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BASIC RULES
The basic rules of the ladder are simple:
- Challenge a player higher up on the ladder than yourself.
- If you win the match, you move up to that spot and everyone moves down 1 spot.
If you lose, you stay where you are and the winner stays where they are.
COMPLETE RULES
Entering the Ladder
- Players can only enter 1 ladder division.
- Players should make every effort to enter the correct level ladder based on the ability/ranking.
If you are not sure what your level is, click here to check out the USTA's level descriptions
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
Making/Accepting Challenges
- Players must play at least 1 match every 15 days (1/2 month). If a player does not play a match within a 15 day period, they will be moved below players who have - unless the player is on Inactive status.
- Unrestricted Challenge: Until June 15th, your first challenge may be against any player in your division.
- After June 15th, the number of spots you can challenge up will be determined by the Challenge Range. The Challenge Range is determined based on ladder division size and is set so that a player entering later on in the ladder can still make it to the top 4 by playing 1 match every 15 days
Ex: If there are 15 players in a ladder and the Challenge Range = 4 (15/4 = 4)
(If the Challenge Range ends in a decimal we round up. Ex: 3.75 = 4)
- If a player plays all the players in the Challenge Range and loses each match, and if during this time there is no change in the positions of the higher players within the Challenge Range, the player can then begin to challenge outside the Challenge Range. Challenges should start with players 1-2 spots outside the range and go from there if needed.
- If a player tries but is unsuccessful in setting up a match within the Challenge Range (players are injured, do not return phone calls, etc), the player can then begin to challenge outside the Challenge Range. Challenges should start with players 1-2 spots outside the range and go from there if needed.
- Higher players challenging players below them must follow the same rules for lower players challenging up. Start within the Challenge Range and go out side it only if needed and starting with players 1-2 spots outside the range and going further outside only if needed.
- If a challenge cannot be agreed upon with a particular player, try someone else. Players that repeatedly refuse to accept challenges will automatically fall to the bottom of the ladder due to inactivity.
- Players should make every effort to make challenges and accept challenges.
- Players should make only 1 challenge at a time.
- Players should only accept 1 challenge at a time.
- If two players have played previously, the winner does not have to accept a challenge from the loser for a period of 2 weeks.
- Contact info for each player can be found in the ladder list
'Bye' period
- Each player is allowed to have 1 'bye' period (for travel, injury, etc). A player will not be moved down for not playing a match during this period. There are no 'bye' periods allowed in the final 2-week period of the ladder.
Setting up a match
- The match should be played on a mutually agreeable court and at a mutually agreed to time.
- If the players can not come to an agreement on where to play, the higher positioned player's preference will take priority.
NOTE:This should come after negotiations and not be used as a way to play at your home court for every match :-)
Playing the Match
- Both players bring a can of new balls and the winner keeps the un-opened can.
- Match Format will be a conventional: 2 out of 3 sets, regular scoring with a 12 point tie breaker (first to 7 points by a 2 point margin) used at 6 games for the 1st 2 sets and an 18-point tie-breaker (first to 10 points by a 2 point margin) for the 3rd set. However, if both players agree, a full 3rd set can be used in place of the 3rd set tie-breaker. This should be decided before the match but, since both players have to agree, it can be agreed to at any time during the match.
- If a player is more than 15 minutes late for a match and did not communicate this, their opponent can declare a default.
Note: The player who is waiting should make an attempt to reach the other player before leaving the court.
- If a match is interrupted for any reason, it may be continued to completion at another time agreeable to both players from the point at which it was suspended. Players should complete suspended matches before they initiate or accept new challenges.
- Unless otherwise stated, all competition will comply with USTA playing rules and the Code of Tennis. Here are the basics:
- If you have any doubts as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good. You should not play a let.
- It is your obligation to call all balls on your side to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself (with the exception of a first service) any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.
- Any “out” or “let” must be made instantaneously (i.e. made before either an opponent has hit the return or the return has gone out of play) otherwise, the ball continues in play.
- Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.
- If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.
- To avoid controversy over the score, the Server should announce the set score (e.g. 5-4) before starting a game and the game score (e.g. thirty-forty) prior to serving each point.
- If the receiver cannot hear the server's announcement of the score, he must ask the server to speak louder. You can't wait until the server believes he has won the game to try to reconstruct the scoring point by point.
- If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point or they may spin a racket.
Reporting Results
- The winner of the match is responsible for reporting the score.
- The result of the match should be entered via the Report a Score page on the website.
- Results need to be posted as soon as possible after the match as possible.
- Results must be entered in the order they were played.
- Results from previous periods will not be accepted.
Ladder Positioning
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After each semi-monthly period (June 15th, June 30th, July 15th, etc) any player who has not played a match during the previous period will be moved below players who have played a match during that period.
The object is to not have someone play a couple matches at the beginning, get to the top, and then not play for a month. Pretty simple idea, you have to play at least 1 match every 15 days.
Qualifying for the play-offs
- To qualify for the play-off, a player must:
a) have a winning record &
b) play at least 1 match in the final period &
c) play against a minimum number of different players
In general, the minimum number of matches and different players for a ladder division is the "Challenge Range" size + 3 but the final determination will be based on division size and activity per divisions.
Ex:
If the Challenge Range for your ladder division is 5, then you must play at least 8 matches against 8 different people to be eligible for the play-off.
Matches against the same player
- Only 1 match against the same player will be accepted during each semi-monthly period. You can play someone more than that but only the first result will count towards meeting Play-Off requirements.
"Inactive" Status
- If a player is unable to play because of injury, illness, or an extended vacation, they should send an e-mail to todd@btcservices.com. They will then be designated as "inactive" on the ladder. Other players should not submit challenges to inactive players. When inactive players are able to play, they should send an e-mail notification and their inactive designation will be removed.
Sportsmanship
There are very few restrictions for ladder play. However we recommend that participants not play the same opponent in back-to-back matches. While this recommendation cannot easily be enforced, it is contrary to the spirit of ladder participation to play exclusively with only one or two partners. Obviously, any system can be abused if the participants attempt to "beat the system." The main goal here is to have a good time and reward personal accomplishment with some small public recognition. So let's have fun.
The"Local Rules"
Although TennisPlaza will work hard to make the Ladder as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, we assume no responsibility for any actual or perceived negative consequences befalling anyone choosing to participate in the ladder.
All participants agree to relinquish any and all decisions regarding the operation of the ladder or the awarding of prizes to TennisPlaza.
By participating in the ladder you agree to abide by all ladder rules and procedures posted on the website (i.e. the page you are reading now :-). Changes in rules will be promptly posted on the website but may not always be communicated to you individually.
TennisPlaza has the right to move a player to a different ladder. We will keep track of legitimate player complaints. Players that have complaints lodged against them will be advised. If complaints continue, the player may be moved to the next higher ladder.
Resolving Disputes
All players are urged to amicably settle disputes (ex: doesn't return phone call, can't decide on court, etc) between themselves.
If the dispute cannot be resolved, each player should submit, via e-mail, a description of their view of the dispute to todd@btcservices.com. If the match was already played, this email must be received within 48 hours of completion the disputed match.
TennisPlaza's decision in resolving the dispute will be final and cannot be appealed by either player.
BY JOINING THE LADDER YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING
I hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against TennisPlaza, their agents, successors and assigns for any and all injuries or losses which may be suffered by me in connection with my participation in the Ladder.
By registering and playing in the Ladder you relinquish your right to sue TennisPlaza, any of the sponsors or any one associated with the ladder for any negative event (perceived or real), even if it occurs through their negligence, that might arise through you participation in the ladder.
Refund Policy
Entrants can receive a full refund if canceling before the ladder begins.
To ask for a refund, email us at: tpladder@btcservices.com
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