USA TEAM TENNIS RULES

Florida State University does not provide accident insurance coverage for injuries received by Intramural participants. Each participant should make sure that he/she has coverage either through family policies or the student insurance plan. We cannot emphasize this point enough.

Florida State University PROHIBITS possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property. This includes the Intramural Sports Complex and Tully Gym. Violators will be asked to leave the area. Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the ball game, suspension of individuals and/or teams, and appropriate action by the University Judicial Office.

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I. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1. Participation is limited to currently-enrolled, fee-paying FSU students, faculty members, and full-time staff. FAMU & TCC students and members of the community are not eligible. All areas of eligibility are covered in the Intramural By-Laws which are available through the Campus Recreation Office and online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.

2. In order to participate in an Intramural contest each player must present their validated FSUCard. Exceptions must be directed to the Intramural Sports Office for consideration by the IM staff during regular business hours (9:00am-6:00pm). Bring a photo ID and proof of payment to obtain a waiver from the IM staff. No such waiver will be granted at the game/match site.

3. All players must sign-in at the sign-in table or with a supervisor at the game site prior to each game to be eligible to participate.

II. THE COMPETITION AND TEAM SCORING

1. Teams are comprised of a minimum of 4 players. Two players are required to avoid a forfeit and qualify for a default. Teams must have three (3) players to play a match, as the doubles match must be played. Teams with less than four (4) players present will be forced to forfeit matches not filled. Teams must have two (2) players for each doubles match. Teams are not permitted to allow one player to represent the team in a doubles match (1 vs 2).

2. A team match will consists of two (2) singles matches and one (1) doubles match. To earn a team victory, the team must win at least two (2) of the three matches.
A. All singles and doubles matches will occur simultaneously, therefore the team's singles player may not play doubles during the same team match.

III. INDIVIDUAL MATCH SCORING

1. A match is won when a player or team wins a 8-game Pro Set.
A. During the finals of tournament play, the players have the option to play a 8-game Pro Set or a best two-out-of-three sets regular match. If there is a disagreement on the type of final to be played, the 8-game Pro Set will be used.

2. Due to time and space limitations, the "No-Ad" method of scoring will be used. A player need win only four points to win a game. That is, the score goes three-points-all (or deuce) the next point decides the game - it's game point for both players. The Receiver has the right to choose to which court the service is to be delivered on the seventh point. If a "No-Ad" set reaches 6 games all, a tie-breaker shall be used.

3. Singles tie-breakers will follow the following format.
'A' serves first point (from right tie-breaker court); 'B' serves points 2 and 3 (left and right); 'A' serves points 4 and 5 (left and right); 'B' serves point 6 (left) and after they change ends, point 7 (right); 'A' serves point 8 and 9 (left and right); 'B' serves points 10 and 11 (left and right); and 'A' serves 12 (left). If point reach 6-all, players change ends and continue as before. A tie breaker is won when a player or team reaches seven points (with at least 2 point margin established), or after a 6-all, a player or team establishes a 2 point margin.

4. Doubles tie-breakers will follow the singles format with the following revisions.
Doubles partners will preserve the sequence of their serving turns. (Assuming A & B vs. C & D): Player 'A' serves first point (right); 'C' serves 2 and 3 (left and right); 'B' serves 4 and 5 (left and right); 'D' serves point 6 (left) and after team change ends, point 7 (right). Continue this order until a team wins.

IV. EQUIPMENT

1. Teams must furnish their own tennis balls and racquets.

V. SPORTSMANSHIP

1. The mission of Intramural Sports is to provide a recreational environment for the University community which is safe and enjoyable. While the game atmosphere is often competitive, ensuring participant safety, providing a fun, social atmosphere, and promoting sportsmanlike behavior among participants, spectators, and team followers are our primary concerns. The game atmosphere should remain good-natured at all times. Participants shall maintain good sportsmanship throughout their participation in all facets of the intramural program.

2. The Sportsmanship Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams' attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sports contest is included in the rating. The team captain is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system.

3. A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it. Additionally, FSU Intramural Sports does not recognize the use of coaches. Only the team captain shall speak to the officials regarding administrative matters (protests, ejections, disqualifications, etc). Furthermore, the team captain's efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct.

4. Sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every Intramural contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, administrative personnel, and supervisors shall make decisions on whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sportsmanship. These decisions are final. The Intramural Sports administrative staff will rule on further penalties as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct.

5. Each participant should choose his or her team members carefully, as all team members will suffer the consequences of any disciplinary action taken by the Intramural Sports staff against that team for violation of the intramural rules and sportsmanship guidelines. Protests or appeals of sportsmanship ratings will not be recognized. The Intramural Sports administrative staff reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

6. Additional information regarding team and participant sportsmanship including the rating method, factors, and scale is available in the Sportsmanship section of the Intramural Sports Handbook, available online at the FSU Campus Recreation web site.