BOYS AND GIRLS TENNIS
USTA rules
Participation Regulations:
1. The maximum number of allowable contests in Section XI is 16.
2. Participation in a two-day invitational tournament shall count as one of the allowable contests, and only three such tournaments shall be permitted.
3. In invitational tournaments, individuals may not participate in more than three matches per day. If three matches are played, a modified scoring system of a 10-game pro set will be used with a 12-point tie-breaker at 10-all. (revised 8/24/05)
4. Two matches may be played on one day provided one of the following modified scoring systems is used: best 2 of 3 sets using no ad scoring with a 12-point tiebreaker at 6-all, or 10 game pro-set using regular scoring with a 12-point tiebreaker at 10-all. (revised 5/22/03)
League Play
1. Schedules: All schools must play matches on dates scheduled by Section XI. For varsity postponements, the next available date policy must be followed.
2. Match Time: Matches will start no later than 20 minutes after the visiting team arrives (10-minute warm-up included in 20 minutes). Schools with only four courts should try to start matches as early as possible. (revised 8/24/05)
3. Match Play: Matches consist of three singles contests and four doubles contests. Each contest scores 1 point, and the team winning 4 points wins the match. Individuals may compete in only one contest per match.
Matches will be 2 out of 3, 6-game sets, using no ad scoring. Sets tied at 6-all will use a 12-point tiebreaker. The USTA format of no break while switching sides after the first game will be in effect. There will be a 90-second break during all other changeovers and at the completion of the first set. In a 3-set match, there is a 10-minute break if requested by either player. (revised 8/24/05)
One can of balls (recommended USTA yellow) must be provided by the home school per match.
Coaches must agree prior to starting the match to use the following:
a. Tie breaker in lieu of a third set
b. Ten-game pro-set instead of 2 out of 3 sets; tiebreaker at 10-all.
· May agree to adjust format if the overall match has been decided.
4. Lineups: Coaches must exchange lineups and match books, showing previous match lineups for inspection (team matches must be entered by the day prior to their next match). Lineups must be in order of strength for both singles and doubles. It is not required to break up a doubles team to fill a singles spot. Singles and doubles will be treated as separate lineups but both must be in strength order.
Only the last position in either singles or doubles may be defaulted.
Any player noticeably injured before the match begins must be substituted.
Changes in lineups may be made, provided there has been a supporting challenge match played and documented online to confirm the particular lineup.
Proper matchups of play is the responsibility of the home team. Ex: 2nd singles vs 2nd singles - when students are walking to the courts they must go to the correct courts. Once one point has been played, any error results in default against the home team. (Revised 3/24)
5. Challenge Matches: Challenge matches will allow for changing the rank order of play for both singles and doubles. Challenge matches during the season will consist of 2 out of 3, 6-game sets when possible. Modified pro sets are acceptable in place of the standard 2 out of 3 6-game sets, options are:
Players may challenge one or two positions ahead on the ladder. The loser forces the ladder down. Challenge matches may not be conducted on the same day as a match.
Challenge matches are to be added on the UTR website. Matches must be uploaded within 7 days or by the night prior to the team’s next match. If a match is not uploaded on UTR, the next team match will result in a forfeit.
If an opposing coach should need to PROTEST an opponent's lineup, the following procedure will be followed:
1. Coach will contact their Athletic Director and Mark Mensch prior to a match starting to file the protest.
2. Pictures of both team’s lineups will be submitted to Mark Mensch via text.
3. Match will continue to be played, under protest, and results reported to Mark Mensch.
4. Lineup Rule Violation will be reviewed by Section XI and results reported to Mark Mensch and the Athletic Director of both Schools.
5. If the Lineup Rule was violated, and the Protesting Team loses the contest, the results will be reversed and the contest will be entered as a Forfeit (loss). (Revised 2/25)
6. Rules of Play: USTA rules apply for play. Play must be continuous throughout the match. Practice serves must be taken during the 10-minute warm-up prior to the start of the match. All points played in good faith stand. In case of a dispute, a player may request a line-person. (revised 8/24/05)
7. Dress Code: All team members must be uniformly dressed in a team shirt, and solid colored shorts or skirts. Team shirts and shorts may be either white or school colors. Jeans are not permitted. Sweatshirts are permitted during play. Any failure to comply will result in competitor(s) being excluded from participation. (revised 8/24/05)
8. Coaches: Coaches may speak to their players only during the 90-second odd-game change-over after the 3rd game of each set, as well as in between sets. Coaches must remain outside the courts during play and only enter if an emergency arises. Players are entitled to a 10-minute rest period between the second and third sets.
9. Injury: Should a player become injured or have an unavoidable accident, medical timeout options are as follows:
If unable to continue play, a default will be declared.
10. Spectator Control: Spectator control is the responsibility of the home team. Spectators should be reminded to stay 10 feet away from the fence. Any player distracted by spectators should report the incident to the home coach. Sportsmanship should be emphasized by players, coaches, and spectators at all times.
11. Cessation of Play: Either coach has the discretion to stop a contest after play has begun due to darkness or inclement weather. The contest will continue on the next available date at the same site, with the same players, same court, same side, same score. New balls may be used. No substitution of players is allowed.
12. Reporting: The winning coach must report the score of the match to the media (UTR and Section XI Score Form), and both coaches must submit a rating card to Section XI.
-All Players/Rosters must be entered on team’s UTR roster by Practice # 7
-Team matches must be entered into UTR the night prior to their team’s next match
Division Individual Tournament
All rules for league play apply with the following exceptions:
1. Entries: Each school shall be entitled to one entry in singles and one entry in doubles in this single elimination tournament. The rest of the draw may be filled with up to 32 qualified entries, as determined by the coaches at the seeding meeting.
2. Eligibility: Participants must have represented their schools in at least six contests during the season in order to be eligible. (Any exception must have approval of the Section XI Executive Director.)
3. Boys and Girls Doubles Divisional qualification:
Boys & Girls seasons: Minimum 4 division matches must be played AT DOUBLES or SINGLES to qualify for the respective division tournament the athlete is attempting to qualify for. Mandatory crossover matches will count towards the minimum 4 Division matches (Approved 8/23)
4. Commitment: A player must make a commitment to complete any tournament entered. Any default will result in exclusion from the division tournament and Section XI Tournament. Any exception must have the approval of the sport chairman.
5. Tournament Director Duties: The tournament director shall be the division chairman or designee. Duties include the coordination, administration, seeding of the tournament, and designating an appeals panel at each tournament site. A sportsmanship statement should be read to all participants prior to the first match of the tournament.
6. Seeding:
a. The division chairperson shall conduct the seeding meeting. All coaches are invited to participate and all schools must be represented. Comparative records will be used to determine the draw. Comparative record means:
- Head to Head Matches
- Like Opponents (wins/losses)
- Like Opponents (based on sets then score)
- Total record of wins and losses
- UTR/USTA information
b. A draw of up to 32 players/teams may be established.
7. Play: Starting times and sites will be announced by the division chairman. (revised 8/24/05)
8. Tennis Balls: Schools are to provide two cans of USTA approved tennis balls per entry.
9. Forfeiture: Failure to arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will result in penalties being assessed before forfeiture is declared. Any exception will be determined by the appeals panel.
10. Coaches' Responsibility: Coaches, or school-designated alternates, must be present during play and responsible for the conduct of their players. Any coach can call a warning on any player in the tournament.
11. Matches in the individual tournament will consist of 2 out of 3 sets, no ad scoring, and a 12-point tiebreaker at 6-all. A new can of balls can be requested by either player for the 3rd set. (revised 8/24/05)
12. Advancement: The 8 singles and doubles quarter finalists will advance. A playoff between the semifinal losers and quarterfinal losers to determine 3rd-8th place for singles and doubles shall be held to assist in seeding the Section XI Tournament. (revised 11/24)
Section XI Individual Tournament
All rules for league play and division tournament play apply with the following exceptions:
1. The draw shall be 32 singles and 32 doubles. Each division shall send eight singles and 8 doubles teams. (Revised 11/24)
2. The sport chairman shall coordinate, administer, and seed the tournament with the assistance of the division chairmen.
3. The sport chairman or designee shall serve as tournament director and shall designate an appeals panel at the tournament site.
4. The tournament shall be conducted in three days: First two rounds on the first day, no ad scoring; quarters and semis on the second day, with final and 3rd place match on the third day, regular scoring will be used for the semis, final and 3rd place match. A 12-point tiebreaker shall be used throughout. New balls may be requested for the third set.
5. The top three singles and doubles medalists will represent Section XI at the NYSPHSAA tournament. A playoff between the semi-final losers will determine the third representative.
Rotation of At-Large Bids for a 4th representative:
The five-year schedule for filling the byes will be assigned to four sections per year on a rotation, as listed below, of which two sections will each qualify one additional participant for singles and two sections will qualify an additional doubles team. The combined total each year will be 6 additional participants to complete the tournament draw in both singles and doubles.
2025 2026 2027
Section 7, 8 singles Section 1, 2 singles Section 5, 6 singles
Section 9, 11 doubles Section 3, 4 doubles Section 7, 8 doubles
2028 2029 2030
Section 9, 11 singles Section 3, 4 singles Section 7, 8 singles
Section 1, 2 doubles Section 5, 6 doubles Section 9, 11 doubles
NYSPHSAA Individual Tournaments
1. The top three singles and doubles from the Section XI Individual Tournament will represent Section XI at the NYSPHSAA tournament.
2. All NYSPHSAA, Section XI, and USTA rules and regulations must be followed.
3. All entries must commit to complete the tournament and will not be excused or granted a late start in order to take achievement tests.
Section XI Team Tournament
Teams will need a .500 or above overall record to qualify for the playoffs. Large and Small School Divisions will be separate tournaments.
LI Team Championships
Large School format will be 3 singles and 4 doubles.
Small School format will be 2 singles and 3 doubles.
In regards to a team’s lineup:
Singles and Doubles are to be considered separate from each other but must be in strength order.
Both team’s singles lineups are to be in strength order with the two best -1st and 2nd singles - players frozen into those positions.
Large School: Both team’s 3rd singles players can move into any doubles position provided the doubles teams are in strength order.
In doubles: The tiebreak rules will follow the USTA/NYSPHSAA format for the year.
Going into each counties respective championship match, all four coaches should be prepared to submit their LI Championship lineup to their respective tennis coordinator in the event they win and will be the representative in the LI Championship.
These lineups are to be exchanged (given to the Coordinator) prior to the championship.
In the event that a player in the lineup is unable to play (singles or doubles), the coach may decide to move their lineup up or forfeit that court, but must maintain strength order (singles or doubles).
The Nassau County Sportsmanship warning system would be used: Both teams/all players addressed and issued their first warning prior to the match. 2nd warning would constitute the loss of a point. The third infraction would result in the default of the court.
During the address to the players, both coaches will address the spectators on the expected etiquette of tennis.