTA Southern California Jr. Team Tennis Grievance Committee will determine and enforce appropriate penalties.