Tennis Procedure and Protocol
1. Each session shall consist of three sets of play.
2. Each set shall consist of eight games.
3. Four games will be played on one side of the net, then rotate to the other side for four games.
4. We draw cards to assign partners and courts.
5. Those players drawing a Heart at the beginning of play carry the balls to the court.
6. At the end of play, please return the balls to the court captain.
7. If there are extra players, they will be assigned to play "server out" rotation.
8. Latecomers to the session will wait until the end of a set to play the next set.
9. All games are "no ad" and at a score of 40 to 40 the winning point will be played.
10. If a fault serve is out, please avoid returning the ball. Please catch the ball or send to the net or fence.
11. The receiving side is responsible to call the out balls that are "fault" serves.
12. It is the responsibility of the server to call the score before each new point and each new game.
13. Players make calls on their own side of the net.
14. A ball touching any part of the line is good.
15. A player should not enlist the aid of a spectator in making a call.
16. When a ball from an adjacent court enters the playing area, any player may call a let.
17. Be respectful to matches in play. Outside spectators should not be on the court. Do not enter another court where people are playing.
18. Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before attempting to retrieve or return a ball.
19. Do not return the first serve if it is a fault.
20. We follow the USTA Rules and "The Code".
21. Non-member guests will donate $5.00 for each visit. Please place a "G" before your name on the sign-in sheet. The $5.00 is remitted to the treasurer or court captain.
22. Leave the balls on the court during the match. After the last game, please return balls to the court captain.
23. At the end of the game, balls are to be politely delivered to the next server. At the end of the set, balls are to be politely placed back on the court or returned to the court captain..
24. There is to be no argument between players over calls. Any and all conversation on the courts is to be courteous. We are to honor one another on the court and off the court.

The “Code” of Conduct
The highest type of sportsmanship is expected from every player! An understanding of and a commit-ment to the points highlighted in this Code of Conduct are part of your responsibility as a player.
1. Once you have entered a tournament, honor your commitment to play. Exceptions should occur only in cases of serious illness, injury, or personal emergency.
2. From the beginning of the match, play must be continuous. Attempts to stall or to extend rest periods for the purpose of recovering from a loss of physical condition (such as cramps or shortness of breath) are clearly illegal.
3. Intentional distractions that interfere with your opponent’s concentration or effort to play the ball are against the rules.
4. Spectators, including parents, friends and coaches, are welcome to watch and enjoy matches. Their role, however, is clearly restricted to that of passive observer with no involvement of any kind during the match.
5. Players are expected to put forth a full and honest effort regardless of the score or expected outcome.
6. Players are expected to maintain full control over their emotions and the resulting behavior throughout the match. If you begin to lose your composure during play, try the following:
• Take several deep breaths, exhale as slowly as possible and feel your muscles relax
• Concentrate on your own game and behavior while ignoring distractions from your opponent or surroundings
• Be your own best friend – enjoy your good shots and forget the poor ones

On-Court Rules
• If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out of good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good. You should not play a let.
• It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself (with the exception of a first service) any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.
• Any “out” or “let” call must be made instantaneously (i.e., made before either an opponent has hit the return or the return has gone out of play:; otherwise, the ball continues in play.
• Do not enlist the aid of spectators in make line calls.
• If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.
• To avoid controversy over the score, the server should announce the set score before starting and game and the game score prior to serving each point.
• If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point, or they may spin a racket.
• Foot faults are not allowed. If an opponent persists in foot faulting after being warned not to do so, the Referee or Coordinator should be informed. Do not touch the net in play or reach over it.
• Do not stall, sulk, complain, or practice gamesmanship.
• Wait until the players on another court have completed a point before retrieving or returning a ball. Return stray balls from other courts as soon as possible.
• Do not return the first serve if it is a fault.