burosky
Professional
I run tournaments for our tennis association. With this new flex leauge that USTA is doing, I thought the concept could translate to a flex tournament. I think it saves time for everyone involved which is one of the main reasons why a lot of former tournament players quit participating. The idea is to play all the rounds based on player's own schedule except for the finals which will be played on a designated weekend. This will allow tournament directors to have several tournaments at various levels at the same time and just have one weekend where all the finalist in each of the levels play for the crown.
The following are the rules which was derived from the USTA flex league rules. I thought I'd solicit feedback from the members of this forum. Sorry for the lengthy post. I thank you in advance for your feedback.
Flex Singles Tournament offer players a new way to enjoy organized competition without the time commitment of a typical weekend tournament. Weekly match play is arranged by you and your opponent based on your availability.
Rules and Guidelines
*Depending on the number of participants, there will be separate
tournaments for men and women players rated as 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, etc...
(This can be changed to class A, B, C, Seniors 55 and above).
*Schedules will be made available to players in advance prior to
the start of any round. See scheduling section for details.
*Rules of Tennis and The Code for Un-officiated Matches
<http://www.usta.com/rules/default.sps?iType=924&icustompageid=2518>
apply. Coaching is not allowed at any time during a match.
*Players are expected to exercise the highest level of integrity while competing in this program.
Ratings
*We strongly request that players play at their rating level.
They may play above their rating level but may not play below. Players
without ratings must self-rate according to the NTRP guidelines
<http://dps.usta.com/usta_master/usta/doc/content/doc_13_7372.pdf> .
The tournament organizers reserve the right to change a player's rating
as appropriate.
Format
*A single elimination ladder format is used with one match played per week.
*Any match not completed within the alloted week will result in a default for both players.
*Scoring format is best 2 of 3 sets regular scoring with a 10-point match tiebreaker played in lieu of a third set. If both players agree, the third set may be played out. However, the finals will be best 2 of 3 sets where the 3rd set is a full set. A regular tie-break shall be played when the set score reaches 6-6.
Scheduling
*Flex tournament uses 'play by' dates. Each match must be completed and scores reported by both players on or before the 'play by' date.
*The higher seeded player is responsible for initial contact to schedule the match but both players are encouraged to make contact. The date, time and location of the match must be agreed upon by both players. If both players can not agree on a date, time and location the following shall be used as a default date, time and location. The date shall be the Saturday that falls before the 'play by' date. The time shall be 1:00 in the afternoon and the location shall be at the Veterans Park courts. (Note: this rule is specific to our association. This can be modified.)
*The higher seeded player would be responsible for ensuring the availability of the court at the agreed time and day up to reserving the court if necessary. The same applies if the default date, time and location are used.
*The lower seeded player will be responsible for bringing a fresh can of PENN Championship tennis balls. (again, this can be modified)
*If a match is rained out, it should be rescheduled and completed as soon as possible.
*Please be very considerate when scheduling matches. Although this is competitive, we expect players to exercise the highest conduct of sportsmanship possible.
Courts
*We strongly recommend playing the matches at Veterans Park but the match can be played at any court. (this can be modified)
*Visit the courts you're planning to use in advance for lights, condition, parking, time restrictions, etc. Communicate this to your opponent.
*Reserve courts for at least 1.5 hours if at all possible and if necessary.
Playoffs and Awards
*The flexible scheduling will only be used up to the semi-final round. The championship match in all the categories will be played on a specific date and time.
*Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the Champion and the runner-up in each category.
Defaults
*Within 24 hours of the agreed match time, the player unable to play will default the match unless the player receiving the default prefers to reschedule the match.
*If a player does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, that player will default the match unless the opponent agrees to extend the time or reschedule the match.
*The player receiving the default will automatically advance to the next round.
Withdrawing from the Tournament
*In the event that a player must withdraw from the tournament, they should notify the tournament organizers immediately. The player's opponent for that round will then receive a default and will automatically advance to the next round.
*The tournament organizers will attempt to replace a player who must withdraw with a substitute if the player withdraws before the first round is played. (this can be modified)
The following are the rules which was derived from the USTA flex league rules. I thought I'd solicit feedback from the members of this forum. Sorry for the lengthy post. I thank you in advance for your feedback.
Flex Singles Tournament offer players a new way to enjoy organized competition without the time commitment of a typical weekend tournament. Weekly match play is arranged by you and your opponent based on your availability.
Rules and Guidelines
*Depending on the number of participants, there will be separate
tournaments for men and women players rated as 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, etc...
(This can be changed to class A, B, C, Seniors 55 and above).
*Schedules will be made available to players in advance prior to
the start of any round. See scheduling section for details.
*Rules of Tennis and The Code for Un-officiated Matches
<http://www.usta.com/rules/default.sps?iType=924&icustompageid=2518>
apply. Coaching is not allowed at any time during a match.
*Players are expected to exercise the highest level of integrity while competing in this program.
Ratings
*We strongly request that players play at their rating level.
They may play above their rating level but may not play below. Players
without ratings must self-rate according to the NTRP guidelines
<http://dps.usta.com/usta_master/usta/doc/content/doc_13_7372.pdf> .
The tournament organizers reserve the right to change a player's rating
as appropriate.
Format
*A single elimination ladder format is used with one match played per week.
*Any match not completed within the alloted week will result in a default for both players.
*Scoring format is best 2 of 3 sets regular scoring with a 10-point match tiebreaker played in lieu of a third set. If both players agree, the third set may be played out. However, the finals will be best 2 of 3 sets where the 3rd set is a full set. A regular tie-break shall be played when the set score reaches 6-6.
Scheduling
*Flex tournament uses 'play by' dates. Each match must be completed and scores reported by both players on or before the 'play by' date.
*The higher seeded player is responsible for initial contact to schedule the match but both players are encouraged to make contact. The date, time and location of the match must be agreed upon by both players. If both players can not agree on a date, time and location the following shall be used as a default date, time and location. The date shall be the Saturday that falls before the 'play by' date. The time shall be 1:00 in the afternoon and the location shall be at the Veterans Park courts. (Note: this rule is specific to our association. This can be modified.)
*The higher seeded player would be responsible for ensuring the availability of the court at the agreed time and day up to reserving the court if necessary. The same applies if the default date, time and location are used.
*The lower seeded player will be responsible for bringing a fresh can of PENN Championship tennis balls. (again, this can be modified)
*If a match is rained out, it should be rescheduled and completed as soon as possible.
*Please be very considerate when scheduling matches. Although this is competitive, we expect players to exercise the highest conduct of sportsmanship possible.
Courts
*We strongly recommend playing the matches at Veterans Park but the match can be played at any court. (this can be modified)
*Visit the courts you're planning to use in advance for lights, condition, parking, time restrictions, etc. Communicate this to your opponent.
*Reserve courts for at least 1.5 hours if at all possible and if necessary.
Playoffs and Awards
*The flexible scheduling will only be used up to the semi-final round. The championship match in all the categories will be played on a specific date and time.
*Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the Champion and the runner-up in each category.
Defaults
*Within 24 hours of the agreed match time, the player unable to play will default the match unless the player receiving the default prefers to reschedule the match.
*If a player does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, that player will default the match unless the opponent agrees to extend the time or reschedule the match.
*The player receiving the default will automatically advance to the next round.
Withdrawing from the Tournament
*In the event that a player must withdraw from the tournament, they should notify the tournament organizers immediately. The player's opponent for that round will then receive a default and will automatically advance to the next round.
*The tournament organizers will attempt to replace a player who must withdraw with a substitute if the player withdraws before the first round is played. (this can be modified)
