2012 USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Captain/Coaches Guide

Transcription

1 2012 USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Captain/Coaches Guide

2 Table of Contents Page Introduction 3 Sportsmanship Expectations 4-5 Frequently Asked Questions 6 TennisLink Instructions for Coaches 7-19 Match Checklist 20 Team Captain/Coach Responsibilities Team Captain/Coach Tips 23 Parent/Spectator Do s and Don ts Top 10 Games Everyone Should Know USTA Southwest Section Community Tennis Manager Michelle Moyer mmoyer@southwest.usta.com 7010 E. Acoma, Suite 201 Scottsdale, AZ (480) PLEASE CHECK FOR THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION For any questions, please Michelle Moyer at mmoyer@southwest.usta.com 2

3 INTRODUCTION TO USTA JR. TEAM TENNIS USTA Jr. Team Tennis is a grassroots USTA program that is marketed to boys and girls ages 6 to 18 of all skill levels. The philosophy of the program is fun, fitness and friends in an environment that stresses sportsmanship and socialization in a team tennis atmosphere. This manual is designed to give you a description of the USTA Southwest Section Rules and Regulations for USTA Jr. Team Tennis for the 2012 Championship Year (seasons that run in the fall of 2011and spring and summer of 2012). Should this manual not cover an area you are inquiring about, please refer to the 2012 National USTA Jr. Team Tennis Regulations Manual. PLAYER AGREEMENT-USTA NATIONAL JR. TEAM TENNIS REGULATION 1.08 As a condition of their participation, all players participating in the USTA Jr. Team Tennis League agree to abide and be bound by the USTA Constitution and Bylaws; the USTA Regulations; the Rules of Tennis; the USTA Jr. Team Tennis Regulations; and the standards of good conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship. USTA Jr. Team Tennis participation is limited to amateurs. Individuals who participate in any professional tournaments are ineligible for USTA Jr. Team Tennis participation whether identified as a professional or amateur athlete by the respective governing body. AREA LEAGUE COORDINATORS (ALCs) Chartered CTA Area League Coordinator Phone Number Address Northern Arizona Brenda Linskey (928) jtt@ustanaz.com Central Arizona Danica Dunn (480) lprctennis@gmail.com Southern Arizona Enrique Zarate (520) sazjttcoordinator@gmail.com Northern New Mexico Mary Wommack (505) mwommack@comcast.net Southern New Mexico Judy Harlas (575) jrharlas@aol.com Southeastern New Mexico TBD Greater El Paso Texas Mike Bezemek (915) mbezem@sisd.net 3

4 PLAYER / PARENT / TEAM CAPTAIN SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS The USTA Southwest Section is committed to develop and promote the growth of tennis and with USTA Jr. Team Tennis as one of the most successful junior programs for the United States Tennis Association we will continue to grow tennis at all levels for juniors of any age. In order to maintain the success of the program and the growth of tennis there needs to be a clear understanding of the processes and expectations placed on the coaching staff, athletes, managers, parents and supporters of USTA Jr. Team Tennis and the USTA Southwest Section. The foundation of our program is based on the following areas: fair play, sportsmanship, competitiveness, teamwork, leadership, and participation. This player/ parent contract therefore reminds our program participants of the expectations that it takes to establish a truly unique and successful program. It is required that any participant, player or parent, sign this contract in order to participate in the USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis program. USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis PLAYER Expectations: =Players are held to the USTA Code and Friend at Court Regulations. Violations of any regulations will be dealt with accordingly. =Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Players are expected to express proper tennis court and tournament etiquette. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes: -Racquet abuse, ball abuse, profane language, negative signs, obscene gestures, trash talk and taunting, cheating, stalling, faking injury, pouting, berating opposing team, and insubordination to the team captains, umpires, other coaches, tournament directors, and your parents. =Players are expected to have fun with our program and promote teamwork with the rest of their team. (continued) 4

5 SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS CONTINUED USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis PARENT Expectations: =Parents are expected to support their athlete in a positive manner, being a role model of good sportsmanship and fair play. =Parents are expected to abide by the classic tennis sportsmanship rules, including: -Cheering/applauding only when your athlete hits a winner or plays a great point. -Congratulating your athletes opponent and parent(s) (win or lose) on a match well played. -Not making exaggerated audible noises, negative body language, or any other reaction to a suspected poor call, opponent behavior, missed shot by your own athlete, or behavior by an opponents captain, parent or supporter. =Parents are expected to treat the team captains, USTA administrators and tournament directors with respect. Please do not ask tournament directors when your athlete is going to play, or levy complaints about a tournament. Please refer to the team captain for such issues. =Parents understand that the team captain, USTA Southwest Staff, and tournament directors can have parents removed from matches at the competition location. =Parents are expected to anticipate nothing but the best experience for their athlete and their involvement in USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis. Parents are expected to understand that for an experience to be worthwhile and educational, highs and lows are to be expected. =Parents are expected to understand that acts of nature (that of God and Human nature) play a role in our events and matches. Parents are expected to exercise patience in consideration with the weather, rescheduling of matches, dual match sites, the irresponsibility or disorganization of other programs, and other issues outside of the team captains, USTA Southwest Staffs, and tournament directors control. USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Team Captain/Team Manager Expectations: =Team Captains are expected to emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, fun, and ethics to athletes in Jr. Team Tennis. =Team Captains are expected to communicate clearly with players, parents and supporters about the policies, procedures, practice, match times, travel plans and expectations. =Team Captains are expected to make decisions in the best interest of their athletes well being, in regards to their safety, health, education, and development. =Team Captains are expected to represent their athletes in captains meetings and act as a liaison between Jr. Team Tennis Coordinators, USTA Southwest Section Staff, tournament directors, parents, and athletes. =Team Captains are expected to lead by example in regards to sportsmanship, honesty, leadership, teamwork, and ethics. I, USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis player/parent/team captain, agree to the above statements. Should I violate of any of the above agreements, I will be subject to removal from the USTA Jr. Team Tennis program, event, or match site. Decisions for punishment will be made by the USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Coordinators. 5

6 FREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: How many players do you recommend per team? A: This allows some flexibility if players need to miss a match, yet the team is still small enough that the players get to play and feel like a valued member. The team minimum is 6, 3 boys and 3 girls. Q: Do the players need to be USTA Members? A: YES! All participants in USTA Jr. Team Tennis must be current members of the USTA for the duration of the local league season. Membership must also be valid should the team advance to the championship level. Q: Can a player play on more than one team? A: Yes, but only during the local league. The player must declare which team they will participate on should both advance to the championship level. Q: Can a player play more than one time in a team match? A: Yes. An individual player may play up to two matches in one team match. Should a player double up, it must be done in mixed doubles. (ex: player can play singles and mixed or doubles and mixed). Q: Who is in charge of recording match scores? A: The home team coach/captain, but the visiting team coach/captain should go on TennisLink to confirm that the correct scores were entered. Q: When is the age cut-off date? A: A player must remain age eligible through August 31st of the Championship Year. Q: If my team plays a team in a different division will it count as local play (ex: 18 Intermediate team playing an 18 Advanced team). A: Yes. You will need to inform your Area League Coordinator, so that they can set up that match for you. Q: What if I have one player who is advanced and the rest of the team is intermediate, what level should the team play at? A: If that player is going to play on your team, the entire team must play up to the Advanced level. Q: If I have two teams, can I switch players back and forth between the teams during the local season? A: No. Unless you register those players on both teams, paying for two registration fees. 6

7 TENNISLINK INSTRUCTIONS FOR COACHES/CAPTAINS First time users, please follow the steps below. If you have been a coach/captain before on the TennisLink system, please jump down to How to Login as a Captain/Coach. If you do not remember your User ID or Password, please Michelle Moyer at mmoyer@southwest.usta.com or call (480) HOW TO ACCESS TENNISLINK 1) Go to 2) OR go to 3) Click on Jr. Team Tennis in the left column. 7

8 HOW TO REGISTER AS A CAPTAIN / COACH 1) Go to web address: At the bottom of the page, click Become a Coach/Manager 8

9 2.) Create an online account: Either enter your USTA# and click get, or fill out the information in the boxes and click SUBMIT. Once you click submit, your USTA# number for team captain will appear in a pop up screen. Please write this number down. If you lose this number call USTA membership services at or memberservices@usta.com IF you have a Membership or Team Tennis Number enter it here and click 'Get' * First Name: MI: * Last Name: * Address: * City: * State: * Zip: Phone: * DOB: * Gender: (###) ###-#### mm/ Ethnic Group: (Optional) * Password: * Confirm Password: * Password Hint: 9

10 HOW TO LOGIN AS CAPTAIN / COACH 1) Sign in: Click on Login 2.) Use your USTA ID # or Team Tennis ID # and Password to Login. 10

11 3.) Once logged in, you can view MY OPTIONS on the right side of the screen. From here, you can view your team profiles, the stats and standings for your team, enter scores and register players. 11

12 HOW TO REGISTER A PLAYER 1) Go to Click on Register to Play 2.) Enter your Team ID # that was provided by the Team Coach/Captain. 12

13 3) To complete registration enter the following information. Enter the player s USTA Membership #. 13

14 HOW TO ACCESS SCORE CARDS 1) From your coach/captain login homepage, click on TEAMS, under My Options. 14

15 2) You will see the list of teams you are listed as captain or co-captain for. Click on the Stats & Standings on the right hand side of the team name to view. (Stats & Standings button looks like a grey piece of paper). 3) From there, you will be able to view the different options for your team under the stats & standings. Click on MATCH SCHEDULE 15

16 4) The MATCH SCHEDULE will provide you with the MATCH ID numbers and opposing captain phone numbers. Click on the MATCH ID number to go to that specific match scorecard. Print and bring the scorecard to the match with you. 5.) You may also click on BLANK SCORECARD, but the specific Match ID information will not be populated. It is preferred that each captain/coach use the specific scorecard for each scheduled match. You will need the specific Match ID number when you enter the scores. 16

17 ALL ROSTERED PLAYER NAMES WILL BE LISTED HERE. PLAYERS WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT LISTED ON SCORECARD ARE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEAM MATCH. 17

18 HOW TO ENTER MATCH SCORES 1) From your coach/captain login homepage, click on SCORE ENTRY, under Only coaches/captains or league coordinators can enter scores. You will be asked to enter the Match ID number which should have been supplied to you by your Area League Coordinator. 18

19 2) Enter the MATCH ID number from your scorecard. 3) Make sure the Match ID number you have entered brings up the correct match you need to enter scores for. If correct, click NEXT. 4) Enter the correct information in the boxes provided. Click NEXT. Double check your scores and click CONFIRM. 19

20 JR. TEAM TENNIS MATCH CHECKLIST Prior To The Match Make sure all players participating in the match are registered in TennisLink Contact and confirm with other coach time and location of the match as well as how many players each team can bring to the scheduled match. If away team, make sure players have transportation to the match Remind players to bring water. Designate parents to bring snacks/drinks. Home team must provide tennis balls for the match Record line-up on score sheet to exchange with other coach prior to the start of the team match. Match Time Explain match format -Total games won -Game scoring (scoring is determined by the Area League Coordinator; 8 game pro-set, regular set, 4 game short-set, etc). -Ad or No-Ad scoring -7 point tiebreak vs. 10 point match tiebreak Typically, boys and girls doubles will go on first, followed by singles and mixed doubles. This depends on the number of courts available. Monitor environment to help maintain a courteous, fun, and safe experience for all involved. NOTE: -Coaching: is determined by the Area League Coordinator. In no event is coaching permitted during a tiebreak. Please remember to be courteous of ongoing play while on court. -More Than One Individual Match: An individual may play in no more than two individual matches in one team match. Should a player double up, it must be done in mixed doubles. (ex: same player may play singles and mixed or doubles and mixed, not singles or same gender doubles). After The Match Home team coach/captain is responsible for posting the scores in TennisLink within one week of playing the match. Visiting coach/captain should go on TennisLink to Confirm the entered scores. Confirm the next scheduled match day/time with your players and parents. 20

21 Our kids cannot play Jr. Team Tennis without you!! Thank you for volunteering to be a Team Captain / Coach. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A JR. TEAM TENNIS CAPTAIN / COACH LEAGUE RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Read and know the rules of the league in which the team is competing. The captain/ coach is responsible for the team to play and act in accordance to the rules and code. 2. Provide all forms of contact information to the USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Area League Coordinator (ALC). 3. Register your team and make sure your team members register themselves by the registration deadline using the Team ID number given to your team. 4. Make sure all members of the team are eligible to play in the division/level registered (i.e. age, ranking, or level of play). If a player has 1,000 points or more on the 2010 Intermediate Benchmark List (modified ranking list), they must play in the Advanced level. 5. Report scores in TennisLink within one week of a completed team match. The home team is responsible for recording scores. 6. Keep in contact with the Jr. Team Tennis ALC. If there is any doubt of a match time or schedule question, the captain/coach must contact the ALC and should not wait for the coordinator to contact the captain/coach. 7. Attend your local league Captains/Coaches Meeting. 8. Complete the USTA Southwest Team Captain/Coach Background Screening Process before the first team match is played. 9. Team Captain/Coach listed in TennisLink must be the actual captain/coach in attendance with the team at each team match. 10. Complete the entire match schedule provided by the ALC for the current season by any deadlines given. All USTA Southwest Section Jr. Team Tennis Local League play must be completed by August 5, Organize the team to travel to the USTA Southwest Jr. Team Tennis Section Championships should they be eligible to advance. 21

22 Our kids cannot play Jr. Team Tennis without you!! Thank you for volunteering to be a Team Captain / Coach. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A JR. TEAM TENNIS CAPTAIN / COACH TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provide players with the Team ID Number to register on TennisLink. Assist the players with registration if they have issues. Players cannot participate with the team until they have registered. 2. Act as liaison between parents, players and the ALC. Must have clear and regular communication from all sides. 3. Secure courts for team matches and practices in a safe environment. Court fees are the responsibility of the team. 4. Advise players when their matches are scheduled, what the lineup is, and whether they need to bring balls. Home team provides tennis balls for the match. 5. Captain must communicate with the opposing captain prior to the match if there are not going to be enough players to facilitate the match. The match can be rescheduled if both the coaches and the ALC are in agreement (this prevents kids and parents from traveling to a match only to have to default a team match). 6. Print a scorecard from TennisLink and bring to the team match. 7. Team captain/coach checks at facility for the team 15 minutes prior to the match. Court assignments may be given at this time. 8. Exchange the team lineup with the opposing captain/coach before each match. Talk with opposing captain/coach to try and match the players with similar ability for a fair match. Remember, this is TEAM tennis. We want the kids to have the best match possible and above all, HAVE FUN. 9. Explain match format to all players. 10. Coaching during a team match is allowed by the team captain/coach only. Coaching is allowed on the changeovers only. Please encourage your players to be good sports. Remind parents to adhere to the Dos and Don ts conduct. 11. Home team captain/coach must enter scores in TennisLink at the completion of match. 12. Provide motivation and enthusiasm to all players involved with Jr. Team Tennis. 22

23 Some things team captains/coaches do, but are not required Schedule and conduct team practices. Buy balls for team matches (after collecting money from players). Pay for home court fees up front (with collecting reimbursement from players depending on which kids play each match). Send updates and reminders to the team. Make a match schedule of play based on player availability. Compile a team contact list so that parents and players all know the best way to contact one another. Appoint a co-captain so you don t have to be at every match. (Co-captains listed in TennisLink must go through the Background Screening Process). Create a match snack/drink schedule for the parents to provide at each match throughout the season. Have team name printed on Jr. Team Tennis Uniform Shirt Host an end of the season team party Team Match Tips TEAM STANDINGS: Are determined by total games won, so EVERY GAME COUNTS! RAIN: If you think there may be rain, please call the tennis center you are scheduled to play. Decisions related to playable courts are the facility s responsibility. LINE CALLS: Prior to the match, both coaches/captains should agree to have the individual players making the line calls. Parents are NOT allowed to make line calls. If a misunderstanding occurs on the court, please allow the players to attempt to resolve the issue on their own. Coaches/captains from both teams may assist with line calls if the players cannot come to a resolution. MATCH COMPLETION: When the match is complete, each player must come to the net and shake hands to congratulate the opponent. It is important that captains convey the message of good sportsmanship through their actions and the directions given to the players. 23

24 DO s DOs AND DON Ts FOR PARENTS AND SPECTATORS 1. Do treat the child the same whether he or she wins or loses. 2. Do try to have fun and enjoy the events and the travel. Your unhappiness can breed a child s guilt. 3. Do look relaxed, calm, positive and energized on the sidelines. Your attitude will help the child play better. 4. Do make friends with other parents at the event. Socializing can make the event more fun. 5. Do get involved if the child s behavior is unacceptable during match play. 6. Do let the coach do the coaching. Too much input can confuse the child. 7. Do understand that the child needs a break from tennis occasionally. It doesn t mean the child is quitting or burning out. 8. Do be there when the child loses or gets discouraged. Be an understanding listener, not a fixer. 9. Do, at the same time, give the child some space when he or she loses. Your youngster will want to be alone for awhile, and then he/she will be okay. 10. Do keep your sense of humor. When you laugh and have fun, your child s stress level will drop big. 11. Do be tough on your player where sportsmanship and cheating are concerned -- nobody wants to be saddled with the label poor sport or cheater. Stop it now. 12. Do support your child emotionally, financially, and logistically. You have three roles as a parent 1) Support 2) Support 3) Support 24

25 DON Ts 1. Don t say, We re playing today. Instead, say You re playing today. This is your child s match; help them learn how to be responsible for preparing to play (registration, match check-in). 2. Don t turn away when the child behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner on or off the court. 3. Don t tell the child what he or she did wrong or right after a tough match. 4. Don t ask the child to talk to you immediately after a loss. 5. Don t make enemies with your child s opponent s parents during the match. 6. Don t act negatively and angrily on the sidelines unless your child is acting in an unsportsmanlike manner; they ll pick up on it in a heartbeat. 7. Don t make your life your child s tennis - Don t live out your own dreams through your child s tennis. 8. Don t make your child feel guilty for all the time, money, and sacrifices you re making for his/her tennis. 9. Don t think of your child s tennis as an investment for which you expect a return. 10. Don t compare your child s progress with that of other children. 11. Don t badger, harass, or use sarcasm to motivate your child. 12. Don t talk about us (coaches, staff) talk to us, if you have comments or suggestions. 13. No coaching from the side (serve and volley, hit to the backhand). DON T EQUATE WINNING WITH LOVE!! This is probably the absolute most important thing NOT to do. You must have unconditional love for your child. This is a great game. You and your kids will have fun, grow and make great friends - everyone can be a winner. 25

26 TOP 10 GAMES EVERY COACH SHOULD KNOW This material was developed for use by middle school and high school coaches, and tennis instructors who are responsible for conducting team practices and group lessons for beginning, intermediate, and advanced players. All of these games and activities have the following benefits: 1)They handle a minimum of 4-8 players per court 2)Each can be operated by the coach or the students 3)They are adaptable to various skill levels 4)The coach can integrate technical and tactical issues As coaches, you are encouraged to build upon this base of games with additional variations as your players continue gaining experience. Consistent with play based coaching, it is important to structure practices and workouts based on observing players in match situations. This provides the context for which skills need to be developed and honed. You can pick and choose from the games in this material at your discretion. All of the games listed in the packet can be viewed with online demonstrations at SINGLES GAMES #1 -One Ball Live-A minimum of 8 players is needed for this game. Two sets of players rally with one another in a split-court set up, in which the court is halved vertically. Two balls are put in play with a drop-hit, for two simultaneous rallies. Once an error is made, the person making the error calls out one ball live! and the remaining ball is played out among the four players. The winning team scores a point and stays to play against two new players. Play until one team reaches 10 points and is declared the winner. #2 -Tag Team Singles- A minimum of 4 players is needed for this game. Players are split into two groups and each forms a line behind the middle of each baseline. One player is up on each side (A1 and B1). A1 drop hits the ball and runs to the back of her line. Then B1 hits the ball and runs to back of his line. After each player hits the ball once, each runs to the back of their line, keeping the point going until one side misses. Each line can keep track of how many points they win. The first team to 10 points is declared the winner. 26

27 #3 -Champion of the Court- A designated champion competes against a line of at least 3 challengers. The champion (A1) assumes a baseline position on one side of the court. Other players (i.e. the challengers, diagrammed as B1 -B4) wait at the back of the opposite side of the court. The first challenger, B1, assumes opposite base line position. B1 drop-hits or serves the ball to A1, and a point is played using the singles court boundaries. If B1 wins, he is the new champion and runs to the other side of the court (the Champion s side). If A1 wins, she stays and plays a point against B2.Variations: The Challengers have to win three points before becoming the Champion. #4 -Champs and Chumps- A minimum of 6 players is needed for this game. Three or four players line up behind the baseline on each side of the court. One side of the court is designated as the Champions side while the other side is called the Chumps side. The first player from each side plays out a point, using the singles-court boundaries. The player that wins the point goes to the end of the Champions line while the loser goes to the end of the Chumps line. The other players rotate through their line in order. Players can start the point with a drop-hit from the baseline or a serve. DOUBLES GAMES #5 -Team Doubles- This game requires a minimum of 6 players. Four players assume the typical doubles positions on each side the court. One side is the serving side and one side is the returning side. Points can begin with a drophit or a serve. After a point is played, players take turns rotating one spot on their side of the net. For example, player A1 would move to the back of the A line, player A2 would move to the net and A3 would be on the baseline. Games can be played to 7 or 11 points with teams switching sides of the court after each game. One side serves the entire game. All serves are from the deuce court. Variations: Points can begin with a drop-hit, serve, or feed from the coach. 27

28 #6 -All Position Doubles- A minimum of 8 players is needed for this game. Each player stands adjacent to a doubles position. A1, B1, C1, and D1 play a point, starting with a serve or drop-hit.once a point is played, each player rotates to the next position. The A participants rotate to the end of the B line and so on.after the rotation, another point is played this time with players A2, B2, C2, and D2. After the point is over, all players rotate and the ball is put in play.the benefit of this game is to play points from all positions on the court and to have players moving constantly. #7 -Champs of the Court Doubles- This game requires 6 to 8 players per court. A champion doubles team (B1 & B2) competes against a line of challengers (A1-A4). To start, the champs assume base line positions on one side of the court. All challengers wait at the back of the opposite side of the court, with the first two (A1 & A2) assuming base line positions. The challengers play 3 points against the champions. On the first point, the coach feeds a short ball to the challengers (A1 & A2). Team A hits an approach shot and plays out the point. The coach feeds the second point as a volley or half-volley to the same side. The third point is fed as an overhead. If the challengers win 2 out of 3, they take the place of the champions and hustle to the other side of the court. The coach then counts down and feeds to the next challenging team while the losing team rotates to the back of the challengers line. 28

29 FUN GROUP GAMES SUPER-SIZED #8 -Triples- In this game, players are divided into two teams of 3-6 players. Each side forms a triangle with one person at the net and two players behind the baseline. Extra players wait at the back fence to fill in from the baseline after each point. The ball is fed into play by a coach or a player and the point is played out using the doubles court. After each point, players rotate clockwise. The first team to 10 points wins the game. This game helps develop quicker #9 -Deep Desperation- A minimum of 10 players is needed for this game. A doubles champion team (C1 & C2) is placed on one baseline. All other players line up with a partner at the net post. The first team at the net post takes positions at the net. The coach begins each point with a high lob to the open court. The players at the net must chase down the lob (letting it bounce) and play out the point against the champion team. If the challenging team wins, they run over to replace the champions. A new ball is fed high into the air to the next challenging team. The players at the net post must move quickly onto the court to play the ball. If the challenging team loses the point, they quickly go to the end of the net post line and the next team of challengers comes in to play out the lob. Whoever is left in the champion position after a designated amount of time wins the game. #10 -Wipe-out- In this game, the group is divided into two teams of at least 5 players each. Each team stands in a line along the back fence on opposite sides of the court. To begin, one person from each team plays a singles point beginning with a drop hit. After the point, the winner stays on the court and adds a second person to his or her side of the court. The player who loses the point goes to the end of their line, and the next player drop-hits the ball to the two people on the opposite side.example, A1 plays B1 and A1 wins the point. B1 goes to the end of the B line while A2 joins A1 on the court. B2 becomes the new lone player and puts the ball in play with a drop-hit. Team A must play into the singles court but B2 can use the doubles court. If Team A wins again, A3 is added to the court to play against the new player B3. B3 will drop-hit to begin the next point. If B3 wins, she adds B4 to her court and plays A4 only. In this case, players A 1 through 3 are wiped out and return to the end of the line. Play continues until one entire team is on the court and wins the next point. This game usually seesaws back and forth with teams adding players and then getting wiped out. This game is effective for extra large groups of 10 or more people. Note: Always start the ball from the side with one player and be sure players maintain their order. 29

30 The USTA Southwest Section would like to thank you for your tremendous participation in the Jr. Team Tennis program! Your dedication and hard work is why this program continues to blossom and expand. Without priceless volunteers like you, our juniors would not be able to compete with their friends, experience teamwork and unity, have fun, and learn life lessons on and off the court. We hope that your experiences with Jr. Team Tennis will keep you supporting our program and juniors in the Southwest! Thanks again! Sincerely, Michelle Moyer USTA Southwest Section Jr. Recreation Coordinator 30