Is There a Code of Conduct for Parents at USTA Junior Tournaments?

[LMK5]

I have completed my first full year of going to junior tennis tournaments here in SoCal. While there are many positive aspects to this, I have been surprised at the rather intense atmosphere at some of these events, highlighted by parents snapping at each other, tournament officials, and even players. I have seen parents act in a way that I have never seen grownups behave in any other arena (including Yankees/Red Sox games at Yankee Stadium in the seventies!).

I have gone on the USTA web site and tried to find a written code of conduct for parents attending these events, but I have come up empty. There are some local associations that have put together their own listing of desired behaviors, but I can't find one from the USTA itself. Maybe that's the problem--everyone has their idea of what's appropriate and what isn't.

Here's the challenge: Can anyone find a USTA code of conduct for parental behavior at junior events?

 

[seminoleG]

We just had a Junior because of her Mom suspended for 4 months. Have you read Friend At Court?

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/2012 FRIEND AT COURT.pdf

Search Parents and you'll see Conduct etc....

Regulations. The Referee supervises all aspects of play including, but not
limited to, the conduct and actions of players, coaches, parents, spectators,
officials, groundskeepers, and administrative crew.

I have said I will without hesitation pull my daughter from the court dispute charge with AMEX for Fees, and file a complaint with USTA Section holding event if there is ever any doubt that a Parent is harrasing or otherwise injecting themselves into a Match. They can coach all they want but when it gets beyond that I will not tolerate it. I will give the official a chance to address it, then I will take action.

Yes I had this happen once and the Official removed the Parents. No Tournament Director wants a Parent to pull a kid because they couldn't police the gallery.

I personally tell folks keep the TD's phone number step to the side and call the desk if you feel you need an official. They are obligated to send one when it involves parents.

USTA also keeps these complaints on file as I saw with the Mom suspended for 4 months, USTA Florida had a record of her actions, so TD's were aware from what I been told.

 

[Bash and Crash]

I have completed my first full year of going to junior tennis tournaments here in SoCal. While there are many positive aspects to this, I have been surprised at the rather intense atmosphere at some of these events, highlighted by parents snapping at each other, tournament officials, and even players. I have seen parents act in a way that I have never seen grownups behave in any other arena (including Yankees/Red Sox games at Yankee Stadium in the seventies!).

I have gone on the USTA web site and tried to find a written code of conduct for parents attending these events, but I have come up empty. There are some local associations that have put together their own listing of desired behaviors, but I can't find one from the USTA itself. Maybe that's the problem--everyone has their idea of what's appropriate and what isn't.

Here's the challenge: Can anyone find a USTA code of conduct for parental behavior at junior events?

Naw, it's just that for many of the parents it's win at all costs. Teach their kid to call close balls out, question every close call by the opponent, yell come on or let's go at every opportunity, and if all else fails they start to harass or distract the opponent. As a coach i hate to see this stuff, but to some parents winning is more important than their child actually improving as a player and a person.

 

[LMK5]

We just had a Junior because of her Mom suspended for 4 months. Have you read Friend At Court?

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/2012 FRIEND AT COURT.pdf

Search Parents and you'll see Conduct etc....

Regulations. The Referee supervises all aspects of play including, but not
limited to, the conduct and actions of players, coaches, parents, spectators,
officials, groundskeepers, and administrative crew.

I have said I will without hesitation pull my daughter from the court dispute charge with AMEX for Fees, and file a complaint with USTA Section holding event if there is ever any doubt that a Parent is harrasing or otherwise injecting themselves into a Match. They can coach all they want but when it gets beyond that I will not tolerate it. I will give the official a chance to address it, then I will take action.

Yes I had this happen once and the Official removed the Parents. No Tournament Director wants a Parent to pull a kid because they couldn't police the gallery.

I personally tell folks keep the TD's phone number step to the side and call the desk if you feel you need an official. They are obligated to send one when it involves parents.

USTA also keeps these complaints on file as I saw with the Mom suspended for 4 months, USTA Florida had a record of her actions, so TD's were aware from what I been told.

Thanks seminole, but I still don't see a list of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors that the parents can see before they go to the facility.

I'm concerned with rules regarding applauding well-played points, talking to the child through the fence, scolding them for tantrums during the match, or telling the player to get a line judge. I'm surprised there isn't a published parental code to be easily found on the USTA site.

 

[woodrow1029]

I'm concerned with rules regarding applauding well-played points, talking to the child through the fence, scolding them for tantrums during the match, or telling the player to get a line judge. I'm surprised there isn't a published parental code to be easily found on the USTA site.

All of these bolded parts can be construed as coaching. Therefore, it is in the code of conduct. You can applaud well played points and give encouragement (good shot, let's go, etc.) but the others are coaching, and penalized under the point penalty schedule.

 

[woodrow1029]

In answer to the original question, the Friend at Court (page 115):

C. Standards of Conduct​

1.

General. Players, persons who appear to be associated with a player

(including, but not limited to, parents and coaches), officials, and organizers
of any tournament are under a duty to encourage and maintain high
standards of proper conduct, fair play, and good sportsmanship. They are
under an obligation to avoid acts that may be considered detrimental to
the game of tennis. Detrimental acts include, but are not limited to, the acts​

set forth in USTA Regulation IV.C.

And page 117

11. ​

​

No abuse of players or officials.​

a. ​

​

No person shall abuse official or player. The Chair Umpire, Referee,
and any other official responsible for ensuring that a match is played
under conditions that are fair to all players shall make certain that no
parent, relative, coach, or other person associated with a player abuses
an official or player.
b. Official may request abusive person to desist or leave tournament area.​

A player who enters a sanctioned tournament or match consents to
being penalized under the Point Penalty System for abusive conduct by
a person who appears to be associated with the player. If the official
observes the conduct, the official shall suspend play and request that
the person desist. If the abuse continues, the official may direct the
person to leave the tournament area. In a flagrant case the official may
immediately direct the person to leave without requesting the person
to desist.
c. ​

​

Point Penalty System applies to abuse. If the person refuses to follow
the instructions to leave, then the official may penalize the player
associated with the person under the Point Penalty System. (USTA​

Regulation IV.D.8. outlines the right to appeal.)

​

 

[TennisFan2Day]

The funniest thing I ever saw is when my son was playing in the 14s and a parent was behind the fence trying to coach his son and his son kept saying, "What?" Finally my son yelled out, "He told you to hit it deeper." All the parents watching just started laughing. Needless to say an official came over and watched the rest of the match.

You will get used to 2 claps meaning one thing and 3 claps meaning something else. Cheating parents will cheat no matter what. I even had one parent tell me that it is going to happen in college so what is the big deal.

 

[tennis5]

Too bad only the good parents seem to read this forum.

The head of my sectional told me last year in a candid conversation that college coaches do call the section heads and ask about players Johnny, Jack and Joe that they might be considering.

Whether it is legal or not, the sectionals do share information with the coaches about players and ....parents,
such as suspensions, cheating and obnoxious behavior. I guess it might be an "off the record" conversation.

So, it does come back and bite those juniors in the end....
but your junior still has to live through some obnoxious experiences in the interim.

 

[seminoleG]

I got one, father pounds his heart like a gladiator (after great point) other parent says "I see you, you told to do Slice and Drop Shot". Get official he's coaching (wasn't guy was my daughters coach) official comes parent shows Gladiator heart pound, official agrees not signal and Coach says OUT LOUD I should tell him to do Slice and Drop Shot end this match now.

So kid starts doing slice/drop shots. ENDS MATCH quickly.

 

[tennis5]

I think the most disgusting behavior is the clapping for double faults.

Maybe they could give out an award for worst sportsmanship.

 

[TennisFan2Day]

Too bad only the good parents seem to read this forum.

The head of my sectional told me last year in a candid conversation that college coaches do call the section heads and ask about players Johnny, Jack and Joe that they might be considering.

Whether it is legal or not, the sectionals do share information with the coaches about players and ....parents,
such as suspensions, cheating and obnoxious behavior. I guess it might be an "off the record" conversation.

So, it does come back and bite those juniors in the end....
but your junior still has to live through some obnoxious experiences in the interim.

This is true. There are two players in a different section who were both passed over by their home state school because of their actions on the court. When we asked why he didn't take either player we were told that they didn't fit the character of the school. The parents of both players are very vocal about how much they hate the school now and both of them used to wear the school t-shirts at every tournament.

 

[Keysmickey]

I think the most disgusting behavior is the clapping for double faults.

Maybe they could give out an award for worst sportsmanship.

This happened to my daughter at the National Clay Courts 18's. The other player was a five star (her father was a zero). It was really unbelievable. Of course it isn't so critical at 18s, but still...some people just wear blinders where their kids are concerned.

 

[tennis5]

This happened to my daughter at the National Clay Courts 18's. The other player was a five star (her father was a zero). It was really unbelievable. Of course it isn't so critical at 18s, but still...some people just wear blinders where their kids are concerned.

Juniors are doing it too.

Obviously, they learned it from their parents.

 

[Number1Coach]

I have through the years had people show up to my players match and clap at his mistakes , once he gets frustrated I tell him to focus and fight it has helped him to develpo a solid mindset on the court . I also have encouraged other parents to coach their kid against my player to make it tough on him so he gets better , it has worked well ,remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger , so embrace the challeges for your player or create some .

 

[Bash and Crash]

I have through the years had people show up to my players match and clap at his mistakes , once he gets frustrated I tell him to focus and fight it has helped him to develpo a solid mindset on the court . I also have encouraged other parents to coach their kid against my player to make it tough on him so he gets better , it has worked well ,remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger , so embrace the challeges for your player or create some .

True, and good that you have them toughen up your player, I think it's more about the coaches and parents acting crazy or teaching their kid to cheat, distract, etc.., to win instead of working hard to become a better player and stronger competitor.