This program is designed to provide youngsters with a fun team format consisting of singles, doubles and mixed play for boys and girls of all skill levels. This is a national program and USTA Jr membership is required. All age divisions need a minimum of 3 boys and 3 girls per team. Each team will need to have a team captain, usually a parent but can be, tennis professionals, teachers, recreation leaders or volunteers. Team captains will have to perform a Safe Play background check (at no charge to the volunteer) before they can head a team. For more detail information, visit USTA Jr Tennis.
Get your players together and form your team. Fill out the jotform (direct link below) to request a team number. The team number is for the players to register to the team. Each player will need a current USTA membership to participate. If you don't have one, you can get one at no charge here.
https://form.jotform.com/200714361562145
Captain of each team must complete the USTA Safe Play program. It takes a few weeks for the background check so please start this process ahead of time.
Spring 2023 Southern Junior Team Tennis League (SJTTL)
Registration: March 6 - 31, 2023
Play will begin April 15 - June 3, 2023
Match Format is Best 2 out of 3 sets, short sets to 4 no ad scoring. A set tiebreaker is played at 3 all. A 10-point match tiebreak is played at one set all..
1 line of boys singles
1 line of girls singles
1 line of boys doubles
1 line of boys doubles
1 line of mixed doubles
Play will be on Saturdays at 3:30pm. Players can play twice in mixed doubles line only.
Level
14U and 18U Beginner and Intermediate.
Players must remain age eligible through August 31, 2023, for the age group in which they are participating, to register and participate.
POST MATCH
• The winning team should enter scores in TennisLink and the opponent should confirm the scores. Scores must be posted within 48 hours after each match of the season to determine standings or match may be scored as a double default. If scores are not disputed during above time period, scores will stand as posted.
Rules and Regulations - Visit
USTA for the most up-to-date information.
COACHING
Coaching is allowed by Team Manager or Coach only between sets. Coaching is not allowed during the set or tiebreaker.
PLAYER'S CONDUCT
In recognition of the support by USTA Eastern to competitions such as the USTA Junior Team Tennis Section Championships, certain behavior is expected. Players at the Section Championship level become role models for other players and athletes. We expect the highest level of sportsmanship and exemplary behavior both on and off the court.
If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good.
It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself (with the exception of a first service) any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.
Any "out" or "let" call must be made instantaneously; otherwise the ball continues in play.
Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.
If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, the point is over and your opponent wins the point.
To avoid controversy over the score, the server should announce the set score before starting a game and the game score prior to serving each point.
If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point, or they may spin a racket.
Do not stall, sulk, complain or practice gamesmanship.
Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball.
From the beginning of the match, play must be continuous. Attempts to stall or to extend rest periods for the purpose of recovering from a loss of physical condition are clearly illegal.
Intentional distractions that interfere with your opponent’s concentration or effort to play the ball are against the rules.
Players are expected to put forth a full and honest effort regardless of the score or expected outcome.
Players are expected to maintain full control over their emotions and the resulting behavior throughout the match. If you begin to lose your composure during play, try the following:
Take several deep breaths, exhale as slowly as possible and feel your muscles relax.
Concentrate on your own game and behavior while ignoring distractions from your opponent or surroundings.
Be your own best friend – enjoy your good shots and forget the poor ones.
SPECTATOR CONDUCTOne of the goals of USTA Junior Team Tennis is to allow the players a competitive setting without the pressures of a tournament. Almost two hundred children are here, and the purpose of Section Championships is to allow the best team on the court to play and win, clapping for good shots will be allowed provided spectators clap for both teams' good shots. Cheering can get out of control, often intimidating children on the court, disrupt other matches in progress and cause conflict between opposing teams.
Remember, our concern is the well-being of every junior participating in this event. We want all teams that play to feel good after every match. Site officials (if available) will impose penalties if abuse occurs. If cheering gets out of hand, the spectators will be informed that any cheering or clapping will not be allowed the remainder of the match. If abuse continues the person(s) will be asked to leave the site. Any violation of rules may be enforced by the point penalty system. Team coaches/managers are responsible for their spectators and should make sure their parents and players understand.
Spectators should use common sense. Think how your child would feel in a situation before subjecting another child to unfairness. Remember, these teams are all champions already. Even though the score may not reflect it, every child is a winner. Let them play the matches on the courts. Let's all help the players have a wonderful experience so they continue to play tennis in the future.
Failure to comply with any of the above regulations may result in dismissal from the event.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact
Will @ 678-909-0252 x 504 or jttcoordinator@cherokeetennis.org