LaSalle Boys' Tennis 2011
2011 LA SALLE ACADEMY
BOYS’ TENNIS RULES /PROCEDURE
George Haley, Head Coach
Marvin Gordon, Assistant Coach
As a student of La Salle Academy and a member of the men’s tennis team, you will be expected to follow the Player Guidelines of the La Salle Academy Athletic Department. The principles, rules and regulations of the La Salle Academy Student Handbook and the rules and regulations of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League are to be followed, as well.
You will demonstrate sportsmanship and respect to all coaches, players, officials, parents, fans and spectators both of La Salle Academy and opposing teams. Failure to do so will result in appropriate penalty points, games, set, or default of the match and may result in suspension and/or dismissal from the team. The Athletic Director of La Salle Academy will be notified of any and all violations.
1. RIIL Rules Regarding Sportsmanship.
Rhode Island Interscholastic League rules regarding the use of profanity and racquet abuse are as follows. First offense during a match will result in a point penalty, second offense, game penalty, and third offense default of match. Any player defaulted from a match will not be allowed to play in the next scheduled team match. In addition, the Coach and/or the Athletic Director may assess additional penalties. As a team player, you must keep your behavior under control at all times. Defaulting a match may adversely affect the results of the entire team match and the next match. LSA rules state that a defaulted player must sit out the next two scheduled matches. Keep your behavior under control at all times. Remember, you are representing yourself, the team and La Salle Academy when you are on the court.
2. Attendance at Practices, Matches, and Tournaments.
Attendance at all practices, matches, and tournaments is mandatory. Unexcused absences may result in disciplinary action. The only exception is if the coach has excused you beforehand. A player may be excused for missing or being late for a practice if he has received permission from the coach one day in advance. Permission to be excused must be requested in writing and signed by a parent, teacher or La Salle administrator and presented to the coach the day before the occurrance takes place.
Missing a Practice
· Valid excuses are sickness, family emergencies (sickness, death etc.), or urgent medical appointments, or a Confirmation.
· Other excuses may be accepted but will be subject to a maximum of two occurrences.
· If a player is not in school because of a valid reason, he must bring a written note to the coach on the day he returns to school. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in an unexcused absence.
· Lateness to practice because of the need to seek extra help from a teacher is acceptable provided a written note signed by the teacher is given to the coach the day that the lateness occurs. The note must specify the time period the player was with the teacher. This privilege may be suspended if abused by the player.
· Detention is not an acceptable excuse under any condition
Missing a match
· There is no acceptable reason for missing a match except for absence from school
Sanctions for violating the above policies.
· Missing or lateness to a practice.
o If a player misses or is late to a practice without a valid excuse he will not be allowed back into the lineup until he has practiced as many days as he was absent or late.
o In addition, some form of disciplinary action will be given.
o If a player has more than 2 days of unexcused absences or tardies, the above two rules will apply and in addition, he may be dismissed from the team.
· Missing a match.
Missing a match without a valid excuse will result in a one match suspension.
More than one occurrence may result in dismissal from the team.
Players who are suspended from play are expected to attend matches and dress in the team attire.
3. Matches During Vacation Periods and Days of Social Events.
Since it is the responsibility of LaSalle to field a team for all matches, all players must be prepared to sacrifice vacation time or miss social events. I will make every reasonable attempt to avoid asking a player to miss or be late for a special event. That being said, the player must be prepared to play if alternate arrangements cannot be made. There will be matches played during the April vacation period. Varsity players who are not available for play during this week will face suspension from match competition and possible dismissal from the team.
4. Selection of Captains
The team’s captain(s) will be elected or appointed by the coach. He/they will be expected to carry out certain duties associated with managing the team. He/they will act in the name of the coach and will be given respect at all times. Senior and Junior players will be eligible to be considered for captain(s) with the school's approval and the player's acceptance of the duties and responsibities of this position. Captains are expected to lead by example. Therefore, a player will not be considered for captain if he plans to be away during April vacation.
5. Ranking of Players (Pre-Season)
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New players who are trying out for the team will play a round robin among the other new players. The results of the round robin will be used to determine the initial ladder positions of the new players. The new players may then continue to challenge other players from the position achieved as a result of the round robin competition. This format
may include returning players with a ranking below 4 if the coach feels this prodecure would be best for the team.
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Returning players will challenge each other based on their last year’s final position. If a player loses twice to a player above him, he may not challenge that player again except, if it is deemed by the coach to be in the best interest of the team.
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According to Rhode Island Interscholastic League rules, players ranked #1 through #4 will play singles; players #5 through #10 will be ranked but may be paired in any combination according to the coach’s discretion. After the coach determines the doubles’ combinations, there will be ladder matches to decide positions #1 through #3. During the course of the season, doubles teams may be rearranged at the discretion of the coach. Players who are ranked below #10 may at the coach’s discretion be paired with another player to compete in one of the three starting doubles positions.
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Once the regular season has begun, you may challenge the player above you to move into that player’s spot according to the following procedure:
1. You may challenge the player above you once during the season provided the first challenge match was competitive. A score of 6-3, 6-3 or above would be considered competitive. If you win the 2nd match, you must play a third match to secure your new ladder position. If you lose the second or third match, no further challenges to that player by you will be allowed except under rule #5 below.
2. You must inform the coach and the player whom you challenge prior to the day of the match.
3. The challenge matches for the top 4 singles positions will be best of three sets with a ten point tie-breaker in lieu of the third set. Van Allen scoring will be used. Singles’ ladder matches below the top 4 positions will be 8 game Pro Sets (Van Allen scoring). All doubles’ challenge matches will be 8 game Pro Sets (Van Allen scoring).
4. If the challenged player refuses to play or does not report to practice on the day of the match, then the challenger and the challenged player will switch spots on the ladder by virtue of default.
5. The coach reserves the right to either prohibit a challenge match which he feels may have a detrimental effect on the team or to schedule a challenge match which he feels may benefit the team.
6. Team Uniforms
NO EXCEPTIONS – You will not play if out of uniform.
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You must wear the official team shirt (maroon) and shorts (black) to all matches.
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You may wear a LSA t-shirt (available at Academy Shop) along with black shorts at away matches.
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Only black shorts distributed by LSA are acceptable.
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You should wear the LSA warm up suit when appropriate
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This is the official team outfit. Only blackshorts provided by the school or approved by the coach and/or AD are acceptable.
7. Responsibilities during Matches
During matches, you will be expected to be attentive to the action on your court and give a 100% effort. After your match, you will offer support and encouragement to your teammates according to proper tennis etiquette. You will be expected to stay until the entire match is over and the team has its post match meeting. Players who spend their time socializing with friends or wandering off during the match will receive disciplinary action and/or game suspensions.
8. Varsity Letters
In order to earn a varsity letter, you must participate in a minimum of 50% of the scheduled league matches. You may also earn a letter at the coach’s discretion.
9. Practice Times
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:45pm – 5:00pm. Wednesday 2:45pm - 4:30pm.
Saturday 9:00AM – 11:00AM.
Practice times may vary from the above schedule. Be attentive to information given over the PA system, by the coach, or the team captain. If you are unsure about practices, matches, or team guidelines, you should refer to the LaSalle Tennis page on my web site, (www.haleytennis.com). Click on the LaSalle page and then the appropriate link.
10. Communications
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You may contact me @ 401.487.2627 or via e-mail at coachhaley@cox.net but only after you have exhausted all other methods of obtaining the information you need. If you still have questions regarding changes in practice or matches because of inclement weather, call me or email me @ coachhaley@cox.net. If you suspect that a cancellation may be last minute, call my cell phone at 401.487.2627. There will be a message if a practice or a match has been cancelled at the last minute. If there isn’t a message, then we are playing.
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If you have any questions or problems, bring them to the attention of the team captain(s) first and if they cannot provide an answer, see the coach.
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If a player has any issue regarding areas of the team’s management, he should speak first to the team captain (unless it is personal), and if additional clarification is necessary, to the coach. I always appreciate the opportunity to speak with a player regarding an important issue. I am not difficult to approach and expect my players to discuss issues with me before getting their parents involved.
It is your responsibility to keep informed of practice times, etc. if you have been absent from school. Contact a captain or a teammate to catch up on the information you need or visit the LaSalle link on my web site. As a last resort, e-mail the coach, coachhaley@cox.net, or call him at 401.487.2627
11. Responsibility
This is a key word in the efficient management of our team. You are expected to be responsible in all areas of team operations. Freshmen, especially, need to understand that I do not have the time to constantly go over team procedures. They need to familiarize themselves with the team’s procedures by reading all handouts, visiting the LaSalle page on my web site and seeking help from the captains.
Your adherence to the rules set forth in this document will be appreciated and will help provide an environment that will be beneficial and enjoyable for all team members.
