What team options are there for a newer tennis player?

[daunvidch]

Disclaimer: this might be kind of a haphazard paragraph as I don't really know what I'm asking for.

I'm a 24 year old that just moved to Long Beach, CA last year, and I've been wanting to get into tennis more seriously. I played 1 season in high school and thought it was stupid so I never touched a racket again for years. However, I picked it up again right before moving to California last summer, and I miss the high school team environment. I want to improve and play almost every day, but one of my biggest setbacks is I don't have a lot of people to play with. I've tried using craigslist, group activities at tennis clubs, and random tennis group sites, but it's hard to find people that match your playing level and style (I feel like anyone around my age is busy with college or building their career). I've heard about flex leagues, USTA league, USTA team, and so I'm wondering which of those would be a better fit for me? I just want to find a group of people that I can practice and play with on a very regular basis and isn't too hard on my wallet. I tried looking USTA stuff up, but it's kind of weird. It seems like I have to register at a certain level, be tied to singles/doubles, and they seem to have seasons, which are not really appropriate for me at this time. Also, what happens after the season is over? Do you have to keep cycling and hope to find another team and season that works or something? It all just seems very confusing and intimidating to me. If anyone can shed some light on what would be the best path to take for me, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[damazing]

Once you've determined your rating you can reach out to the USTA captains of teams at that level. Your local area coordinator should be able to give you the contact info for the various captains.

http://www.scta.usta.com/About-Us/usta_southern_california_staff/

You'll find that some teams have either formal or informal practices and worst case scenario you'll have 12-20 more contacts of people around your level to play.

 

[schmke]

I can't speak to other options apart from USTA in your area, but SoCal certainly has many playing opportunities beyond USTA.

For USTA League play, there are seasons for the various different leagues there are.

The "main" league for you would be the 18 & over league and these leagues typically have their season in the Spring. In your area, it looks like this league runs from about April thru June. This league typically has a team match with 5 courts (2 singles and 3 doubles) so both options are available.

But SoCal has another league that runs in the Fall that is a doubles only league and is 3 courts of doubles for each team match.

See http://www.scta.usta.com/AdultsSeni...o_join_a_league_or_team/?intloc=headernavsub2 for more information about joining a team in your area as well as schedule and playing opportunities. And see http://www.scta.usta.com/USA-League-Tennis-Pages/3182_Area_League_Coordinators/ for contact info for league coordinators that you can contact.

As far as joining USTA, there is a membership fee and then typically a fee for each league you join. When you first sign-up, you will need to self-rate to identify the level you will start play at. See these guidelines (http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/ExperiencedGuidelines_02142011_V2pdf.pdf), but you will also fill out a questionnaire to help you self-rate at the right level. See my FAQ (below) for more information on NTRP ratings.

I hope that helps.

NTRP Ratings FAQ

 

[spot]

I'd recommend joining a flex singles league. Not sure if ultimatetennis.com is in your area but they do a great job. You get assigned a new opponent every week for 7 weeks and if you start asking about teams during your matches then I have little doubt you will be invited to join one.