2020 JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS INFO and
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS (JTT)?
JTT is co-ed teams competing in a format that consists of 6 sets, each set to 6 games (a tiebreaker is played at 5-5). One set each of boys and girls doubles followed by boys and girls singles, ending with 2 sets of mixed doubles. All sets are played with no-ad scoring. Total games won from all sets determines the winner. Substitutions and coaching are allowed during the match.
10U/11U teams use an orange ball (lower compression), 60' court (smaller court). 3 sets of singles and 3 sets of doubles. "Short sets". First to 4 games (win by 2) wins. If the score reaches 4 all, a tie breaker is played. Players may serve overhead or underhand. First serve from the 60' baseline, 2nd serve from the service line if they choose. The team with the most total games won is the winner of the match!
Click here to view complete JTT Rules
WHAT IS THE MAKEUP OF A JTT TEAM?
At the 12U, 14U and 18U level, a team must have two boys and two girls, as a minimum. At Spartan Tennis, we'll do our best to keep the teams small (ideally, 3-4 boys/3-4 girls with possible "alternates"). It requires a firmer commitment level but this format will allow for maximum playing time.
A 10U/11U team must have a minimum of 4 players of any gender.
WHO CAN PLAY?
Boys and girls 18 & under. The age cutoff for each division is August 31st. As long as a player stays 18 years of age through 8/31/20, they are eligible to play. Beginners are welcome but should be able to rally and serve somewhat consistently.
WHEN DO PRACTICES AND MATCHES START?
Practices and matches begin in November and will run through early-mid March, depending on the division and how many teams are entered. Matches will typically take place mostly on Sunday afternoons with just a couple of Saturdays.
WHAT DIVISIONS (LEVELS OF PLAY) ARE OFFERED?
The following divisions are being offered this year: 10U/11U, 12U, 14U, 18U-Intermediate, 18U-Advanced.
WHERE DO MATCHES TAKE PLACE?
All matches will take place at one of the three area indoor venues. Most will be at our "home courts", TriCity Tennis.
Tri-City Tennis (944 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110 - (518) 785-4311)
Saratoga YMCA Wilton Branch (20 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 - (518) 587-3000)
CAN PLAYERS BE AN ALTERNATE (FOR THOSE WHO ARE BUSY AND CAN'T COMMIT TO THE MATCHES)?
Yes, being an "alternate" is a great way for kids who can't commit to the matches to be involved and continue to grow as players. For a reduced fee (no USTA membership or JTT registration needed), alternates get all of the benefits of their "fully-rostered" teammates, except they do not play in the league matches.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR THE SEASON?
For the 2019-20 season, Spartan Tennis players fees are as follows...
ALTERNATE: "Alternate" players will get the following benefits included in their $250 one-time fee...
In addition, parents of fully rostered players will need to register/renew their child's USTA membership online ($20) here OR by calling 1-800-990-8782. Must have valid membership through September 2020.
Fully Rostered players receive all benefits that Alternates do plus:
WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE MEMBERS AT TRICITY TENNIS AND WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE?
All players need to be members in order to be able to practice at an indoor club as a team. TriCity Tennis is excited to welcome Spartan Tennis players back to their club again for the new indoor season! They are truly excited to have us there and it shows. In addition, captains are permitted to run their practices for their teams at TriCity Tennis.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
The JTT season runs from November through early-mid March. Each team will get a minimum of a 1-hour practice at TriCity every other week during that 16 week period. Each team will play 10 2-hour matches, mostly on Sunday afternoons. There may be a couple of Saturday afternoon matches as well. The schedule will be distributed as soon as all teams in the league are formed and registered.
CAN TEAMS PRACTICE MORE THAN THEIR ALLOTTED PRACTICE TIME?
Yes, teams can practice more! Team captains will be able to call TriCity Tennis to book extra time. They will communicate any additional practices with their teams. Their team would split the added cost and the team coach would handle collecting and paying TriCity.
HOW DO I BECOME A CAPTAIN OR CO-CAPTAIN?
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A CAPTAIN/CO-CAPTAIN?
Captaining a JTT team is a great way to introduce your kids and their friends to the fun of social match play and team competition!
Here’s a look at what your responsibilities as captain would be...
JTT is co-ed teams competing in a format that consists of 6 sets, each set to 6 games (a tiebreaker is played at 5-5). One set each of boys and girls doubles followed by boys and girls singles, ending with 2 sets of mixed doubles. All sets are played with no-ad scoring. Total games won from all sets determines the winner. Substitutions and coaching are allowed during the match.
10U/11U teams use an orange ball (lower compression), 60' court (smaller court). 3 sets of singles and 3 sets of doubles. "Short sets". First to 4 games (win by 2) wins. If the score reaches 4 all, a tie breaker is played. Players may serve overhead or underhand. First serve from the 60' baseline, 2nd serve from the service line if they choose. The team with the most total games won is the winner of the match!
Click here to view complete JTT Rules
WHAT IS THE MAKEUP OF A JTT TEAM?
At the 12U, 14U and 18U level, a team must have two boys and two girls, as a minimum. At Spartan Tennis, we'll do our best to keep the teams small (ideally, 3-4 boys/3-4 girls with possible "alternates"). It requires a firmer commitment level but this format will allow for maximum playing time.
A 10U/11U team must have a minimum of 4 players of any gender.
WHO CAN PLAY?
Boys and girls 18 & under. The age cutoff for each division is August 31st. As long as a player stays 18 years of age through 8/31/20, they are eligible to play. Beginners are welcome but should be able to rally and serve somewhat consistently.
WHEN DO PRACTICES AND MATCHES START?
Practices and matches begin in November and will run through early-mid March, depending on the division and how many teams are entered. Matches will typically take place mostly on Sunday afternoons with just a couple of Saturdays.
WHAT DIVISIONS (LEVELS OF PLAY) ARE OFFERED?
The following divisions are being offered this year: 10U/11U, 12U, 14U, 18U-Intermediate, 18U-Advanced.
WHERE DO MATCHES TAKE PLACE?
All matches will take place at one of the three area indoor venues. Most will be at our "home courts", TriCity Tennis.
Tri-City Tennis (944 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110 - (518) 785-4311)
- (TRICITY IS OUR PRACTICE FACILITY AND "HOME COURT")
Saratoga YMCA Wilton Branch (20 Old Gick Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 - (518) 587-3000)
CAN PLAYERS BE AN ALTERNATE (FOR THOSE WHO ARE BUSY AND CAN'T COMMIT TO THE MATCHES)?
Yes, being an "alternate" is a great way for kids who can't commit to the matches to be involved and continue to grow as players. For a reduced fee (no USTA membership or JTT registration needed), alternates get all of the benefits of their "fully-rostered" teammates, except they do not play in the league matches.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR THE SEASON?
For the 2019-20 season, Spartan Tennis players fees are as follows...
ALTERNATE: "Alternate" players will get the following benefits included in their $250 one-time fee...
- 1-Year membership to TriCity Tennis in Latham. This is our home club. This membership comes with many benefits (see next question).
- Court fees for the 8 hours of practice with their JTT Captains (coaches) and team at TriCity Tennis.
- Alternate players do NOT participate in matches but they are a part of their team in every other way.
In addition, parents of fully rostered players will need to register/renew their child's USTA membership online ($20) here OR by calling 1-800-990-8782. Must have valid membership through September 2020.
Fully Rostered players receive all benefits that Alternates do plus:
- JTT league membership for 2019-20 season
- Court time and participation in JTT league matches with their team.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE MEMBERS AT TRICITY TENNIS AND WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE?
All players need to be members in order to be able to practice at an indoor club as a team. TriCity Tennis is excited to welcome Spartan Tennis players back to their club again for the new indoor season! They are truly excited to have us there and it shows. In addition, captains are permitted to run their practices for their teams at TriCity Tennis.
- Being a member of TriCity Tennis will allow the athlete to attend practice sessions with his/her team during the JTT season.
- 1 full year of membership to the club is included.
- Free Junior Shootout participation (more info on their website).
- Reduced rates on lessons, tournaments and peak-hour indoor court time.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
The JTT season runs from November through early-mid March. Each team will get a minimum of a 1-hour practice at TriCity every other week during that 16 week period. Each team will play 10 2-hour matches, mostly on Sunday afternoons. There may be a couple of Saturday afternoon matches as well. The schedule will be distributed as soon as all teams in the league are formed and registered.
CAN TEAMS PRACTICE MORE THAN THEIR ALLOTTED PRACTICE TIME?
Yes, teams can practice more! Team captains will be able to call TriCity Tennis to book extra time. They will communicate any additional practices with their teams. Their team would split the added cost and the team coach would handle collecting and paying TriCity.
HOW DO I BECOME A CAPTAIN OR CO-CAPTAIN?
- Contact Mike Turgeon to see if captains are needed for your child's age group.
- If invited/approved by Mike, click here to start and complete the USTA's Net Generations registration process as soon as possible. If you are a new captain or co-captain, you must complete your BACKGROUND SCREENING. The website will guide you through the necessary steps to becoming a captain.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A CAPTAIN/CO-CAPTAIN?
Captaining a JTT team is a great way to introduce your kids and their friends to the fun of social match play and team competition!
Here’s a look at what your responsibilities as captain would be...
- Distribute the match schedule to your players and make sure that you will be able to field a team for each match. At the 12U/14U/18U level, a minimum of 2 boys and 2 girls must be present to play a match. At the 10U/11U level, a minimum of 4 players of any gender must be at each match..
- Communicate your practice schedule to your team (practice times are on the JTT calendar).
- Schedule, book and communicate extra practice time (if desired) with TriCity Tennis (at an additional cost to be shared amongst your team).
- Be present at practices and matches, or assign your co-captain to be there.
- Enter scores (if you are the winning captain) within 48 hours of match completion on TennisLink.