PDF Version of Ladder Rules

1. Eligibility: All players on the ladders must be members of the SDYC.

2. Ladder Organization

• The ladders shall consist of an A and a B level of men’s and women’s singles. A skill level (intermediate to advanced) will be the equivalent of a USTA ranking of 3.5 to 4.0 and higher.  B level players (beginner to intermediate) will be the equivalent of a USTA ranking of 2.5 to 3.5. These levels are merely guidelines and players may register for the ladder where they can be competitive. Players can only sign up for one level.
• The position of the players on the ladders is determined by the results of their ladder matches.
• The ladder will be maintained and brought up to date at the SDYC bulletin board and on the Tennis Fleet SDYC Website on a weekly basis.

3. Participating and Movement on the Ladders

Joining

• Players that sign up for the ladders by March 15, 2008 will be placed in a random position at the skill level that they have requested
• Players that sign up for the ladders after March 15, 2008 will be placed at the bottom of the ladder at the skill level that they request.
• Each player may make one wild card challenge (challenge anyone within your skill level) after being placed on the ladder.

Challenging

• It is the responsibility of the challenger to check the SDYC Tennis Fleet Website or bulletin board before making a challenge to be sure it is a legitimate one. 
• You may challenge a player ranked up to three spots above you (excluding inactive players).  Players on the top of the Bladder may challenge into the bottom of the A ladder.  If you win your match, you take the place on the ladder of the person you defeated.
• If you are challenged you have two options:
  • Accept the Challenge: You have 48 hours from the moment you are challenged to respond.  As the person being challenged, you have the responsibility of identifying an acceptable match time within seven (7) days from the moment you are challenged to play the match or else you will forfeit the match and your opponent will take your place on the ladder.
  • Decline the Challenge- Instead of accepting the challenge, you may choose to forfeit the match.  This is the option you should choose if you cannot accept the challenge due to illness, vacation, busy schedule, etc.  This process will keep the ladder moving and allow players to participate in more matches.  This option is also the default if you do not respond to a challenge with 48 hours. 
• Ladder players who will not be available for two weeks or more must request an Inactive status by notifying the Ladder Chair.  Players requesting an inactive status should also note when he/she will return to active status on the ladder.  Inactive players will retain their positions on the ladders. Active players below an inactive player may challenge above as though he were not on the ladder. It is not proper to respond to a challenge by becoming Inactive.  In this case, the challenged player must first accept a default.

4. Match Rules

• Best two out of three sets- All challenge matches must be played in the best two out of three sets format with a seven-point tiebreaker played if any set is tied at 6-6.  Players will spin a racquet or flip a coin to determine the initial serve or side of the court.  USTA rules apply to all challenge matches and can be found at www.usta.com.
• All matches must be played at SDYC at a mutually agreed time, unless the players have mutually agreed to play on another court.
• The player being challenged is responsible for bringing one can of new USTA approved balls to the game.
• A technical default may be called 15 minutes after the scheduled time, if one player is not present to play the match.
• If court time has expired and others are waiting for a court (or if the match is interrupted by rain, darkness or other factors beyond both players’ control), players should make arrangements to complete the match within seven (7) days at a mutually agreeable time and place.  When play is resumed, the beginning game and set scores shall be the same as when the play was interrupted. A match default may be called if one side cannot complete the match play within the time frame.
• Results of the match, including names of participants, date played and set scores must be reported by the winner to the SDYC bulletin board or to the Ladder Chair by phone or email and then the Tennis Fleet Website and Court Board will be updated.

Grievances

• Courtesy and good sportsmanship shall be encouraged but any problem that the players cannot resolve with the help of the Ladder Chair will be referred to the Ladder Grievance Committee.

Ladder Chair: Larki Cook (760) 942-6563
SDYC Tennis Fleet Grievance Committee: Scott Launey, Gretchen Magers, Tracy Nichols, Chuck Sinks

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