Junior Tournament Guide by ustamissourivalley

Guide to Junior Tournaments for Players and Spectators

JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS

WHEN SHOULD I START PLAYING IN TOURNAMENTS?

• You are between the ages of 7 and 10, have played the USTA Junior Circuit and have completed the Play Tracker requirements.

• You are between the ages of 11 and 18 and have competed in the USTA Junior Circuit.

• You have played high school tennis.

WHERE SHOULD I START?

After players have achieved success in USTA Junior Circuit events, they may want to explore USTA Junior Tournaments. We strongly recommend beginning at Level 7 tournaments, an intermediate level competitive tournament that guarantees multiple matches in one day.

WHAT ARE THE SEVEN LEVELS OF COMPETITION?

The structure of USTA Junior Tournaments utilizes seven levels of events, ranging from Level 7 (Intermediate) to Level 1 (National Championships) and a universal ranking system that distributes points consistently across the country.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM READY TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

There are different philosophies for advancing through competition, but one universal principle is that a player should only advance to the next level if they are consistently winning more matches than they are losing.

TOURNAMENT PATHWAY SKILLS

Levels 1, 2, 3 Open: National Tournaments

You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation.

Level 3 Closed: Section Tournaments

You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys. You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overheads and have good depth and spin on most second serves.

Level 4: Section Tournaments

You have developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. The player has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents. You can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. You tend to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Level 5: Section Tournaments

You can vary the use of pace and spins, has effective court coverage, can control depth of shots, and are able to develop game plans according to strengths and weakness. You can hit the first serve with power and accuracy and can place the second serve. You have good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which his or her game can be structured. You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and put away volleys. You tend to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Level 6: District Tournaments

You are fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks accuracy when trying for directional control, depth, pace or altering distance of shots. You are more comfortable at the net, have improved court awareness, and are developing teamwork in doubles. At this level, you may start to utilize mental skills related to concentration, tactics and strategy.

Level 7: District Tournaments

You are learning to judge where the oncoming ball is going and how much swing is needed to return in consistently. Movement to the ball and recovery are often not efficient. You can sustain a backcourt rally of slow pace with other players of similar ability and is beginning to develop strokes. You are becoming more familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles, and are ready to play social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments. You have the ability to keep score independently.

SECTION TOURNAMENTS

SELECTION & SEEDING

L5 SELECTION HYBRID METHOD

• L3 CLOSED and L4: The current published National Standings List at the entry deadline

• L5 selection: A hybrid method using the current published National Standings List and the World Tennis Number (WTN) at the entry deadline

• L5 seeding: The current published National Standings List at the entry deadline

SCORING

Singles Main Draw: Best of 3 with Match Tiebreak in lieu of 3rd, Ad Scoring

Singles Consolation: Best of 3 with Match Tiebreak in lieu of 3rd, No Ad Scoring

Doubles: 8-Game Pro Set, No Ad Scoring

ENTRY DEADLINES

Wednesdays at 4:59 PM CST

L3 CLOSED

OUTDOOR

RALLY IN THE VALLEY

Draw Size: limited to 16 players

Singles: compass draw

Doubles: single elimination

INDOOR & OUTDOOR

Draw Size: limited to 32 players

Singles: feed-in through R16 with 3-4 and 5-6 playoffs

Doubles: single elimination

INDOOR

Draw Size: limited to 16 players

Singles: compass draw

Doubles: single elimination

OUTDOOR

Draw Size: limited to 24 players

Singles: feed-in through R16 with 3-4 and 5-6 playoffs

Doubles: single elimination

OUTDOOR FLIGHTED

Draw Size: limited to 32 players

Singles: compass draw

Doubles: single elimination

L3 CLOSED, L4, L5

SELECTION

• L3 CLOSED TEAM: The player’s current published National Standings List at the entry deadline

• L4 TEAM and L5 TEAM: The team’s combined current published National Standings List at the entry deadline

SEEDING/SCORECARD POSITION

• L3 CLOSED, L4 and L5: The current published World Tennis Number (WTN) player’s rating at the entry deadline

ENTRY DEADLINES

Wednesdays at 4:59 PM CST

L3 CLOSED

TEAM

Draw Size: limited to 24 players (12 teams)

Draw Format: Round Robin with playoffs - 2 groups of 6 teams

BG12-14: Each team consists of 3 players from each age division, boys and girls

BG16-18: Each team consists of 3 players from each age division.

TEAM

Draw Size: limited to 16 players (8 teams)

Draw Format: Round Robin with playoffs

Gendered Dominant Duo

TEAM

Draw Size: limited to 16 players (8 teams)

Draw Format: Round Robin with playoffs

Mixed Dominant Duo

SECTION TOURNAMENTS - DOUBLES

RULES AND REGULATIONS

HOW TO REGISTER TO PLAY DOUBLES:

• Please make every effort to secure a partner before the Singles entry deadline.

• A player must play in the same age division in singles and doubles.

Click on the links listed below for instructions on how to add/find a partner at the time of registration or after registering for the event but before the registration deadline:

To Invite/Find A Partner While Registering For An Event

Invite A Doubles Partner After Registration From Your USTA Account

Setting Yourself Up As Looking For A Partner After Registration

AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE INTO THE DOUBLES DRAW:

1. A player who invited their doubles partner through Serve Tennis and a player who accepted the doubles invitation from that player through Serve Tennis before selections and;

2. Both players are in the Main Singles draw.

• If you no longer wish to play doubles, please withdraw from the Doubles event prior to noon on Sunday after the Singles entry deadline.

Click on the link listed below for instructions on how to add/find a partner after registration has closed. Any doubles pairing not confirmed in Serve Tennis prior to the singles entry deadline must be confirmed by noon on Sunday after the Singles online entry deadline with the tournament director.

FIND A DOUBLES PARTNER

LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Online registration is required and needs to be completed before the entry deadline.

PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION

For a technical problem, contact the USTA Missouri Valley Junior Competition Department at bazan@movalley.usta.com or 913-322-4832 BEFORE THE ENTRY DEADLINE. If calling, be sure to leave a voicemail. The time stamp on the email or the voicemail needs to be BEFORE the entry deadline.

DRAW POSTING

To ensure that we don’t have to redo the draw because of a higher-than-normal number of tournament withdrawals, we will post the Singles and Doubles draw by noon 2 days before the start of the tournament.

MULTIPLE AGE DIVISION REGISTRATION

• A player may be registered for no more than two age divisions. The USTA Missouri Valley selects players for the singles main draws in the following order: 18, 16, 14, 12. Unless otherwise notified at bazan@movalley.usta.com, a player entered in two divisions will be placed in the older age division should the player qualify for both divisions.

• A player must play in the same age division in singles and doubles.

• When a draw does not fill, alternates may opt to play up or down a division as long as they are age-eligible and do not invalidate the seeds.

TOURNAMENT WITHDRAWAL AND REFUNDS

Before Entry Deadline - Withdraws and Refunds

Please withdraw through the player profile on USTA.com before the entry deadline. Click on the “Withdraw” link in the Edit Registration box to complete. Your credit card will not be charged if you withdraw before the entry deadline. Click on the “Locate Confirmation Number” link if you have misplaced the confirmation number.

After the Entry Deadline - Withdraws and Refunds

Withdrawals done after the entry deadline must be emailed to the tournament director at the address above. Refunds are not given for withdraws that happen 6 days before the start of the event. Written verification must be provided by a medical professional by the last scheduled day of the tournament for a withdrawal due to illness or injury. A written notice of the situation must be provided by the last scheduled day of the tournament for a withdrawal due to personal circumstances/emergency. The tournament committee will determine whether the situation is a personal circumstance/emergency. Failure to provide documentation will result in Suspension Points.

CONCURRENT TOURNAMENTS

Player shall not enter two tournaments at the same time. When entries close, a player shall not be entered in two or more sanctioned tournaments if any part of the tournaments overlap unless each Tournament Committee involved understands the situation and concurs in writing. After a player has been eliminated from a tournament whose play schedule partially overlaps with that of a second tournament, the player may enter the second tournament.

SPECTATOR POLICY

Our top priority at USTA Missouri Valley is to ensure our junior tournament space remains safe and enjoyable for our players. We have seen a rise in incidents involving spectators, prompting us to develop a Spectator Policy effective January 1st to address this issue. Please click here to learn more about the policy and the consequences that may arise if the expectations are not met. 9

PLAYER CODE

The Code for Players

THE TENNIS PLAYER WILL:

• Play fairly and have fun.

• Abide by The Code and USTA rules.

• Respect officials and accept their decisions.

• ALWAYS give benefit of doubt on a call to your opponent.

• Use your best efforts in competitive matches.

• Refrain from the use of bad language and inappropriate gestures.

• Refrain from ball/racquet abuse.

• Refrain from the use of coaching during competition.

• Never use unfair or bullying tactics to gain advantage on or off the court.

• Respect opponents and always shake hands at the end of a match.

• Win with grace and lose with dignity.

PARENT GUIDE

Tournament Parent/Spectator Guide

P G TOURNAMENT PARENT / SPECTATOR GUIDE

TOURNAMENT PREPARATION

Ensure your child has all their equipment including a racquet, suitable clothing (shorts, t- shirts and a hat/sunscreen if they are playing outside), tennis shoes and water.

Ensure your player has all their equipment including a racquet, suitable clothing (shorts, t-shirts and a hat/sunscreen if they are playing outside), tennis shoes and water.

Talk to your child about the importance of fair play and enjoyment, ensuring they try their best and focus on any goals they have worked on with their coach in training.

Talk to your player about the importance of fair play and enjoyment, ensuring they try their best and focus on any goals they have worked on with their coach in training.

Check the tournament home page frequently for any updates on schedule, draws or other relevant tournament information.

Allow enough time for your journey including allowances for delays. If you are going to be delayed, let the tournament director know as soon as possible.

Allow journey including allowances delays. If you are going to be delayed, let the tournament director know as soon as

Remember that tennis matches vary in length, so be prepared for a wait, particularly if a tournament has been affected by bad weather.

Your child should avoid playing if they are injured or ill. They need to give their body time to recover properly from injury or illness.

Your player should avoid playing if they are injured or ill. They need to give their body time to recover properly from injury or illness.

Make sure your player is committed to playing and completing the tournament in its entirety. Withdrawing from a tournament without a valid excuse can result in a player being penalized.

Make sure your child is committed to playing and completing the tournament in its entirety. Withdrawing from a tournament without a valid excuse can result in a player being penalized.

Do not expect the tournament to wait for you if you are running late. Depending on the tournament schedule, the referee may or may not be able to delay the match.

• Point your player to the tournament at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled match time and remain close by for the tournament director to call your match.

• Point your player to the tournament desk at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled match time and remain close by for the tournament director to call your match.

Check in to the tournament desk at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled match time and remain close by while waiting for the tournament director to call your match.

Help your child to stay calm and relaxed and check that they have everything that they need to take onto the court.

• Help your player stay calm and relaxed and check that they have everything that they need to take onto the court.

• Make sure your child has plenty of water and uses the restroom before going on court.

• Make sure your player has plenty of water and uses the restroom before going on court.

Encourage your child to stretch and warm up off court, as the on -court warm - up is limited to five minutes.

• Encourage your player to stretch and warm up off court, as the on-court warm-up is limited to five minutes.

• Confirm that your player knows what scoring format is being used and check with the tournament referee if unsure.

• Confirm that your child knows what scoring format is being used and check with the tournament referee if unsure.

• Ensure each player is responsible for calling all out-balls on their side of the net clearly and fairly even if it costs them the point. Such calls should be clearly audible or a hand signal may be used.

Each player is responsible for calling all out-balls on their side of the net clearly and fairly even if it costs them the point. Such calls should be clearly audible or a hand signal may be used.

• Reinforce your player serving to call the score before every point clearly and audibly.

• Swearing, throwing racquets/balls in temper or behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner is unacceptable and can result in a player being penalized.

Swearing, throwing racquets/balls in temper or behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner is unacceptable and can result in a player being penalized.

The player serving should call the score before every point clearly and audibly.

• Reinforce your player serving to call the score before every point clearly and audibly.

• Teach your player to always treat their opponent with respect. Good sportsmanship and honesty are extremely important regardless of whether they win or lose.

• Teach your child to always treat their opponent with respect. Good sportsmanship and honesty are extremely important regardless of whether they win or lose.

• Encourage your player to raise their racquet for a referee or official if there is an issue.

• Encourage your child to raise their racquet for a referee or official if there is an issue.

• Make sure your player shakes their opponent’s hand no matter the outcome.

• Make sure your child shakes their opponent’s hand no matter the outcome.

• Check that your player reports the match score to the tournament desk even if they lost.

• Check that your child reports the match score to the tournament desk even if they lost.

• Have your player find out the next match time. The number of matches your player plays will depend on the draw format.

• Have your child find out the next match time. The number of matches your child plays will depend on the draw format.

• Coaching your player during a match is not allowed, but feel free to show other signs of encouragement and support between points.

Coaching your child during a match is not allowed, but feel free to show other signs of encouragement and support between points.

• If you can, make sure to watch their whole match regardless of their performance.

If you can, make sure to watch their whole match regardless of their performance.

• Be prepared to wait between matches and be patient with the tournament director who will always try and get matches on court as soon as possible.

Be prepared to wait between matches and be patient with the tournament director who will always try and get matches on court as soon as possible.

• Encourage consistent positive behavior from your player regardless of the result.

Encourage consistent positive behavior from your child regardless of the result.

• Remember to thank the tournament officials and staff. They are hardworking, dedicated people and many are volunteers.

Remember to thank the tournament officials. They are hardworking, dedicated people and many are volunteers.

SPECTATOR POLICY

In an effort to promote a more enjoyable and fair experience for all, the following policy is in immediate force and effect, and shall be diligently and stringently enforced. USTA Missouri Valley has implemented a “ZERO TOLERANCE” policy for improper behavior.

1. Any attempt by a spectator to speak to an official/tournament director regarding a line call or other ruling during match play shall be cause for immediate removal from the playing area and, if warranted, from the premises.

2. Any spectator behavior deemed unacceptable towards a player, other spectator or staff member shall be cause for immediate removal from the playing area or the entire premises. If said behavior is directed towards a player, either before, during or after a tournament, it shall result in an automatic and immediate suspension of that spectator’s right to attend USTA Missouri Valley tournaments, for a period of time to be determined by the USTA Missouri Valley Grievance Committee.

3. Refusal to adhere to a removal request shall trigger immediate enforcement of the point penalty system against the player with whom the spectator is involved (per point penalty system regulations), including possible immediate default.

4. The On-Site official/tournament director is the SOLE judge regarding unacceptable behavior. Umpire/spectator communication, whether it be about a ruling or any other facet of a tennis event is prohibited while a match is in progress. Being a parent, coach, etc. does not endow special privileges. With the only exception of the right to remove their own child from competition at any time, a parent or coach is merely a spectator. REMOVAL IS NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL.

We’re excited to relaunch the SuperSport campaign, which first began in 2024 in partnership with USTA Missouri Valley and the Match Tennis App. This initiative promotes sportsmanship in tennis tournaments and aims to create a positive environment for all participants, regardless of their age or skill level. The winner of the 2026 SuperSport campaign will receive the Grand Prize trip for two to the 2027 US Open.