Important Information
USTA Northern Jr. Team Tennis Homepage: www.northern.usta.com/jtt
TennisLink Homepage: http://teamtennis.usta.com
Your TennisLink Login Information (Coach/Coordinator sign in located in upper right corner):
USTA/Team Tennis ID#:______
Password:______
Team Name:______
Team #:______
Division:______
Team Name:______
Team #:______
Division:______
Team Name:______
Team #:______
Division:______
USTA Northern JTT Area League Coordinator’s Information:
Name:______
Email:______
Phone Number:______
USTA Northern JTT Section League Coordinator’s Information:
Name: Christine Nickels
Email:
Direct: 952-358-3290 § Toll-free: 1-800-536-6982, ext. 120
USTA Northern JTT Section League Assistant’s Information:
Name: Jean Forbes
Email:
Direct: 952-358-3292 § Toll-free: 1-800-536-6982, ext. 222
USTA Northern:
Main Line: 952-887-5001 § Toll-free: 1-800-536-6982
Fax: 952-887-5061
Mailing Address: 1001 W. 98th Street, suite 101, Bloomington, MN 55431
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: IntroductionWhat is USTA Jr. Team Tennis?
Chapter 2: Logistics
2010 Updates
Cost Structure
Schedule/Important dates
Rules/Format
NIKE Shirt Information
Championships Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 3: Administering the Program
Organizational Timeline
Working with Other Community Groups
How to Utilize Parents and Other Volunteers Effectively
Staff and Volunteer Recruitment
Coach Orientation
Training Opportunities
Evaluating Staff and Volunteers
Parent Orientation
Guidelines and Codes of Conduct
Establishing Risk Management Procedures
Additional Safety Guidelines
Emergency Care Guidelines
Chapter 4: Tutorials and Templates
TennisLink How To’s
Sample Templates
Chapter 5: Organizational Member Only Perks
Complete List of Membership Benefits
Member Referral Program
T-shirt Program
Visiting Pro
Thank you for your involvement in USTA Jr. Team Tennis! This guide is designed to assist you in running a successful USTA Jr. Team Tennis program. We define a successful program as one that provides young players with an opportunity to have fun in a safe environment, improve their tennis skills, develop long-lasting friendships, and keeps them yearning for more.
What is USTA Northern JTT?
WHAT IS USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS?
USTA Jr. Team Tennis is the largest junior recreational tennis league in the country. This is “Little League” for tennis. As the players grow in to their skills, the format is adapted to best meet their needs whether using the QuickStart format or playing traditional tennis.
JTT is a combination of practice and match play with an emphasis on skill development, fun, teamwork and friendly competition. The local season consists of competing against other area teams of similar age and ability level. Teams can then choose to participate in the USTA Northern Championship series with the shot at a National Championship!
AGE DIVISIONS
8-and-under QuickStart Format
10-and-under QuickStart Format
12-and-under Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
14-and-under Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
18-and-under Novice
Intermediate
Advanced
FORMAT
· Teams are coed and consist of at least six players, three boys and three girls, based on similar ages and skill levels
· Matches include boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles and mixed doubles
· Scoring format varies depending on the local league
· All matches are determined by total games won
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
· At least 3 boys and 3 girls on a team.
· A coach or team manager
· A practice component
· Players and teams must be registered on the TennisLink online system
BENEFITS OF USTA NORTHERN JTT
· Local matches against teams of similar age and ability level
· Opportunities for your team to advance to Area, Section and possibly even National Championships
· Team Spirit competitions and opportunities for team bonding
· Increased program loyalty improving retention
· Each player receives an official team uniform courtesy of Nike as part of the League Fee
· Access to TennisLink – the online player registration and tracking system
· $5 refund for every new USTA member you recruit to your program, if you are an USTA Northern Organizational Member
· Each player receives additional benefits through their USTA Membership such as Smash magazine, ability to participate in USTA sanctioned tournaments, scholarship opportunities, and more.
"Team tennis is really cool. It makes it less lonely knowing that your friends are cheering you on. It is easier to cope when you’re losing because your teammates are still your friends whether you win or lose."
- Alex Rentzepis, Eau Claire JTT Player
2010 TWIN CITIES UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Three Strikes, You’re Out - Quality Control System:
NEW in 2010 is a three strikes system put into effect by the USTA Northern Jr. Team Tennis committee. This system is in place to ensure that a high quality program is administered by all involved, and that those who violate our expectations are held accountable. It is recognized that emergencies do occur. If a coach/team manager is notified in a timely manner by the opposing coach of a situation, they should be flexible and try to accommodate the other team.
New 10 and under division:
This age division will play on Thursdays at 3:30pm and will use the QuickStart Tennis format (60’ courts with the orange ball). Start-up support is available.
12 and under division:
New 12 and under advanced division. They will play at 1:00pm on Wednesdays. The Section Championships for 12 and under will include the intermediate and advanced divisions. Novice teams are invited to play up into the Intermediate division, if they so choose.
Area Championship Dates:
Area Championships will all take place on Monday and Tuesday,July 19-20 this year in the Twin Cities, so there will be five straight weeks of local play prior to the Championships starting. There are five locations for teams to choose from (Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Lakeville, Minneapolis, and Shakopee).
Section Championship Dates:
The Section Championship dates have also been tweaked.We have moved the 12Udivisioninto the same week and play will now begin on Sunday for the 14U/18U Advanced divisions.Schedule is as follows:
· Sunday – Monday, July 25-26 – 14U/18U Advanced
· Tuesday – Wednesday, July 27-28 – 14U/18U Intermediate
· Thursday, July 29 – 12U Intermediate/Advanced
Local League Fee:
The per player local league fee is now a flat $15 (includes NIKE shirt and all processing fees). USTA Membership is required. A one-year junior membership is $19. Multi-year discounts are available.
Multiple teams:
Players that participate on multiple teams will only be required to purchase one Nike shirt. Players must order a shirt with their first registration. Ordering a Nike shirt is optional for every subsequent registration during that Championship year.
COST Structure
Local Season:
$15 League Registration*
· NIKE Dri-Fit High Performance Shirt ($35 value)
· Local league schedule
· Online schedules, player records, and team standings
· Advancement opportunities
· Includes the non-refundable online processing fee.
* Players must be current USTA Members to participate.
* Additional local league fees may apply. Check with your local Area League Coordinator
Championship Series (optional):
$10 per player: Area Championship
$15 per player: Section Championship (teams must qualify)
Championships include:
· At least three matches
· Coach gift
· Player gift
· Awards to top finishers, team spirit winners, and sportsmanship winners
· Travel grants for eligible communities
· Opportunity for advancement
· Great fun!
Membership Details:
$19 Annual USTA Junior Membership*
· Eligible to participate in USTA tournaments, Jr. Team Tennis, and events
· Additional member discounts at a variety of tennis events, retail stores, movie theatres, and dining establishments (contact USTA Northern for a full list)
· 1 year subscription to SMASH magazine
· Contribution to the game of tennis through USTA grants, player scholarships, and more.
* USTA Northern Organizational Members receive $5 back for each new member they refer!
* Multi-year discounts and promotions available.
2010 Greater Twin Cities schedule
Local matches: weeks of June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12
Area Championships: July 19-20
Section Championships: July 25-29
14 and under intermediate – Tuesdays at 1pm
14 and under advanced – Tuesdays at 1pm
14 and under novice – Tuesdays at 3:30 pm
12 and under intermediate – Wednesdays at 1pm
12 and under advanced – Wednesdays at 1pm
12 and under novice – Wednesdays at 3:30 pm
18 and under intermediate – Thursdays at 1pm
18 and under advanced – Thursdays at 1pm
10 and under QuickStart – Thursdays at 3:30pm
* Note: We try to accommodate programs that have special scheduling requests, so you may be asked to play a match at a time other than listed above. These instances will be handled on a case by case basis and programs making such requests realize that no guarantees are given.
Other dates of importance
May 24 / Twin Cities scheduling form dueMay 28 / Teams must be created on TennisLink (TL)
June 4 / Match schedule will be published
June 5 / Players must be registered on TL by this date to receive their shirts in time for their first match.
Week of June 14 / Matches start. All players MUST be registered prior to playing in their first match.
June 28 / Area Championships Deadline
July 19-20 / Area Championships (Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Lakeville, Minneapolis, Shakopee)
July 21 / Section Championship registration deadline for advancing teams
July 25-26 / 14U and 18U Advanced Section Championships at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis
July 27-28 / 14U and 18U Intermediate Section Championship at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis
July 29 / 12U Intermediate/Advanced Section Championship at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis
October 22-24 / 14 and under National Championships in Surprise, AZ
October 29-31 / 18 and under National Championships in Surprise, AZ
Rules & Regulations for
USTA Jr. Team Tennis
**These supplement the 2010 USTA National Jr. Team Tennis regulations. Additional Area and Local League regulations may also apply. The RULES OF TENNIS and THE CODE shall apply to all matches played in USTA Jr. Team Tennis except as modified herein. The Friend At Court, which includes the Rules of Tennis and The Code, can be found at: http://www.usta.com/GetInvolved/Officials.aspx
LOCAL SEASON FORMAT OF PLAY:
When the coach/team manager prints out the scorecard the format is on the card. Most local team matches will consist of:
One male singles match § One female singles match § One male doubles match
One female doubles match § Two mixed doubles matches
Most local leagues use an 8 game pro-set scoring format with a 7pt tiebreaker at 7 games all. The winning team will be determined by total games won. Standings can be viewed at: http://teamtennis.usta.com. The JTT ALC has the flexibility to set up the playing and scoring format that best suits the needs of the local league.
Note: The Area and Section Championships use the same match format, except only one mixed doubles match is played. An 8 game pro-set, no-ad scoring format is used with a 7pt tiebreaker at 7 games all. Tournament director reserves the right to alter this scoring format, if needed.
QuickStart Tennis Division, 8 & under and 10 & under, features age appropriate equipment, smaller court sizes, and modified scoring. One volunteer per court is needed to assist this division. Scoring will vary depending on the skill level of the participants. Be as flexible as needed. Consult the QuickStart Tennis Practice and Play Plans for team game ideas. If players are ready for more structured competition, below are the recommended age appropriate scoring formats.
8 & Under - Best of 3 games, first to 7 points.
10 & Under – Best of 3 sets, first to 4 games with a 7 point tiebreak for the 3rd set.
LOCAL MATCH PROCEDURES:
What if a team doesn’t have the required number of players for a local match?
Ideally if a team doesn’t have enough players for the match, the captain of the team would contact the opposing captain to let them know. In the event that it does happen, play as many matches possible with the players available. The team that is unable to field enough players may substitute in a player(s) of the opposite gender and/or have two players of the same gender participate in two individual matches within a team match. In no event shall a player participate in three individual matches within a team match. These matches will count toward the local play requirements necessary to advance.
Rain: 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!!!
Check in: Coach/Team Managers or another designated person should check in for the team match. Line-ups will be exchanged and court assignments will then be given out.
Rescheduling: 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 defaults in TennisLink. If running late—call opposing team coach/team manager to allow flexibility with tardiness. Coach/Team Managers have the responsibility to enforce the strike penalty system.
Line up: Captains in all divisions are highly encouraged to communicate prior to the match, their team’s “order of strength” to the opposing captain to allow for the best match ups between players. Players who are not on the scorecard and are not registered in TennisLink are NOT allowed to play.
Coaching: Coaching is allowed only during the change over after odd games. The captain should encourage the player to stay positive and offer encouraging words to the players. No coaching is allowed during a tie-break.
Explanation of a Tie-break Game:
During a tie-break game, points are scored “Zero”,“1”, “2”, “3”, etc. The first player/team to win seven points wins the “Game” and “Set”, provided there is a margin of two points over the opponent(s). If necessary, the tie-break game shall continue until this margin is achieved.
The player whose turn it is to serve shall serve the first point of the tie-break game. The following two points shall be served by the opponent(s) (in doubles, the player of the opposing team due to serve next). After this, each player/team shall serve alternately for two consecutive points until the end of the tie-break game (in doubles, the rotation of service within each team shall continue in the same order as during that set).
When do the players change ends?