PLAYING RULES
I. ELIGIBILITY
a.U.S.T.A.
1.Each club entering a team in the Women's Inter-Club matches must be a member of the Women's Inter-Club Tennis Association of Philadelphia and of the USTA/Middle States.
2.Dues shall be paid in accordance with the laws of both Associations.
b.PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTES
1.All players must be bona fide members of the clubs they represent for the entire outdoor tennis season of said clubs, entitled to all rights and privileges of the outdoor tennis facilities of said clubs. These privileges may not be limited and there will be no pay as you play.
2.A player may not have her name on the original or succeeding line-ups, reported to the Match Chairman of the Association, of more than one club.
3.A player's name may not appear on the line-up of more than one team in matches originally scheduled for the same week.
4.Players shall be listed in their playing order at the beginning of the season and the list sent to the Match Chairman. In the case of singles players, substitutes must play at the bottom position unless otherwise indicated on the line-up form. In the case of doubles, double substitutes must play in the place of the absentee where the vacancy exists. Exception: If two doubles teams are missing a player, the remaining players may join as a team, providing they play in the higher position. Each club's lineup reflects a continuous ladder.
5.Substituting on a higher team shall take precedence over play on a regular team. Substituting on a lower team is not permitted. A substitute may be listed on one team only.
6.Each regular player (and each substitute who plays more than twice) must be a bona fide member of the USTA or she will not be eligible to play.
7.Singles players or rostered tam substitutes may be used as doubles substitutes. Doubles players may be used as singles substitutes. All singles players and doubles teams must play in the order of ability as shown on the most recently submitted line-up.
8.When both members of a regular doubles team are present and playing doubles, they must play as team.
9.When both members of the officially listed doubles team play together in their properly listed places, they may not be defaulted due to errors made in any other position... except for the case when TWO SUBSTITTUES are incorrectly placed above a listed pair.
10.There shall be one line-up revision allowed during the season, to be submitted to the Match Chairman and Cup Coordinator before the fourth match, and to be used for the fourth match and all matches thereafter. It must not be used for any match originally scheduled prior to the fourth match.
11.Revised line-ups should be explicit, i.e.: add subs to original line-up; or, this is the new line-up to be used.
12. Women must have attained their 21st birthday on or before December 31st of the year prior to the playing season involved.
USE OF SUBSTITUTES IN MATCH PLAY
SINGLES
Rule:Substitutes must play at the bottom position unless otherwise stated on the line-up form.
1 If A is absent, B plays in # 1 position.
Substitute plays in #2 position.
2. If B is absent, Substitute plays in #2 position.
Exception: Your sub may play in a higher position is she is so designated or your submitted line-up form.
DOUBLES
Rule:Individual doubles substitutes must be placed where the vacancy occurs.
Exception: If two doubles teams are each missing a player, the remaining players may join as a team, providing they play in a higher position.
When two (2) rostered substitutes from your cup's team are used as a team, they must play in the lowest position unless otherwise indicated on the line-up as a pair.
If any one of these players is absent, the sub fills in at the position with the remaining member of the original doubles team.
If, on the other hand, D and G are absent, C & H may join together as a team, but they must play in the Number 2 position-the higher position.
When an entire team is absent, for example E & F, the G & H team plays the #3 position, I & J would play the #4 position, and the two rostered subs from your team playing together would occupy the #5 position.
A default must always occur at the bottom position.
ANY MATCH IN WHICH AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER PARTICIPATES WILL BE DEFAULTED TO THE OPPOSING TEAM. NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED TO EITHER TEAM FOR MATCHES BELOW THAT, WON BY THE OFFENDING TEAM.
CLARIFICATION of USE OF SUBSTITUTES
1.In the event a player is not present for her singles or doubles match, those below her shall be moved forward in order, and a substitute put in the last position. Should a substitute be unavailable, a default automatically ensues. ANY DEFAULT MUST OCCUR AT THE BOTTOM.
2.Use substitutes listed for your team.
3.Use only regular team members from your club's next lower team.
4.Substitutes at the last minute are legal and permitted. Example- if a singles player is too tired to play doubles, and a legal substitute is available, she may be inserted in the line-up.
SINGLES
1. If no singles substitues are available, a ROSTERED player from the next lower team may play singles.
2. A substitute listed on your club's next lower team may never be used as a singles player on the upper team.
3. When two singles players, A and B, are listed as substitutes "of equal ability", and both are used in a match, A may play above B or B may play above A. The next time both are used in a match, they no longer are considered "of equal ability". If A played above B, that order must be kept.
DOUBLES
1.If no doubles subs are available, a ROSTERED player from the team below must be used
2.If necessary, you may bring a sub up from the sub list of your next lower team, one time only. THE SECOND TIME ANY SUB FROM THE LOWER TEAM'S SUB LIST IS USED, THAT SUB BECOMES A PERMANENT SUB FOR THE HIGHER TEAM.
3.TWO PLAYERS FROM A LOWER TEAM'S SUBSTITUTE LIST CANNOT PLAY TOGETHER. IF THIS HAPPENS THIS WILL RESULT IN A DEFAULT.
4. WHEN TWO (2) SUBSTITUTES ARE USED AS A TEAM, THEY MUST PLAY IN THE LOWEST POSITION UNLESS A SPECIFIC POSITION IS INDICATED ON THE LINE UP FORM.
II. MATCHES
1.Play is continuous. A maximum rest period of fifteen minutes may be taken between the playing a singles and doubles match in which one or more of the same players participate.
2. There may be a ten-minute break between the second and third sets if any player requests it. This is the only time coaching is allowed off court. All matches shall be played pursuant to the rules of the USTA and as further outlined in this book.
3.When possible all matches shall start at scheduled time on scheduled date. Should the host courts be unplayable, the match should be played on the visitor's courts, or on neutral courts, if available. Visiting teams shall be notified in advance if the courts are unavailable. If courts are unavailable, the match shall be postponed, but must be completed within the week.
4.Matches should be played on clay or compostion outdoor courts.
5.All matches shall be played best of three sets, regular scoring. If the score reaches 6-6 in a set, players shall use the 7 out of 12 point tie-break.
6. All matches sahll be played pursuant to the rules as outlined in this book.
7.If courts are available and weather clear, no team or individual player should request or be granted a change of date and/or place of match for strictly personal reasons.
8.During inclement weather, indoor courts shall be used. The total costs to be divided equally by both teams.
III. SCHEDULING
1.The number of cups in said competition shall depend on the number of entries. The selection of teams to play in each cup shall be determined by the Scheduling Committee of the Association. The schedule shall be made available to each Club representative entering a team at least ten days before the start of the matches.
2.The number of singles and doubles matches to be played, the dates for said matches, and the starting time for all matches shall be determined likewise.
3.Each team shall play one match with every other team in its cup, the place of play will alternate when possible.
4.Players must be present at scheduled starting time. Matches must be played properly as listed in the official line-up but need not necessarily start in sequence as long as both captains are certain that players will not need to move up to fill a vacancy. Once matches start out of order you have automatically agreed to play ALL matches. There may be NO defaults.
5.ANY DEFAULT MUST OCCUR AT THE BOTTOM POSITION.
6.Exception: In the case of rain days when matches are played indoors. At this time doubles will play first and singles will follow.
7.Play is continuous. A maximum rest period of fifteen minutes may be taken between the
IV. INTERRUPTED, POSTPONED, & DELAYED MATCHES
1.An interrupted or postponed match is one halted by weather or court conditions only. Coordinator must be notified of all interrupted and postponed matches.
2.In the event of rain the captains shall decide whether or not to begin or continue a match. All interrupted matches shall be resumed from the point, game and set score existing when match was stopped, and should be continued on the same courts if possible.
3.Weather and court conditions permitting, a postponed or interrupted match must be played within one week after scheduled date at a time and place agreed upon by both Captains.
4.The personnel for a postponed match shall adhere as closely as possible to the original line-up. However, substitutes shall be permitted within the limitations of (Players and Substitutes) Rule 3.
5.The personnel for an interrupted match must remain the same.
6.Any team involved in a postponed or interrupted match unable to comply with all rules concerning such matches shall automatically default or forfeit to opponent. The captains should contact their Coordinator and the Match Chairman immediately
7.Delayed matches:
a.) Any injured player unable to continue after a maximum delay of 15 minutes will retire.
b.) A decision as to when to play a match delayed in starting or halted by weather or court conditions must be made after a maximum delay of 15 minutes.
8.If an individual, interrupted match cannot be rescheduled, the captains must contact their Coordinator. The Match Chairman may elect to consider that individual match void, with no points awarded to either team.
V. SCORING
1.One point shall be counted for each singles match and one point for each doubles match. Any default/forfeit shall count one point for the opposing team. The team winning the least number of points may be required to accept a challenge from the winning team of the cup below.
2.a) There shall be allowed a maximum of individual match defaults for any one team in any one cup's play, singles and/or doubles, with no more than two such defaults per team match (one less than the number of team matches to be played by each team). If both teams in any team match are minus corresponding players, both teams shall be penalized under the maximum default ruling.
b) A team having defaulted the regular season matches by the above rule shall be ruled the loser of the cup. The Executive Committee will determine whether or not circumstances warrant tat team's privilege/right to play a challenge or to automatically be placed in the lower cup.
3.Score cards of all team matches, signed by both captains muse be sent IMMEDIATELY following the conclusion of a match to the Coordinator and the Match Chairman.
4.The team scoring the greatest number of points shall be the holder of that cup championship for that year, and qualifies to challenge the loser of the cup above. Exception, Cup A.
VI. COURTESY AND ETHICS
1.Home team captains shall contact visiting team captains ahead of the match to ascertain timing of play and court conditions.
2.It is understood that no captain will start a player without expecting her to finish the match.
3.Familiarity and understanding of Interclub rules and "Friend at Court" is required of ALL players.
4.There shall be NO use of cell phones on the courts.The offending player will forfeit the match.
5.Any coaching violations may be subject to penalties.
VII. EQUIPMENT
1.Only balls approved by the USTA shall be used. New balls, three for EACH match, shall be provided by the HOST club.
2.Refreshments will be supplied by the HOST club.
3.It is recommended that all players participating in Inter-Club matches wear regulation tennis clothes. Be aware, certain clubs permit white only
VIII. CHALLENGES
1.In the event of a tie in any position at the end of the regular season, the team having won the greatest number of sets as compared with the number of sets lost shall be declared the winner. In the event of a further tie, the team having won the greater or greatest number of games as compared with the number lost shall be declared the winner.
2.The date and personnel for a challenge match shall follow all rules for the regular season matches; in addition, all rostered players and substitutes must have played in at least three regular season matches for that team or a lower ranking team of the same club. Exception- A club's lowest ranking challenged team may use any properly listed substitute on that team's line up who has not played three times. Teams involved in a challenge should check their line-ups with their cup Coordinator before the match.
3.A team winning its cup shall automatically challenge the last team (determined by matches won and lost) on the next higher cup. THE CHALLENGED TEAM IS HOST. THE CHALLENGING TEAM PROVIDES THE APPROPRIATE, USTA APPROVED, NEW BALLS.
4.All expenses for said matches played indoors shall be divided equally between the competing teams.
5.Double Jump Challenges: A team having won its cup by winning at least 90% of possible regular season points, and its challenge match without losing an individual match, may earn the right to challenge to bottom team in the next higher cup, if that bottom team has already sustained its challenge from below. The losing team moves down. If that bottom team has already lost its challenge from below, the double jumping team would challenge the next bottom team. The losing team moves down.
IX. PROTESTS
1.Any alleged violation of the playing rules must be written and sent to the Coordinator by any team captain. The Coordinator shall attempt to adjust the matter to the satisfaction of all concerned, but if unable to do so shall refer the written protest to the Executive Committee. The Grievance Committee shall be contacted if necessary.
X. REVISION OF RULES
1.It is recommended that the playing rules be reviewed at least every five years.
Amended January 6, 2000
Amended January 4, 2001
Amended January 10, 2002
Amended January 9, 2003
Amended January 22, 2004
Amended January 13, 2005
Amended January 30, 2006
Amended January 22, 2007
Amended January 10, 2008
Amended January 8, 2009
SUMMARY OF TIE-BREAK METHODS AUTHORIZED FOR 1981 USTA SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS AT 6 GAMES ALL
7 OUT OF 12 POINTS
SINGLES
If it is Player A's turn to serve the 13th game, at 6-all, she shall serve the first point delivered from the right court. Her opponent shall be the server for the second and third (delivered from left court, then right court) and thereafter each Player shall serve alternatively for two consecutive points (left court, right court) until the winner of the game and set has been decided.
Players shall change ends after six points and at the conclusion of the tie-break. Note that after any change of ends the server will be serving her second serving point.
A player who firs wins seven points shall win the game and set provided she leads by a margin of two points. If the score reaches six points all, the game shall be extended until this margin has been achieved. Numerical scoring shall be used throughout the tie-break.
The player who served first in the set that ended in a tie-break shall RECEIVE service in the first game of the following set.
DOUBLES
In doubles the procedure for singles shall apply. The Player whose turn it is to serve shall be the server for the first point. Thereafter each Player shall serve in rotation for two points, in the same order as previously in that set, until the winners of the game and set have been decided.
Players change ends after every six points and at the conclusion of the tie-break.
The team that served first in the set that ended in a tie-break shall RECEIVE service in the first game of the following set.
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