Tennis (JSSATIS)

Last Updated: Tue 15-Apr-2025



TENNIS (JSSATIS) REGULATIONS - SOUTHERN SATIS
Age Group: Year 5/6 Mixed Competition.  Where possible there will be Division A Competitive and Division B Social.

Field / Pitch / Ground Size & Markings:
Normal Tennis Court
 
Duration of game:  Play is between 4pm and 5pm.  Each player plays one doubles match each.  Each player plays one set each to six.
 
Number of Players: Teams of 2-4.  Where there are more than 2 students in a team, players are ranked in ability level and play matches against corresponding players according to ability ie. 1 and 2 vs 1 and 2, 3 and 4 vs 3 and 4. Players not playing, should act as ball boys/girls where possible. If there are 3 players, one player plays twice.
 
Referee / Umpire:  An adult should act as referee, standing at the net, and helping students to score themselves.
 
Equipment Needed: Players require a tennis racquet each.  Division A: normal tennis balls.  Division B: Green dot tennis balls 
 
Rules of the game:
Scoring:
        
    • The Server should keep and call out the score after each point is played.
Players cannot call a ball out/in from the opposite end of the court.
        
    • Whenever in doubt, play the point again.
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    • Scores start at love - all: 0-0 and progress in stages of 15 / 30 /40 where 40-40 equals deuce at which point it proceeds to either advantage server / advantage receiver.  If either party wins the point, then it becomes game or if the advantage holder loses the point it reverts to deuce.
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    • SHORT DEUCE to be played - ‘When the score reaches 40 all (deuce) for the first time, a normal deuce is played. If the game has not been decided after this first deuce and the score is back to deuce for a second time, then a sudden death point is played.'
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    • The first point of a game must always be served to the forehand court.
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    • Even scores must always be on the forehand/forehand court; odd scores on the backhand/backhand court.  For example, 15-30 must always be on the backhand side just as deuce must always be on the forehand side.
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    • Players should change ends every time the game score adds up to an odd number.
Serving:
        
    • Use two balls when serving (one must be in the pocket, not on the ground).
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    • In Division B, 2nd serve can be drop/hit from the service line.
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    • Don't hit first serves if they are a fault.
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    • Balls are to be returned along the ground to the server.
General Rules:
        
    • Remember court etiquette: polite behaviour before, during, and after play.  Wait until a point is complete before crossing or running behind a court.
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    • No player is allowed to touch the net with any part of their body or racquet.  If they do, their opponent wins the point.
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    • If a ball is clearly travelling out but the player either catches or stops it before it bounces, the hitter wins the point.
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    • If your serve hits the receiver or receiver's partner on the full it is your point.
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    • If a ball rolls onto your court from another court you should stop the rally and start again.
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    • If in a rally you lean over the net to hit the ball on the full and you hit a winner, you lose the point.
 


Note: The Home Team (displayed as the left-hand team in all fixtures) always carries the costs and responsibilities for hosting the game, regardless of venue.

Adrian Broughton (SSATIS)Tennis (JSSATIS)