Selecting a League Team

Foraserve

New User
This spring will be my first experience with USTA local league play. What's the general protocol for selecting a team on which to play?

Here's my dilemma:

One of the instructors in my group tennis lessons (works mainly with another group, not mine) asked if I would be interested in joining their league team. I'm scheduled to meet and hit with the team captain next week.

I've also received e-mails from two other teams asking if I'd like to join their 3.0 teams -- nothing about meeting the team captain or first hitting with someone from the team though. Just an invitation to join. It would be nice to at least meet the captain, meet/hit with some team members before committing.

On the other hand, being asked to meet the captain and hit with her before being invited to join a team sounds as if I'm auditioning. I'm already feeling pressure to really work on my serve and overhead before I'm scheduled to hit with the team captain.

So, is it considered tacky to "try out" various league teams before accepting an invitation to join. I don't want to start off by offending 1/3 of the league teams, but don't want to get stuck with a team that isn't a good fit for us both.

Thanks for any input/comments.
 

raiden031

Legend
What are your expectations and/or goals? You should make your decision based on 1) whether you are looking to win championships, 2) whether you are looking to commit to alot of team practices, 3) you are willing to sit out if you aren't one of the best players when a match is important, 4) whether you are willing to partner with weak players, etc. Find out from other players in the league or on the teams to the answer to these questions if they are important to you.

I would definitely meet the teams and hit with them before deciding which to join. If you are polite, then no one should be offended that you aren't joining their team. I have had numerous offers to join people's team and I pick the one that works out best for me. I left a team that I played 3 different leagues for in the past year because they weren't competitive enough, even though I liked them personally, but you gotta do whats right for you. I felt a little bad doing it but I think it was in my best interest because I've become alot more competitive than I was before.
 

ohplease

Professional
Not tacky at all.

In my experience, most captains took the position that I was trying out or auditioning for their teams. Then, after seeing me hit and beat up on their regulars the dynamic totally switched over to how many matches I was going to be privileged to play for them. Uh, no thanks.

Be up front about asking what their playing time policy is. Is practice attendance necessary? Is their a singles or doubles ladder to establish pecking order? The ladder in particular is huge because it makes it very clear that you need to win to play, not just look good. If there's any vagueness about form or how you look, that could be a sign of someone looking to play his old standbys, even if they might not be able to compete with the new guys.

League tennis is a real opportunity to get plugged into a real team again, or to lose a season in needless drama and lost chances. It's on you to do your homework upfront. Best of luck.
 

spot

Hall of Fame
It depends. If one of the core guys on my team says he has a friend that wants to join I will trust their judgment explicitly and let them on without playing with them first. If it were a coach that was recommending someone I would certainly want to play with them first.
 

tfm1973

Semi-Pro
nope - think of yourself as a free agent. you definitely want to meet and hit with the teams before you select the one you like best.

i hit with three different teams before i joined my mixed doubles team.

the first team had an average age around 65 i think. i was worried when the little old lady i was partnered with hit me with a serve and i didn't notice.

second team was mostly wives and their husbands. the wives all had matching skirts and shirts and seemed far more intent on looking good than playing good.

last team was the youngest team with a variety of players. like some sort of united colors of benetton team. they also took breaks during practice to drink beer. i like beer. go team!

Foraserve - i'd go with the first team that gives you beer. :)
 

bleach

Rookie
Expectations....

Before commiting to a team determine what your expectations are (playing time, winning team, fun team...). Then ask each captain what the expectations are for the team. If not a first year team, look at previous seasons records. See how much playing time the players get. Ask the players on the team what they are expecting and how they like the team....

After you get all this information, find which team best matches up with your expectations.

Or.... just flip a coin
 

MariaS

Semi-Pro
his spring will be my first experience with USTA local league play. What's the general protocol for selecting a team on which to play?

Here's my dilemma:

One of the instructors in my group tennis lessons (works mainly with another group, not mine) asked if I would be interested in joining their league team. I'm scheduled to meet and hit with the team captain next week.

Welcome to USTA Team Tennis! Since your NEW to USTA Team, every captain is going to want you on his team. Don't let them overwhelm you. :shock:It fades.
 
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JavierLW

Hall of Fame
This spring will be my first experience with USTA local league play. What's the general protocol for selecting a team on which to play?

Here's my dilemma:

One of the instructors in my group tennis lessons (works mainly with another group, not mine) asked if I would be interested in joining their league team. I'm scheduled to meet and hit with the team captain next week.

I've also received e-mails from two other teams asking if I'd like to join their 3.0 teams -- nothing about meeting the team captain or first hitting with someone from the team though. Just an invitation to join. It would be nice to at least meet the captain, meet/hit with some team members before committing.

On the other hand, being asked to meet the captain and hit with her before being invited to join a team sounds as if I'm auditioning. I'm already feeling pressure to really work on my serve and overhead before I'm scheduled to hit with the team captain.

So, is it considered tacky to "try out" various league teams before accepting an invitation to join. I don't want to start off by offending 1/3 of the league teams, but don't want to get stuck with a team that isn't a good fit for us both.

Thanks for any input/comments.

If you end up playing doubles (like mostly EVERYONE does), try to find the team that has a good partner for you, unless you have yourself and she can join the team as well.

If know if I know of TWO people that actually play well together, and like playing with each other, that's pretty special.

Getting stuck with a bad partner (especially one that you dont get along with) is probally a major complaint for a lot of people that play in the league for the first time.

Having multiple partners from week to week is another one.
 

Foraserve

New User
If you end up playing doubles (like mostly EVERYONE does), try to find the team that has a good partner for you, unless you have yourself and she can join the team as well.

This is one of my concerns. I prefer playing singles and at this point, pretty much suck at doubles. In lessons, when we play doubles, I can pretty much be counted on to have the "confused, deer in headlight" look as I ask, "was that one mine?" I don't have the intuitive communication skills for doubles. I love the volley practice I get in doubles though.

On the other hand, my singles game is much better. Both my group and individual instructors have commented on my forehand as a weapon. I can hit either a 1H or 2H backhand and am getting very comfortable with volleys - need to get more skilled at executing approach shots. My service motion is improving, but still weak, as is my overhead. Obviously, I have a way to go.


Expectations....

Before commiting to a team determine what your expectations are (playing time, winning team, fun team...). Then ask each captain what the expectations are for the team. If not a first year team, look at previous seasons records. See how much playing time the players get. Ask the players on the team what they are expecting and how they like the team....

What are your expectations and/or goals? You should make your decision based on 1) whether you are looking to win championships, 2) whether you are looking to commit to alot of team practices, 3) you are willing to sit out if you aren't one of the best players when a match is important, 4) whether you are willing to partner with weak players, etc. Find out from other players in the league or on the teams to the answer to these questions if they are important to you.

Yeah, good advice. I'll ask to meet the captain and hit with him/her and maybe meet some of the team members before committing. Their response might give me some insight as to whether it's a good fit. I want to be on a competitive team and am comfortable "earning" a playing spot. I'll be sure to mention I'm not as skilled at doubles and prefer singles. It'll be interesting to see their reaction.

Thanks to everyone!!
 

JavierLW

Hall of Fame
This is one of my concerns. I prefer playing singles and at this point, pretty much suck at doubles. In lessons, when we play doubles, I can pretty much be counted on to have the "confused, deer in headlight" look as I ask, "was that one mine?" I don't have the intuitive communication skills for doubles. I love the volley practice I get in doubles though.

On the other hand, my singles game is much better. Both my group and individual instructors have commented on my forehand as a weapon. I can hit either a 1H or 2H backhand and am getting very comfortable with volleys - need to get more skilled at executing approach shots. My service motion is improving, but still weak, as is my overhead. Obviously, I have a way to go.






Yeah, good advice. I'll ask to meet the captain and hit with him/her and maybe meet some of the team members before committing. Their response might give me some insight as to whether it's a good fit. I want to be on a competitive team and am comfortable "earning" a playing spot. I'll be sure to mention I'm not as skilled at doubles and prefer singles. It'll be interesting to see their reaction.

Thanks to everyone!!

Keep in mind, that the majority of new players tend to say they are good at singles and not doubles. (because doubles is complicated and they feel more comfortable playing singles) So be sure not to exclude yourself from doing either.

Unless you are so good at singles that you are an elite player (in which case they will be falling over backwards to get you on their team, and maybe they are), for most people League tennis is really about doubles because 6 out of 8 people have to play doubles, which accounts for 3 out of 5 of your matches.

(unlike high school and college where singles make up more of the outcome of the match)

Although given what you said, if some team promises you that you get to play singles (which I think is a mistake on their part, but some people do it), you should go for that team because on most teams you wont always get to play singles.

But if you want to be successful in league play, you should be open to playing doubles. Even if you dont get the whole strategy, I think just having an open mind about it and going out there with a good attitude goes a long way.

At 3.0, there are people who get away with not playing super complicated doubles strategy and they still win if they are good players.

And if you dont win, you tend to learn anyway, just like you did in singles.

My 3.0 partner and I accomplished this by realizing that both of us were really singles players so we just got together and decided ahead of time how we were going to approach the game given that. (like if the ball went between us, we both would go for it because it's better than nobody going for it)

I have guys on my 3.5 team that are awesome 3.5 singles players, and if you talk to them about doubles strategy they will have that wide eyed look as well. But if they are out there with a good experienced partner they do well.

What's amazing is they seem to have good instincts which enable them to make decent decisions on the fly because they are not overburdened with thoughts of various different strategy jargon like we talk about here.
 

Backboard

New User
Personally, I would not join any team just based on receiving an email. To me that sounds like captains just wanting to fill out their rosters. I would want to meet and play with all the captains as well as a number of guys on each team if possible. To have a good experience you need to have teammates that you get along with.

I agree with the comments about expecations. If winning is very important to you then try to find the strongest team at your level. If the social aspects are more important, then try to find the team with the most fun-loving guys. Teams which are more socially oriented often give every player an equal opportunity to play. Teams that are very serious about winning will normally play their best players more and may ONLY play their top players during the post-season.

Likely the teams that are interested in you competed last year. You can access TennisLink at national.usta.com and look up theri team record from last season. That might give you an indication of how seriously they take the competition. You can also look up their team roster from last season and see if there are any guys you know.

But try to meet with the captains of all the teams that have expressed an interest in you. Take your time so that you make a good decision.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
nope - think of yourself as a free agent. you definitely want to meet and hit with the teams before you select the one you like best.

i hit with three different teams before i joined my mixed doubles team.

the first team had an average age around 65 i think. i was worried when the little old lady i was partnered with hit me with a serve and i didn't notice.

second team was mostly wives and their husbands. the wives all had matching skirts and shirts and seemed far more intent on looking good than playing good.

last team was the youngest team with a variety of players. like some sort of united colors of benetton team. they also took breaks during practice to drink beer. i like beer. go team!

Foraserve - i'd go with the first team that gives you beer. :)

AHAHAHAHAAH!!!!

Yep, our mixed team doesn't win much, but man those guys are fun! I think the beer has a lot to do with it, but also contributing to the yuks is that there is only one married couple out of 20 players. "Spouses" and "rip roarin' good time on a tennis court" do not go together, in my experience.

OK. Lots of good advice already. As a captain, I try very hard not to take someone unless I have played with them first. The bar is not very high, though. I bring my best players and the new person is at a considerable disadvantage already and will show you their worst tennis due to nerves, so if they are anything short of horrible then they are in. Unless they are Not Nice. Then they are out no matter how good they are. Captains of the most established or competitive teams rarely have openings and so will not just spray the internet with e-mails to take players sight unseen.

So yes, take your time if you have multiple offers. Ask a ton of questions (minimum number of matches you will get). If you want singles, get a promise that you will play singles unless there is a big emergency. If you want No. 1 or No. 2 slot, bring that up. Ask about practices, splitting costs, coaching, how far in advance the schedule comes out. If you have friends in the league, ask about the reputations of the various captains if this matters to you.

Good luck!!!
 

Foraserve

New User
Keep in mind, that the majority of new players tend to say they are good at singles and not doubles. (because doubles is complicated and they feel more comfortable playing singles) So be sure not to exclude yourself from doing either.

Unless you are so good at singles that you are an elite player (in which case they will be falling over backwards to get you on their team, and maybe they are), for most people League tennis is really about doubles because 6 out of 8people have to play doubles, which accounts for 3 out of 5 of your matches.

But if you want to be successful in league play, you should be open to playing doubles. Even if you dont get the whole strategy, I think just having an open mind about it and going out there with a good attitude goes a long way.

Thanks for the reality check about doubles. Me, an elite player...just visit one of my group lessons LOL. I should be more open to moving out of my comfort zone. I"m so new at this, any competitive play has to help my game and development.


Personally, I would not join any team just based on receiving an email. To me that sounds like captains just wanting to fill out their rosters. I would want to meet and play with all the captains as well as a number of guys on each team if possible. To have a good experience you need to have teammates that you get along with.

But try to meet with the captains of all the teams that have expressed an interest in you. Take your time so that you make a good decision.

This is what I don't want to happen - invited to just fill a roster. I'm open to joining a new, growing team though, as long as there are some common goals. It's strange, one captain didn't want to provide me with more information until I agreed to join the team - not in an offensive manner, just a "once you join, I'll send you more information" response.


AHAHAHAHAAH!!!!

Yep, our mixed team doesn't win much, but man those guys are fun! I think the beer has a lot to do with it, but also contributing to the yuks is that there is only one married couple out of 20 players. "Spouses" and "rip roarin' good time on a tennis court" do not go together, in my experience.

OK. Lots of good advice already. As a captain, I try very hard not to take someone unless I have played with them first. The bar is not very high, though. I bring my best players and the new person is at a considerable disadvantage already and will show you their worst tennis due to nerves, so if they are anything short of horrible then they are in. Unless they are Not Nice. Then they are out no matter how good they are. Captains of the most established or competitive teams rarely have openings and so will not just spray the internet with e-mails to take players sight unseen.

So yes, take your time if you have multiple offers. Ask a ton of questions (minimum number of matches you will get). If you want singles, get a promise that you will play singles unless there is a big emergency. If you want No. 1 or No. 2 slot, bring that up. Ask about practices, splitting costs, coaching, how far in advance the schedule comes out. If you have friends in the league, ask about the reputations of the various captains if this matters to you.

Good luck!!!

Great advice and thoughtful questions to ask. Yep, the Nice/Not Nice factor is non-negotiable. I don't mind working my way up or working my butt off to improve, but I don't want to do it with a bunch of (well, not even one or two) nasties. I like competing, but it's so much better and more fun to compete with folks you like and get along with. I also want teammates who are able to laugh at their own and my mistakes every now and then.

Okay, I'm also getting a reality check about my own anxiousness about this. I have to remind myself that: (1) joing a league team isn't getting married. I suspect it's much easier to divorce if we get to the "we're just not compatible" point and (2) it's not Davis Cup and I'm certainly not carrying the weight of my country on my sore from practicing serves shoulders.
 

Foraserve

New User
As a captain, I try very hard not to take someone unless I have played with them first. The bar is not very high, though.

Cindysphinx - Not to hijack my own thread, but I didn't know you were now team captain. Congratulations!! Have you connected with a better doubles partner? Love your membership standard. My perfect league team would be competitive, but open to any with a good heart and willingness to play, learn and laugh. I know, I'm conflicted.:?
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
Cindysphinx - Not to hijack my own thread, but I didn't know you were now team captain. Congratulations!! Have you connected with a better doubles partner? Love your membership standard. My perfect league team would be competitive, but open to any with a good heart and willingness to play, learn and laugh. I know, I'm conflicted.:?

Hey, highjack away. Yeah, I'm enough of a control freak that I must captain. In fact, the mixed team is the only team where I've not been the captain but have been happy anyway. Let's see . . . this season will be my 7th season as a captain. And I'm also a co-captain of a ladies day league team.

A middle-of-the-pack finish is fine with us. Last season we set .500 as our goal, and we finished 9-7 so we were happy. Don't know what the goal should be this season. Sixteen matches, we're a stronger team on paper, so maybe shoot for 11-5? Being mediocre allows us not to get frustrated with non-stop losing but doesn't require us to bench people or kick people off the team if their overhead deserts them just to win more.

Nah, still haven't found the perfect doubles partner. Our day league season starts on Wednesday, so we'll see who my co-captain puts me with. For my part, I just need to focus on sucking a bit less no matter who I partner with and the rest should fall into place.
 

cak

Professional
My experience in women's 3.0/3.5 is if you are willing to play singles, you will play singles, lots. Win or lose, if you are willing to walk onto the singles court, it's yours. If you will only play doubles, you have to be good enough for people to be willing to play with you. And if you are one of the best people on the team, they will let you play whatever you feel like that week.
 

darkhorse

Semi-Pro
I'm in kind f the same boat as the topic creator, I go to school away from home and I've decided that I want to play tennis in a competitive environment. I'm looking into some clubs in the area and there's a lot of choices, both personal and financial, to consider. I'm not at school right now but I've contacted one team captain by e-mail and set up a little "tryout" thing, but tonight I found a club that won't require me to join, so I sent them an e-mail.

Playing time and a fun atmosphere are what's important to me, so hopefully I can find the right place. All this talk about giving out beer makes me wish I wasn't 20, though.
 

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
nope - think of yourself as a free agent. you definitely want to meet and hit with the teams before you select the one you like best.

i hit with three different teams before i joined my mixed doubles team.

the first team had an average age around 65 i think. i was worried when the little old lady i was partnered with hit me with a serve and i didn't notice.

second team was mostly wives and their husbands. the wives all had matching skirts and shirts and seemed far more intent on looking good than playing good.

last team was the youngest team with a variety of players. like some sort of united colors of benetton team. they also took breaks during practice to drink beer. i like beer. go team!

Foraserve - i'd go with the first team that gives you beer. :)

wow.....aweosme team...say, do you guys need any new players?;)
 

tfm1973

Semi-Pro
zapvor - which team were you talking bout?

the old fogey team? i'm sure they wouldn't mind a young whipper snapper like yourself. i am assuming you are younger than 65 since you can get onto the internet and make a smiley face.

you mean the beer team? it was fantastic. they had this tennis social / team tryout the first time i met them and they had a big cooler chock full of beer. i was hoping for a kegger but just cans. still it makes for a much more social event with booze. had some splaining to do when i got home and the wife smelled beer when i was supposed to be playing tennis. ;)
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
zapvor, are you serious? If so, send me a private message with your level and I can ask the captain if he needs another dude.
 

tfm1973

Semi-Pro
zapvor -- send me a PM. if you are local maybe we could hit. i'm going to a tennis social on friday night. cheers!
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
zapvor -- send me a PM. if you are local maybe we could hit. i'm going to a tennis social on friday night. cheers!

:checks mail box, finds nothing:

Oh, it's like that, huh?

Fine. I can't go to your tennis social anyway. On account of how I'm already booked. Yeah. I'm booked. I'm playing tennis on Friday night. With some good-looking chicks. What's that? No, I'm sorry, we don't need a fourth.

Come on girls. Let's go.

TKO%20208.jpg
 

tfm1973

Semi-Pro
hahaha. cindy i told you about the tennis thingy on friday nights already in an email. am meeting up with another TW forum member at this social. come out if your "hot chicks" flake out on you. ;)
 

fe6250

Semi-Pro
BTW - LOVE the Picture Cindy. Which one is you? ;-)

I have my own theory on picking / choosing teams. There are basically 4 types of teams I see getting built at our club (ok - I'm sure there are others - but keeping it simple):

1.) Fill the roster team (anyone welcome, no social agenda, no competitive agenda)

2.) Social Team (see this a lot in mixed doubles, but friendship partying takes priority over ability - BUT you need an invite and must bring beer!)

3.) Competitive Team (Trying to get to states, sectionals, or beyond and don't care about anything but ability)

4.) Balanced Team (Looking for Competitive players who would actuall y be fun to go to State with and can drink a few beers after matches)

Personally - I like the fourth option and look for these 3 traits (ability, social, and loyalty(been on the team before)). If a player has all 3 - they are a lock, 2 and they are likely on the team. Last year we even implemented a 'Beer Captain' for every match to insure all were adequately refreshed following matches. Bottom line - is there is a team for all types and for anything you might want to get out of playing - just keep looking for the right fit.
 

fe6250

Semi-Pro
Well unless she starred in a "comedy sports video" titled Tennis Babes, I am going to guess none :)

I guess my attempt to be tongue in cheek in my response didn't translate well - despite the 'winking' smiley! Of course - I knew she wasn't in the picture - just having some fun. :wink:
 
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