Rules of the Game For Intramural Tennis Revised June 10, 2014 Office of Intramural Sports Department of University Recreation Division of Student Affairs Mississippi State University
Intramural Sports General Information The Intramural Sports Office is located in the Joe Frank Sanderson Center. Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Phone Number: 662-325-0349 Website: http://www.recsports.msstate.edu/ Email Address: intramurals@saffairs.msstate.edu Table of Contents Rule 1: Players, Court, & Equipment...3 Rule 2: Game Play...3 Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties...5 Rule 4: Code Of Conduct...6 Rule 5: Sportsmanship...6 Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer...6 The United States Tennis Association rules will be in effect with the following exceptions: Rule 1: Players, Court, & Equipment Section 1: Team All players must check in with an Intramural Sports Supervisor and present their MSU Student Identification card to participate. Doubles teams will consist of two players; in co-rec (mixed doubles) matches it shall be one man and one woman. Doubles teams may have one alternate in case one teammate cannot make it to a game. Substitutes may play only if an original teammate cannot make the game. Section 2: The Court The game is played outdoors at the Sawyer Tennis Courts. Section 3: Boundaries During play, all players must remain on their side of the court.
A player may be handed a ball, provided that the player receiving the ball remains completely within their team's boundaries. A player shall not have any part of their body cross the center line and contact ground on their opponents' side of the court. PENALTY: Player will be declared out. NOTE: A player may, without penalty, step on the center-line, only during the opening rush. Section 4: Equipment Players must bring their own racquets and tennis balls to the match. All players should bring an unopened can of balls to each match. Participants must wear shoes. No metal cleats will be allowed. Participants must wear shirt and shorts/pants. Players may not wear: Guard, cast, or brace made of unyielding leather, plaster, pliable plastic, metal, or any other hard substance, on finger, hand, wrist, or forearm Rule 2: Game Play Section 1: The Game Choice of side and right to be server or receiver shall be decided by the toss of a coin. The player winning the toss may choose: To serve or receive, or The side of the court. A match is won by the first player or team to win 8 games. A player must win by only 1 game to win the match. A game is won by the first player or team to win 4 points. Adv. scoring will be used for all matches. If the score is tied at three points for each player or team, the winner has to win by 2 points. 15 1 point 30 2 points 40 3 points Game 4 points Winner must win by 2 points A one-hour time limit is in effect for all matches. The time limit will be lifted for all semi-final and final matches. Server shall project the ball by hand into the air in any direction and before it hits the ground strike it with their racquet; the delivery shall be completed at the moment of impact of the racquet and the ball. The server may not serve until the receiver is ready. At the end of the first game the receiver shall become the server and the server, the receiver. Players will switch sides after each odd numbered game i.e. 1, 3, 5 In all cases where a let has to be called under the rules or to provide an interruption to play it should have the following interpretation: When called solely in respect of a service that one service only should be replayed if the let serve lands within the serving area.
When called under any other circumstances, point should be replayed. Service is a let: When the ball served touches the net, strap, or band and is otherwise good, or, after touching the net or strap. If a service or a fault is delivered when the receiver is not ready. In the case of a let, that particular service shall not count, and the server shall serve again, if the let serve lands within the serving area. Players are to respect all opponents calls of in or out. If in doubt whether a ball is in or out, a player should always give the opponent the favorable call. Section 2: Doubles Service The order of serving should be decided before the beginning of the first game. The pair serving in the first game of the match shall decide which partner shall do so. The opposing pair should also decide who is going to serve in the second game. The partner of the player who served in the first game shall serve in the third game; the partner of the player who served in the 2nd game shall serve in the 4th game. In delivering the service, the server shall stand alternately behind the right and left courts, beginning from the right in every game. If service from the wrong half of the court occurs and is undetected, all plays resulting from such wrong service and services shall stand, but the inaccuracy of the station shall be corrected upon discovery. The ball shall pass over the net and hit the ground within the service court which is diagonally opposite, or upon any line bounding such court before the receiver returns the serve. Section 3: Receiving Serve Co-Rec Partner shall receive the service alternately throughout each game. Section 4: Timing & substitutions Winner will be determined by team that wins 8 games first. Substitutions may be made only if a teammate cannot make a game. NOTE: In Co-Rec, a male may not substitute for a female and vice versa. Only two alternate players are allowed for each team. Rule 3: Officials and Their Duties Section 1: Court Monitors and Officials All matches will be supervised by an Intramural Supervisor. Rules will be forced primarily by the honor system. Players will be expected to rule whether or not a service or return was in bounds. The Supervisor s responsibility will be to rule on any situation in which teams cannot agree. A team may appeal to the Supervisor if they feel a player has violated any rule. THE SUPERVISOR S DECISION IS FINAL. Supervisors may warn players who display unsportsmanlike conduct. Any players receiving 2 warnings in a game will be ejected and suspended a minimum of one game.
Suspensions will begin with their next scheduled game. Severe infractions or multiple technical may result in suspensions from matches or tournaments. NOTE: A Supervisor is not required to warn a player before ending a game. Section 2: Unsportsmanlike conduct It may include, but is not limited to: foul language unnecessary roughness arguing with officials, staff, participants, or fans abuse of the honor system Section 3: Protests Protests will only be accepted in cases involving use of an ineligible player. Protests of judgment calls will not be accepted. NOTE: A fee of $10 will assessed to every protest. If your protest is upheld, then you will get your money back. Rule 4: Code of Conduct Understand, appreciate and abide by the rules of the game and the honor system. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials and Intramural Sports staff Respect your opponent and congratulate them in a courteous manner following each match, whether in victory or defeat. Be responsible for your actions and maintain self-control. Do not taunt or bait opponents. Refrain from using foul or abusive language. Rule 5: Sportsmanship As in all intramural sports contests, if a participant is ejected from a contest, they are immediately ineligible for further access or competition in any Recreational Sport program or facility until cleared by the Coordinator of Intramural Sports or their designate. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports to review their behavior and subsequent eligibility to continue in the Intramural Sports Program. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by players or fans may cause a team to be disqualified from further competition. In addition, players, coaches, and spectators may not harass the officials (verbally or physically) after the contest has ended. Offender(s) are subject to the same penalties and procedures as players being ejected from the contest. Rule 6: Injury and Health Disclaimer
Participants should be aware that there is a risk of injury in participation in due to the inherent nature of the activity. Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and to obtain adequate health. Play at your own risk!