Usta Regional Tournament Segments

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by tennis.dad

As a parent very new to this, can someone explain to me how my daughter can get a national ranking having just moved into the 12s, given that these draws are all dramatically smaller than past years? We're in the Southern section and only ranked kids seem to be getting in, so how can kids new to an age group establish a national ranking if they can't get in any of the tourneys? And even if there are openings, how does the tournament select among kids with no national ranking? I must be missing something simple, as it seems just a bit circular. Thanks.

I agree with everything Clark says, and would add a couple of comments if your 10 or 11 y/o is improving rapidly, loves to compete & looks at getting beat up by high ranked 12 y/o's as a fun challenge.

Take a look at the Level 3 tournaments in July (the weekend of July 9-12). Unless i've misread, 8 tournaments nationwide & i believe these are the only Level 2 or Level 3 tournaments that will have 64 draws. In the 12s there will be several locations that won't have full draws (imo).

http://tennislink.usta.com/tournamen...chResults.aspx

(Click on July of 2011 & look at the july 9-12th tourneys with G12s draws offered)


My kid was where your kid was 14-16 mos. ago. Was just starting to compete in the high level Sectional tournaments (in Texas). Both were 10 y/o. On a lark we took him & his buddy ranked similar to a Louisiana Natl. a year ago since they had openings in the draw on the last day of sign up.

Had a great experience. Got a couple of wins (& got beat down in one singles & one doubles match ) & got to hang out with the big dogs in the section. (Goofing around, playing dink etc.) Also, i love the fact that these tournaments have feed in consys (NOT available in our section).

Even if he had been 2 & out, it would have been worth the trip. It was good to get the ooh ahh first National Tourney experience out of the way with ZERO expectations. Plus she'll probably make some friends & might even snag some National Points that could come in handy later in the year (or the first of NEXT year).

The key (imo) is taking the kid to the first big sectional tournament or the first Nat. tournament with ZERO expectations & only for the fun & the experience..... & if she gets a win or two it's gravy.

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

don't worry your section will be invaded by point chasing rich kids from SoCal.. who can't get into the local ones here..

so as the USTA regionals started today and I see a ton of SoCal kids in LV and Tucson.. it's funny to see those family travels so far to chase points or just running away from the stronger competition of home ..

[BSPE84]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

so as the USTA regionals started today and I see a ton of SoCal kids in LV and Tucson.. it's funny to see those family travels so far to chase points or just running away from the stronger competition of home ..

Not sure I would describe it as "running away" if they can't qualify to get in locally... Also there's no B14 in Palm Desert.

[hound 109]

Recap from L3 Regional in Midland TX:

- Draws of B12s, G12s, B14s, G14s & G16s.
- Probably 70% Texans & 30% out of staters. I'd say 1/2 the out of staters probably couldn't qualify at more popular sites (but some were top 5 in their section).
- Thankfully dry all weekend, cold in the mornings & nice (& windy) in the afternoons.
- LOVE the feed in consolation aspect of it.....but fyi, no back draw Final (2 backdraw winners).
- Crap facilities (except for the G16 site) but the kids are used to it, so no biggie.
- Highly ranked seeds from MoValley, Eastern & Mid Atl. were (for the most part) beaten by lower ranked Texans (harder to accumulate natl points in texas....so lower ranking).

Glad i did it, but after a 6 hour drive & 3 nights in a hotel to play mostly kids we see in ranking tournaments, we're going to pass on the L2 event in Midland in Feb. If it was more "Regional" (closer).....or if more high end kids from elsewhere competed we'd do the L2, but they need to choose closer more attractive & accessible sites to attract out of state players.

[PeterPanda]

What do green ball tournaments mean?

[jmdlaw]

I have to rework my entire plan for my kids. They were almost ranked high enough to start playing Nationals, now they are further out due to the change of draw size.

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by jmdlaw

I have to rework my entire plan for my kids. They were almost ranked high enough to start playing Nationals, now they are further out due to the change of draw size.

I'm not sure what needs to be reworked. Since they are already on the cusp, playing Nationals is just going to be delayed for half a year to a year as they get better and other players age out.

[BSPE84]

Originally Posted by jigglypuff

I'm not sure what needs to be reworked. Since they are already on the cusp, playing Nationals is just going to be delayed for half a year to a year as they get better and other players age out.

I saw two kids ranked #1 in the 12's one time or another last year in SoCal who are stuck deep on the 14's alternates list at Claremont... Food for thought.

[teentennisrules]

we think it will make a difference to the middle age groups the most and that will be my younger brother and sister

[tennisbuck]

Can I get into a regional based on a sectional ranking? just curious i have no national point besides those received from sectional tournaments, but i would like to get started with nationals. also are national open possible to get into with a sectional ranking?

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by tennisbuck

Can I get into a regional based on a sectional ranking? just curious i have no national point besides those received from sectional tournaments, but i would like to get started with nationals. also are national open possible to get into with a sectional ranking?

You'll need national pts.

[tennisbuck]

I looked my national ranking is around 390

[tennisbuck]

Im aroudn 390 all of my points are from sectional tournaments

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by tennisbuck

Im aroudn 390 all of my points are from sectional tournaments

You'll have to do some research on previous regionals. Check out the "selection process" tab.