CARA Tennis Parent Packet

Windsor Parks, Recreation & Culture 250 11th Street, Windsor, CO 80550 970-674-3500 www.windsorgov.com Weather Line 674-3530

TENNIS 2015 Parent Information Packet

The CARA Tennis program includes Parks & Recreation Departments throughout the state. The CARA Tennis program is intended as an introductory program into the sport of tennis. There is a competitive aspect to CARA but it is well balanced with the learning environment. The match play is particularly helpful in getting the kids to truly understand the game and how it is scored.

This packet should help answer some of your questions about the program, but please feel free to contact any one of the contacts listed below if you need further assistance.

Contacts: Matt Kraus: Recreation Supervisor

970-674-3511

mkraus@windsorgov.com

The CARA Philosophy: The CARA program was created and designed to be a program with a strong recreational format for the non-ranked, non-sanctioned participant. Competition has its place in the program and all participants are encouraged to do their best, but it must be emphasized that this is of secondary importance. The development of skills and sportsmanship, while stressing participation for all and assuring each participant experience some degree of success are the main goals of this program.

Goals and Objectives: 1.

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To ensure the participation of all team members in league play.

To develop a strong sense of sportsmanship and fair play in each player.

To teach the basics of sports skills, as well as, meet/game play to the average participant.

To make participation on a CARA team a fun and enjoyable experience for the players.

To ensure that recreation and its philosophy govern the coaching methods, attitude, and objectives of the coach and team.

Practices: Practices are held Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:00am until 9:00am for the 10 and under from 9:00am until 10:00am for the 11-12 year olds and 10:00am until 11:00am for 13 and over.

Remember, it does get warm out on the courts, even in the morning hours, so please send along a water bottle to every practice. PARENTS, please be sure to check in with one of the coaches before or after practice to get updated information as a result of any last minutes schedule changes that may occur.

Matches: Match play will be on Friday mornings beginning June 13th. Our goal is to match players of relatively equal ability against each other in the matches each week. Note: If your child signs up to play a Friday match, please make every effort to get the child there on time or call the head coach if you have to cancel. If you cancel at the last minute it affects every player from both teams. Please make an effort to keep to your commitments and respect the other players and teams. Parents must provide transportation to and from matches and all participants will need to provide their own racquets.

Cancellations: In most cases, the weather conditions will dictate when a practice or match is canceled. This will be at the discretion of the head coach or the recreation coordinator. If it rains hard during a practice or match, please be sure to come collect your kid(s) as soon as possible. In the event of sever weather or other emergency the kids will be escorted across the street to the

Community/Recreation Center where they will remain until a parent picks them up. If you have any questions about the status of a practice or match, please call the Community/Recreation Center front desk at (970) 674-3500.

State Matches: State is an end of the season fun and friendly competition against other teams in the state.

The state matches will be held during the week of July 20th.

10’s - Mon, July 20: Longmont 12’s - Tues, July 21: Loveland 14’s – Wed, July 22: Greeley 15’s – Thurs, July 23: Thornton Finals - Friday, July 24: Boulder To be eligible for the state matches, a participant must have competed in at least three league matches. Player must be available to play in the semi-finals during the week AND the finals on Friday. Players must be flexible. We will not be providing transportation so please make sure you can get your child to the destination or get a carpool planed before the date. We will give you more information on state closer to these dates.

League Rules: 1.

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Rules of the United States Tennis Association will govern all play, in addition to any rules CARA may establish.

The age of the player on July 31 of the current year determines the age division in which he/she will play. Included are those players eligible to play high school tennis, or who have graduated during the current year. Players currently ranked in the top ten of C.T.A. are ineligible. With the fluctuation in age categories annually represented, the breakdown of teams for singles and doubles will be determined at the beginning of every season, by the Committee, for regular season, district, and state finals. For the state tournament, the following breakdown of positions will be used as a guideline: Participants Ages Categories: Girls & Boys 18 & Under: 4 singles and 1 doubles Girls & Boys 14 & Under: 4 singles and 1 doubles Girls & Boys 12 & Under: 4 singles and 1 doubles Girls & Boys 10 & Under: 4 singles and 1 doubles *More than one player can play at each position – 4 is the deepest position in singles and 1 is the deepest in doubles i.e. you can have 5 kids playing at position 4 for singles. When both teams have additional players in the same age group, they may be scheduled to play an official match. This will count as one of the required for qualification to play in the State tournament.

Departments that have more than one team should be as equally matched as possible.

Switching players from one team to another may be done to fill voids or time conflicts.

The team coach shall determine the player positions, placement to be based on player ability. Singles - best player is #1, etc; doubles - to be considered separate from singles.

Doubles shall not be considered as playing down. A player’s position need not be filled if he is absent.

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When a team is short of players in comparison to the opposing players, players on that team may play twice.

Match Format: 1.

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The no-ad scoring system will be used in all matches.

Children 10 & under will play their matches on a 60’ tennis court, using the orange transitional ball. Not all towns have added the 60’ lines to a court location. If a town is hosting and does not have 60’ lines, teams can work together to a) use temporary lines available on many tennis websites, b) use chalk, c) use tape made for sticking to such surfaces. Players will play a 9-game pro-set. (First to 9 games winning by a 2-game margin). When tied at 9-9, a 7-point tiebreaker (1st to 7, winning by 2), will be played to determine the winner.

Children between 11 & 12, (12 & under) will play their matches on a 78’ regulation court, using a green transitional ball. Players will play a 9-game pro-set. (First to 9 games winning by a 2-game margin). When tied at 9-9, a 7-point tiebreaker (1st to 7, winning by 2), will be played to determine the winner.

13 & Older will play their matches on a 78’ regulation court, using a regulation tennis ball.

Matches are the best 2 out of 3 sets. The first 2 sets will be played to 6 games, winning by a 2-game margin. Should the set become tied at 6-all, a 7-point set tie-break (first to 7, winning by 2) will be played to determine the winner. In the event a 3rd set is necessary, and in the interest of time, another set tie-break will be played to determine the winner.

CARA’s philosophy concerning the use of tie-breakers is to use the same tiebreak regardless of whether it is a set tie-break or a match tie-break, to keep things consistent for our entry level to competition players.

Explanation - Singles: Tie-Break a. A player who first wins 7 points shall win the game and the set, provided that he leads by a margin of 2 points. If the score reaches 6 points all, the game shall be extended until this margin has been achieved. Numerical scoring shall be used throughout the tiebreakers. b. The player whose turn it is to serve shall be the server for the first point which is delivered from the right (deuce) court. His opponent shall be the server for the second and third points (delivered from the left or called the ad court, then right or called the deuce court), and thereafter each player shall serve alternately for two consecutive points (left or ad court, right or deuce court) until the winner of the game has been decided. c. Players shall change ends after every 6 points and at the conclusion of the tiebreaker. NOTE: After any change of end the server will be serving his second serving point. d. The player (or pair in case of doubles) whose turn it was to serve first in the tiebreaker game shall receive service in the first game of the following set.

Explanation - Doubles: Tie-Break a. In doubles, the procedure for singles shall apply. The player whose turn it is to serve shall be the first point. Thereafter each player shall serve in rotation for 2 points, in the same order as previously in that set, until the winners of the game and set has been decided. b. Players change ends after every 6 points and at the conclusion of the tiebreaker.

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c. The player (or pair in the case of doubles) whose turn it was to serve first in the tiebreaker game shall receive service in the first game of the following set.

In lieu of time, rain, or heat being a factor, the site director may alter the format for match play during the regular season, and at the district and state tournament for the welfare of safety of the participants.

Make-up of rainouts is encouraged if time and scheduling allows. Decisions on make-ups are left to the departments concerned.

State Information State is an end of the season fun and friendly competition against other teams in the state. To be eligible for the state matches, a participant must have competed in at least 3 league matches. Player must be available to play in the semi-finals during the week AND the finals on Friday. Players must be flexible. We will give you more information on state closer to these dates. We will not be providing transportation so please make sure you can get your child to the destination or get a carpool planed before the date.

Q&A: -Do I have to win the matches I played during the season to play in state?

NO. You only have to participate in 3 matches to be qualified for state.

-Do I have to be available for Friday’s match?

YES. You must be able to be in both your age groups day during the week and Friday.

-How many games will I play in the state tournament?

It just depends on how many other children are playing in the same age group and bracket. You may play 1 to 4 games in a day. If you win all your matches you will play one or two games on Friday.

-If I lose a match during the tournament am I out?

Yes. It is single elimination. (In rare cases there may be a round robin if few players are signed up for your age group.)

-Am I responsible for getting my child to the matches?

Yes. Coaches will not be providing transportation so please make sure you can get your child to the destination or get a carpool planed before the match. Please make plans ahead of time.

-Can my child play singles and doubles?

NO. They must pick one.

-When do I have to arrive at the courts for matches?

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your match. This way we can make sure everyone is ready to play and we can get you on earlier if a court opens up.

-What if I get lost on my way to a match or know that I will be late?

Please call your coach and notify them immediately. Please make sure you have directions and avoid being late as best as you can.

-When is the last date I can sign up for state?

The deadline is July 8th. Once we sign you up for state you must commit.

-When will I find out when my child will play?

Coaches will receive the match times typically a week before the tournament. We will get the times to you as soon as the schedulers send them out.

-Can I coach my child during the state competition?

No. Only coaches may coach a child while they are playing a match. Please notify a coach if you have questions or concerns.

-Will there be coaches on the courts during my child’s match?

Coaches will stand on a court only if players are having problems with scoring or other problems.

-Can I request a time to play during the state matches?

If you absolutely need a specific time, please let your coach know way ahead of time so they may tell the people scheduling. The people arranging the matches have a lot of kids to keep track of and will not cater to everyone’s schedule. You must be flexible during state and if you can’t be flexible then do not sign up for state.

-Are there prizes for this tournament?

YES. There are prizes for first and second place winners and will be handed out right after games on Friday’s match.

-Is my child ranked for the state tournament?

YES. Coaches rank the kids 1-4 on their playing abilities. Coaches determine this from practices and Friday matches. We do this so everyone is matched as evenly as possible.