Tennis Teams

Primary Competition Rules

• Competition Format and Schedule

  Expand Competition Format and Schedule
  • Match Format: For Regions and Divisions format, please consult the relevant page on the SSV website or contact the relevant Coordinator.
  • State Format: Split Round Robin, Cross over Semi Finals, Final
  • State Match Schedule:
  • There will be a Pre-Championship Briefing for all teams prior to the first round of matches.
  • See the Teams Tennis Draw on the SSV website for the Match Schedule.
  • State Match Format: Timed Numeric format will be used (Click here for National Hotshots Tennis Guidelines (NB. Guidelines only))

• Winner Determination

  Expand Winner Determination

  State Round Robin Winner

  • Teams score 1 point for each set win that are tallied up throughout the round robin.
  • If teams are tied on the sets then the team which won more sets in their round robin match finishes higher.
  • If it is still a tie, then the team that won the most individual points in each set from that round finishes higher.

  State Final Winner

  • Top teams from each pool play off in Finals matches to determine the overall winning team.
  • Remaining teams also play off to determine overall finishing positions.
  • If teams are tied on sets at the end of a play off match, the team who won the most points will win the match. If teams are tied on sets and points, both teams will choose two players to play a doubles tiebreaker (first to 7 points) to decide the match.

• Conditions and Team Rules

  Expand Conditions and Team Rules

  Conditions

  • See the School Sport Victoria’s ‘General Conditions of Competition’. All players, teachers, spectators and officials are bound by the ‘SSV Codes of Conduct’ and the ‘Participant Behaviour Policy’.
  • NB. Ages eligibility (as per School Sport Victoria’s General Conditions of Competition’) is based on the student’s age as at December 31st in the year of competition: ie. Be between 9 and 13 years of age, inclusive.
  • A girl cannot play in a girls’ team and a boys/mixed team in the same sport.
  • The level of competition chosen by a student at District level remains binding through to Division, Region and State levels.

  Team Size

  • A team consists of 8 to 10 players. A maximum of 8 players can be used for each round. Teams can only substitute players between rounds. Players are ranked in order of ability from 1-8 (player rankings move down when substitutes are used).
  • A maximum of ten (10) SSV medallions plus one (1) for the team coach will be awarded to the placegetters.
  • Extra medallions will not be available.

• Match Playing Rules and Court Setup

  Expand Match Playing Rules and Court Setup

  Rules

  • To begin players use paper/rock/scissors to choose to serve or receive.
  • First and second serves to be a drop bounce hit (cross court in both singles and doubles) over the net with the receiver allowing the ball to bounce once before returning.
  • Player serves once from the forehand and once from the backhand and then the serve changes to the other player/team.
  • Click here for the National Hot Shots Tennis Guidelines (NB. Guidelines only).

  Court Area

  • Red Tennis Court will apply:
  • Singles and Doubles: 5.5 m in width by 11 m in length.
  • Nets: If 6 m nets are unavailable, join 2 x 3 m nets together. Barrier tape may also be used.

• Match Day Requirements

  Expand Match Day Requirements

  Officials:

  • Children are to umpire and call lines of their own matches.
  • The server to call out the score before each point.
  • If there is a dispute replay the point.
  • If there is a dispute that cannot be resolved the court supervisor/referee can be called onto the court to resolve the problem.

  Coaching: No coaching is allowed during any match.

  Code of Conduct: Parents and players are reminded of the Code of Conduct that applies at all School Sport events.

• Dress Code and Penalties

  Expand Dress Code and Penalties

  Lateness Penalty

  • If a team is late for the start of their matches for reasons beyond their control and the team’s teacher communicates with the convener, then the convener will try to accommodate the team as best he/she can.

  Dress

  • Competitors must be dressed in their school sports uniform or in neat tennis clothing.
  • Tracksuits may not be worn during play.
  • Board shorts (surf shorts) are not acceptable.
  • Shirts with designs, large manufacturer’s logos or advertising are not acceptable. Shoes with flat tread must be worn.
  • Players not correctly dressed will not be permitted to compete.
  • If outside, hats should be worn and students should provide their own sunscreen.

• Equipment, Requirements and First Aid

  Expand Equipment, Requirements and First Aid

  Team Sheet Requirements

  • NOTE: An up to date team sheet must be handed to the convener on the day of competition. This team sheet must include players’ correct seeded order.
  • NOTE: An up to date team sheet must be handed to the convener on the day of competition. This team sheet must include players’ correct seeded order.

  Equipment to Bring

  • For District, Division and Region competitions, each team is to provide:
  • 21, 23 or 25 inch racquets for participating players
  • 2 red low compression tennis balls per court
  • Drop down lines as required
  • 3 m or 6 m Hot Shots nets as required; alternatively barrier tape may be used
  • Score sheets in accordance with competition design – these are available from the Guidelines or obtain from your Region Coordinator
  • First Aid Kit - Competing schools are responsible for ensuring that reasonable provision is made for the treatment of injuries. All schools participating in SSV Team Sports final are required to bring their own applicable first aid kit (appropriate to the location as there is potential for sporting activities to be some distance away from emergency services) – For more detailed information: First Aid for Students and Staff and First Aid Kit Contents Checklist.
  • Sports Tape must be supplied by the student/competing team. Strapping for injury prevention as required must be performed by the student/competing team. NB. The First Aid Responder attending the state finals are not permitted to perform strapping.
  • For the State Final all equipment will be provided except racquets.