Lake Norman

2014 USTA Adult League Regulations

The United States Tennis Association (USTA), Southern Tennis Association (STA) or the North Carolina Tennis Association (NCTA) are the governing bodies of these League programs.

Play is governed by THE RULES OF TENNIS in The Friend at Court, The Code, the USTA League Tennis National Regulations, STA Regulations and these NCTA Regulations.

Only the Lake Norman League Coordinator, in conjunction with the NC Director of Adult Leagues shall have the authority to interpret these Regulations.

Major Changes for 2014:

League Type: Changed the tern “League Type” to “Age Group” throughout the Regulations.

1.04A USTA League Program: Added 40 & Over Age Group to the Mixed Division as a National Program for 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 Combined Levels. Scoring and other Regulations for the 40 & Over Age Group were added thoughout the Regulations to be in alignment with the Mixed Division 18 & Over Age Group.

1.04D(5) Two Team Leagues: Reduced the required percentage of team members at the designated team NTRP level from 60% to 40%.

1.04F(1) Entry: Established minhimum NTRP rating levels to be eligible to participate in Age Groups in the Adult and Mixed Divisions that use combined NTRP team levels.

2.01C(2) Team Match: Added new language to: -require that for each team match, a majority of the individual matches must be played to constitute a valid team match; -require each Sectional Association to establish a procedure to determine the actions to take when the combination of individual match defaults by the two teams in a team match results, or would result, in a situation where a majority of the individual matches would not be played.

2.03E Team Match and Scoring: Added new language to: -require that for each team match, a majority of the individual matches must be played to constitute a valid team match;-give authority to the Championship Committee to determine the actions to take when the combination of individual match defaults by the two teams in a team match would result in a situation where a majority of the individual matches would not be played.

2.03H Procedures in the Event of a Tie: Move “Head-to-Head” below “Winner of the most individual matches in the entire competition” and above “Loser of the fewest number of sets” in the order required to break a tie.

2.03L Scoring or Team Defaults: Revised language to state that when a team defaults an entire team match at a championship, that team is no longer eligible to continue to play at that championship.

2.05E Promotion of Players 60 & Over and 65 & Over:

2.05e(1): Decreased the age from 70 to 60 for players who are promoted and granted an appeal if they have a history of being at the same or lower NTRP level, without benefit of appeal, for their three most recent year-end ratings;

2.05E(2): Added new language to state that no player 65 or over will be given a published year-end NTRP rating level higher than his/her most recent valid year-end NTRP rating level although the player may appeal to move up.

NOTE: The changes above to 2.05E will be applicable for play in the 2014 Championship Year.

2.06A Move-Up/Split-Up: Revised language to state that a total of three players (two for 2.5 and 5.0+) may combine and play together on the same team the following year (if their individual NTRP levels allow):

-from any team that played at the same, lower, or higher team NTRP level, or any combination of these.

-from any team that played a straight NTRP level, combined NTRP level, or any combination of these.

-from any team that played in the same Divisioin, Age Group, NTRP team level, or any combination of these.

-from any team that played in a different Division, Age Group, NTRP team level, or any combination of these.

The only exception to the requirements stated above is if more than three 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 don ot combine with players who were rostered on any other team that advanced to, or qualified for, any National Championship the previous year.

NOTE: All of 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.

3.02B Administrative Grievances: Added language to claify that captains and committee members are not subject to Administrative Grievances.

3.03A(2): Added new Regulation to indicate who may file an Administrative Grievance.

USTA Adult League Dates & Deadlines

Team Registration Begins / All Age Divisions / Jan 1
Team Registration Ends / All Age Divisions / Feb 10
Season Starts / All Age Divisions / Feb 28
Season Ends / 55 & Over, 65 & Over / May 15
18 & Over, 40 & Over / June 3
Last Day to Add Players / All Age Divisions / No deadline
Players must meet minimum match requirement to compete in State Tournament
Local Playoffs / TBD

State Tournament

/ 55 & Over, 65 & Over / May 29 - June 2
18 & Over / June 12-15
40 & Over / June 26-29

I General

League Fee

The Lake Norman Fall Combo Doubles League fee is $22 ($13 local league fee, $6 State head tax and $3 Tennislink fee).

Public Court Fees

Public Court Use Fees:Captains will receive an invoice for courts reserved for home matches at public facilities. Cost is $6.00 per court at North Mecklenburg Park & Holbrook Park. NOTE: Increase to $7.50 per court at Jetton Park, Mallard Creek High School and Hornets Nest Park. Cornelius Road Park court fees Are $5.00 per court and should be paid directly to Mooresville Park Dept. Courts are reserved for 1.5 hours per match. Administration fee is $3.50.

Fees should be paid within 2 weeks of the team’s first match.

Refunds Procedure

All players requesting a refund of their Local Fees and State Head Tax charges will be given a refund when requesting prior to their team’s first team match. The $3 Tennislink fee is nonrefundable. Request should be submitted to the Local League Coordinator. She will hold all requests and submit one list to the State League Coordinator after the start of the local league season.

Player Eligibility

To play in the following divisions, players much reach the minimum age for those divisions by December 31, 2014:

Age Division / Minimum Age
18 & over / 18
40 & over / 40
55 & over / 55
65 & over / 65

All players must be current members of the USTA through the respective league seasons. No renewals are allowed during the local league season.

The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is the official system of rating levels of competition in these programs. A player with a 2011, 2012 or 2013 computer rating must use that rating or above to participate in these leagues. A player age 60 or above with a 2012 or 2013 computer rating must use that rating or above to participate in these leagues. Players who do not have a valid NTRP rating or have never had an NTRP Rating are required to self-rate according to the NTRP Guidelines.

  • Players may compete on more than one team except if the teams are on the same level, in the same age division and in the same local league.
  • Be aware that the Local League Coordinator has the authority to accept or deny participants from outside the local league.

II. TEAM REQUIREMENTS

  1. Roster Requirements for each league:

League / Season / Minimum number / Maximum Number
USTA League 18 & over / Spring / 8 / 15
USTA League 18 & over 2.5, 5.0+ & 5.5 / Spring / 5 / 15
USTA League 40 & over / Spring / 8 / 15
USTA League 55 & over / Spring / 6 / 15
USTA League 65 & over / Spring / 6 / 15
  1. When using straight NTRP levels, a player cannot have an NTRP rating higher than the NTRP level in which the player is competing except in the 5.0+ NTRP level of the Adult Division, 18 & Over; and the 4.5+ NTRP level of the Adult Division, 40 & Over. All plus (+) level team rosters may include up to two players from the next higher NTRP level.
  • In Plus (+) NTRP levels utilizing three individual matches within a team match, no more than one Plus (+) level player shall be allowed to play in a team match and shall be required to play in the #1 position, either singles or doubles.
  • In Plus (+) NTRP levels utilizing four or more individual matches within a team match, two Plus (+) level players may play in a team match and shall be required to play in the #1 position, either singles or doubles.
  1. NTRP Levels of Play

DIVISION / LEAGUE TYPE / LOCAL LEAGUES
Adult / 18 & Over / 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+ , 5.5
40 & Over / 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5+
55 & Over / 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 9.0
65 & Over / 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 9.0

In the USTA League Adult divisions, a player may play only one level above his or her current NTRP Rating (For example, a 3.5 player can play up on a 4.0 team, but cannot play up on a 4.5 team).

  1. A local league shall consist of a minimum of 2 teams at a specific level of competition. Advancement to a State Championship is not permitted if this requirement is not met, except for the following:

League / Levels permitted to advance to State Championships if they are the only local team
USTA League Adult / 18 & over 5.5 teams, all 65 & over teams

II. E. (1): USTA Adult Spring Teams that may advance directly to a State Championships must be added to TennisLink no later than April 15th 2014. If the team is not added prior to the Initial Roster Deadline of the Local League, the LLC must contact the SLC to notify that a team has been added. Failure to notify the SLC may result in the team not being added to the State Championship schedule.

  1. If a level of USTA League Adult 18 & over, 40 & over or 55 & over consists of only two teams in a level of play, each team must maintain its roster with at least 40 percent of its players at the designated NTRP level of play. This rule does not apply to the Adult 55 & Over and 65 & Over 9.0 league.
  2. In levels where a team is advancing directly to the state championships as provided for in Rule II. E., players may be added to the TennisLink roster until 2 weeks prior to the start of that League’s State Championship. After that, no changes may be made to the TennisLink roster.

III. Captain Responsibility

  • Each captain is responsible for reviewing and understanding not only the local regulations but also the State, Sectional and National Regulations.
  • Each team should have an ACTING captain present at every match. Captains must record scores and sign both scorecards. Each captain must circle the winners and record scores from the WINNERS point of view. The names on the cards must be the same as the names on the rosters. Captains should keep a copy of original scorecard for your records.
  • The home team will supply new balls. The home team has the choice of court surface and a mixture is acceptable.
  • Keep team informed of scheduled matches. No schedule changes without permission of LLC.
  • All scores must be posted on TennisLink within the prescribed time listed in the local league rules. The scores must be posted within 48 hours by the winning captain and confirmed within 48 hours of the match by the losing captain. If the score has not been posted and confirmed within the 48 hours after the match, the Local League Coordinator will determine if there is a winner by the information s/he has. If a confirming captain disagrees with the score or players listed on scorecard, click on the dispute button and e-mail the coordinator and copy opposing captain with the information you are disputing. The Local League Coordinator reserves the right to confirm or dispute scores after the forty-eight hour time frame.

Court Availability

  • Each team must guarantee use of at least 3 courts per team for USTA Adult League. Two lines may be staggered.
  • Any approved USTA surface is permissible, including indoors (if indoors, home team pays for court time).
  • All players in the team line-up, including staggered matches, are required to be present at the match start time.

Inclement Weather

  • If the weather is questionable it is ultimately the responsibility of the HOME TEAM CAPTAIN to MAKE THE CALL ON COURT CONDITIONS & TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OPPOSING CAPTAIN ON COURTS CONDITIONS. IF YOU ARE THE VISITING CAPTAIN AND DON’T HEAR FROM THE HOME TEAM…CALL THEM!!! DO NOT CANCEL A MATCH EARLIER THAN TWO HOURS BEFORE MATCH TIMES. If there is any question, both teams must show up ready to play. COMMUNICATE!!
  • If it is raining or the weather is questionable, do not assume the match is cancelled. Your team should show up ready to play unless both team captains have spoken in person (not on answering machine) and cancelled the match.
  • Safety of the players is the number one priority; therefore if it begins raining once a team match is underway and players feel that conditions are unsafe, then the match should be stopped.
  • When teams have assembled to play, and weather and/or courts are questionable, or the match is interrupted by rain, teams are required to wait ONE HOUR past originally scheduled time, unless both teams agree to wait longer, or both team captains have spoken to each other and agreed on an alternate waiting period.

In the event of rain:

  • Completed individual matches’ stand as played.
  • Incomplete matches must be resumed by the same players in the same positions (ad and deuce), same side of net, same set, game and point score, and at the same site, unless players have mutually agreed to play elsewhere.
  • Incomplete or postponed matches must be made up within two weeks of the original match date. It is the responsibility of the home team captain to contact the opposing captain to reschedule the match. If captains cannot agree on a day and time within the two weeks, the Local League Coordinator will set up a time for play.
  • The 2-week time period may be extended depending on extreme weather situations at the discretion of the LLC.
  • When a match is postponed after the exchange of line-ups, the line up would stand only for those positions that had already started (first service attempt) their match. All other positions, even those in warm-up may be changed including defaulted courts.
  • Teams may make up the entire match as a team or may schedule matches individually.

LEAGUE PLAY

  1. A round robin format shall be played where each team will play every other team at least once (exceptions may be requested in NCTA Singles League only). When any NTRP level consists of only two teams, each team is required to play a minimum of three team matches which is a triple round robin. When any NTRP level consists of only three teams, each team is required to play a minimum of four team matches which is a double round robin.
  2. A league schedule may only consist of full round robins (exceptions may be requested in NCTA Singles League only).
  3. The Local League Coordinator will determine the schedules.
  4. If multiple flights in an NTRP level exist, at least 1 team from each flight will advance to a playoff to determine the winner of that level. This rule does not prohibit a playoff for single flight leagues.
  5. Local League Coordinator will determine the playoff format.
  6. A team’s lineup does not have to be listed in order of strength, except in plus (+) leagues, where, by regulation, the plus (+) players are restricted to play on designated courts (see NC Regulation II.B.) and in the Tri-Level Leagues, where the highest NTRP level must play on the #1 court, the 2nd highest NTRP level must play on the #2 court and the lowest NTRP level must play on the #3 court. Example: in the 2.5/3.0/3.5 leagues, the 3.5 rated players play on the #1 court, the 3.0 players on the #2 court and the 2.5 players on the #3 court.
  7. The scoring format for all leagues will be best 2 out of 3 sets with a 10-point match tiebreaker used in lieu of the third set.
  8. The Coman Tiebreak format will be used for all tiebreakers.
  9. Coaching is not permitted at any point during a match.
  10. Defaults will be “from the bottom up,” defaulting the lowest positions first. Follow chart under Match Procedures.
  1. Players may compete on more than one team except if the teams are on the same level, in the same age division and in the same local league.

Match Procedures

  • Match schedules are published on Tennislink. Captains should access schedules and verify dates, times and locations for all matches.
  • Warm-ups are limited to 10 minutes including serves and begin at the match start time. If all players are present and match courts are available, the warm-up may start sooner. If a player arrives after the match start time but before the 15-minute default time, the player is entitled to 5 minutes for warm-up.
  • All matches will be the best of two sets and the Set tiebreak (first to 7 by 2) shall be used at 6-all in each set. In lieu of a third set, a Match tiebreak (first to 10 by 2) shall be played. The Coman Tiebreak will be used in all Tiebreaks. At the conclusion of each set, there may be a break of a maximum of 120 seconds.
  • If a team has 4 or more players on a roster (3 for Singles League matches) who are playing or working at a NC district, sectional, regional or national league championship and have a team match in conflict with these events, then the team can reschedule the match either by playing before the scheduled date or within 2 weeks after the scheduled match (as long as the makeup match occurs within the league season dates). The Captain of the team must notify the other team captain and LLC of the conflict before the scheduled match and work with both parties to reschedule the match within the above mentioned timeframe.
  • Scorecard Exchange: : Each scheduled match will have a “match number”. Prior to the match, captains should obtain a copy of the Match Scorecard from the TennisLink System. This card should be filled in with the match lineup and exchanged simultaneously with the opposing captain as soon as both captains have completed their lineup & all players are present. Cards must be exchanged before or at the scheduled match time and defaults are to be made from the bottom up
  • Defaults will be “from the bottom up,” defaulting the lowest positions first. The chart below shows which courts are to be defaulted first in the different match types.

Match Type / Courts to be Defaulted First
2 Singles, 3 Doubles / #2 Singles or # 3 Doubles
1 Singles, 2 Doubles / #1 Singles or #2 Doubles
3 Doubles / #3 Doubles
  • A team must be able to field enough courts to win the match (Field 3 courts for a 5 court match; field 2 courts for a 3 court match). If a team fails to do so, the entire match (all courts) are deemed defaulted.

When the combination of individual match defaults given by the two teams in the team match results, or would result, in a situation where the majority of the individual matches would not be played (not a “valid” team match):