USTA Junior Team Ethics, Expectations, Rules, & Pockets

Ethics:

It is the mission of the USTA/SCTA and the San Diego Section to promote high standards of sportsmanlike and ethical behavior in and around the tennis court. Coaches assume the responsibility to teach and demand the high standards of conduct of their athletes both on and off the court.

Inappropriate behavior from parents, coaches, captains, or players will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: cursing, threats, violence, cheating, etc. The is a NO TOLERANCE policy and violation may result in a ban from the league.

Athlete’s Code of Ethics:

  1. Be courteous at all times, showing respect for opponents, coaches, facility and spectators.

  2. Exercise self-control.

  3. Be familiar with USTA rules.

  4. Refrain from the use of foul and/or abusive language.

Parents Code of Ethics:

  1. Refrain from getting involved in any match aside from encouraging and cheering.

  2. Contact the coach/captain of any problems.

  3. Exercise self-control.

Coaches Code of Ethics:

  1. Support each and every one of the above listed points.

Expectations: Here at San Dieguito Tennis Club, we expect the following:

From Athletes

  • Be on time for practices and matches.

  • Be rested, hydrated and fed.

  • Use positive language with your doubles partner.

  • Work out disagreements with your opponent calmly.

  • Thank your parents for giving you this opportunity.

From Parents

  • Get athletes to practices and matches on time.

  • Respond to match line-up emails with a short reply “We’ll be there!”

  • Let your team captain know if your child is sick/injured before Sunday, no cancelling day of a match please.

Rules:

No Parent Coaching: Once your child enters the court, NO COACHING ALLOWED! You can cheer and that's it! But MY KID IS BEING CHEATED…If you feel that your child is being cheated, you cannot do the following:

-      Approach or speak to the opponent during or after the match

-      Speak to your child during the match about them being cheated

While you might feel that your child is being cheated, he or she may not. If your child thinks they are being cheated, they need to be coached on how to handle the situation. The best approach is to leave their racket on the court and find their coach. 

Scoring Dispute: If there is a scoring dispute between your child and his/her opponent, you are not allowed to interject. Also, if you think the score is incorrect but your child and opponent are playing the match with no scoring disputes, you may not interject. Your child and their opponent are playing the match in good faith.

Calling the Score: “3x Point Penalty” players are to call out the score before they serve a point. 

1x – First time reminder - in the coaches/player’s huddle.

2x – Second- and third-time reminder - at which the player will be reminded by the coach “on court” a max of 2xs before a point is given to their opponent.

That is 3 reminders in all before a point penalty.
  

Last Thing: SHORTS WITH POCKETS! kids should wear athletic shorts or skirts with pockets to practice & matches - it really helps!

Q. If a ball hits the line and is half in and half out, is the ball considered good?

  1. This is important. If the ball is 99% out, then it is 100% in. Always. When you’re not sure about a line call, you are expected to offer the benefit of doubt to your opponent. This is The Code for our sport. Follow it and you will set a good example. Defy it and your integrity will be justifiably questioned.