Respecting the Game. Team Tennis.

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RESPECT THE START TIME and make every attempt to start on time. 

There's a MAXIMUM 10 minute warm up allowed after the official “start time.” Keep in mind, there's plenty of warm up time well before the match starts, on your own time. Start off on a good foot and get set up for fun and 

Players must be present and ready to walk on court when the line-up is turned in.  Once line-ups are in, no one can make any changes unless there's an injury during warm-up.

To activate a match, hit at least one ball on the court within the first 15 min. If you do not hit a ball 15 past start time, automatic default. If you are late, you risk starting late, however, get right on the court and hit one ball. This counts as being "ready to play," then if you have to, fix your hair, go to the bathroom, fill your water bottle. You are still entitled to a 10 minute warmup after that.  success.

Cheer for your teammates’ great shots (“good point, good rally, nice shot”).and be respectful of your opponent by maintaining good etiquette. Did you know…it’s poor sportsmanship to cheer against an unforced error by the opponent?  There might be coaching allowed in professional tennis, but there is no sideline coaching or line calling from a spectator in local league matches.  A line call is your call alone – as are the other calls -- or that of an umpire when there is one.  

IF YOU HAVE TO RETIRE FROM A MATCH, make sure you know what that means. 

 Let's take the two easy ones first.

     - An injured player can "retire" from the match; the match is marked as such in the match scorecard. 

     - A withdrawal happens in a tournament where a player withdraws from a match before the match starts.  

 Default v Forfeit? A little more complicated. Both are un-played games that is recorded as a loss. 

     - On match day when a player is expected to show up and she doesn't get there in time, default time is 15 minutes and is entered into the lineup from the bottom up. Wait 15 minutes past start time (6:15 for 6:00 start), check the time, and call default on the opponent if no one shows up. 

     - Forfeit is when a player is missing from the match that usually happens well in advance of the match. You already know you don't have the players versus a default which is a late arrival that causes a default. The timing of a forfeit is in advance or well in advance of taking the court when a player can't play or you don't have enough players to play. 

HAVE FUN, SMILE AND LAUGH A LOT at your self and at a whacky shot by anyone! It happens.

Don’t let your opponent distract you or let them get in your head. Turn it off /airplane mode--your cell phone, that is!. The person owning the phone that rings during a point, will lose a point. Players can take bathroom breaks at any time. Etiquette would suggest that bathroom breaks are during changeovers or between sets. 

When you are giving the balls to the other team, say politely and loudly “ball"  or "ball coming” so they are aware that balls are coming their way. The opponent also needs to turn a head or be alert to keep an eye out.

Shake or no shake? Sure thing before a match and a high five after a match. If you have a disagreement on the court, move on, and say to yourself "next!" Try to work out any disagreements. Go back to the last point where you agree on the score or worse case, simply replay the point and move on. Do it quickly, don't haggle. Play on and get on and off the court. Ask a tournament for assistance when you have one; do not send someone on your behalf.

This is competitive and fun--both!  Breath! Keep deep breathing from the diaphragm. It helps you stay calm, and you're more open to problem-solving and decision-making.