Junior Player Guidelines

Guidelines for Khandallah Junior Tennis Players

‘The Way We Play’

Welcome to a new tennis season. We hope you have fun, enjoy playing, and grow your tennis skills. You may be a new or existing junior club member, have just taken up tennis, or be an experienced player. No matter what level you are at, you should be aware of:
 Tennis Club Rules;
 Junior Club Night Requirements;
 Tennis Etiquette;
 Important, but sometimes ‘forgotten’, tennis rules;
 Court Safety and
 Interclub Team Responsibilities.

Please ensure you are familiar with the following.

Tennis Club Rules

  1. An acceptable standard of behaviour is required at all times, both at the club and when representing the club in other competitions.
  2. Only footwear with non-marking soles can be worn on courts.
  3. Do not take any food or drink, other than water, on to the courts.
  4. No skateboards / scooters (or of a similar nature) allowed on courts.
  5. No littering on club premises – all rubbish is to be placed in provided rubbish bins.
  6. Do not climb on fences surrounding the courts or go on to neighbouring properties to retrieve tennis balls.
  7. The backboard behind the squash courts is the only wall of the clubhouse that balls can be hit against.
  8. When the lights are on, play is only permitted on Courts 1&2, and 5&6.
  9. You cannot enter the upstairs lounge unless you are with an adult.
  10. You are not permitted inside the bar area at any time.
  11. Visitors (i.e. non-members) who you invite to play at the club, must be signed-in in the Visitors’ book (located just inside the entrance outside the office) and pay the Visitors’ fee (Child $5; Adult $10) by placing it in the Visitors’ box.

Junior Club Night Requirements

  1. All players must sign-in upstairs at the beginning of the evening.
  2. Let the organisers know if you leave before the end of club night so your name can be removed.
  3. All players are responsible for clearing their table after eating / drinking. Place empty cans / bottles in recycling bins and other items in rubbish bins.
  4. Take care of all games equipment provided (both on the court and in the lounge) so that all players are able to enjoy the use of it.
  5. Pick up all the balls and return them upstairs to the junior organiser at the end of club night.
  6. All players must be prepared to play with any other player regardless of ability. While organisers will do their best to arrange balanced games, there will be times when this is not possible. It is important that all players understand that club nights / family afternoons are a social event and the emphasis is on everyone being able to enjoy their court time. When experienced players are on court with newer players, they are to show leadership and encouragement to them.

Tennis Etiquette

  1. You must not go behind or on to another court while other players are playing a point (wait until there is a break between points and move quickly across).
  2. Introduce yourself to the other player(s) on court before the match.
  3. Shake hands and thank the other player(s) for the game at the end of the match.
  4. Do not hit the ball back to your opponent if the serve is a fault (hit it into the net or leave it behind your end of the court).
  5. The server must call out the score after each point so the opponent can hear it. If you do not hear the score when you are receiving, then ask what it is. This will avoid disputes over the score.
  6. Receiver(s) should clearly call any fault served. If you have a problem with an opponent’s call then you can ask them to confirm it, but always remember that it is their call and you need to abide by it.
  7. Quickly return any ball(s) lying at your end of the court to the server at the end of each point.
  8. The server should commence the serve when the receiver is ready and not before.
  9. Do not do anything to distract your opponent from playing the point (e.g. calling out, talking).
  10. Do not use obscene language, slam balls, or throw your racquet.
  11. Players are responsible for calling all balls on their side of the net. This includes letting your opponent know that they have won the point:
  • the ball bounces twice before you hit it
  • you hit the ball twice;
  • you hit the net while playing a point;
  • you do not play a shot, but touch the ball before it lands inside or outside the court (in doubles this includes touching the ball before your player attempts a shot).

Important, but sometimes ‘forgotten’, tennis rules

  1. A ball is good unless you are certain that it fell completely outside the court (or service box when receiving). (NB: The lines are part of the court. A ball, which touches the line, even if by the barest of margins, is in.) If you touch the ball in any way before it lands on the ground outside the court, then you cannot call it out irrespective of whether you are standing inside or outside the court.
  2. Clear away any balls / other items lying on your end of the court before commencing a point. Any point lost resulting from them interfering with play will stand.
  3. When a ball from another court rolls on the court, you may call a let as soon as you are aware of it, but will lose the right to do this if there is any delay in doing so.

Court Safety

  1. Remove anything on the court that you could trip on (including loose balls) before commencing a point.
  2. When serving, do not place the 2nd ball on the baseline. Wear clothing with pockets or a ball holder so you can keep hold of it.
  3. Stay hydrated during a game by regularly drinking water. Keep your water bottle by the net post.
  4. Use sun-block and wear a cap.