Can I coach my players during a tournament match?

Q: Can I coach my players during a tournament match?

Not at LTA sanctioned competitions. Under the Competition Code of Conduct in the LTA Competition Regulations 2026: Players must not receive coaching during a match, including the warm-up, except when play is suspended and the players have left the court. "Coaching" is interpreted widely: any communication, audible or visible, between a player and someone off court (a coach, relative or representative) may be treated as coaching. It's your player who pays. Coaches are "Player Support Personnel", and a player is responsible for their support personnel's conduct. A breach by you can lead to a code violation against your player (warning, point penalty, game penalty, up to default) plus Code Violation Points. Your own conduct at competitions: Player Support Personnel must behave professionally at the venue and must not make comments, including on social media or to the media, that attack, disparage or criticise players, organisers, officials or the LTA. Breaches can be dealt with under the LTA Disciplinary Code. Accredited coaches are also bound by the LTA Code of Conduct for Accredited and Accredited+ Coaches and Assistants.

Question

Accepted Answer

Not at LTA sanctioned competitions. Under the Competition Code of Conduct in the LTA Competition Regulations 2026:

Players must not receive coaching during a match, including the warm-up, except when play is suspended and the players have left the court.
"Coaching" is interpreted widely: any communication, audible or visible, between a player and someone off court (a coach, relative or representative) may be treated as coaching.

It's your player who pays. Coaches are "Player Support Personnel", and a player is responsible for their support personnel's conduct. A breach by you can lead to a code violation against your player (warning, point penalty, game penalty, up to default) plus Code Violation Points.

Your own conduct at competitions: Player Support Personnel must behave professionally at the venue and must not make comments, including on social media or to the media, that attack, disparage or criticise players, organisers, officials or the LTA. Breaches can be dealt with under the LTA Disciplinary Code.

Accredited coaches are also bound by the LTA Code of Conduct for Accredited and Accredited+ Coaches and Assistants.