Tips for captains

What tips u got? What practices have you adopted for smooth execution of matches?

Money collection?
Roster preferences?
Snacks/drinks?
Prewritten email with directions and details of the venue?
Communication mediums?

I'll start.

When handing out balls, try to make sure adjacent courts do not have the same ball number.
Open all 5 cans and then distribute.

Go!
 

2nd Serve Ace

Hall of Fame
Schedule the singles lines earlier in the day!

Also, if the other side has known bad lines callers, try to be on clay.

Bring copious amounts of beer.

Offer reduced fee stringing to teammates.
 
Good topic! Don't let the '****s get you down. Will need to be required reading for captains.

#6 Teach them not to foot fault!--call it every time you see it. Corollary, DON'T argue with roving ref if they're called on it!, and argue something stupid like "It's only a technical violation"--really heard a lawyer go ape and make this argument with the ref, and summarily get so wigged about it lost his match and his team's opportunity to go advance further in playoffs.
 
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2) Schedule the singles lines earlier in the day!

3) Also, if the other side has known bad lines callers, try to be on clay.

4) Bring copious amounts of beer.

5) Offer reduced fee stringing to teammates.

Can you go back and edit your post and number these #2-5
Thanks

6) Teach them not to foot fault!--call it every time you see it. Corollary, DON'T argue with roving ref if they're called on it!, and argue something stupid like "It's only a technical violation"--really heard a lawyer go ape and make this argument with the ref, and summarily get so wigged about it lost his match and his team's opportunity to go advance further in playoffs.

Can you go back and edit your post and number this #6

7) Don't expect everyone else in your team to be as serious about the competition as you are. If they were, they would have volunteered to captain.

Can you go back and edit your post and number this #7
 
8) Do not assign one supply item to each team member.

eg:
John: Chips.
Bill: Beer
Jack: Salsa
Ted: Balls

Just make one trip, buy all the beer and snacks
and ask everyone to chip in $10. Saves everyone time.
 
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am1899

Legend
K my first response was a bit tongue and cheek. Here’s my take on it, from my own experience:

1. Be honest.
2. Stick up for your players.
3. Know the rules.
4. Be accountable.
5. Be willing listen to feedback (but it’s not a democracy).
6. Try to be fair, though it’s unlikely you’ll always please everyone.
7. Develop a rapport with the other local captains and the local league coordinator.
8. Don’t overthink practices or food arrangements.
9. Building a team isn’t solely about finding the best players. Building a team of good players who will also get along, is very important, IME. You really don’t want to be managing personal conflicts during a season.
10. Always do what you say you will do.

Good luck.
 

vex

Legend
Just make sure to coach your team (lol just saying that, cringe) consistent with the principles you've enlightened us with here on TTW:

1) Never hit with Topspin, that "makes the ball go into the net" (lol)
2) Never split step.
3) Open stance only, no unit turns.
4) Hit your big shots every time, go big or go home
5) Just push
6) Make sure you hit your super hard no topspin shots with 6 feet of net clearance (LOL).
7) Pay a ATP 100-150 level player to be your assistant coach. Naturally, tell him HE'S doing it all wrong.
8) Let your off arm dangle like a wet noodle by your side on every forehand

The TTPS team is a lock for 2.5 Nationals!
 

vex

Legend
Good topic! Don't let the '****s get you down. Will need to be required reading for captains.

#6 Teach them not to foot fault!--call it every time you see it. Corollary, DON'T argue with roving ref if they're called on it!, and argue something stupid like "It's only a technical violation"--really heard a lawyer go ape and make this argument with the ref, and summarily get so wigged about it lost his match and his team's opportunity to go advance further in playoffs.
TTPS’s mom, is that you?
 

Nacho

Hall of Fame
What tips u got? What practices have you adopted for smooth execution of matches?

Money collection?
Roster preferences?
Snacks/drinks?
Prewritten email with directions and details of the venue?
Communication mediums?

I'll start.

When handing out balls, try to make sure adjacent courts do not have the same ball number.
Open all 5 cans and then distribute.

Go!

First I over communicate. Email/text, whatever I can to make sure everyone is informed....I also try and make sure the communication is interesting, and not the ho-hum "who can play". I also recap the matches...The over communication puts inadvertent pressure on guys to play, so I find I usually don't have issues fielding lineups or having people drop out. Also stay in touch with guys during the off season

I try to keep good teams together. I think when guys play doubles with the same group of partners, they are more likely to show up

Likewise, I usually take the grenade and play with the odd person out

I always bring beer, sometimes snacks if I think they will stick around

Yes, I make sure the balls are on the right numbered courts

Always make sure to communicate with other captains, and chat with guys on other teams. If they win, always congratulate them

Always enter the scores in that day, I don't wait to do it
 

OnTheLine

Hall of Fame
Use a group chat app and REQUIRE that all teammates use it. (way easier than regular text to a group)

Don't chase players. If they don't respond to availability ... don't play them.

Have a big enough roster so that you don't have to chase people who don't respond.

I really like Tennispoint for scheduling ... all players can put their availability in for the entire season ... makes planning easy, also great for group emails AND it links to USTA tennislink and ALTA so you can import schedules and scores. Also gives kinda neat stats on players/partnerships

DO NOT COACH YOUR PLAYERS. You are the captain not the coach. No matter how much better than they you are. No matter how stupid whatever they are doing is. You can (and should) tell players about things they are doing that are breaking actual rules but that is it. (If they actually ask you for advice go for it, but be tempered)

You are also cheerleader ... embrace the role. Celebrate big victories and little victories ... be a ray of sunshine and as positive as possible.

Rules. Know them. Inside and out. Local league regulations, The Code, Friend at Court.

Balls ... DO NOT OPEN THEM BEFORE THE MATCH .... you can check the numbers on the balls by looking through the bottom of the can. The only people to open the can are the players from that court.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Balls ... DO NOT OPEN THEM BEFORE THE MATCH .... you can check the numbers on the balls by looking through the bottom of the can. The only people to open the can are the players from that court.

We do that at my club for all the USTA junior and adult tournaments we run, as well as the Nationals that I volunteer for in another club. The reason is that we collect the returned balls after every match and put them in the cans we have saved at the front desk, and then sell cases of them at a cheap prize to make money for the club. If we gave the players the can, they will throw it into the garbage. It also makes sure that the sharp and dangerous tin lids are collected in one place and disposed off properly.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
8) Do not assign one supply item to each team member.

eg:
John: Chips.
Bill: Beer
Jack: Salsa
Ted: Balls

Just make one trip, buy all the beer and snacks
and ask everyone to chip in $10. Saves everyone time.

I have always wondered about the beer. Isn't that taking on a legal liability for drunk driving?
 

silentkman

Professional
What tips u got? What practices have you adopted for smooth execution of matches?

Money collection?
Roster preferences?
Snacks/drinks?
Prewritten email with directions and details of the venue?
Communication mediums?

I'll start.

When handing out balls, try to make sure adjacent courts do not have the same ball number.
Open all 5 cans and then distribute.

Go!

Don't become a captain. Play tournaments.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
This snacks thing needs to be properly coordinated. Recently, none of the league players brought anything for a USTA league match, and the captain found me waiting for my court time, and asked me to run and get some snacks and drinks. I was not even playing in the league! I told him to shove it up his ...
 

silentkman

Professional
This snacks thing needs to be properly coordinated. Recently, none of the league players brought anything for a USTA league match, and the captain found me waiting for my court time, and asked me to run and get some snacks and drinks. I was not even playing in the league! I told him to shove it up his ...

are you serious?
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
DO NOT COACH YOUR PLAYERS. You are the captain not the coach. No matter how much better than they you are. No matter how stupid whatever they are doing is. You can (and should) tell players about things they are doing that are breaking actual rules but that is it.

Not one captain that I have known had the guts to tell his players that they footfault 50% of the time. Let us start with that.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
are you serious?

Yes. I am known for helping people with their tennis and volunteering in all kinds of tournaments, so some guys take me for granted. This particular captain also runs the Wounded Warrior tournament here in which I volunteer, so I suppose he thought he could make me do the same for his team match.
 
I have always wondered about the beer. Isn't that taking on a legal liability for drunk driving?
Hand out pot instead, it's harder to detect therefore limiting the captain's window of liability. If there are complaints from other club members about the smoke, tell them it's medical cannabis for arthritis prevention. Or as an alternative, smoke some banana dehydrated banana skins (mellow yellow), for a hit of potassium to prevent post match muscle cramping--if in CO. substitute cheese stuffed mushroom caps--delish!
 

OnTheLine

Hall of Fame
We do that at my club for all the USTA junior and adult tournaments we run, as well as the Nationals that I volunteer for in another club. The reason is that we collect the returned balls after every match and put them in the cans we have saved at the front desk, and then sell cases of them at a cheap prize to make money for the club. If we gave the players the can, they will throw it into the garbage. It also makes sure that the sharp and dangerous tin lids are collected in one place and disposed off properly.

For kids, sure, for adult league ... no, adults know what they are supposed to do with sharp objects and if there are rules regarding used balls.

In our league, we pay for our balls (separate line item for league dues) so they are ours.
 

silentkman

Professional
Yes. I am known for helping people with their tennis and volunteering in all kinds of tournaments, so some guys take me for granted. This particular captain also runs the Wounded Warrior tournament here in which I volunteer, so I suppose he thought he could make me do the same for his team match.

Kudos to you for your volunteerism.
 
For kids, sure, for adult league ... no, adults know what they are supposed to do with sharp objects and if there are rules regarding used balls.

I've heard that admonition about being careful with the ball sleeve lid for over 50 years, and have yet to see anyone get cut with one. But just in case, I have some Band-Aids in my bag on the bench. Maybe the old tennis ball sleeves needing the coffee-can key to open were safer?
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
For kids, sure, for adult league ... no, adults know what they are supposed to do with sharp objects and if there are rules regarding used balls.

In our league, we pay for our balls (separate line item for league dues) so they are ours.

Sorry, these are not leagues I was referring to, but USTA tournaments.

Yeah league balls are good.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
Maintain confidentiality. A group of players once defected from another captain's team to mine. They had several grievances (e.g. their native language was Spanish, but the captain objected when they spoke Spanish), but one grievance was that the captain did not maintain confidentiality. So if Sally told the captain she would prefer not to partner with Becky, the captain would tell Becky what Sally said. Yikes.

Do a post-match email summary, even if it is short. Players in the line-up often want to know what happened. Take the opportunity to thank anyone who went above and beyond and recognize good effort.

Model good sportspersonship in all things on court and demand it of your players. And pair yourself with the weakest player on the team from time to time, just to show that the weak player is not radioactive.
 

silentkman

Professional
Maintain confidentiality. A group of players once defected from another captain's team to mine. They had several grievances (e.g. their native language was Spanish, but the captain objected when they spoke Spanish), but one grievance was that the captain did not maintain confidentiality. So if Sally told the captain she would prefer not to partner with Becky, the captain would tell Becky what Sally said. Yikes.

Do a post-match email summary, even if it is short. Players in the line-up often want to know what happened. Take the opportunity to thank anyone who went above and beyond and recognize good effort.

Model good sportspersonship in all things on court and demand it of your players. And pair yourself with the weakest player on the team from time to time, just to show that the weak player is not radioactive.

another reason why USTA league is not fun. too much drama.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Maintain confidentiality. A group of players once defected from another captain's team to mine. They had several grievances (e.g. their native language was Spanish, but the captain objected when they spoke Spanish)

Were they the ones that taught you how to fake curse by screaming "Wednesday"?
 
Don't chase players. If they don't respond to availability ... don't play them.
Have a big enough roster so that you don't have to chase people who don't respond.

+100

Chasing is degrading.
Send out one notice. That's it.
Make the roster, and forfeit courts if not filled.
Never ask twice. Screw that.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
Trust me, there are people who care .... I am not one of them but you will meet them.

I like hearing the sound; opening is secondary. Someone ought to compose some music consisting just of tennis-related sounds [I heard one made from car sounds and it was keen].
 

RogueFLIP

Professional
Use a group chat app and REQUIRE that all teammates use it. (way easier than regular text to a group)

Might be hard with those who don't have smartphones. Got a couple of guys w/o them......some younger who's kids have broken their phones that they just have simple flip phones. Couple older folks who never got into them.

Re: group chat....I've found that some people just turn off the group chat if they're not directly involved to avoid the annoying chat pings, so then they don't wind up reading messages pertaining to them. I've just found it easier to type regular texts to the specific group each time, which isn't much.....day of to remind the players of time/location/fees needed.

YMMV.


I really like Tennispoint for scheduling ... all players can put their availability in for the entire season ... makes planning easy, also great for group emails AND it links to USTA tennislink and ALTA so you can import schedules and scores. Also gives kinda neat stats on players/partnerships

Tried something like that to plan ahead one season....not on an app but a big spreadsheet. Dates/times, asked when everyone was available.....lot of work setting things up.....was a disaster.....of course when it came time for matches, everyone's plans changed, this/that came up....

I just send out a group email to my roster a week prior to a match asking for availability.

I'm sure there are more efficient ways, but one must find a system that works for them and their players.


DO NOT COACH YOUR PLAYERS. You are the captain not the coach. No matter how much better than they you are. No matter how stupid whatever they are doing is. You can (and should) tell players about things they are doing that are breaking actual rules but that is it. (If they actually ask you for advice go for it, but be tempered)

I'm not sure I agree with this. While obviously I can't talk about specific technique corrections and what not at my low 3.5 level, I can certainly advise on proper doubles court positioning and tactics when someone is doing something "stupid".

You are also cheerleader ... embrace the role. Celebrate big victories and little victories ... be a ray of sunshine and as positive as possible.

This made me chuckle. I always thank my guys for coming out to play win or lose, but please.....I'm not here to blow sunshine up your ass.....be a grown up adult and take your wins and losses like a person playing recreational tennis.

Balls ... DO NOT OPEN THEM BEFORE THE MATCH .... you can check the numbers on the balls by looking through the bottom of the can. The only people to open the can are the players from that court.

Most of my guys just mark the tennis balls with a Sharpie so don't have to worry about numbered balls. Making a specific mark on the ball makes it easier to find in indoor places if a ball goes behind the curtain and gets mixed up with all the other balls back there.
 
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RogueFLIP

Professional
Re: food

Costco or those big warehouse stores can be your friend! Beer's cheaper and they have lots of cooked foods that can be a nice change from the usual pizza/beer/soda.
Can get a nice variety - shrimp, wings, ribs, chips & dip, potato/mac salad, fruit bowls. Always consider something for those that don't eat meat.

Have been getting a 3 foot hero with 1.5# mac, 1.5 #potato salad lately. Target also sells some cheaper beer. 12 pack Blue Moon, 12 pack Stella.

Bring a bottle open with you! Bring aluminum foil with you for people to wrap up leftovers with.....I now take home 0% food since I started doing that. Beer I can save for the next match.
 
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