This is to help FTC Team Captains in planning and managing a team.

Below you can see the Team Captain’s Guide, ADLTA Rules and link to the Match Results Card

If you would like to open a version to print or download onto your computer /device then please click one of the tabs:

Team Captain’s Guide,   ADLTA League Rules,     Match Result Card

It can also be found in the ‘Useful Documents’ area of the website along with all basic specifications for all club officials to use as reference (this remains ‘work in progress’).   However, the members area versions have respective passwords

AIDE MEMOIRE

FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE APPOINTED AS A TENNIS TEAM CAPTAIN AT FTC

Thank you for volunteering to be a team captain.   You are responsible for ensuring that the FTC competes in the ADLTA league  with a competitive team.   Forecasting, planning and communicating with team members is key to the smooth and easy running of a team.

The basic responsibilities are as follows which you can manage as you see fit:

PRE-SEASON:

  • The club decide in conjunction with the Team Cpatains how many teams to enter depending on how many players have indicated they are available. The recent approach has been to ask each player whether they can commit to 66% of the matches (full/regular/named team member) or 33% of matches (reserve for any team).
  • Together with other captains and Club Captain, help select the team squad and obtain contact details of all relevant players from the website membership list. Named players are only eligible to play for their named teams and any teams higher, they cannot play down a team to help out.  e. a B team player can play for B and A team but cannot play for the C team.
  • Assist the fixtures secretary (currently Ellen Smith) with likely preferred days for matches. Its good to canvass your team as to when they can be available to ensure we can field full teams.  There is no guarantee that you will get these nights, particularly for away matches but its great for Ellen to plan for the best outcome.
  • Provide the fixtures secretary with contact details for the league website (see below).
  • On receiving fixture list, send to all prospective squad members and obtain long and short term availability. The fixtures will be uploaded onto the League website by the fixture secretary and its worth checking them for accuracy (see below).
  • Consolidate returns from available players, decide optimum team/pairings and plan first few fixtures.
  • Share fixture list with all squad members so they can also help out and see ‘pinch points’ in numbers for certain dates. It’s ideal (unfortunately rare) to be oversubscribed per match so that if anyone drops out you have a reserve.  Also worth bearing in mind you may need players from lower teams to play as well so think carefully about who your squad are.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAYERS TO PLAY UP WITHOUT BECOMING TIED:

  • Named players can play up twice before being tied (once they play a third time). At that point they can only represent the higher team and cannot play down again.

i.e. B team players plays wtice for A team – they are fine to continue playing for the B team.

Upon playing a third time for A team they are now tied and can only represent the A team for the rest of the season.

If a C team player plays once for the B team and twice for the A team they are tied (initially to the B team until they play a third match for the A team.  This is unusual but they have played three times for any team higher so they cannot play for the C team anymore but they are only tied to the next highest team (B) until they have played three times for the A team at which point they can only represent the A team.

Careful consideration will need to be given to this decision and planning should take account in collaboration with other team captains.

HOME MATCHES:

  • Days leading up to match, contact team to re-confirm players.There are a variety of methods including email or WhatsApp.
  • Inform the opposing captain if there is a problem (weather, team only having two pairs (summer) one pair (winter) etc etc). You can find contact details on the League website.
  • You are responsible for providing new balls, 2 tubes (winter) and 3 tubes (summer). These can be obtained from the container behind the Camper Van on Paul Buchanan’s drive. It’s advisable to take a seasons supply at once.
  • Providing tea/refreshments: minimum of milk and biscuits for the home and away team.
  • Complete team sheet and record scores (spare sheets online on website and in clubhouse). The opposing Captain may want to sign and/or take a photo for their records.
  • Collect £2pp match fee (your £2 counted as paying for refreshments)
  • Submit fixture result and rubber scores on to the ADLTA league website within 6 days (max)

AWAY MATCHES:

  • Days leading up to match, contact team to re-confirm players
  • Call the opposing captain if there is a problem (team etc etc) or question over weather conditions mean a change/cancelled match
  • Inform your team if there are changes
  • Record the score probably by photo for your records – that way you can verify the input of scores by the opposition captain.
  • Collect £2pp match fee from all players.
  • It is the responsibility of the Home captain to enter details onto the League website.

OTHER:

  • Transfer match fees to FTC bank account and inform treasurer, normally at the end of the season.
  • Provide any interesting photos or stories to help with news on website/social media (currently to Tim/Julian).
  • Inform the fixtures secretary ASAP of any need to re-arrange matches that have been cancelled due to weather or any other reason the match needs re-scheduling. Note you cannot reschedule matches due to availability and its rare to postpone a match for any other reason than the weather.  Plan for each match to take place on the scheduled night.

LEAGUE WEBSITE:

  • This can be found at https://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/
  • The club have one sign on. Login is in top right hand corner.   DETAILS ARE ON THE WEBSITE LOGIN VERSION under ‘Useful Documents’ in the Members area.    
  • In right hand column click the Winter/Summer league you are after under the Last Visited list
  • Click on relevant Category – Ladies/Mens/Mixed Doubles – then reconfirm
  • Choose the League you want to view (at this point it confirms # of teams and format
  • This shows the League table and the Fixture list for all teams below it.You’ll see you can Modify elements of the fixture for all of Frimley matches.
  • If you click on a team name having signed in you will see names and contact details for the Captain.
  • You need to enter the result within 6 days of the match otherwise you get docked points. You need to click on Modify and then at the bottom there are several Blue Tab options including Enter Rubber Results.
  • Once here you can enter each set result and who played. Choose the name from the drop down for each team, Select the ‘Winner’ and enter the score in a free format in the ‘Score’ boxes  for instance 6-4 or 4-6 depending on home or away win (hyphen is fine).
  • If you can’t find a player (often at the start of the season you need to click on the drop down next to the team name in the blue box alongside the score. Choose Add player.
  • Type in a part of the players name in free text and it should search and suggest options that you can click on to confirm. You must press Add per player lookup. Look up as many as you need at once – you’ll find them in the drop down options on the page before once you have done this.
  • Once all scores are entered click on Save and it will automatically log the score and update the league.
  • Other features include adding comments to matches, looking up Player Statistics for Team/Division which can be helpful when you want to confirm how many times players have played for other teams to avoid tying.

Good luck – please shout if you have any issues/questions.

ADLTA LEAGUE RULES 20170410

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GENERAL

G1 The management of the League shall be by the Committee

G2 All clubs affiliated to the Association shall be eligible to enter teams in any competition organised by the Association. An entry fee shall be payable for each team entered and the amount of the fee shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting.

G3 All matches played in any competition shall be subject to The Constitution and within the general rules and Code of Conduct of the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain.

G4 GROUPS

  1. a)  Leagues shall be organised in four groups as follows:Group ‘A’ – Men’s Doubles
    Group ‘B’ – Ladies’ Doubles
    Group ‘C’ – Mixed DoublesGroup ‘D’ – Juniors
  2. b)  The Committee shall decide the formation in each group.
  3. c)  Each group shall have a Results Secretary appointed from within the Committee.

G5 Qualifications to play in any club team in the League shall be bona-fide membership of that club.

G6 PLAYERS IN TEAMS

a) Where a club enters more than one team in any group it shall be recognised that team ‘A’ shall be the club’s strongest side and team ‘B’ the next strongest side and so on, where there are more than two teams.

b) In the event of a player in any team being unavailable, then a player from a lower team may be promoted with the proviso that should such a player be used more than twice in the higher team, he/she shall not be allowed to return to the lower team for the remainder of the season.

c) Players nominated for higher teams shall not be allowed to play in lower teams unless the Committee gives approval.

d) The Committee may sanction permanent changes in any team.

G7 NOMINATIONS

a) Clubs are required to nominate players for all their respective teams (except the lowest) to the group Results Secretary.

b) If nominations for a team have not been received prior to the commencement of that team’s first match thenthe first 6 players (summer) or 4 players (winter) entered against the result of that team’s first fixture online will be deemed to be the nominated players. Should the players from the first fixture be insufficient then the nominations will be completed by reference to the next players used in subsequent fixtures in the order displayed online.

G8 No player may play for more than one club in any one group during the season.

G9 Matches shall be played on a home and away basis in each group. In some instances, as decided by theCommittee, Group ‘D’ matches shall be either home or away. In all cases, the home team shall be responsible for theprovision of three new Lawn Tennis Association approved balls per court.

G10 FIXTURE DATES: The Committee shall issue the fixture list and all arranged dates must be strictly adhered to. Matches shall not be postponed except for the following:

  1. a)  Fixture dates and times as entered online will be deemed to be the official dates and times of matches.
  2. b)  Bad weather prevailing at the home venue at the actual time laid down for starting.
  3. c)  Unavailability of courts – clubs should make every attempt to hire alternative courts in orderto fulfil fixtures if their own are unavailable.
  4. d)  Teams must fulfil fixtures or forfeit points. Any appeal for postponement must be made toLeague Secretaries and shall only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

G11 POSTING AND KEEPING RESULTS

  1. a)  Match details must be kept by both the home and the away team
  2. b)  Results are the responsibility of the Home team. They must be entered into the LTA Online Results website

within 8 days of the logged match date. If for any reason the match is not played then ADLTA support must be informed within 8 days either by email or by entering a relevant comment against the match in the online system.

c) If a result (or comment/email notification – see G11b above) isn’t entered by the deadline date then a minimum one point penalty will be applied to the home team in the first instance. Any subsequent failure will incur increasing penalties.

d) When a result is entered into the LTA Online Results website it should include all the names of the players involved. If necessary a name will be accepted within the comments box.

e) If a name is still missing 8 days after the result was posted then a minimum of a one point penalty will be applied to the home team in the first instance. Any subsequent name failure will incur increasing penalties, as will the continued absence of any names in question.

G12 CONCEDING MATCHES: In the event of a team conceding two or more walkovers during the season, the Committee shall give serious consideration to making all the matches of that team void.

G13 TIE-BREAK: In a tie-break, the next player to serve shall have one service only (from the right hand court). Thereafter, service shall continue in the original order, each player having two services, one from the left-hand court followed by one from the right hand court. After every six points scored, players shall change ends, the service order remaining unchanged. The first pair to score seven points, with a lead of at least two clear points, shall be the winner of the set. If this requirement is not fulfilled, play shall continue until one pair is two clear points ahead, when that pair shall be the winner. The opening game of the set following a tie-break set shall be served by the side which received the first point in the tie-break game.

G14 A Deciding MATCH TIE-BREAK is when the players who win the first ten points shall win the match tie-break and the rubber, provided there is a margin of two points over the opponents. When using the deciding match tie-break to replace the final set the original order of service continues. In doubles the order of serving and receiving within the team may be altered as in the beginning of each set (i.e. it counts as a new set). After every six points scored, players shall change ends, the service order remaining unchanged. This will count as 1 game in the event of games count-back at the end of the season. The result should show the 3rd set as 1-0 or 0-1.

G15 In the event of a tie on points in any division, promotion and relegation issues shall be settled on games won.

G16 In the event of a dispute, the matter shall be referred to the Committee whose decision shall be final and binding.

G17 In bad weather, both teams must turn up to play, unless advised otherwise by the home team.

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SUMMER LEAGUE

S1 The Summer League season shall open on Monday of the week in which 1st May falls and shall close at the end of the week in which the last Monday of July falls, unless the Committee decides otherwise.

S2 All matches shall be played on at least two courts. By mutual agreement, a third court, and three good quality balls, may be used for any part of the match.

S3 A match shall consist of nine sets, with teams of three pairs, and each pair shall play all other pairs of the opposing team over one set. A tie-break (see G13) shall come into effect at 6-6.

S4 All matches start at 18:30 except by mutual agreement. Match Secretaries should make the starting time quite clear when arranging their fixtures. Actual match play (excluding the knock-up) shall commence within 15 minutes of the time laid down for starting.

S5 A team not having its full side present when play is due to commence must arrange pairings from the available players. Such pairings shall remain operative for the entire match.

S6 2 sets must commence within 15 minutes of the agreed starting time. Failure to start within the stipulated time shall result in the non-defaulting team being awarded either or both of the sets 6-0.

S7 If thirty minutes after the time laid down for starting a match, fewer than two pairs of a team have arrived, the match shall be abandoned and awarded to the non-defaulting team as a walkover.

S8 If not all members of a team have arrived on completion of the second set, the non-defaulting team shall be awarded one set for every incomplete pair. In addition, if all players are not present within one hour of the starting time, the non-defaulting team shall be awarded the remaining sets.

S9 Match points shall be awarded on the basis of 2 points to each team for each set won; e.g. winners get 18 points for a 9 sets to 0 win, losers get 0 points; winners get 12 points for a 6 sets to 3 win, losers get 6 points, etc. In the event of a team giving a walkover, the opposition is awarded 18 points and the offending team is penalised 8 points. If count back is required at the end of the season, then Rule S14 will apply for games.

S10 If any set is not played because of default by both teams, that set shall be void.

S11 In the case of a match having to be abandoned after play has commenced, the match shall be deemed to have been completed if seven or more sets have been played. The points for the unplayed sets shall be shared; e.g. if a match is abandoned at 8 sets to 0, the winning team shall be awarded 17 points and the losing team shall be awarded 1 point. If a set is unplayed or curtailed due to bad weather or lack of light, any games played in that set shall be counted if a count-back is required at the end of the season.

S12 Any set claimed shall be regarded as played for the purposes of Rule S11.

S13 Where seven or more sets have not been played, the match shall be rearranged and completed by the end of the season. In such rearranged matches, both teams shall start at scratch. Postponed matches must also be completed by the end of the season.

S14 Where a team fields an incomplete team in a match, any sets not played shall be conceded to the opposing team, each set to score 0-6 against the offending team.

S15 At the end of the season the two top teams in each division, except the highest, shall be eligible for promotion to the next highest division, and the two bottom teams in each division, except the lowest, shall be liable to relegation to the next lowest division in their respective groups.

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WINTER LEAGUE

W1 WINTER MIXED LEAGUE: The rules for Winter Mixed League shall be applied in conjunction with the existing Winter League Rules, except W4 and the first sentence of W5, in addition to the following.

a) The Mixed League format shall consist of 2 mixed pairs playing 2 tie-break sets (at 6 all) against each of the opposing pairs.

b) Fixtures are home and away with the option for the home team to elect to play either weekday evenings under floodlights or daytime at the weekends.

c) Start time to be the home team’s choice, but no earlier that 10:00 weekends or 18:30 weekdays (MatchSecretaries should allow enough time to complete evening matches).

W2 The winter league season shall open on Saturday of the week in which 1st October falls and shall close at the end of the week in which the last Saturday of February falls, unless the Committee decides otherwise.

W3 A pyramid system shall be operated in the Winter and the League shall consist of a Premier Division, Division 1, Divisions 2a and 2b, Divisions 3a and 3b, Divisions 4a and 4b, etc.

W4 A match shall consist of four rubbers, with teams of two pairs, and each pair shall play all other pairs of the opposing team over the best of three sets. A tie-break (see G13) shall come into effect at 6-6 in the first two sets. In the Mens and Ladies leagues the third set is a Deciding Match Tie-break (see G14)

W5 All matches start no earlier than 10:00 am except by mutual agreement. Match Secretaries should make the starting time quite clear when arranging their fixtures. Actual match play (excluding the knock up) shall commence within 15 minutes of the time laid down for starting.

W6 A team not having its full side present when play is due to commence must arrange pairings from the available players. Such pairings shall remain operative for the entire match.

W7 All four players of each team must be present and ready to play within 15 minutes of the agreed starting time. If only one pair is present within this stipulated time, the 2nd pair shall forfeit the first set. If only one pair is present within 30 minutes of the stipulated agreed starting time the second pair shall forfeit the rubber (2 sets). Unless the 2nd pair is present on completion of the 1st rubber, they shall then forfeit both rubbers.

W8 If no pairs of a team have arrived within 30 minutes of the agreed starting time, the match shall be awarded to the non-defaulting team as a walkover.

W9 In the formation of the Winter League, teams promoted/relegated from (a) divisions shall be liable to promotion/relegation to the next highest/lowest (b) division and teams promoted/relegated from (b) divisions shall be liable to promotion/relegation to the next highest/lowest (a) division. The remaining teams may also be crossed over, and, where possible, teams from the same club, in the same division, may be separated, at the discretion of the Management Committee.

W10 Match points shall be awarded on the basis of 2 points for each set won. In the event of a team giving a walkover, the opposition is awarded 16 points and the offending team is penalised 8 points. If count back is required at the end of the season, then Rule W15 will apply for games.

W11 If any rubber is not played because of default by both teams, that rubber shall be void.

W12 In the case of a match having to be abandoned after play has commenced, the match shall be deemed to have been completed if three rubbers have been completed. The points for the incomplete rubber shall be shared as follows:

  1. If no sets are completed then each pair will receive 2 points each.
  2. If only one set is completed then the winners of that set will receive 2 points and the second set will be shared 1 point each.
  3. If the first two sets are completed one set apiece but the championship tie-break is not completed (not applicable for the mixed league) the first set winners will receive 2 points , the second set winners will receive 2 points and the third set will be shared 1 point each.

Any games played in that rubber shall be counted if a count-back is required at the end of the season.

W13 Any rubber claimed shall be regarded as played for the purposes of Rule W12.

W14 Where three or more rubbers have not been played, the match shall be rearranged and completed by the end of the season. In such rearranged matches both teams shall start at scratch. Postponed matches must also be completed by the end of the season.

W15 Where a team fields an incomplete team in a match, any rubbers not played shall be conceded to the opposing team, each rubber to score 0-6, 0-6 against the offending team.

W16 At the end of the Winter season the two top teams in each division, except the highest, shall be eligible for promotion to the next highest division, apart from Divisions 2a and 2b where one team shall be eligible for promotion. The bottom two teams in all divisions, except the lowest, shall be liable to relegation to the next lowest division.

FTC Match Results Card