Players participating in any/all ladders acknowledge the risks associated with playing competitive tennis, accept those risks voluntarily and by registering to play on the LNTA tennis ladders players assume all risks for bodily injury, waive all claims for injury and property damage, and release and hold harmless the LNTA tennis ladder, their officials, employees, and agents, from and against any and all liability for any injuries or damages which may be incurred, arise out of, or in any way connected with, participation on the ladder.
PARENT/SPECTATOR REQUIREMENTS
If you have ever been to a soccer match or football game, you know that there aren’t any set expectations or rules of etiquette around spectator behavior. As a result, these events can get loud and sometimes rowdy. Tennis is a different sport though, where just one or two opponents go head-to-head on a small court, versus a large field.
In an effort to promote fairness and to assure a physically and mentally healthy experience for all players, tennis has expectations around spectator behavior. All Junior Team Tennis spectators are asked to abide by these rules of conduct:
Cheering Clapping for good shots is encouraged and will be allowed. It’s good sportsmanship to clap for both teams’ good shots. Here are some rules around cheering:
- Please wait until the point has finished before clapping. Clapping during play is a distraction for all players.
- Support all players on both teams, not just your own child.
- Please refrain from cheering when a player makes a mistake. This is considered poor tennis etiquette.
- Please keep cheering respectful in tone and volume. Cheering that gets out of control can intimidate children on the court, disrupt other matches in progress and cause conflict between opposing teams.
- If cheering gets out of hand, it is at the discretion of the Site Coordinator to decide if any cheering or clapping will be allowed for the remainder of the match.
- If abuse continues, the person(s) will be asked to leave the site. Any violation of rules will be addressed with the League Coordinator who may take further action to prevent future incidents.
Spectator Assistance/Coaching Spectators are PROHIBITED from assisting/coaching players. This can be particularly tough, especially when watching your own children. It is possible to feel that your child has been treated unfairly by their opponent. Naturally, parents want to stand up for their children. Please control any urge to address a perceived injustice. Remember that these are children, and they are still learning the mechanics and rules of the game. In addition, they are also learning how to manage their own behavior and how to make good decisions on the court.
Spectators need to be outside of the fence / off-court during matches; spectators may not offer advice on line calls, scoring or telling players where to serve/receive.
Only one designated person on-site each week can coach the players and ONLY on changeovers from outside the fence. Parents/coaches are NOT ALLOWED on the court during a match.
- Parents are not allowed to speak to their child while playing a match, not even to ask them if they need a drink. Allow the assigned coach to handle these matters.
- Speaking to players in a language other than English during match play may be construed by other spectators as coaching.
- No parent coaching of any kind is allowed during match play. This includes telling players to “move their feet”, “hit to their backhand” or similar comments.
- Even though it is typically done in good faith, refrain from assisting players with advice like serving from the incorrect side, calling out the wrong score or calling lines from outside the fence.
- If there is a dispute between the players regarding a line call or the correct score, allow the players to settle it themselves. This is how they learn on their own. Ask the assigned coach to use the changeovers to correct any observations made during the match.
- Please discuss line calling, double bounces (players call their own) and how to handle score discrepancies with your child BEFORE they play. As a reminder, balls that land on the line, or that touch the line, are in. Encourage your player to be fair with his or her own calls. When in doubt, the ball is in.
- Conversely, let your child know that it is acceptable to politely ask an opponent of his or her certainty with a call. However, make sure your own child knows that constant questioning of an opponent’s calls is not acceptable. Players should speak to the Team Manager/Coach on a changeover to discuss concerns about calls.
- Use the time after the match to follow up on any on-court calls that could have gone a different way. A good practice is to try to wait 24 hours before discussing the match (unless your player brings it up).
COACHING RULES
Each team is allowed ONE designated coach per match whose name shall be notated on the top of the scoresheet. This person can be anyone and does not need to be the Team Manager. The designated coach must abide by the following rules:
- Coaching is allowed on changeovers (odd games) only and from outside the fence.
- Coaching is not to interfere with the flow of the match. Players are allowed 90 seconds on changeovers and coaching must be completed within this 90 second window.
- There is to be no coaching during tiebreaks, to include assisting with score. If players do not know how to do a tiebreak, please obtain permission from the Site Coordinator to assist.
- Coaching is PROHIBITED during match play. Changeovers only.
- If a parent notices a court is having trouble with line calls, keeping score, or any other issues, please do not interfere. Notify your designated team coach and allow them to address this on the changeover.