Untitled - Cyclones Athletics

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Contents 3 2014 Team Mission and Goals 4 Squad Goals 6 Personal Season Goals 8 Personal Off-Season Goals 10 Evaluating an Opponent 11 Match Notes/Evaluations 27 Team Routines 28 Drills You Should Know 30 Coach in a Bag 32 Singles Strategy 34 Doubles Strategy 36 Mental Strategy 38 Schedules 42 Team Policies 55 NTRP Rating System 58 The Code 65 Resources 67 Team History 2014 Team Mission and Goals Vision Pueblo West Tennis recognizes that tennis is a lifetime sport that nearly anyone can learn given the opportunity, time, and proper education. That being said, the team expects each player to put in the effort and time needed to reach an advanced level of play. Though not easy, the reward to each player will be a lifetime of enjoyable and high-level tennis. Team Focus The West Tennis Program will develop players who desire to improve and work on their games both during the high school competitive season and during the off season. The West Tennis Program will develop its teams into units that are capable of competing at the state level consistently from year to year. 2014 Goal #1 The girls tennis team will continue to develop its underclassmen by providing these players with activities and competitive opportunities. 2014 Goal #2 The girls tennis team will continue to build a championship level team by providing year-round instruction and clinics to help develop skills, tennis knowledge, and physical fitness. 3 Squad Goals It’s important that you and your teammates work toward a common goal. At the beginning of the season, your squad will discuss which goals you should work toward achieving during the season. Keeping those goals in mind during practice and match play will help the team make the most of their time on court. As a squad, formulate a common goal. Then, brainstorm strategies you all will use to achieve that goal. Pillars of Success (List 10): ______________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Goal #1: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 4 Goal #2: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Goal #3: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 5 Personal Season Goals Now that your team and squad have clear goals to work toward, it’s your turn. Your season goals are short term goals that you can work to achieve within the course of the current season. These goals should be things that you have control over. i.e. winning regionals is not something entirely within your control, but playing your best tennis at the regional tournament is something within your grasp. Obviously, if you are playing your best tennis, you increase the likelihood of placing in or winning the tournament! Goals might include gaining control of your mental game, increasing your first serve percentage, learning and applying new strategy, effectively using that slice backhand you learned over the summer. Brainstorm a couple of goals that you would like to work on during the season, and then sit down with your coach and discuss the strategies you will use to achieve those goals. Goal #1: _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #3: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 6 Goal #2: __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #: ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Notes: 7 Personal Off-Season Goals Your season has been played, and hopefully you have met your season goals. If you want to be one of the top players, one of those athletes that intimidate the other players in your region, then you need to keep practicing. You need to keep playing. Remember, champions are made in the off season! It’s time to clarify your off-season goals. Again, these goals should be things that you have control over. More importantly, the goals can include aspects of your game that will take time to achieve. You will not be under the pressure of competition, so reach out for those goals that require more effort, instruction, and time to achieve. These goals might include learning a slice backhand, picking up a top-spin serve, increasing your consistency from the baseline, or even increasing your speed and response time. Brainstorm a couple of goals that you would like to work on during the season, and then sit down with your coach and discuss the strategies you will use to achieve those goals. Goal #1: _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #3: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 8 Goal #2: __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________ Strategy #1: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #2: _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Strategy #: ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Notes: 9 Evaluating an Opponent Evaluation During Warm-ups Hit to both your opponent’s forehand side and backhand side. Hit balls that are low, balls that bounce high, and balls into your opponent’s “strike zone.” Hit topspin and slice if you have it. Does your opponent run around the backhand? Which is your opponent’s strongest side? Don’t hit all the warm-up balls right at your opponent. Does your opponent move well? Do the same when your opponent is at net taking volleys. In addition, hit a high ball to see if your opponent uses the overhead. Watch your opponent’s serves. Are they always flat, always to one spot of the service box? Does your opponent incorporate spin? What kid of spin? Pre or Post Evaluation of Opponent Serve—Answer for both Deuce AND Add Courts: Serve and volley from 1st or 2nd serves? First serve mainly to forehand, backhand, or body? Second serve mainly to forehand, backhand, or body? Returns— Returns on forehand side are drives, slices, or blocks? Returns on backhand side are drives, slices, or blocks? Groundstrokes— Best shot? Weakest shot? Prefers low balls, high balls, zone balls? Hits with top spin AND slice? Off which wing? Most shots cross court, down-the-line, or up-the-middle? 10 Hits drop shots? Lobs or passing shots? Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 11 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 12 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 13 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 14 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ 15 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 16 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 17 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 18 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 19 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 20 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 21 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 22 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 23 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 24 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 25 Match Notes/Evaluation Name of Opponent: __________________________________ Opponent’s School: __________________________________ Date of Match: ______________________________________ What I did well in this match: _____________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Weaknesses exposed during match: _________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What my opponent did well during the match: ________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Opponent’s weaknesses exposed during the match/warm-up: _____ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ What I can work on to take advantage of this knowledge the next time I meet this opponent: ________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 26 Team Routines Warm-Up Routine Easy Lap at 75% High Knees/High Heels Carioca Steps/Shuffle Steps Lunge Turns Court Swimming Sideline Ladders Shadow Swings Warm –Up Hitting Routine Short-Court Team Rally Go Volleys: 2 steps from net; 5 steps from net Get 20 Volley Drill Line-Feed Drills Half-Volley; Over-Head (half speed!) Lob; Cross-Court Groundstrokes Serve and Return Warm-up Cool-Down Routine Hamstring Stretches: Legs together; Legs apart Quadriceps Stretch Shoulder Stretches Across front : Down back : Up back Forearm Stretches Hands up and back : Hands down and back Calf Stretch Back Stretch Groin Stretch 27 Drills You Should Know Coach-Fed Drills Feed the Nomad: Groundstrokes or volleys. Three players to a side with center player taking alternate strokes from deuce and ad courts Poaching Partners: Two lines at sides near net. Coach feeds X-court player who responds with shot up the center. Hunter moves in on second ball fed back over center. Three-ball Feed: Coach will feed each player three consecutive balls. Player-Fed Drills Alley Rally: Players face each other and rally with one at net and one on baseline. Player at net moves back with each shot while player at baseline moves forward with each shot. Brazilian Baseline: Four-players on baselines. One side hits only cross court shots, while the other side hits only down-the-line shots. Eventually switch roles. Rally to 200: Partners rally cross court for 200 nonconsecutive shots. Forehand then backhand. 28 Game-Based Drills Position Doubles: Teams begin play on respective baselines. Team that wins the next point moves to service line. If they win a second point, they move to net. They can remain at net until they lose a point. A team that loses a point must move all the way back to their baseline. One-Bounce Doubles: Match play that only allows the serve to bounce onto the court. After that, all shots must be taken before the ball bounces. Joker Tennis: Each player (in turn) gets to choose a special rule or limitation for the next two games played: i.e. only one serve allowed, returner must lob, point won at net wins entire game, baseline doubles or Australian doubles only games, backhands only tennis, etc. 29 Coach in a Bag pt. 1 30 Coach in a Bag pt. 2 Coach in a Bag pt. 2 31 Singles Strategy 1. 2. 3. 4. 32 Play percentage tennis: Never hit a second serve; Get every return of serve back into play; Hit your groundstrokes cross court; Hit your approach shots straight ahead; Get to the net; Lob when in trouble. Center up just cross-court of the center hash mark. Return outside shots (cross-court shots that cross your body) cross court Return inside shots (shots that fail to cross your body) with a change of direction. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Return short responses (balls that bring you in off the baseline) either with a sharp angle kill shot or a downthe-line approach shot. Vary your serve type and placement, but second serves should usually be to the backhand (or weaker wing). The baseline is not the place to end the point with a kill shot or a drop shot. The baseline is the place for consistency. Once inside the baseline, look for opportunities to be more aggressive. Learn to volley so that you can come in and end the point. Don’t forget to practice your lob. This is the shot that you will use whenever you are out of position and/or in trouble. 33 Doubles Strategy 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 34 The team that controls the net controls the match; Let your opponents go for the “big” winner; Own the court’s middle; Groundstrokes and low balls are returned to the deep opponent; Short, high balls are returned to the near opponent’s feet; Consider the lob one of your most potent weapons. Play your positions: Cross-court player OR terminator. When the ball is in your opponent’s court, if it is crosscourt from you—you are the cross-court player. If the ball is on the same court half as you—you are the terminator. The situation can change quickly during a point. The cross-court player’s home is at the back of the service box. The terminator’s home is closer, midservice box. If you are the cross-court player, keep ALL of your shots crosscourt. Try to set up your partner for the 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. glory shot. If you fail to keep your shot crosscourt, then you will suddenly become the terminator and you need to get into position very quickly. If you are the terminator, stay aggressive. Look for opportunities to poach and/or end the shot with a well placed volley to the open corner or into your netopponent’s feet. Serve to the opponent’s backhand unless you have a very good reason for not doing so. Serving up the T gives your partner (the terminator) a great opportunity to be aggressive. When serving or returning, move to the cross-court player’s home base at the first available opportunity. To play effective doubles, get very good at the overhead and the lob. Practice them daily. You WILL need these shots. 35 Mental Strategy 36 1. Remember, match time is NOT the time to overthink your stroke. Don’t fall victim to “paralysis by analysis.” Instead of analyzing your stroke faults, concentrate on STRATEGY. The strokes will often take care of themselves if you have paid your dues during practice and built up the necessary muscle-memory for each stroke. Use the tools you have available to you at the moment, and get the job done with strategy. 2. Keep your focus where it counts. It’s often hard to let go of the emotions that surface when you think that you have been the victim of a bad call or when you can’t seem to play at your usual level. Still, you have to learn to sidestep those negative feelings and focus on what is important—and what is important is THE BALL. Keep your attention on the ball. Watch it closely throughout the point. Between points, you can help maintain your concentration by readjusting the strings on your racquet. Then, when it’s time to play the next point, bring your attention back to the ball. 3. Another good trick, particularly after you have mis-hit a ball or lost an important point, is to mentally “wad up” the mistake and through it away. The imagery involved in tossing away the mistake will allow you to disown the past performance and start again in the present. Pick a location at the back of the court that is your mental receptacle for these mistakes. Walk to that place between points and “throw the mistake away.” 4. Become a creature of habit. Find a pre-serve routine that works for you, and make sure you follow the routine prior to EVERY serve. Do the same thing with a pre-service return routine. 5. Practice being mentally tough. This is a skill like any other. During practice, give yourself obstacles that you must overcome during the practice rallies, for example. Practice coming back from behind. Practice finding your center when you feel yourself becoming angry or nervous. 6. Of course the best mental preparation you can make is by being overly prepared physically. When you absolutely know that you’ve earned the right to hit that down-the-line backhand or that kicker second serve, then you will be less nervous about using them in a match. Work on your consistency, and your mental game will improve, as well. 37 Season Schedules Team Policies Required Equipment Players need to come to practices and matches fully prepared. This means that each player needs at least one racquet, proper attire (a uniform on match days), appropriate court shoes (no running shoes), sufficient water, a pre-activity snack, sunscreen, and a cap. The spring sports season is notoriously cold, so dress appropriately using layers. Practice Times, Locations, and Policies Players and teams tend to play at the same level they practice. The school’s courts will not be finished in time for our season. We will hold practice at the Parks and Recreation courts located on Civic Center Drive behind the Pueblo West library. At times, the team will practice at the Pueblo City Park Complex. See practice schedules listed under “Team Practice Schedules” of this handbook. In addition, the team will practice on select Saturdays from 8:30 am until 10:30 am at the City Park courts or the West courts. There may be days when practice will run shorter or longer, and the coaching staff will try to inform team members a day in advance if there is a change in practice schedule; however, this in not always possible. In addition, there might be days when practices are cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. When this is the case, the cancellation will be announced through the office prior to the release of students. Furthermore, the practice schedule will be adjusted with shifts in Daylight Savings Time, and 42 the players will be informed of this before hand. Please note: certain team members might be asked to stay for short periods after practice for individual/small group instruction or match play. Since we are not on school property, there will be no supervision for players who stay after the practice times. Parents, please pick up your players promptly. Poor Weather Days When the weather and/or court conditions dictate that we cannot practice outdoors, the entire team will meet on the second floor of the school at the top of the Titanic staircase. On these days, the entire team will meet at 3:45 unless otherwise directed by the coaching staff. Practices will consist of both chalk talk/strategy sessions AND skill work, so players should be dressed for work. Transportation Players must find their own transportation to and from practice. Transportation will not be provided to matches within Pueblo County limits. Players are required to use school transportation for all matches out of Pueblo County. I will excuse players from riding home from a match with the team, but arrangements must be made in advance in writing. I will need a parent’s signature and a conversation with that parent for this to happen. Attendance Policy Excused: Players are excused from practice if they were excused for a least half of the school day, they have a note from a doctor, 43 they have had a death in the family, or there has been a family emergency. If you are absent from school, please call your coach between 3:20 and 3:40, so that we know you will be missing practice. Otherwise, your absence will be considered unexcused. Unexcused: Players are unexcused for nearly any other reason, including things such as too much homework, private lessons, running out of gas, and detention. 1st unexcused absence: player loses 5 points from lettering policy procedure and drops one position on the challenge ladder; 2nd unexcused absence: player loses 10 points from lettering procedure, runs for 30 minutes during the next practice, and drops two positions on the challenge ladder; 3rd unexcused absence: player loses letter and may be kicked off of the team. Grade Expectations Please refer to the district’s policy on grade checks and disciplinary actions taken for poor academic performance. Do not let your team down by failing your classes. This is inexcusable. Note: you are expected to keep up with your coursework at all times; hence, missing practice to make up work or take tests will be considered an unexcused absence. Also, please plan any tutoring you might need around the practice and match schedule. Players who begin the season ineligible will be automatically placed on JV. Earning a Position on the Team This team has a no-cut policy. The team’s policies and schedules are designed to be as fair as possible to all players, while giving our top players the greatest possible competitive edge. 44 Players will play along the challenge ladder to earn one of the singles positions on varsity. Once the top three singles positions have been established, those players will remain the varsity singles players for the duration of the season. Challenge matches may still be played amongst the singles squad at the coach’s discretion. After the varsity singles positions are established, players will challenge their way into the remaining 8 varsity positions through doubles challenge play. Although requests and preferences will be considered, the coaching staff will create the doubles teams prior to (or during) challenges. Once the top four doubles teams have been established, those eight girls will remain on varsity throughout the season. Challenge matches may still be played amongst the doubles squad at the coach’s discretion. The coaching staff reserves the right to remove or place any player on the squad based on attitude, work ethic, effort, and play potential. Although the varsity squad will not face challenge from below, V2 and JV players will challenge throughout the season. The V2 squad is a developmental team to prepare players to play varsity level tennis. Therefore, the squad will be composed of, at most, 6 upperclassmen and at least 6 underclassmen. If more upperclassmen are capable of making the squad, those six shall be determined by singles ladder play. Other members of the squad will be selected by singles play and at the coaches discretion. The coaching staff reserves the right to remove or place any player on the squad based on attitude, work ethic, effort, and play potential. Each of the upperclassmen on the squad, if an experienced or returning player, may be paired with and expected to mentor an underclassmen. If a player is unable to play in a match due to illness or 45 ineligibility, the player(s) at the top of the ladder from the team below will usually fill that slot for that match. The coaching staff will make every effort to schedule JV matches alongside each varsity match; however, this is not always possible due to poor participation by the opposition, limited facilities, and time restraints. The Challenge Ladder The team’s ladder will be divided into three sub-ladders: Varsity, Varsity 2, and Junior Varsity. Initial positions on the challenge ladder will be dictated by match play and observation of skills by the coaches. Observed skills will include the following: Serving: consistency, accuracy, and force; Ground strokes: consistency, placement, and depth; Volleys: consistency, placement, and pace; Game knowledge: scoring and rules; Court movement: balance and speed. There will be challenge periods scheduled during the season for doubles positions. Those dates will be announced by the coaches sometime after the initial challenge phase. Up challenges: Only the top 2 players from each JV ladder have the right to challenge the bottom players from the V2 ladder. In order to move up onto the ladder above, the challenging player must win two out of three sets. If the challenging player loses the first set, the challenge is over. Challenge Sequence: If a player loses a challenge, that player 46 must take another down challenge and win before that player can challenge up again. Winning players may challenge up until they lose. Lettering In order to letter, players must earn a minimum of 65 points throughout the course of the season and be in good standing with the team. The head coach reserves the right to letter or not to letter a player based on attitude, sportsmanship, participation, and dedication. Positive points: One practice as a varsity member=1 point One varsity match/tournament=3 points Varsity match win=1 additional point Varsity team win=1 additional point 1st, 2nd, 3rd individual tournament placement=2 additional points 1st, 2nd, 3rd team tournament placement=1 additional point Players must participate in the match/tournament and be at the varsity level in that match or tournament to earn points. Negative points: Unexcused absence=refer to absence policy Partial practice (come late or leave early)=minus 1 point Unacceptable effort in practice=minus 1 points Sportsmanship Warning=minus 5 points Failure to support teammates during match=minus 3 points Note: You are expected to stay for the entire match. Whenyou are not playing, you should be watching your teammates play. 47 Additional Information for V2 Lettering To letter as a member of the V2 squad, a player must participate for two or more years and accummulate a total of 100 points. No points are awareded for junior varsity participation. A returning letterman will be awarded an additional letter for each year of participation on the V2 squad. Curfew Players must be home by 10:00 pm the night prior to a match. Captains The Team Captain will come from the Varsity squad. The V2 and JV squads will each have a Squad Leader position. These leadership positions will be chosen by the coaching staff. Uniforms Players will be required to purchase their own team uniforms. Attire must be dress-code compliant and players will wear appropriate court shoes. No running shoes will be allowed on the court for safety reasons. Risks Involved Playing tennis, like any other athletic activity, has its share of risks: Athletes may suffer from sprains, brakes, tendon problems, heat exhaustion, or other health problems—especially if they fail to follow instructions and cautions issued by the supervising coach. Students must be checked out by a physician prior to practicing and competing with the team. Warm-up and stretching routines must be taken seriously. Even then, accidents are an inherent risk of physical activity. 48 Please report known health problems to the coach. Parent Expectations Parents are expected, of course, to be supportive of their players. Please be sure that your player is at practice and matches consistently and on time. Pick-up your player promptly after practice, as there will be no supervision afterwards. Please be aware that the score at the end of a match is not our most important goal. Yes, we all like to win, and our players are being trained to win matches, but the emphasis is always on growth. If a player gives 100%, walks away with a better understanding of the game, moves closer to reaching personal goals, and shows character under pressure, then that player certainly is a winner, and his or her scores will eventually reflect this. I encourage an open relationship between the coaching staff and the parents of our players. It helps us to know if there is something bothering your son or daughter or if he/she is having problems at school. These things can affect their efforts on the court. Likewise, if we notice a difference in attitude or behavior, we would like to be able to give you a heads up that something might be wrong. Please be aware that your role is supportive. CHSAA and USTA rules are specific when it comes to parents and coaching: Parents must stay away from the fence during a match. Also, they are not allowed to talk with the players during or between sets. This is a violation of both CHSAA and USTA rules and may result in a forfeit of the match. Please don’t make faces or comments that might distract any of the players. 49 Parents may not ask for a line judge or medical time out. This is the responsibility of the player. Please understand that there are only certain times that the coach can speak with the players, as well. We must follow USTA guidelines. In addition, matches are played concurrently, so coaches will be spread rather thin at times. Tennis is an individual sport and players are required to try to resolve issues on the court independently before calling for a coach. Beginner’s Responsibilities If you are just beginning to learn the game of tennis or if you have had limited experience playing the game, you will quickly notice how difficult it can be to play the game in the same way that your fellow teammates on varsity play. Playing tennis at the advanced level required a commitment of both time and effort. Becoming a “solid” player will take most people at least two years of practice and play. Of course, the game is complex enough that you can spend your entire life as a student of it and still not completely master it. That’s what makes it so interesting and fun! As a beginner, you are responsible for knowing the basic rules and etiquette used in tennis. Please commit the following information taken from the Internet site http://www.westlake.k12. oh.us/.../tennis_rules.htm to memory. Rule 1. Opponents stand on opposite sides of the court. The player who delivers the ball to start the point is called the server. The player who stands opposite and cross-court from the server is the receiver. Rule 2. The right to serve, receive, choose your side, or give the opponent these choices is decided by a toss of a coin or racquet. If the choice of service or receiver is chosen, the opponent chooses which side to start. 50 Rule 3. The server shall stand behind the baseline on the deuce court within the boundaries of the singles court when playing singles and within the doubles sideline when playing doubles. See court dimensions. All even points are played from the deuce court and odd number points played from the advantage court. The server shall not serve until the receiver is ready. Serves are made from the deuce court to the opponents service box on the deuce court. Advantage court to advantage box. If the server misses his target twice, he loses the point. If the ball hits the net and goes in the correct service box, another serve is granted. If the server steps on the baseline before contact is made, the serve is deemed a fault. Rule 4. The receiver is deemed ready if an attempt is made to return the server’s ball. The receiver can stand where he likes but must let the ball bounce in the service box. If the ball does not land in the service box, it is deemed a fault and a second serve is given. If the ball is hit by either opponent before the ball bounces, the server wins the point. Rule 5. The server always calls his score first. If the server wins the first point, he gets a score of 15. Scoring is done like a clock. See example below. Love means zero in tennis. The second point is called 30. The third point is called 45 (now-a-days known as 40) and game is won when the score goes back to love. If the score is 40-40, also known as deuce, one side must win by two points. Advantage-In means if the server wins the next point, he wins the game. Advantage-Out means the receiver has a chance to win the game on the next point. LOVE 15-30-40 Rule 5. After the game, the opponents serve. Games equal 1. The first to win 6 games, by two, wins the set. The first to win 2 sets wins the match. If the score is 6-6, a tie-breaker is played. This is scored by one’s. The first team to score 7 points winning by two wins the set. The tiebreaker continues until one side wins by two. Hence, Game-Set-Match. Rule 6. If the ball goes into the net, or outside the boundaries of the court, the player who hit that ball loses the point. If the ball hits the net during the point and goes into the opponents court, the ball is in play. A player loses the point if he touches the net, drops his racquet while hitting the ball, bounces the ball over the net, hits a part of the surroundings such as the roof, or a tree, the ball touches him or his partner, he deliberately tries to distract the opponent. Rule 7. A let is called during the point if a ball rolls on the court or there is a distraction from someone besides the players on the court. 51 Rule 8. A ball that lands on the line is good. Rule 9. If players serve out of turn or serve to the wrong person or court, the point or game will stand and order will be resumed following the point or game. Private Lessons Players are encouraged to continue their development in tennis. Taking private lessons is a great way to improve and help you move up the challenge ladder. There are some reputable instructors in town and one of the coaching staff can put you in contact with these individuals. When you call for a private lesson, it is a good idea to have something specific in mind. For instance, set up instruction for help with your backhand slice or work on your two-handed backhand. If you don’t feel comfortable with a pro’s teaching style, look for another instructor. The coaching staff will be presenting you with a foundation that will lead to an advanced level of play, and while we recognize that there are a hundred ways to hit a tennis ball, we know that there are only a limited number that are fundamentally correct. These fundamentals must be grooved into muscle memory and practiced regularly. That being said, players are not allowed to miss team practice to work with their private instructors. The importance of being a part of a team and working toward a common goal cannot be understated. Please schedule any privates you wish to take around the team’s practice and match schedules. Missing a practice for a private lesson constitutes an unexcused absence 52 Donation Procedure and Forms The team is always in need of funds and equipment. In the past, we have had parents donate both, and their gifts have been greatly appreciated. Parents have purchased team caps, team tees, the teams tournament canopy, the team’s ball machine, offered to buy uniforms for players who couldn’t afford them, and just given cash donations made out to the Pueblo West High tennis team. Again, anything that you can afford would be greatly appreciated. The form that you will use to make a contribution is attached to the back of this packet. Tournaments and Potlucks During the tournaments that the team attends each season, it is our tradition to provide the players and their attending family with a potluck of food during the long tennis day. It makes the tournament atmosphere more fun! The team captains will organize the list of food donations. The potlucks will, of course, continue through Regional and State tournaments. End-of-Season Banquet At the end of the season, the team will meet for a barbecue. We will organize the dinner as a potluck. Bring a side to share with everyone, the meat that you want to cook for your family, and plates and utensils. I will likely ask certain families to bring buns, drinks, and condiments in place of a side. Awards and letters will be given out at this time. 53 The Off Season As they say, “Champions are made in the off season!” If we want to have a perennially strong team, then we have to commit to playing in the off season. This means taking private lessons, participating in clinics, playing USTA team tennis, and playing in as many junior tournaments as possible. The coaching staff will be providing information for off-season participation as the high school season draws to a close. 54 NTRP Self-Rating System From USTA website NTRP Rating System To self-rate your level of play: A. Begin with 1.5.  Read all categories carefully and then decide which one best describes your present ability level. Be certain that you qualify on all points of all preceding levels as well as those in the level you choose. B. When rating yourself assume you are playing against a player of the same gender and the same ability. General Characteristics of Various NTRP Playing Levels (Wheelchair players please see note below) 1.5 You have limited experience and are working primarily on getting the ball in play. 2.0 You lack court experience and your strokes need developing.  You are familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles play. 2.5 You are learning to judge where the ball is going, although your court coverage is limited.  You can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability. 3.0 You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but are not comfortable with all strokes and lack execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Your most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back. 3.5 55 You have achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but need to develop depth and variety. You exhibit more aggressive net play, have improved court coverage and are developing teamwork in doubles. 4.0 You have dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate-paced shots.  You can use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success and occasionally force errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident. 4.5 You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. You have sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents.  You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve.  You tend to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles. 5.0 You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured.  You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys.  You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and have good depth and spin on most second serves. 5.5 You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation. 56 6.0 to 7.0 You have had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and have obtained a sectional and/or national ranking. 7.0 You are a world-class player. Players in Wheelchairs: Players in wheelchairs should use these general characteristics to determine their NTRP skill level.  The only differences are as follows:  Mobility: while players in wheelchairs may have skills that would normally provide them a certain rating, the mobility factor suggests that when competing against able-bodied players, they should participate at an NTRP skill level that provides for competitive rather than compatible play.  Serving ability:  Due to the nature of the player’s injury or disability, a powerful serve may not be possible.  In this case, it may be more realistic to self-rate below 4.0 as service strength becomes key beyond this level. Many tournament players in wheelchairs have already received an NTRP rating. Wheelchair players should check with players whose skills match their own before determining their rating.  The very best world-class players in wheelchairs have an NTRP rating in the low 4.5s. 57 The Code THE CODE THE PLAYERS’ GUIDE FOR MATCHES WHEN OFFICIALS ARE NOT PRESENT Taken from the USTA website PREFACE When your serve hits your partner stationed at the net, is it a let, fault, or loss of point? Likewise, what is the ruling when your serve, before touching the ground, hits an opponent who is standing back of the baseline. The answers to these questions are obvious to anyone who knows the fundamentals of tennis, but it is surprising the number of players who don’t know these fundamentals. All players have a responsibility to be familiar with the basic rules and customs of tennis. Further, it can be distressing when a player makes a decision in accordance with a rule and the opponent protests with the remark: “Well, I never heard of that rule before!” Ignorance of the rules constitutes a delinquency on the part of a player and often spoils an otherwise good match. What is written here constitutes the essentials of The Code, a summary of procedures and unwritten rules that custom and tradition dictate all players should follow. No system of rules will cover every specific problem or situation that may arise. If players of good will follow the principles of The Code, they should always be able to reach an agreement, while at the same time making tennis more fun and a better game for all. The principles set forth in The Code shall apply in cases not specifically covered by the ITF Rules of Tennis and USTA Regulations. Before reading this you might well ask yourself: Since we have a book that contains all the rules of tennis, why do we need a code? Isn’t it sufficient to know and understand all the rules? There are a number of things not specifically set forth in the rules that are covered by custom and tradition only. For example, if you have a doubt on a line call, your opponent gets the benefit of the doubt. Can you find that in the rules? Further, custom dictates the standard procedures that players will use in reaching decisions. These are the reasons we need a code. —Col. Nick Powel Note: The Code is not part of the official ITF Rules of Tennis. Players shall follow The Code in all unofficiated matches. Many of the principles also apply when officials are present. This edition of The Code is an adaptation of the original, which was written by Colonel Nicolas E. Powel. PRINCIPLES 1. Courtesy. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy from all participants. Make tennis a fun game by praising your opponents’ good shots and by not: • conducting loud postmortems after points; • complaining about shots like lobs and drop shots; • embarrassing a weak opponent by being overly gracious or condescending; • losing your temper, using vile language, throwing your racket, or slamming a ball in anger; or 58 • sulking when you are losing. 2. Counting points played in good faith. All points played in good faith stand. For example, if after losing a point, a player discovers that the net was four inches too high, the point stands. If a point is played from the wrong court, there is no replay. If during a point, a player realizes that a mistake was made at the beginning (for example, service from the wrong court), the player shall continue playing the point. Corrective action may be taken only after a point has been completed. Shaking hands at end of the match is an acknowledgment by the players that the match is over. THE WARM-UP 3. Warm-up is not practice. A player should provide the opponent a 5-minute warm-up (ten minutes if there are no ballpersons). If a player refuses to warm up the opponent, the player forfeits the right to a warm-up. Some players confuse warm-up and practice. Each player should make a special effort to hit shots directly to the opponent. (If partners want to warm each other up while their opponents are warming up, they may do so.) 4. Warm-up serves and returns. A player should take all warm-up serves before the first serve of the match. A player who returns serves should return them at a moderate pace in a manner that does not disrupt the server. MAKING CALLS 5. Player makes calls on own side of the net. A player calls all shots landing on, or aimed at, the player’s side of the net. 6. Opponent gets benefit of doubt. When a match is played without officials, the players are responsible for making decisions, particularly for line calls. There is a subtle difference between player decisions and those of an on-court official. An official impartially resolves a problem involving a call, whereas a player is guided by the unwritten law that any doubt must be resolved in favor of the opponent. A player in attempting to be scrupulously honest on line calls frequently will find himself keeping a ball in play that might have been out or that the player discovers too late was out. Even so, the game is much better played this way. 7. Ball touching any part of line is good. If any part of the ball touches the line, the ball is good. A ball 99% out is still 100% good. 8. Ball that cannot be called out is good. Any ball that cannot be called out is considered to have been good. A player may not claim a let on the basis of not seeing a ball. One of tennis’ most infuriating moments occurs after a long hard rally when a player makes a clean placement and the opponent says: “I’m not sure if it was good or out. Let’s play a let.” Remember, it is each player’s responsibility to call all balls landing on, or aimed at, the player’s side of the net. If a ball can’t be called out with certainty, it is good. When you say your opponent’s shot was really out but you offer to replay the point to give your opponent a break, you are deluding yourself because you must have had some doubt. 9. Calls when looking across a line or when far away. The call of a player looking down a line is much more likely to be accurate than that of a player looking across a line. When you are looking across a line, don’t call a ball out unless you can clearly see part of the court between where the ball hit and the line. It is difficult for a player who stands on one baseline to question a 59 call on a ball that landed near the other baseline. 10. Treat all points the same regardless of their importance. All points in a match should be treated the same. There is no justification for considering a match point differently than the first point. 11. Requesting opponent’s help. When an opponent’s opinion is requested and the opponent gives a positive opinion, it must be accepted. If neither player has an opinion, the ball is considered good. Aid from an opponent is available only on a call that ends a point. 12. Out calls corrected. If a player mistakenly calls a ball “out” and then realizes it was good, the point shall be replayed if the player returned the ball within the proper court. Nonetheless, if the player’s return of the ball results in a “weak sitter,” the player should give the opponent the point. If the player failed to make the return, the opponent wins the point. If the mistake was made on the second serve, the server is entitled to two serves. 13. Player calls own shots out. With the exception of the first serve, a player should call against himself or herself any ball the player clearly sees out regardless of whether requested to do so by the opponent. The prime objective in making calls is accuracy. All players should cooperate to attain this objective. 14. Partners’ disagreement on calls. If one partner calls the ball out and the other partner sees the ball good, they shall call it good. It is more important to give your opponents the benefit of the doubt than to avoid possibly hurting your partner’s feelings. The tactful way to achieve the desired result is to tell your partner quietly of the mistake and then let your partner concede the point. If a call is changed from out to good, the principles of Code §12 apply. 15. Audible or visible calls. No matter how obvious it is to a player that the opponent’s ball is out, the opponent is entitled to a prompt audible or visible out call. 16. Opponent’s calls questioned. When a player genuinely doubts an opponent’s call, the player may ask: “Are you sure of your call?” If the opponent reaffirms that the ball was out, the call shall be accepted. If the opponent acknowledges uncertainty, the opponent loses the point. There shall be no further delay or discussion. 17. Spectators never to make calls. A player shall not enlist the aid of a spectator in making a call. No spectator has a part in the match. 18. Prompt calls eliminate two chance option. A player shall make all calls promptly after the ball has hit the court. A call shall be made either before the player’s return shot has gone out of play or before the opponent has had the opportunity to play the return shot. Prompt calls will quickly eliminate the “two chances to win the point” option that some players practice. To illustrate, a player is advancing to the net for an easy put away and sees a ball from an adjoining court rolling toward the court. The player continues to advance and hits the shot, only to have the supposed easy put away fly over the baseline. The player then claims a let. The claim is not valid because the player forfeited the right to call a let by choosing instead to play the ball. The player took a chance to win or lose and is not entitled to a second chance. 19. Lets called when balls roll on the court. When a ball from an adjacent court enters the playing area, any player shall call a let as soon as the player 60 becomes aware of the ball. The player loses the right to call a let if the player unreasonably delays in making the call. 20. Touches, hitting ball before it crosses net, invasion of opponent’s court, double hits, and double bounces. A player shall promptly acknowledge if: • a ball touches the player; • the player touches the net; • the player touches the player’s opponent’s court; • the player hits a ball before it crosses the net; • the player deliberately carries or double hits the ball; or • the ball bounces more than once in the player’s court. 21. Balls hit through the net or into the ground. A player shall make the ruling on a ball that the player’s opponent hits: • through the net; or • into the ground before it goes over the net. 22. Calling balls on clay courts. If any part of the ball mark touches the line on a clay court, the ball shall be called good. If you can see only part of the mark on the court, this means that the missing part is on the line or tape. A player should take a careful second look at any point-ending placement that is close to a line on a clay court. Occasionally a ball will strike the tape, jump, and then leave a full mark behind the line. This does not mean that a player is required to show the opponent the mark. The opponent shall not cross the net to inspect a mark. See USTA Regulation I.N.8. If the player hears the sound of the ball striking the tape and sees a clean spot on the tape near the mark, the player should give the point to the opponent. SERVING 23. Server’s request for third ball. When a server requests three balls, the receiver shall comply when the third ball is readily available. Distant balls shall be retrieved at the end of a game. 24. Foot Faults. A player may warn an opponent that the opponent has committed a flagrant foot fault. If the foot faulting continues, the player may attempt to locate an official. If no official is available, the player may call flagrant foot faults. Compliance with the foot fault rule is very much a function of a player’s personal honor system. The plea that a Server should not be penalized because the server only just touched the line and did not rush the net is not acceptable. Habitual foot faulting, whether intentional or careless, is just as surely cheating as is making a deliberate bad line call. 25. Service calls in doubles. In doubles the receiver’s partner should call the service line, and the receiver should call the sideline and the center service line. Nonetheless, either partner may call a ball that either clearly sees. 26. Service calls by serving team. Neither the server nor server’s partner shall make a fault call on the first service even if they think it is out because the receiver may be giving the server the benefit of the doubt. There is one exception. If the receiver plays a first service that is a fault and does not put the return in play, the server or server’s partner may make the fault call. The server and the server’s partner shall call out any second serve that either clearly sees out. 27. Service let calls. Any player may call a service let. The call shall be made before the return of serve goes out of play or is hit by the server or the server’s partner. If the serve is an apparent or near ace, any let shall be called promptly. 28. Obvious faults. A player shall not put into play or hit over the net an 61 obvious fault. To do so constitutes rudeness and may even be a form of gamesmanship. On the other hand, if a player does not call a serve a fault and gives the opponent the benefit of a close call, the server is not entitled to replay the point. 29. Receiver readiness. The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server. The receiver should make no effort to return a serve when the receiver is not ready. If a player attempts to return a serve (even if it is a “quick” serve), then the receiver (or Receiving team) is presumed to be ready. 30. Delays during service. When the server’s second service motion is interrupted by a ball coming onto the court, the server is entitled to two serves. When there is a delay between the first and second serves: • the server gets one serve if the server was the cause of the delay; • the server gets two serves if the delay was caused by the Receiver or if there was outside interference. The time it takes to clear a ball that comes onto the court between the first and second serves is not considered sufficient time to warrant the server receiving two serves unless this time is so prolonged as to constitute an interruption. The receiver is the judge of whether the delay is sufficiently prolonged to justify giving the server two serves. SCORING 31. Server announces score. The server shall announce the game score before the first point of the game and the point score before each subsequent point of the game. 32. Disputes. Disputes over the score shall be resolved by using one of the following methods, which are listed in the order of preference: • count all points and games agreed upon by the players and replay only the disputed points or games; • play from a score mutually agreeable to all players; • spin a racket or toss a coin. HINDRANCE ISSUES 33. Talking during a point. A player shall not talk while the ball is moving toward the opponent’s side of the court. If the player’s talking interferes with an opponent’s ability to play the ball, the player loses the point. Consider the situation where a player hits a weak lob and loudly yells at his or her partner to get back. If the shout is loud enough to distract an opponent, then the opponent may claim the point based on a deliberate hindrance. If the opponent chooses to hit the lob and misses it, the opponent loses the point because the opponent did not make a timely claim of hindrance. 34. Body movement. A player may feint with the body while the ball is in play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing the ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or stamping the feet, is not allowed. 35. Lets due to hindrance. A let is not automatically granted because of hindrance. A let is authorized only if the player could have made the shot had 62 the player not been hindered. A let is also not authorized for a hindrance caused by something within a player’s control. For example, a request for a let because the player tripped over the player’s own hat should be denied. 36. Grunting. A player should avoid grunting and making other loud noises. Grunting and other loud noises may bother not only opponents but also players on adjacent courts. In an extreme case, an opponent or a player on an adjacent court may seek the assistance of the Referee or a Roving Umpire. The Referee or official may treat grunting and the making of loud noises as a hindrance. Depending upon the circumstance, this could result in a let or loss of point. 37. Injury caused by a player. When a player accidentally injures an opponent, the opponent suffers the consequences. Consider the situation where the server’s racket accidentally strikes the receiver and incapacitates the receiver. The receiver is unable to resume play within the time limit. Even though the server caused the injury, the server wins the match by retirement. On the other hand, when a player deliberately injures an opponent and affects the opponent’s ability to play, then the opponent wins the match by default. Hitting a ball or throwing a racket in anger is considered a deliberate act. WHEN TO CONTACT AN OFFICIAL 38. Withdrawing from a match or tournament. A player shall not enter a tournament and then withdraw when the player discovers that tough opponents have also entered. A player may withdraw from a match or tournament only because of injury, illness, or personal emergency. A player who cannot play a match shall notify the Referee at once so that the opponent may be saved a trip. A player who withdraws from a tournament is not entitled to the return of the entry fee unless the player withdrew more than six days before the start of the tournament. 39. Stalling. The following actions constitute stalling : • warming up longer than the allotted time; • playing at about one-third a player’s normal pace; • taking more than 90 seconds on the odd-game changeover; or more than 120 seconds on the Set Break. • taking longer than the authorized 10 minutes during a rest period; • starting a discussion or argument in order for a player to catch his or her breath; • clearing a missed first service that doesn’t need to be cleared; and • excessive bouncing of the ball before any serve. A player who encounters a problem with stalling should contact an official. Stalling is subject to penalty under the Point Penalty System. 40. Requesting an official. While normally a player may not leave the playing area, the player may contact the Referee or a Roving Umpire to request assistance. Some reasons for visiting the Referee include: • stalling; • chronic flagrant foot faults; • a Medical Time-Out • a scoring dispute; and • a pattern of bad calls. A player may refuse to play until an official responds. 63 BALL ISSUES 41. Retrieving stray balls. Each player is responsible for removing stray balls and other objects from the player’s end of the court. A player’s request to remove a ball from the opponent’s court must be honored. A player shall not go behind an adjacent court to retrieve a ball, nor ask a player for return of a ball from players on an adjacent court until their point is over. When a player returns a ball that comes from an adjacent court, the player shall wait until their point is over and then return it directly to one of the players, preferably the server. 42. Catching a ball. If a player catches a ball before it bounces, the player loses the point regardless of where the player is standing. 43. New balls for a third set. When a tournament specifies new balls for a third set, new balls shall be used unless all players agree otherwise. MISCELLANEOUS 44. Clothing and equipment malfunction. If clothing or equipment, other than a racket, becomes unusable through circumstances outside the control of the player, play may be suspended for a reasonable period. The player may leave the court after the point is over to correct the problem. If a racket or string is broken, the player may leave the court to get a replacement, but the player is subject to code violations under the Point Penalty System. 45. Placement of towels. Place towels on the ground outside the net post or at the back fence. Clothing and towels should never be placed on the net. 64 Team Website: Resources http://www.tennis.silo34.com On Facebook at Cyclone Tennis Tennis Racquets and Supplies: http://www.tenniswarehouse.com http://www.holabirdsports.com http://www.midwestsports.com Choosing a tennis racquet: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/info/index. jsp?categoryId=222916 http://www.howtodothings.com/sports-and-recreation/a3495how-to-choose-a-tennis-racquet.html Tennis Instruction: http://www.tennisone.com http://www.operationdoubles.com http://tennis.about.com/cs/yourgame/a/fheasttsvideo.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLYCZJRb0IM 65 http://tennis.about.com/od/forehandbackhand/a/bh2handvid.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLYCZJRb0IM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyqksDK8ibo Tennis Rules: http://www.usta.com/AboutUs/Rules.aspx Tennis Organizations: http://www.usta.com http://www.coloradotennis.com http://www.ptrtennis.org/ http://jrteamtennis.usta.com/ http://www.usta.com/TennisLink/Default.aspx 66 Team History Pueblo West Girls Tennis 2014 Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta Asst Coach: Kyle Middleton 2013 41 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta V2 Coach: Allen Drummond JV Coach: Kyle Middleton #1 S--S. Coy; #2 S--M. Komma; #3 S--A. Bravo; #1 D--McCarthy/Megilligan; #2 D--Gaide/C. McCown; #3 D--Howe-Kerr/Rios; #4 D--Brusak/S. McCown Varsity record: 6 wins and 2 losses; V2 record: 6-5 Tournaments: Western Slope (8th); Colorado Academy (3rd); Cyclone Invite (1st): S-CL Champions and Regional Champions! 1S, 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D Regional Champs; 3S Runner Up; 2S 3rd place. State Competition: All 7 positions into State and into Quarterfinals. 3S and 2D into Semifinals. Bravo wins 4th at State #3S. Team places 5th with 37 teams present (17pts) NOTE: Dual Match Play—Team undefeated in regional play for 3rd straight year. Coy named S-CL Singles Player of the Year and signs with CSU-P; Howe- Kerr receives USTA Scholarship for $10,000; Bond passes for school tennis courts and construction begins! 2012 35 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta V2 Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S--S. Coy; #2 S--A. Bravo; #3 S--M. Komma; 67 #1 D--S. Frost/Howe-Kerr; #2 D--Rios/Trevithick; #3 D--Cook/Masters; #4 D--Gaide/C. McCown Varsity record: 6 wins and 2 losses; V2 record: 5-5 Tournaments: Western Slope; Colorado Academy; GW Regional Competition: Regional Champions! 1S, 2S, 2D, 4D Regional Champs; 3D Runner Up State Competition: 2S into 2nd Round+concol. win NOTE: Dual Match Play—Team undefeated in regional play for 1st time. SCL Champions 2011 42 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta V2 Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—S. Coy; #2 S—Lindsay Pilot; #3 S—Alley Bravo; #1 D—S. Frost/Komma; #2 D—Averdunk/Robinson; #3 D—Compton/Lasher; #4 D—Howe-Kerr/Trevithick Varsity record: 8 wins and 2 losses; V2 record: 7-2 Tournaments: Western Slope; Colorado Academy; GW Regional Competition: 3rd in pool of 12 teams 2D, 4D Regional Champs State Competition: #2, #3, #4 Doubles eliminated in 1stR NOTE: Dual Match Play—Team undefeated in regional play for 1st time. SCL Champions 2010 51 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta V2 Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—L. Pilot; #2 S—K. Neu; #3 S—S. Coy; #1 D—Lovelace/Smith; #2 D—Shippy/Shippy; #3 D—Compton/Robinson; #4 D—S. Frost/Lasher Varsity record: 4-5; V2 record: 8-2 Tournaments: Western Slope; Colorado Academy; GW Regional Competition: 5th in a pool of 11: 1D Regional Champs and out 1st round at State 68 2009 47 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta V2 Coach: Allen Drummond JV Coaches: Ellen MacIndoe and James MacIndoe #1 S—J. Cackovic; #2 S—N. Pilot; #3 S—L. Pilot; #1 D—Neu/Peterson; #2 D—Lovelace/Smith; #3 D—Beller/Gonzales; #4 D—Frankmore/Frost Varsity record: 7-3; V2 record: 9-1 Tournaments: Western Slope and Colorado Academy Regional Competition: 3rd in pool of 8: 3D, 4D R.Champs; State Competition: 2D and 3D out 1st round. 4 D out QF 2008 39 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta Asst. Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—J. Cackovic; #2 S—N. Pilot; #3 S—N. Frost; #1 D—Peterson/Smith; #2 D—Carpenter/Lovelace; #3 D—Gonzales/K.Kanaan; #4 D—Beller/L.Pilot Varsity record: 7-4 Tournaments: Hornet Invitational—1st place Regional Competition: 4th place team: 4D R.Champs State Competition: 3D and 4D out in first round. 2007 30 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta Asst. Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—A. Zupancic; #2 S—J. Cackovic; #3 S—J. Shippy; #1 D—N.Pilot/Renteria; #2 D—Ames/Shafer; #3 D—Hubbard/Sheagley; #4 D—Carpenter/E.Kanaan Varsity record: 8-3 Tournaments: East Invitational—1st place Regional Comp: 4th place team: 3D and 4D RChamp State Competition: 1D, 2D out 1st round; 3D, 4D out QF 69 2006 26 Team Members Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta Asst. Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—K. Frost; #2 S—J. Shippy; #3 S—A. Zupancic; #1 D—Cackovic/DiLuzio; #2 D—Ames/Shafer; #3 D—Hubbard/Sheagley; #4 D—E.Kanaan/Wager Varsity record: 8 wins and 3 losses Tournaments: Hornet Invitational—1st place Regional Competition: 2nd place team: 3D RChamp. State Competition: 2D, 3D, and 4D out 1st round 2005 33 Team Members Head Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—J. Robertson; #2 S—M. Reeves; #3 S—K. Frost; #1 D—Diluzio/J. Shippy; #2 D—Goldsberry/Gruber; #3 D—Shoji/Zupancic(Shaffer); #4 D—Ames/Sanders Varsity record: 8 wins and 3 losses Tournaments: Hornet Invitational Regional Competition: 4D Regional Champs State Competition: 4D out QF 2004 21 Team Members Head Coach: Sara Wagner Asst. Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—S. Byrne; #2 S—; #3 S—; #1 D—; #2 D—; #3 D—; #4 D— Varsity record: Tournaments: Hornet Invitational Regional Competition: State Competition: No Qs 2003 ?? Team Members Head Coach: Sara Wagner Asst. Coach: Allen Drummond #1 S—S. Byrne; #2 S—; #3 S—; #1 D—; #2 D—; #3 D—; #4 D—Deluzio/Gruber No records available, but no State Qs 70 2002 ?? Team Members Head Coach: Sara Wagner #1 S—S. Byrne; #2 S—; #3 S—; #1 D—; #2 D—; #3 D—; #4 D— Varsity record: Tournaments: Hornet Invitational Regional Competition: 1S third place—wins playback State Competition: 1S—out in 1st round 2001 14 Team Members Head Coach: Sara Wagner #1 S—L. Gould; #2 S—K. Nelson; #3 S—; #1 D—Byrne/Erica ?; #2 D—Hanes/Bradley; #3 D— Schmidt/?; #4 D—??? Varsity record: 2-9; Tournament: Hornet Invite Regional Competition: no positions into State 71 72 Directory Head Coach: Sam Pisciotta Asst. Coach: Kyle Middleton Athletic Director: Jamie Wagner Athletics Secretary: Barbara Ribaudo Principal: Martha Nogare Directory Coach Pisciotta 719.369.6858 [email protected] Coach Middleton 719.671.7361 [email protected] Jamie Wagner 719.547-8050 [email protected] Martha Nogare 719.547.8050 [email protected] Team Website http://www.cycloneathletics.org On Facebook at Cyclone Tennis