Ann Arbor Ski Club Tennis: Sunday Group Rules
Scoring System
Play 3 sets of 7 games with each of the 3 other partners. Spin for serve on each set to keep it random since one team serves 4 times and the other - 3 times. Players with 2 highest combined (over 3 sets) scores win. If all games are played, sum of combined scores for all 4 players should equal 42. If you arranged for a sub to play instead of you -- sub's score gets substracted 1 point. Please make sure that you accurately recorded your score before you leave.
Court Assignments
The winners on the UP court move up a court, the losers on the DOWN court move down a court, locations of UP and DOWN courts change every week. Generally, it takes two consequent losses to move down or two consequent wins to move up. The schedule with court designations and assignments is posted here and a hard copy is brought to the game.
No-Shows and Late Shows
If only three people show up then you still should play 3 sets of 7 games playing 2 against 1 (the one player serves 4 times). The no-shows get "0" score. If a player is > 10 minutes late to the start of the match, the other players have the option of forfeiting the late person's score.
Subs
Please arrange for a sub if you can't come, please let organizers know if you can't come and can't find a sub so that they find one for you to avoid empty courts. See the list of subs and please ask people with the skill level similar to yours to keep games even. Subs' score is reduced by one point.
Finishing up
If your game runs a little late (1 or 2 games), please try to finish within ~ 5 min -- you may consider switching to "no ad" games to speed it up (the receiving side gets to pick the direction of the serve and one point decides the game). If you are significantly late (more than 2 games) -- please try to figure out a way to resolve the score and assign winners within the allotted time.
Game Rules
For game rules please follow The Code: The Players’ Guide for Unofficiated Matches located at http://www.usta.com/rules/default.sps?iType=924&icustompageid=2518
Line Calls
You call the balls on your side of the court. Like it or not, the other side has to accept it. The Code states that you should call it "in" if you are not sure (it is also a matter of courtesy and good sportsmanship). Remember, that it is "in" if it touches any part of a line, even the smallest portion. Also see "If partners disagree"
If the other side is making bad line calls, you can gently remind them that if the ball touches the line it is in. Since we don't have any line judges, you have to accept their call. It is far better to accept the call than to rant and rave and get upset. You will shortly have this person as a partner, so you best keep it civil.
If partners disagree (expanded)
If partners disagree about the call (serve or during play) and the play was interrupted by their conflicting calls then:
a) if the ball was not returned in play - they lose the point;
b) if the ball was returned and play continued - the point is played out;
c) if the ball was returned weakly but play stopped because of the conflicting calls - they still lose the point;
d) if the ball was returned well but play stopped because of the conflicting calls - point is replayed.
Basically, the opposing side can't lose a point because they stopped playing due to conflicting call (but they can also be nice and offer to replay the point per "d")
Foot faults
It is okay to call a foot fault on a server if the server steps into the court (including baseline) before the contact with the ball is made. The best person to call a foot-fault is the receiver's partner.