KWTA Banner
About Us
Board Members
Tryout Schedule
Season Schedule
Level Winners
Luncheon
Ham N Eggs
Rules
Contact Us
Home
RULES AND REGULATIONS (Revised Spring/05)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Kirkwood Park Tennis Rules

USTA On-Court Rules


 KWTA General Rules
...Section 1
 Governing Board
...Section 2 Membership
...Section 3
 Regular Season Play
...Section 4 End of Season Score Calculations
...Section 5 Moving Up and Moving Down
...Section 6 LOA (Leave of Absence)
...Section 7
 Openings

...Section 8
Screenings and Tryouts
Back to Top
As of April 1, 1996, all persons wanting to play on the Kirkwood Park tennis courts must have a season photo identification permit (I.D. CARD). Permits must be purchased at the Kirkwood Community Center. Regular players are required to pay KWTA a permit fee which covers league play. If a regular player wants to use the Kirkwood Park tennis courts other than their assigned league play time, they must obtain a season photo identification card. Credit will be given towards the purchase of a season permit by Kirkwood Parks and Recreation up to the amount paid to the league. The season permit cost is:
Kirkwood Resident
Non-Resident
Daily Rate
$3.00
$4.00
Individual Permit
$25.00
$50.00
Family Permit
$40.00
$65.00
Senior Permit
$12.50
$12.50
Non League Use Of Kirkwood Park Tennis Courts: All players must register individually with the attendant at the Tennis Shack before entering or using any court. This rule is enforced. Playing time begins per assignment, not when play starts. No player may be registered for additional court time while engaged in play. Players must wear regulation tennis shoes. The courts are to be used for tennis only.
Back to Top

USTA ON-COURT RULES
  • If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good. You should not play a let. Any "out" or "let" call must be made instantaneously, otherwise ball continues in play.

  • It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when she requests it, and to call against yourself any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent's side of the net.

  • To avoid controversy over the score, the Server should announce the game score (e.g., thirty-forty) prior to serving each point. If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point, or they may spin a racket.

  • Foot faults are not allowed.

  • Do not stall, sulk, complain, or practice gamesmanship.

  • Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball.
(Excerpted from the official USTA Publication)
Back to Top

KWTA GENERAL RULES
SECTION 1: GOVERNING BOARD
The Association will have a Governing Board which will consist of:

President
Level Chair
Assistant Level Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Social Chair
Publicity Chair
Board Advisor (past president)

Rules Committee: All problems will be brought before the Rules Committee, which consists of the President, Level Chair, Assistant Level Chair and at least one of the Captains of the level involved in the conflict.
Back to Top

Each board position is filled by one person and has one vote, which means there are eight (8) board positions for a term of 1 year. All Board Members will report to the other board members at the Spring and Fall Board Meetings.

It is the privilege AND responsibility of the current board members to select their replacements with a member that has the proper experience, integrity and ability to fill the position and the desire to serve the league. The board"s responsibility is to uphold the mission and standing reputation of the league as a well run, cohesive organization and to make decisions that represent the best interest of the organization as a whole.
Back to Top

The duties of each position follow.
President
  • Support and uphold the KWTA Rules and Regulations.
  • Chair and host meetings.
  • Mid-January, secure courts at Community Center for tryouts and league play.
  • Review website and submit updates to webmaster.
  • Know each board member’s duties and hold members accountable for fulfilling those duties.
  • Inform Captains of KWTA Rules and Regulations, instructions on league play, and the season's calendar of events.
  • Review the rules in their entirety at least every other year at the Spring board meeting.
  • File records of LOAs including effective dates.
  • Keep records of leadership positions held by members including Board Members and Captains.
  • The President's position for the next season must be filled by someone currently serving on the Board, or by someone who has served on the Board in the past.
  • The previous President will serve as Board Advisor the following year and attend all Board meetings.
  • Facilitate rule changes.
    Back to Top
Level Chairs
  • Compiles a folder for each Captain with a copy of the Duties of the Captains and necessary forms.
  • Direct new players to Captains of each level for screenings.
  • Run tryouts and maintain level rosters of regular and substitute players to give to Secretary for Buzz Book.
  • Distributes rosters, 3 small spiral notebooks and pens, score boards and calculation sheets at New Captains Meeting.
  • Be familiar with KWTA Rules and Regulations and refer to them and past Level Chairs or Presidents in questionable situations.
  • Assume responsibility for collecting and keeping records of play (poster boards) of all levels after the season ends. (Keep boards for 2 years)
  • Maintain records of LOAs including effective dates; submit Year End Rosters to President.
  • Recalculate end of season scores and order and award trophies.
  • Assist the Captains with questions and issues on their level.
  • Assistant Level will fill Level Chair position the following year.
    Back to Top
Secretary
  • Keep and type records including an updated copy of the KWTA Rules and Regulations with approved changes for distribution to Board Members.
  • Maintain history of Rules and their changes.
  • Coordinate and type the Buzz Book and distribute through the Captains.
  • Maintain history of Buzz Books.
  • Inform other members of meetings and other necessary correspondence at President's request.
  • Keep minutes of meetings.
  • Send flowers, condolence and birth cards (immediate family only) at President's request.
    Back to Top
Treasurer
  • Provides list of paid regular players to Kirkwood Parks by May 15th and sends a copy to the President of the league.
  • Keep accurate account of the KWTA funds and records of receipts and payments.
  • Reimburse members for approved expenses.
    Back to Top
Social Chair
  • Organize and run the Ham & Eggs Tournament and the Fall Luncheon.
  • Organize sales of items to members.
    Back to Top
Publicity Chair
  • Promote KWTA to experienced and new players in the community.
  • Follow timeline in Publicity Chair Folder.
  • Type & update brochure insert with current information in coordination with Level Chairs and distribute to Kirkwood Parks, nearby tennis clubs, grocery stores, public and private schools, etc.
  • Print new brochures & flyers when needed.
  • Place advertisement in Kirkwood Community Newsletter, Glendale newsletter, all R-7 school newsletters, press releases to community newspapers, and place flyers on bulletin boards in grocery stores, health clubs, private schools, and YMCA if possible.
  • Inform tennis club pros that there is a league in Kirkwood that welcomes beginners.
  • Beginning of February contact the Kirkwood Community Center to post KWTA League screening announcement and Level Chairs names & telephone numbers on corner sign.
  • Assist Secretary with Buzz Book.
    Back to Top

SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP
Eligibility: Effective November 2001, only women who live in the Cities of Kirkwood, Glendale and Oakland, and/or the Kirkwood R-7 School District will qualify for new membership as a regular or substitute player. Players who move out of the membership area may remain a KWTA member as a regular or substitute as long as they are active.
Back to Top

Requirements: Every season regular players are required to:
  • Pay KWTA dues of fifteen dollars. ($15)
  • Pay KWTA a tennis bell fee of ten dollars. ($10)
  • Pay KWTA a Kirkwood Park Tennis Permit Fee of twenty-five dollars. ($25)

    • Back to Top
Levels of Ability: The KWTA will consist of nine (9) levels, which will be coordinated as follows:
  • Each level will have two (2) Captains, each with one (1) year terms. New Captains will be selected for the next season at the Fall Luncheon and every effort should be made to assure that at least one Captain is not new to the league.
  • The number of regular players in each of the nine (9) levels may not exceed twelve (12).
  • All KWTA league play must be played at the Kirkwood Park tennis courts, at the day and time assigned.
    Back to Top
Duties of the Level Captains: The duties of the level captains are as follows.
  • Attend all captain's meetings.
  • Communicate all league information to the players on their level.
  • Collect and distribute all league materials, dues, fees, buzz books, weekly rotation etc. to the players on their level.
  • Keep a record of the players scores.
  • Calculate the end of season scores.
  • Recruit a successor captain.
  • Screen all new players.
  • Provide fill-in players for spring tryouts.
    Back to Top


SECTION 3: REGULAR SEASON PLAY
Courts: The Kirkwood Park Board has reserved six (6) courts for the KWTA.
Back to Top

Levels: Levels are as follows:
A Division - A1, A2, A3
B Division - B1, B2, B3
C Division - C1, C2, C3
Back to Top

Schedule: Days and times for regular season play:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
A3, B2 A2, B3 C1, C3 A1, C2 B1



Warm-Up Time* Start Time
Spring & Fall 9:00 am 9:15 am
Summer** 7:30 am 7:45 am
Play takes approximately 2 hours


*Warm-up time will be fifteen (15) minutes before the appointed start time.
All players are required to report at the start of warm-up time. (see tardiness)

**Summer schedule begins and ends on the first and last full weeks, respectively, of Kirkwood R-7 School District's summer vacation period.

After completing a match, the KWTA player may not sign up again for a court until after 11:00 am.
Back to Top

Season: The season will start the first full week of May and continues through the last full week of September. The league breaks from regular season play for the following weeks: Memorial Day, July 4th and labor Day.

The Friday level (B1) and the Monday levels (A3, B2) are allowed to switch play to these holiday weeks if more convenient and only with unanimous decision per level. Play must be at the same time and day of the week allotted for that level.

There will be a Fall Awards Luncheon in October where trophies will be presented to winners of each level.
Back to Top

Court Play: Each foursome will play twenty four (24) games, eight (8) games with each player on that court. After four (4) games, players change ends of the court and must move from backhand to forehand positions (or vice versa). One (1) point will be awarded for each game won. Scores will be recorded each week on a chart by both Captains.

During the matches, players may not leave the court, except for five (5) minutes between the second (2nd) and third (3rd) sets of eight (8) games.
Back to Top

Rotation Chart
Round

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
repeat
 Court 1

6-8 vs 7-9
1-2 vs 10-3
1-4 vs 10-5
12-3 vs 5-6
11-7 vs 12-2
10-4 vs 12-8
1-6 vs 12-4
1-9 vs 11-5
4-8 vs 5-7
10-11 vs 5-7
11-12 vs 2-3
2-5 vs 4-9
1-10 Vs 6-9
1-2 vs 7-8
3-8 vs 5-6
2-9 vs 3-8
10-3 vs 12-6
 Court 2

2-4 vs 3-5
12-8 vs 5-9
11-8 vs 2-6
1-7 vs 10-8
1-8 vs 3-4
11-9 vs 3-6
10-7 vs 2-9
10-4 vs 3-7
1-12 vs 11-9
12-2 vs 4-6
1-5 vs 6-7
10-8 vs 11-6
11-4 vs 3-7
10-3 vs 12-5
12-9 vs 4-7
10-12 vs 11-7
2-5 vs 7-9
Court 3

1-11 vs 10-12
11-6 vs 4-7
12-7 vs 3-9
11-2 vs 4-9
10-6 vs 5-9
1-5 vs 2-7
11-3 vs 5-8
12-6 vs 2-8
10-6 vs 2-3
1-3 vs 8-9
10-9 vs 4-8
1-3 vs 12-7
12-5 vs 2-8
11-4 vs 6-9
1-11 vs 10-2
1-6 vs 4-5
1-4 vs 11-8
Back to Top

Rain-outs, Illness & Injury: It is the Captains responsibility to call a Rain-Out for their level, no later than the start time and to notify their players and substitutes. Rained out matches (that round) will not be made up, move to next week's rotation. However, if rain or weather stops any league play in progress, play will be resumed from the point at which it was halted.*

In the case of illness or injury during play, all complete or partial scores will be nullified and the entire match will be played over.*

*There is a two (2) week limit (or end of season, whichever comes first) for finishing a match or for playing the match over.
Back to Top

Tardiness: A player is tardy if she is more than five (5) minutes late for the appointed warm-up time. Start time remains as scheduled regardless of a tardy player.
  • For the first tardy, the player receives a warning.
  • For the second tardy, the player receives a zero (0) for the match.
  • If a player is not present by the start time, she is considered absent and receives a zero (0) for the match.
    Back to Top
Absences: It is the duty of each regular player to get a substitute (see substitutes) if unable to play on the day or time as scheduled AND inform a Captain of the substitute's name and telephone number. A substitute's game score will not be credited to the regular player's score. The absent player will receive a zero (0). If a player is absent and a substitute is not present, she will receive a zero (0) even if she plays in the rescheduled match.

A PLAYER MAY NOT MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH HER FOURSOME TO PLAY AT ANOTHER TIME TO AVOID GETTING A SUBSTITUTE AND TAKING A ZERO.

A player is allowed four (4) absences for the entire season (see scoring). A player must obtain permission from the President prior to a fifth (5th) absence. If a player fails to get permission, she will be moved to the substitute list for her level. If a sixth (6th) absence occurs, the player will be dropped to the substitute list.

If there are as many as four players absent on a level, there must be substitutes filling in for these players rather than changing the rotation and eliminating one whole court of play. Play must be completed in the usual manner according to the specific match on the "Rotation Sheet."

* The first time an absent player does not send a substitute, she will be given a warning from her Captains and she must arrange the rescheduled match. There is a two (2) week limit (or end of season, whichever comes first) for playing the rescheduled match.

* The second time an absent player does not send a substitute during that season, she will lose her regular player status and be added to the substitute list for her level.

* If she is already a substitute, she will be dropped for the season.
Back to Top

Substitutes: A player must call all the substitutes on her own level before calling the substitutes from the level above or regular players from the level below.

A substitute's name may appear only on the substitute list of the level for which she is screened. She automatically becomes eligible to substitute for the level directly below.

Regular players may only substitute for the level directly above their own level.

A substitute who has not played for three (3) years must be re-screened (see Screening and Tryouts) to keep the substitute list up to date. If a substitute wins 40 percent (40%) or more of the games she plays in a season, she can be considered rescreened as of that year (See Scoring: Substitutes).
Back to Top


SECTION 4: End of Season Score Calculations
Regular Players: End of season score for each regular player is calculated as follows:
  1. Calculate the total number of games each player won and then subtract the player's three (3) lowest match scores or zeroes to determine PLAYER TOTAL.
  2. Count the number of weeks the level played (do not include rain-outs) and subtract three (3) weeks, then multiply that number by twenty four (24) to determine the LEVEL TOTAL.
  3. Divide the PLAYER TOTAL by the LEVEL TOTAL to calculate the player's end of season score. To express as a percentage, take the score and multiply it by 100 and round to two decimal places or the nearest hundredth.
    Back to Top
Players Moving Mid-Season: A player who joined a level after the season started will have her score figured as follows:
  1. Calculate the total number of games the player won to determine PLAYER TOTAL. She may not drop any low scores. Her first 3 zeroes for the entire season may be dropped if they occurred in the current level. (If unsure, ask Level Chair for assistance.)
  2. Count the number of weeks the player played. If any of the player's first three (3) zeroes are in the current level, do not include them as weeks played. Any additional zeroes will be counted as weeks played. Multiply the number of weeks played by twenty four (24) to determine the GAMES PLAYED TOTAL.
  3. Divide the PLAYER TOTAL by the GAMES PLAYED TOTAL to calculate the player's end of season score. To express as a percentage, take the score and multiply it by 100 and round to two decimal places or the nearest hundredth.
  4. She will be eligible to finish among the top four positions if she has played sixty percent (60%) of her current level's total games played. To calculate, divide GAMES PLAYED TOTAL by the LEVEL TOTAL.
    Back to Top
Substitutes: The Captains must keep a record of each substitute's scores to determine if a substitute is placed correctly on the level's sub-list. A substitute must win at least forty percent (40%) of the games she plays in a season (divide games won by games played). If the substitute does not win forty percent (40%), she must be rescreened in order for her name to appear as a substitute for that level in the next season (See substitutes). If she chooses, she may move to the next lowest level as a substitute instead of rescreening.
Back to Top

LOAs: (See Section #6 LOA)
Back to Top


SECTION 5: MOVING UP AND MOVING DOWN
Moving Up: The two (2) highest scoring players of each level will move to the next level up for the following season. A Singles Play-off will occur when there is a tie for second (2nd) place. If there are three (3) openings in the level above, and there is a tie for second place, both second (2nd) place winners move up.
Back to Top

Moving Down: The eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) place players of each level will move to the next lowest level for the following season. After the two (2) winners from the level below have moved up, level openings will be filled by the eleventh (11th) & twelfth (12th) place players if they have won forty percent (40%) or more of their games (See Openings). Players from C3 will move to the sub list if they have won less than forty percent (40%) of their games.

If a tie needs to be broken in moving up or moving down, the singles play-off and any other tie-breaking situation shall be coordinated by the Level Chair(s). Participants will play an eight (8) game pro-set, winning by two (2) games and using regular Ad scoring (See Level Chair Duties).

8 Game Pro Set
  • Tie breaker consisting of eight games
  • Racket toss
  • Start serving on add court
  • Switch after 4 games
  • Win by 2
    Back to Top

SECTION 6: LOA (LEAVE OF ABSENCE)
Leave of Absence: A Leave of Absence (LOA) will be considered anytime during the playing season. Each player is allowed one LOA every five (5) years or by the discretion of the Rules Committee. Pregnancy LOAs will be granted on a unlimited basis.

Players requesting an LOA will secure a substitute until a Regular Player is assigned by the Level Chairs from the Move-up List. If the effective date of her LOA is after July 31, she will be required to secure substitute(s) until the end of the season.

An LOA player may return the following season as a regular player if an opening is available before tryouts. If more than one LOA player per level is returning, her status will be based on the effective date. First out, first in will apply. If there is not an opening available, the LOA must tryout to have her name on the Move-up List.
Back to Top

Effective Date: The effective date of the LOA is the date of the President's verbal approval. The request for the LOA must subsequently be submitted in writing to the president and include the effective date of the request.

IF A WRITTEN REQUEST IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE, THE LOA STATUS IS FORFEITED AND THE PLAYER WILL BE MOVED TO THE SUBSTITUTE LIST.
Back to Top

Score Calculation: An LOA's Captain will calculate the LOA's score as of the effective date by dividing the number of games she won by the number of games she played and expressing the result as a percentage to the nearest hundredth. She may drop up to three zeroes, but may not drop low scores or any additional zeroes. If the LOA's percentage is forty percent (40%) or greater, she will be added to her level's LOA list. If her percentage is 39.99% or below, she will be added to the LOA list for the level below her current level. She can try out for her original level after she successfully rescreens.
Back to Top


SECTION 7: OPENINGS
The RANKING FOR PLACEMENT in openings prior to each level's Spring Tryout will be filled by the Level Chairs in the following order:
  1. First (1st) and second (2nd) place players moving up from the level below
  2. If there was a tie for second (2nd), the other second (2nd) place player
  3. Eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) place players who won forty percent (40%) last season
  4. Returning Leaves of Absence (in order of effective date)
  5. General Tryouts in April (See eligibility in Section 8 Screenings and Tryouts)
During the season and before August 1, openings are filled from the move-up list, which is the record of tryout results kept by the Level Chairs. If there is no one on the move-up list, a Mini-Tryout will be held.

After July 31, openings will be filled by substitute(s) for the remainder of the season.
Back to Top


SECTION 8: SCREENING AND TRYOUTS
Screening: KWTA requires every new player to screen for the level they intend to try out for as a regular or substitute player, in order to place her in a level of comparable ability. (See Captains Duties). Screenings consist of twenty four (24) games as in regular league matches and must be played with three (3) regular players from the level forwhich she is screening. A player who wins ten (10) or more games has successfully screened. If she wins less than ten (10) games, she may screen for a lower level. If she scores fourteen (14) or more games, she is encouraged to screen for a higher level. Although a player may only screen once per season for a level, she may screen for as many levels as it takes to successfully screen.

If a regular player chooses to tryout for a level higher than she is eligible (moving up two (2) or more levels), she must relinquish the spot she holds and screen for that level. If she doesn't win ten (10) or more games, she may screen for the next lower level. If she doesn't screen successfully at this level, she must tryout for or be a substitute at her original level.
Back to Top

Tryouts: General Tryouts will begin with A1 and proceed to C3 filling openings which exist, or which may occur as a result of the tryouts. Tryout schedule and updates of openings are posted on the Tennis Shack bulletin board at Kirkwood Park.

Eligible players for tryouts for a given level include:
  • Regular players of the level directly below
  • Third (3rd) and fourth (4th) place players of the second level below (score based on previous season)
  • Substitutes from the level holding the tryout (as long as they made their 40%)
  • New players, other players and substitutes who have successfully screened for the level in the spring prior to the current tryout
  • Returning LOAs that did not have an opening available prior to Spring Tryouts
Substitutes and new players may only try out for two (2) successive levels: the level she successfully screened for and the level directly below.

The eleventh (11th) and twelfth (12th) place players may only tryout for the level they were in the previous year.

All players who wish to try out must be present, rain or shine, on the date scheduled for the appropriate level and must check in with the Level Chairs at Kirkwood Park.

Only the Level Chair(s) may call a "Rain-out." If a "Rain-out" is called, play will be moved indoors, if courts are available. In the event the number of players trying out is equal to or less than the number of available openings, the openings will be filled by those players present.

Level Chairs will keep records of the Tryouts on a Move-up List. Openings after tryouts but before August 1 will be filled from the Move-up List. If there is no one on the Move-up List, a Mini-Tryout will be held. An opening occurring after July 31 will be filled by a substitute(s). Move up Lists are only valid for the current season.
Back to Top

Mini-Tryout: Players eligible for the Mini-Tryout are:
  • substitutes of the level with the opening
  • regular players of the level below
The Mini-Tryout will be run by the Captains of the two (2) levels involved (see Mini-Tryout Procedure Level Chairs Duties). Level Chairs will keep records of the Mini-Tryout on a Move-up List. Openings after the Mini-Tryout but before August 1 will be filled from the Move-up List. An opening occurring after July 31 will be filled by a substitute(s). Move up Lists are only valid for the current season.
Back to Top