Blind and Visually Impaired Regional Tennis Series 2018 Information, Rules and Format

Transcription

1 Blind and Visually Impaired Regional Tennis Series 2018 Information, Rules and Format Entries All players should obtain a BTM and enter on-line through the LTA Competitions search. Links for each tournament will be published at the start of the year. Tournament closing date 2 weeks before the start date of tournament. Late entries from non-seeded players may be considered by the tournament organiser and referee. Withdrawal deadline 1 week before the start date of the tournament. Any withdrawals after this date may mean that your entry fee is not refunded. Acceptance list The acceptance list should be published within 72 hours of the tournament closing date. Entry Fee payment The tournament organiser will decide on the entry fee amount and payment method for each tournament and this will be published on the tournament information sheet. Classification All players must be classified through BBS to compete. Once the entry deadline has passed tournament organisers and referees will contact BBS to check each player s classification - info@britishblindsport.org.uk Rules All regional tournaments will adopt the International Tennis Federation rules of tennis with amendments as below. Serve

2 All players must use ready yes play procedure. Ball Japanese yellow ball. Racket size Any racket size is accepted. B1 Eye Shade Paralympic recognised mask should be used. Eye shades will be checked prior to each B1 match starting. Players must not remove their mask whilst competing. They should signal to the umpire if they need to alter it in any way. Player hit by ball before it bounces B1: if the ball hits the player inside the playing area before the first bounce, it is a point for the opponent. If the ball hits the player outside the playing area before the first bounce, it is a point for the player. The player is considered inside the court if any part of their body is touching the playing surface inside or on the court lines. This would mean the player loses the point if the ball strikes them. This is based on ITF s Rules of Tennis - specifically points 18 (Foot Fault) and 24i (Player Loses Point). B2-5: If the ball hits the player inside or outside the playing area before the first bounce, it is a point for the opponent.

3 Tactile Marking It is the tournament organiser and referee s decision what they use to mark out the B1 courts for play. 5mm bungee cord is recommended. Tournaments should inform B1 players before the tournament how the B1 court will be marked. Clothing All players should wear recognised sportswear and indoor (non-marking) trainers for all matches. Each regional tournament should advise all players if there are any specific rules which they are putting in place for their tournament. Wrist Bands Tournaments are asked, where possible, to provide coloured wrist bands for players to identify what sight category and the number of bounces allocated for that category. Court Dimensions and Net Height Blind (B1) Court There will be tactile markings on all lines except the service box line (dotted lines). Tactile side-lines should extend as far past the base line as possible but do not need to go as far as the net and tape can be used to mark this part. The tactile centre line should extend backwards form the baseline and not in front. The dotted lines need to be marked out by tape unless court lines are already visible. Singles 12.8m x 6.1m Service line = 1.8m from the baseline Net height = 83cm

4 Doubles: 12.8m x 8.23m (singles tramline) Service line = 1.8m from the baseline Net height = 83cm Visually Impaired (B2-B5) Court Extra wide tape is recommended to mark the lines on the court. Singles: 18.28m x 8.23m (singles tramline) Service line = same as full court Net height = 91.4cm (3 feet) Doubles: Doubles = 18.28m x 10.97m (doubles tramline) Service line = same as full court Net height = 91.4cm (3 feet)

5 Bounces B1 and B2 = up to 3 bounces B3 = up to 2 bounces B4/B5 = 1 bounce If a player wants to play in a higher sight category they must adopt the rules of the higher category. If two sight categories have to merge due to low entries, players must play to the rules of their own sight category. Volleying Volleying is permitted for all players. Doubles During a doubles match where players can range from B2-B5, all players will receive the same number of bounces as they receive in a singles match and are allowed to volley. Format Each tournament will have a singles event and depending on time and court availability a doubles event. Each sight category will play in separate draw. If there are not enough entries in one category the tournament should liaise with the competitions team at the Tennis Foundation and two categories may be merged. Players are permitted to play up one category. Categories: Men B1 B2 B3 B4/B5 Women B1 B2 B3 B4/B5

6 The B1 division will be split men and women. However, if there are not enough entries in either the men or the women s category then the categories can be merged. Draws The draw for each category will be decided by the tournament organiser and referee. They will do their best to give players as many matches as possible. Draws will be published 48 hours before the start of the tournament. Scoring The scoring format for both the singles events and doubles events for each category will be decided by the tournament organiser and referee in liaison with the Tennis Foundation. This will be confirmed to players when the acceptance list is published. Example scoring methods: B1 singles and doubles one short set (tie-break at 3-3) B2 B5 one short set (tie-break at 4-4)