Any tips for playing in an amateur league?

Pitti

Rookie
Hi! It's almost been a year since I came back to tennis, hitting in an informal way with a friend, but doing so consistently once every single week. It's almost been the only sport I've practiced through the year, working 8-10 hours a day at an office. I'm around 30 yo, not very strong or fit but pretty lean and quite agile so, for exercising a bit more, I've decided I'll join my local adult amateur league, which has competitors of all ages starting from 18 (and exceptionally some promising kids) and has the following organisation:
  1. There's a regular league divided in tiers that is held twice a year (fall-winter/spring-summer). You start by default in the lowest tier and at the end of each "season" you promote or go down to another tier depending on your final points. The strange thing is that matches are just 2-set matches, in which there can be a "tie" that gives points to both players.
  2. There's also a classical-style tournament held once or twice a year in which tiers are not considered. This is a normal tournament with 3-set matches. The 1st round losers start a parallel tournament and both winners and runner-ups promote to 1st tier if they're in a lower one.
I've lost some technique, and I don't know what my current level of tennis is. I see lots of people in this forum use a numeric rating, but I don't know what that means. If I concentrate, I can consistently have a basic active footwork (ready position, split-steps, cross steps...), and I also know the basics of court positioning. I tend to play a bit flatter than most people I know, and I have a 1HBH. I would say I'm an agressive all-courter. I'm comfortable both at the baseline and at the net, although I like to attack and finish at the net whenever I can. My serve is a basic amateur serve that lacks some power. My first serve is like a less spnny second serve.

I'd like to recieve some tips regarding:

#1. Amateur tennis playing (strategies, useful tips, etc.)
#2. Basic amateur playing etiquette (who books the court/brings balls (always new?)/how to handle a match without umpire/who keeps and says the score/ anything else).
#3. Basic equipment tips (what to bring in the tennis bag aside from racquets and balls).

Thank you very much!
 
Last edited:

ShaunS

Semi-Pro
I see lots of people in this forum use a numeric rating, but I don't know what that means
USTA NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program)
Know that the descriptions to help figure out your level aren't all that helpful. Hitting with some people who are familiar with USTA leagues should be a much better route.

If I was to take a wild guess from your self description I would say 4.0.

#1 - I could spend a day on this answer, but I'll try not to go on too long.
Don't:
  • Overhit your shots. Most amateurs overestimate their control, and it results in too many errors. If the ball is in play your opponent still has to do something with it, but if you hit it out the point is over.
  • Get too worked up when you struggle. Focus on one or two things that you really want to achieve that day. Whether that's first serve placement, split stepping, whatever. There is too much going on in tennis to fix it all at once. Work on pieces, and things will come together over time.
  • Take tennis too seriously. You should have fun out there. You will play better if you are relaxed and enjoying it.
Do:
  • Ask for help/advice. Most people are cautious about dispensing technical advice because they don't want to offend someone. If you ask though good players will often gladly give you some tips on what they've seen from your game.
  • Find some shots/opportunities to be your "weapon". Let's say you've got a down the line forehand that you're confident with, go ahead and make that "your shot" that you go after aggressively when the opportunity presents itself. Having something that you feel is a reliable, go-to shot can help build confidence in the rest of your game.
  • Consider taking a lesson or two. We all develop bad habits from time to time, and they can help to identify those trouble areas. You don't want to be ingraining bad habits. A good pro can also help to quickly diagnose a specific issue you're struggling with and work on a plan to resolve.


#2 - Who provides the balls varies from league to league, so you'll want to ask them. The leagues here distribute balls to team captains, and the "home team" provides them for each match. It will be new balls every time though, so if you're providing it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a case.

It's very unlikely you'll have an umpire. You should all keep the score, but as the server you should call it out prior to serving.

#3 - You're 30, so the bag won't need to be *as deep* as it will in a few years :)
I would recommend:
  • Sweat bands (head/arm)
  • Tape/Bandaids/first aid kit
  • Hat/Visor
  • Painkillers / any other relevant medication (Biofreeze)
  • Overgrips
  • Towel(s)
  • Healthy Snack
Additionally, I like to also have:
  • Change of clothes (I sweat so much... in case that wasn't clear yet)
  • "Massage roller stick"
  • Sunscreen & Bug spray

There's probably more, but that's what sprung immediately to mind.
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
USTA NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program)
Know that the descriptions to help figure out your level aren't all that helpful. Hitting with some people who are familiar with USTA leagues should be a much better route.

If I was to take a wild guess from your self description I would say 4.0.

#1 - I could spend a day on this answer, but I'll try not to go on too long.
Don't:
  • Overhit your shots. Most amateurs overestimate their control, and it results in too many errors. If the ball is in play your opponent still has to do something with it, but if you hit it out the point is over.
  • Get too worked up when you struggle. Focus on one or two things that you really want to achieve that day. Whether that's first serve placement, split stepping, whatever. There is too much going on in tennis to fix it all at once. Work on pieces, and things will come together over time.
  • Take tennis too seriously. You should have fun out there. You will play better if you are relaxed and enjoying it.
Do:
  • Ask for help/advice. Most people are cautious about dispensing technical advice because they don't want to offend someone. If you ask though good players will often gladly give you some tips on what they've seen from your game.
  • Find some shots/opportunities to be your "weapon". Let's say you've got a down the line forehand that you're confident with, go ahead and make that "your shot" that you go after aggressively when the opportunity presents itself. Having something that you feel is a reliable, go-to shot can help build confidence in the rest of your game.
  • Consider taking a lesson or two. We all develop bad habits from time to time, and they can help to identify those trouble areas. You don't want to be ingraining bad habits. A good pro can also help to quickly diagnose a specific issue you're struggling with and work on a plan to resolve.


#2 - Who provides the balls varies from league to league, so you'll want to ask them. The leagues here distribute balls to team captains, and the "home team" provides them for each match. It will be new balls every time though, so if you're providing it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a case.

It's very unlikely you'll have an umpire. You should all keep the score, but as the server you should call it out prior to serving.

#3 - You're 30, so the bag won't need to be *as deep* as it will in a few years :)
I would recommend:
  • Sweat bands (head/arm)
  • Tape/Bandaids/first aid kit
  • Hat/Visor
  • Painkillers / any other relevant medication (Biofreeze)
  • Overgrips
  • Towel(s)
  • Healthy Snack
Additionally, I like to also have:
  • Change of clothes (I sweat so much... in case that wasn't clear yet)
  • "Massage roller stick"
  • Sunscreen & Bug spray

There's probably more, but that's what sprung immediately to mind.
I'm going to guess both of the following things are true:

1. OP is not American. Therefore, NTRP is irrelevant and UTR is the appropriate numerical system to pay attention to.
2. OP is a lot higher level than 4.0. He is referring to "amateur" tennis as if his relevant experience is with pro tennis (or at least "pre-pro" junior tennis).
 

Pitti

Rookie
@ShaunS Thank you for taking your time to reply. I haven't really played a match in more than 15 years, so any reminder is good to have (which was the main reason of my post).

@J_R_B Statement #1 is true. I'm from a southern European country and I live there. Statement #2 is at least 50% true. In my case "Amateur" means "Recreational"/"Non official"/"no points held". I played tennis at a relatively high level when I was at highschool and played in some local and regional tournaments, but I didn't compete too much because I wanted to study hard and tournaments took up the entire weekend. I still trained with the group in my club that was competing in these tournaments. But my level after giving tennis up for 10 years is pretty bad. I can't say it in a number, since I still don't completely get it. And I just want to play for fun now!
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
@ShaunS Thank you for taking your time to reply. I haven't really played a match in more than 15 years, so any reminder is good to have (which was the main reason of my post).

@J_R_B Statement #1 is true. I'm from a southern European country and I live there. Statement #2 is at least 50% true. In my case "Amateur" means "Recreational"/"Non official"/"no points held". I played tennis at a relatively high level when I was at highschool and played in some local and regional tournaments, but I didn't compete too much because I wanted to study hard and tournaments took up the entire weekend. I still trained with the group in my club that was competing in these tournaments. But my level after giving tennis up for 10 years is pretty bad. I can't say it in a number, since I still don't completely get it. And I just want to play for fun now!
As I suspected, thanks. As a numerical rating, you need to pay attention to UTR, not NTRP (unless you plan to play in USTA leagues in the United States). I have no idea how many (if any) "amateur" matches in your country make it into the UTR database, but if you want to have a relative standing among your peers, the best bet is to try to get a UTR rating (or use whatever ratings are local for your area). I suspect based on your background & layoff that your UTR rating would be somewhere in the 7-11 range.

The rest of Shaun's recommendations are good ones.
 

Pitti

Rookie
As I suspected, thanks. As a numerical rating, you need to pay attention to UTR, not NTRP (unless you plan to play in USTA leagues in the United States). I have no idea how many (if any) "amateur" matches in your country make it into the UTR database, but if you want to have a relative standing among your peers, the best bet is to try to get a UTR rating (or use whatever ratings are local for your area). I suspect based on your background & layoff that your UTR rating would be somewhere in the 7-11 range.

The rest of Shaun's recommendations are good ones.

That UTR ranking seems interesting, although I'm not sure many players use it here, nor had I ever heard about it. I think it's still pretty unknown among the general recreational/amateur players. But I'll consider making one and trying to search for people around my geographic area who may have one. Thank you very much for answering.
 
What is your goal?
To improve or to win the league?

If you want to improve, start working with a coach.
If you want to win, just bunt the ball over until opponent makes a mistake (pusher)
 

Pitti

Rookie
What is your goal?
To improve or to win the league?

If you want to improve, start working with a coach.
If you want to win, just bunt the ball over until opponent makes a mistake (pusher)

Funnily enough, my main goal is to force myself do some exercise and use the league as an excuse to motivate myself. That being said (and achieved), my goal is a combination of both: improve a bit, and win whatever I can.
 

Pitti

Rookie
Just block this guy now so you don't have to read his drivel. You'll thank me later.

Don’t worry. If he is not serious enough, I’ll do it without hesitation. I like people who joke and take things with some humour and optimism. I hate silly trolling. By the moment, I can’t know if he pertains to the first or the second category, since he’s not bothered me at all. If he (or anybody else) does, I’ll block them.
 

megamind

Legend
Look up singles strategies
Attemp to apply them
And work on positioning yourself right to give each ball your best ****
 

RyanRF

Professional
My only real recommendation is to not take things too seriously.

You'll come across people who make terrible line calls, people who cheer your double faults, people who are way above or below the level they claim, people who are hyper-competitive, etc. Just laugh it off and move on to the next point.

No one is fighting for ATP points here. You're on the court simply to work on your game and get some exercise. If you keep that in mind, there's little anyone can do to spoil your day.
 

Pitti

Rookie
My only real recommendation is to not take things too seriously.

You'll come across people who make terrible line calls, people who cheer your double faults, people who are way above or below the level they claim, people who are hyper-competitive, etc. Just laugh it off and move on to the next point.

No one is fighting for ATP points here. You're on the court simply to work on your game and get some exercise. If you keep that in mind, there's little anyone can do to spoil your day.

That's the idea I had and the premise for every match. I've seen people playing matches in a near court and they start shouting and arguing in a pointless way more often than not. I've also seen some good children completely overwhelmed by one or both of their parents who think they may be raising the next Federer/Nadal/Djokovic (preferences vary) and therefore, they go to every match their children play putting pressure on him and arguing with their opponent. Fortunately, there are also reasonable and sensible people.

There's no way I'm entering that kind of silly fighting. I'm just going there to play, exercise and enjoy the game.

Thank you!
 
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