2018 Tennis Manual
2018 Tennis Manual
2018 Tennis Manual
Class 2A---TBA
Class 1A---TBA
For interpretations not found in this book, contact Craig Ihnen (515-288-9741 or
515-401-1834) or email craig@ighsau.org
1. In dual meets and tournament play, when teams are to play, coaches will
exchange the list of their players by position at the same time so that there will be
no rearranging of players. A code of tennis ethics should be established for all
coaches so their best player competes against the best player from the other
school and the second best players compete against each other and so on down
the line. This same set of ethics applies to the doubles line-up. There have been
some cases where coaches will play their poorest against a team's best to try to
earn some points that might affect the outcome of the match. This is not in the
interest of good sportsmanship or ethics for coaches. In the event of an injury,
illness, retirement, or absence of a team member, coaches will move members
up positions rather than substituting. Injury defaults during play should only be
made after a reasonable time of tending to the athlete's problem and an injury
default/retirement will last for the remainder of the day. The injured competitor's
physical well-being should be kept foremost in mind when dealing with the injury.
5. The continuous play rule is now in effect in high school tennis. The rule
stipulates that players will change ends without rest or 90-second crossover
coach/player conversation after the first game of a set and that at the end of the
first set, players may take a “set break” of no more than two minutes.
6. School coaches have an opportunity to coach their players during each 90-
second changeover and during set breaks. Breaks between sets one and two are
limited to 2 minutes and breaks between sets two and three are limited to 10
minutes (if you are playing full sets and not the match-break). School coaches or
teammates in uniform are the only ones permitted to speak to players from the
time they take the court to warm up for their match until the match is over. It is
NOT PERMISSIBLE for club pros, parents, or others to speak with players during
this time. If there is a violation in the district or state competition of this rule, the
player may be disqualified from further competition. This needs to be
emphasized at conference meetings throughout the state. In a ten game or a
twelve game Pro-Set, in dual meets, players may talk to their respective coaches
or teammates in uniform at the court fence when one player has five games in a
ten game set or six games in a twelve game set. Coaches must use the 90-
second crossover to converse with players. No coaching may occur during the
crossovers in tie-breakers.
B) The duration of the 90-second changeovers and set breaks are NOT
lengthened for coaching opportunities. Players are expected to pick up
their drinks and towels at the net post, if they wish to have them, and go
immediately to the fence to visit with their coaches.
8. Players may not leave the playing courts in competition unless they have
split sets and are playing full sets and not match-break. They may not leave in
Pro-Set competition.
9. The 2018 tournament series will include team as well as singles and
doubles competition.
11. U.S.T.A. rules govern this sport except where superseded by this manual.
The blood rule is specified in all sports as printed in I.G.H.S.A.U. correspondence.
In dealing with muscle cramps, the following procedure shall be used:
12. ****One medical time out per match, no longer than ten (10) minutes will be
allowed to evaluate and treat an injured player. This rule applies to both the
regular season and tournament play.
14. The maximum number of dates of high school competition (grades 9-12)
which a girl can play in the regular season is 12. ONE scrimmage date is
allowed per school and it must happen after the first Friday in May and before the
first day of the State Singles and Doubles tournament.
15. When a player goes onto the court, all electronic devices must be turned
off and not used during the match!
16. The 12-point tie-break is now called “7-point set Tie-Break” and operates
as follows:
SINGLES: If it is player A's turn to serve the 13th game, she serves the first
point from the right court; player B serves points two and three starting in the left
court; player A serves points four and five also starting in the left court. B serves
sixth (l) and players change ends. B serves seventh (r); A serves eighth and
ninth (l and r); B serves tenth and eleventh (l and r); A serves twelfth (l). The first
player to win seven points wins the set at 7-6. If the points reach six-all, players
change ends again and continue in the same pattern, changing ends after every
six points until one player leads by two points whereupon she wins the set seven-
six. They "change for one" to start the next set with player B as the first server.
DOUBLES: A-B vs. C-D. Follow the same pattern as above with partners
preserving the sequence of their serving as the service alternates from team to
team. A serves the first point (r); C serves points two and three (l and r); B serves
points four and five (l and r); D serves point six (l) and after team changes ends,
point seven (r). A serves points eight and nine (l and r); C serves points ten and
eleven (l and r); B serves point twelve (l). If points reach six-all, the teams again
change end and continues in the same pattern until one team gets a two-point
lead. The teams "change for one" at the start of the next set with team C-D as
first server.
17. A third set super tie-breaker now called “Match Tie-Break” will be played in
lieu of the third set in ALL Regional/State team competition. The “Match Tie-
Break” is played in the same manner as the “7-point set tie-break" (see #16)
except that it continues until one competitor reaches 10 points and is ahead by
two. When one player reaches 10 points and is ahead by two she wins the third
set (1-0) and the match (two sets to one). A “7 point” set tie-break is to be used
for all other tie-break opportunities. At this time the Coman Tie-Break procedure
WILL NOT be used in IGHSAU Tournament play.
18. ****Starting this year all coaches will report their regular season matches
(including tournament play) on QuickStats. This will be team and individual
scores for results this year. Please refer to the IGHSAU web site on policy for
reporting information on QuickStats. Scores and results need to be entered each
week and must be updated by Friday of each week. This will be checked by the
IGHSAU each week. For questions regarding QuickStats, please contact Jason
Eslinger, (515) 401-1836.
ENTRY FORMS
Tournament entry forms are due in the month of May for regional tennis
tournaments. Entry forms can be found in the tennis section of the
IGHSAU website. Personnel to represent your school will be sent to regional
Tournament Managers by using the on-line form. Many more courts are now
used with the two-class system of competition. Make sure you notify the
Regional Tournament Manager concerning how many players will be entered
from your school. It is strongly suggested each school and their competitor(s)
have the intention of completing all levels of tournament play. To enter the team
competition, you must provide a full compliment of at least six players.
PERSONNEL ENTRY
Each school is entitled to enter two singles and two doubles teams. A maximum
total of six girls from your school may play in regional competition. A girl may not
play in both singles and doubles in the individual competition.
Singles and doubles competition for individuals involve two levels of play:
Regional and State. The entry blank will be placed in a sealed envelope marked
REGIONAL ENTRIES. Please mark the number of entries you have for singles
and doubles on the outside of the envelope. It will not be opened until the
seeding meeting at the regional. At that time, any coach who wants to make a
change must be present at that meeting and make the change before any
envelopes are opened. If a coach comes late, the entry blank which was mailed
to the regional Tournament Manager will be the official entry form.
ENTRY AND RULES FOR TEAM COMPETITION
REGIONAL LEVEL: Single elimination dual meet competition is held involving all
teams assigned to the regional. When a rainout in the girls' tennis tournament
series results in a rescheduled match at a new time in conflict with a boys' tennis
match/site, the Unified Activities Calendar regularly scheduled event takes
precedence.
2. No-ad scoring will be used throughout the match play for TEAM
competition. This scoring system applies to regional and state team play. Use
traditional scoring method (i.e. 15, 30, 40) not 1, 2, 3, 4, when announcing the
score before each point. This scoring system applies to regional and state team
play.
3. The continuous play rule is now in effect in high school tennis. The rule
stipulates that players will change ends without rest or 90-second crossover
coach/player conversation after the first game of a set and that at the end of the
first set, players may take a “set break” of no more than two minutes.
School coaches have an opportunity to coach their players during each 90-
second changeover and during set breaks. Breaks between sets one and two are
limited to 2 minutes and break between sets two and three are limited to 3
minutes, then a ‘match tie-break’ will be used. School coaches or teammates in
uniform are the only ones permitted to speak to players from the time they take
the court to warm up for their match until the match is over. It is NOT
PERMISSIBLE for club pros, parents, or others to speak with players during this
time. If there is a violation in the district or state competition of this rule, the
player may be disqualified from further competition. This needs to be
emphasized at conference meetings throughout the state. Coaches must utilize
the 90-second crossover to converse with players. No coaching may occur
during the crossovers in tie-break.
B) The duration of the 90-second changeovers and set breaks are NOT
lengthened for coaching opportunities. Players are expected to pick up their
drinks and towels at the net post, if they wish to have them, and go
immediately to the fence to visit with their coaches.
C) A teammate in uniform or a certified coach may talk to a teammate
during 90-second changeovers and set breaks.
4. All teams must submit singles and doubles line-up properly aligned-
singles (one through six), and doubles (one through three). The team line-up
must be e-mailed to the State Office by 4:00 p.m. the Thursday before the first
round of the team tournament (May 12th). This is for all schools, including those
with byes must submit their lines-ups by 4:00 pm on May 10th. This line-up must
be submitted before play begins during the first regional match. That line-up
must be used by the qualifying team in all future team play. Singles to play first,
followed by doubles. This line-up will be submitted by the Athletic Director and
certified by them as correct. Please use the form provided on the IGHSAU
website.
6. ****One medical time out per match, no longer than ten (10) minutes will
be allowed to evaluate and treat an injured player. This rule applies to both the
regular season and tournament play.
7. At the conclusion of the singles matches in dual matches, the coaches will
fill out a card for their double team by position and SUBMIT TO THE OPPOSING
COACH so there is no complaint or confusion. The only restrictions are: 1) A #1
singles player, if she is to play doubles, must play in the #1 or # 2 doubles
position; 2) If the #1 or # 2 singles player plays in doubles, one of the two must
play on the #1 doubles team; 3) The doubles teams must be listed in position of
strength with the best of three (submitted) team playing #1 and the second best
playing #2.
8. In the interest of players due to the number of matches they must play in
one day, all dual match team play at the regional and state levels will use the no-
ad scoring system with a seven-point tie breaker at six games all in the first two
sets. If a third set is required a Match Tie-Break will be used for the third set.
There will be a three-minute break after the 2nd set before the Match Tie-Break
begins.
9. All competition a school faces in regional and state team play WILL BE
PLAYED until one team has reached five (5) points.
10. A third set super tie-break now called (Match Tie-Break) will be played in
lieu of the third set in ALL of regional/state team competition. The Match Tie-
Break is played in the same manner as the “7-point set tie-breaker" (see #16
page 5) except that it continues until one competitor reaches 10 points and is
ahead by two. When one player reaches 10 points and is ahead by two they win
the third set (1-0) and the match (two sets to one). A “7 point” Set Tie-Break is to
be used for all other tie-break opportunities.
11. A team must be ready to play at the appointed time or they will be
defaulted. One hour is to be given for lunch break after first team match of the
day.
1. The Quarter-final round of team play will take place at sites across the
state on May 21 & 22 depending on the bracket. The first round of State will be
first to 5.
2. In the State Semi-finals once the winning team has accumulated five (5)
team points the match is finished. The state championship and consolation team
match in each class in the afternoon will be terminated once the winning team
has accumulated five (5) team points. If an injury default occurs in the semi-final
round of state team competition, that competitor is disqualified for the day.
3. One point will be scored for each match in the singles and doubles in team
match play. It is scored like a dual meet. This scoring is for regional and state
team competition.
4. Team play at the State level will be for team champion and team runner-
up in each class. Consolation matches for third and fourth will be played and the
no-ad method of scoring will be used for all level of play. Match Tie-Break will be
used for ALL 3rd sets in ALL team matches.
INDOOR COURTS
Tournament play in the regional level on indoor courts is not permitted unless by
mutual agreement of participating players' coaches with no reimbursement by the
State Office.
4. The continuous play rule is now in effect with high school tennis meets.
Players will change ends without rest after the first game of a set. At the end of
the first set players may take a “set break” of no more than two minutes.
5. In the individual competition, semi-final losers are required to play for third
place in case the winner or runner-up would not compete at the state meet. The
third place winner would be the first alternate. This match is played under the
no-ad format.
9. *** In individual regional and state tournament play first day only, if the
tournament is moved indoors all rounds that were started outdoors will use the
scoring that was used outdoors. When those rounds are completed all new
rounds in the main draw played indoors will use the no-ad scoring system with a
seven-point tie breaker at six games all in the first two sets. If a third set is
required a Match Tie-Break will be used for the third set. There will be a 3-
minute break after the 2nd set before the Match Tie-Break begins. This will be
the case for main draw and consolation draw. If play goes back outdoors, the
regular scoring format resumes with the next round played outdoors.
STATE QUALIFIERS
State qualifiers will be regional singles and doubles champion and runner-up in
each class and will be identified on the state pairing sheet. Eight teams will
qualify for the state meet in each class. Lodging at the state meet is the
responsibility of the school qualifying.
The first round of team play in both classes is to begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp or
earlier at the discretion of the Tournament Manager with the second match being
played in the afternoon. If play cannot commence at 9:00 a.m., matches will be
postponed to 11:00 a.m. At that time, another decision will be made. If
subsequent rounds are necessary, the site, date, and time will be determined by
the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union.
****The Girls' State Tournament for individual singles and doubles play will begin
at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 for singles and doubles competition.
A meeting of players and coaches will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
May 30, 2018. TEAM COMPETITION for the Girls' State Tournament will begin
on May 21/22 at sites across the state and the Final Four at 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday, June 2, 2018, following an 8:30 a.m. players and coaches meeting.
TENNIS BALLS
Please note this regulation -- Each school in team dual meet regional
tournament play will provide one dozen tennis balls to be given to the host
site manager prior to starting the match. The balls should be the official ball
for the IGHSAU. Last minute assignments and the day-to-day play prevent
shipping procedures that would accommodate the new tournament format.
The IGHSAU will provide balls to sites established for singles and doubles
competition and provide balls for state meet competition on both team and
individual competition.
The state tournament series competition will continue to use WILSON T 1071
U.S. OPEN TOURNAMENT SELECT tennis balls. These are the balls that will
be provided by the schools for dual meets in the IGHSAU tournament
competition. Coaches need to be aware when purchasing this ball, the
packaging has changed, but the ball remains the same.
Each coach will be asked to indicate who he or she feels should be given #1
seed, #2 seed, #3 seed, and the #4 seed. This will hold true for the winning
coaches (not the runner-up) in singles and doubles play. Coaches will vote only
in the area in which they have a Regional champion. Only Regional champions
can be considered for a seed.
****By Tuesday morning (May 22nd) no later than 6:00 a.m. following the
Regional individual play of the previous Wednesday, the coaches of singles and
doubles champions will e-mail the qualifications of their Champion to the State
Office for seeding purposes. Please use the e-mail address (craig@ighsau.org).
If no information is received by 6:00 a.m. the coach of that champion will not be
allowed to vote for seeding. E-mails can be sent any time after the regional
individual play. Coaches of the 2A champions in singles will call in to a number
provided after your win on the previous Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. (May 22nd ) for a
conference call so you will hear all 8 coaches give info on their player, 2A
Doubles champions will call in at 7:30 a.m. for their conference call, 1A singles
champion coaches will call in at 8:00 a.m. and then the 1A doubles coaches will
call in at 8:30 a.m. for their conference call. Please follow the times stated above
for your call. After the call you will then vote for the seeds via e-mail to the state
office. More information on this new seeding method will be given to you in
writing at the regional qualifying site. It will also be placed on the web site.
This method gives coaches a role in determining the state tournament seeds,
and eliminates a great deal of disagreement as to who should have the seeds.
STATE PAIRINGS
****The first seeded player goes on the top line of the upper bracket. The
second-seeded player goes on the bottom line of the lower bracket. The third
seeded player goes on the top line of the lower bracket and the fourth seeded
player is placed on the bottom line of the top bracket. The identical method is
used in the doubles team seeding. All unseeded players will be drawn by lot and
placed in pairings. Regional runners-up will play regional winners in the first
round. Competitors from the same regional will be placed in opposite brackets.
Consolation matches in singles and doubles, weather permitting and/or court
availability, will be played through the quarterfinals on WEDNESDAY at the state
level. Individual play will be through eight places, weather permitting. In ALL
state consolation play Singles, Doubles and Team. A Match Tie-Break will be
played in lieu of the third set. See Page 5 #17.
A coach must accompany the players to report match scores after each match in
the state Co-Ed competition. In order for a school to have a squad(s)
participating in this meet, a certified coach MUST BE PRESENT during all
competition or the school will not be able to compete. This could be a two-day
tournament if we have weather concerns! All teams must have a certified coach
at the site to participate.
A third set Match Tie-Break will be played in lieu of the third set in the state co-ed
tournament. The Match Tie-Break is played in the same manner as the "7 point
Set Tie-Break" (see #17 page 5) except that it continues until one competitor
reaches 10 points and is ahead by two. When one player reaches 10 points and
is ahead by two they win the third set (1-0) and the match (two sets to one). A
“7point set tie-break” is to be used for all other tie-break opportunities.