What rules do I need to know as a player in a USTA junior 16 and under tennis tournament? Line calls, serving, scoring, time limits, rest periods, coaching and penalties.
You call every ball landing on, or aimed at, your side of the net (The Code, section 5).
On clay, if any part of the mark touches the line, it's good. You don't have to show the mark, and your opponent can't cross the net to inspect it (Code 21).
You must concede the point when (Code 19; ITF Rule 24):
Your opponent isn't allowed to make these calls for you.
You also make the ruling on a ball your opponent hits through the net or into the ground before it goes over (Code 20). If you catch a ball in play before it bounces, you lose the point, wherever you're standing (Code 43).
A point played in good faith stands, even if a mistake (like serving from the wrong side) is found afterward (Code 2).
| Maximum | |
|---|---|
| Warm-up | 5 minutes, unless the tournament decides otherwise (ITF Rule 29e) |
| Between points | 25 seconds (Rule 29a) |
| Changeover | 90 seconds (Rule 29a) |
| Set break | 120 seconds (Rule 29a) |
In the Boys' and Girls' 12 to 16 divisions (USTA Table 12):
| Format | After the second set |
|---|---|
| Best of three full sets | Mandatory 10-minute rest (only a 3-minute rest if play was suspended for 10 minutes or more during the second set) |
| Match tiebreak instead of a third set | Mandatory 3-minute rest before the match tiebreak |
At the end of other sets, the set break is up to 2 minutes.
Only at certain times. In USTA sanctioned play, coaching is not allowed (USTA Comment 30.2; Reg. IV.C.10):
Coaching is allowed:
You may bring written notes prepared before the match and read them during play. You may not receive information on a phone, smartwatch or other device on court (Comment 30.1).
Audible or visible coaching at any other time is a code violation against you under the Point Penalty System.
Check in at the tournament desk before your scheduled match time. You haven't "arrived" until you've checked in at the designated place, properly dressed, equipped and ready to play; in doubles, both partners must be there (USTA Reg. IV.A.2; Table 16).
Lateness penalties for best-of-three matches, including those with a match tiebreak instead of a third set (Table 16):
| Late by | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes or less | Loss of toss + 1 game |
| 5:01 to 10 minutes | Loss of toss + 2 games |
| 10:01 to 15 minutes | Loss of toss + 3 games |
| More than 15 minutes | Default |
Short-set and short pro-set formats have smaller penalties (maximum 2 games). Being late back after a 10-minute rest period is a game penalty for up to 5 minutes, and a default after that. A default for late arrival adds 1 suspension point; a no-show default adds 5 (Table 17).
Code violations (USTA Table 14) include audible or visible profanity, racket or ball abuse, verbal or physical abuse, audible or visible coaching, retaliatory (deliberately bad) calls, failing to follow an official's instructions, and abusive conduct by a parent, coach or other person associated with you. Penalties go:
A single flagrant act can mean an immediate default.
Time violations (Table 15), such as taking more than 25 seconds between points or running over a changeover or set break: the first is a warning, then one point for each one after that.
Your opponent can't decline a penalty given to you. Each code violation also adds 2 suspension points to your USTA record, and 10 suspension points within 12 months means a 3-month suspension from sanctioned tournaments (Table 17; Reg. IV.F).
You may contact an official for help with (Code 41):
You may refuse to play until an official responds.
Stalling includes warming up longer than allowed, playing at about a third of your normal pace, taking more than 90 seconds at a changeover or 2 minutes at a set break, starting an argument to rest, and excessive ball bouncing before serving (Code 40).
Otherwise, you need an official's permission to leave the playing area (USTA Reg. IV.C.5). You're not entitled to have an official removed from your match (Reg. IV.C.8).