Rules that Govern amateur and recreational Tennis (Cited from USTA)
1. Courtesy is expected. Tennis is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy.
2. Points played in good faith are counted. All points played in good faith stand. For example, if after losing a point, a player discovers that the net was four inches too high, the point stands. If a point is played from the wrong court, there is no replay.
3. Warm-up is not practice. A player should provide the opponent a warm-up of five to ten minutes. If a player declines to warm up the opponent, the player forfeits the right to a warm-up, and the opponent may warm up with another person. Some players confuse warm-up and practice. Each player should try to hit shots directly to the opponent.
5. Player makes calls on own side of net.
7. Ball touching any part of line is good.
8. Ball that cannot be called out is good.
9. Either partner may make calls in doubles.
12. Out calls reversed. A player who calls a ball out shall reverse the call if the player becomes uncertain or realizes that the ball was good. The point goes to the opponent and is not replayed. However, when a receiver reverses a fault call on a serve that hit the net, the server is entitled to two serves.
13. Partners’ disagreement on calls. If one partner calls the ball out and the other partner sees the ball good, the ball is good. It is more important to give opponents the benefit of the doubt than to avoid possibly hurting a partner’s feelings.
18. Let called when ball rolls on court. When a ball from another court enters the playing area, any player on the court affected may call a let.
23. Avoid foot faults. It is a foot fault when a foot just touches the line, even when the player does not follow the serve to the net.
24. Calling foot faults. The receiver or the receiver’s partner may call foot faults only after all reasonable efforts, such as warning the server have failed.
27. Service let calls. Any player may call a service let.
28. Obvious faults. A player shall not put into play or hit over the net an obvious fault.
29. Receiver readiness. The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server. The receiver should make no effort to return a serve when the receiver is not ready. If a player attempts to return a serve (even if it is a “quick” serve), then the receiver (or receiving team) is presumed to be ready.
30. Delays during service. When the server’s second service motion is interrupted by another ball coming onto the court, the server is entitled to two serves. The time it takes to clear a ball that comes onto the court between the first and second serves is not considered sufficient time to warrant the server receiving two serves unless this time is so prolonged as to constitute an interruption.
31. Server announces score. The server shall announce the game score before the first point of a game and the point score before each subsequent point of the game.
32. Disputes. Disputes over the score shall be resolved by using one of the following methods, which are listed in the order of preference:
37. Grunting. A player should avoid grunting and making other loud noises.
40. Stalling. Stalling violates the continuous play principle of the ITF Rules of Tennis. The following actions constitute stalling:
Tennis BC Code of Conduct http://www.tennisbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Code-of-Conduct-Oct-1-2017-1.pdf
Please see the TENNIS CANADA's rules of the court for more information on rules https://gallery.mailchimp.com/94e1a747206b18dd2c044dc6b/files/da5c5d72-89ee-420b-96b1-9fa8298623d1/RULES_OF_THE_COURT_2019.pdf
You can also reference the USTA Friend at the Court for rules and regulations, many of which are referenced above https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/officiating/2019%20Friend%20at%20Court.pdf
2. Points played in good faith are counted. All points played in good faith stand. For example, if after losing a point, a player discovers that the net was four inches too high, the point stands. If a point is played from the wrong court, there is no replay.
3. Warm-up is not practice. A player should provide the opponent a warm-up of five to ten minutes. If a player declines to warm up the opponent, the player forfeits the right to a warm-up, and the opponent may warm up with another person. Some players confuse warm-up and practice. Each player should try to hit shots directly to the opponent.
5. Player makes calls on own side of net.
7. Ball touching any part of line is good.
8. Ball that cannot be called out is good.
9. Either partner may make calls in doubles.
12. Out calls reversed. A player who calls a ball out shall reverse the call if the player becomes uncertain or realizes that the ball was good. The point goes to the opponent and is not replayed. However, when a receiver reverses a fault call on a serve that hit the net, the server is entitled to two serves.
13. Partners’ disagreement on calls. If one partner calls the ball out and the other partner sees the ball good, the ball is good. It is more important to give opponents the benefit of the doubt than to avoid possibly hurting a partner’s feelings.
18. Let called when ball rolls on court. When a ball from another court enters the playing area, any player on the court affected may call a let.
23. Avoid foot faults. It is a foot fault when a foot just touches the line, even when the player does not follow the serve to the net.
24. Calling foot faults. The receiver or the receiver’s partner may call foot faults only after all reasonable efforts, such as warning the server have failed.
27. Service let calls. Any player may call a service let.
28. Obvious faults. A player shall not put into play or hit over the net an obvious fault.
29. Receiver readiness. The receiver shall play to the reasonable pace of the server. The receiver should make no effort to return a serve when the receiver is not ready. If a player attempts to return a serve (even if it is a “quick” serve), then the receiver (or receiving team) is presumed to be ready.
30. Delays during service. When the server’s second service motion is interrupted by another ball coming onto the court, the server is entitled to two serves. The time it takes to clear a ball that comes onto the court between the first and second serves is not considered sufficient time to warrant the server receiving two serves unless this time is so prolonged as to constitute an interruption.
31. Server announces score. The server shall announce the game score before the first point of a game and the point score before each subsequent point of the game.
32. Disputes. Disputes over the score shall be resolved by using one of the following methods, which are listed in the order of preference:
- Count all points and games agreed upon by the players and replay only disputed points or games
- If the players do not agree, toss a coin or spin a racket
37. Grunting. A player should avoid grunting and making other loud noises.
40. Stalling. Stalling violates the continuous play principle of the ITF Rules of Tennis. The following actions constitute stalling:
- Warming up longer than the allotted time;
- Playing at about one-third a player’s normal pace;
- Taking more than 90 seconds on the odd-game changeover or more than 2 minutes on the set break.
- Taking longer than the time authorized during a rest period;
- Starting a discussion or argument in order to rest;
- Clearing a missed first service that doesn’t need to be cleared;
- Excessive bouncing of a ball before any serve.
Tennis BC Code of Conduct http://www.tennisbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Code-of-Conduct-Oct-1-2017-1.pdf
Please see the TENNIS CANADA's rules of the court for more information on rules https://gallery.mailchimp.com/94e1a747206b18dd2c044dc6b/files/da5c5d72-89ee-420b-96b1-9fa8298623d1/RULES_OF_THE_COURT_2019.pdf
You can also reference the USTA Friend at the Court for rules and regulations, many of which are referenced above https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/officiating/2019%20Friend%20at%20Court.pdf
Rating your skill Level
1.0 This player is just starting to play tennis.
1.5 This player has limited playing experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0 This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5 This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. This player can sustain a slow rally with other players of same ability.
3.0 This player is consistent when hitting medium pace shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks control when trying for directional intent, depth, or power.
3.5 This player has achieved improved stroke dependability and direction on moderate pace shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0 This player has dependable strokes, including directional intent, on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5 This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary tactics according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve and is able to rush the net successfully.
5.0 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls, can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5 This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hits dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 These players will generally not need NRTP rankings. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional or national ranking.
The 6.5 player has a reasonable chance of succeeding at the 7.0 level and has extensive satellite tournament experience.
The 7.0 is a world class player who is committed to tournament competition on the international level and whose major source of income is tournament prize winnings.
1.5 This player has limited playing experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0 This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5 This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. This player can sustain a slow rally with other players of same ability.
3.0 This player is consistent when hitting medium pace shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks control when trying for directional intent, depth, or power.
3.5 This player has achieved improved stroke dependability and direction on moderate pace shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0 This player has dependable strokes, including directional intent, on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident.
4.5 This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary tactics according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve and is able to rush the net successfully.
5.0 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls, can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5 This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hits dependable shots in a stress situation.
6.0 These players will generally not need NRTP rankings. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional or national ranking.
The 6.5 player has a reasonable chance of succeeding at the 7.0 level and has extensive satellite tournament experience.
The 7.0 is a world class player who is committed to tournament competition on the international level and whose major source of income is tournament prize winnings.