BASIC RULES

The basic rules of the ladder are simple:

1. Challenge a player higher up on the ladder than yourself.
    
2. If you win the match, you move up to that spot and everyone moves down 1 spot.
   If you lose, you stay where you are and the winner stays where they are.

COMPLETE RULES

Entering the Ladder

1. Players can only enter 1 ladder.
    
2. Players should make every effort to enter the correct level ladder based on the ability/ranking.
    
3. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
    

Making/Accepting Challenges

1. Unrestricted Challenge: Your first challenge may be against any player on the ladder.
    
2. After your first challenge, the number of spots you can challenge up will be determined by the following:  Challenge Range = Ladder Size divided by 4.
   Ex: If there are 20 players in a ladder then the Challenge Range = 5  (20/4 = 5)
   (If the Challenge Range ends in a decimal use the next highest number.  Ex: 3.25 = 4)
    
3. If a player plays all the players in the Challenge Range and loses each match, and if during this time there is no change in the positions of the higher players within the Challenge Range, the player can then challenge up to double the original Challenge Range.
   Ex: If the Challenge Range was 5, the Challenge Range becomes 10.
    
4. If a player tries but is unsuccessful in setting up a match within the Challenge Range (players are injured, do not return phone calls, etc), the player can then challenge up to double the original Challenge Range.
   Ex: If the Challenge Range was 5, the Challenge Range becomes 10.
    
5. If a challenge cannot be agreed upon with a particular player, try someone else.  Players that repeatedly refuse to accept challenges will automatically fall to the bottom of the ladder due to inactivity.
    
6. Players should make every effort to make challenges and accept challenges.
    
7. Players should make only 1 challenge at a time.
    
8. Players should only accept 1 challenge at a time.
    
9. If two players have played previously, the winner does not have to accept a challenge from the loser for a period of 2 weeks.
    
10. Contact info for each player can be found in the ladder list
     

Setting up a match

1. The match should be played on a mutually agreeable court but, if there is a problem deciding on a court, the challenged player is considered 'home' and will have final say on where the match is played.
    
2. If there is a charge for court time, it will be split between the two players.  Be sure your opponent is aware of court time charges before you get to the court.
    
3. If the challenged player decides on the court, then it is their responsibility to reserve the court.
    

Playing the Match

1. The challenging player is the 'visitor' and is responsible for bringing the balls.
    
2. Scoring should be conventional: 2 out of 3 sets, regular scoring with a 12 point tie breaker (first to 7 points by a 2 point margin) used at 6 games all.
    
3. However, if both players agree, a 18 point tie-breaker (first to 10 points by a 2 point margin) can be used in place of a 3rd set.  This can be agreed to at any time during the match.
    
4. If a player is more than 15 minutes late for a match and did not communicate this, their opponent can declare a default and will win the match 6-0, 6-0.
    
5. If a match is interrupted for any reason, it may be continued to completion at another time agreeable to both players from the point at which it was suspended.  Players should complete suspended matches before they initiate or accept new challenges.
    
6. Unless otherwise stated, all competition will comply with USTA playing rules and the Code of Tennis.  Here are the basics:
    
   • If you have any doubts as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good.  You should not play a let.
      
   • It is your obligation to call all balls on your side to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and to call against yourself (with the exception of a first service) any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.
      
   • Any “out” or “let” must be made instantaneously (i.e. made before either an opponent has hit the return or the return has gone out of play) otherwise, the ball continues in play.
      
   • Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.
      
   • If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.
      
   • To avoid controversy over the score, the Server should announce the set score (e.g. 5-4) before starting a game and the game score (e.g. thirty-forty) prior to serving each point.
      
   • If the receiver cannot hear the server's announcement of the score, he must ask the server to speak louder.  You can't wait until the server believes he has won the game to try to reconstruct the scoring point by point.
      
   • If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point or they may spin a racket.
      

Reporting Results

1. The winner of the match is responsible for reporting the score.
    
2. The result of the match should be entered via the Report a Score page or can be emailed to tpladder@btcservices.com.
    

Ladder Positioning

1. At the beginning of each month, any player who has not played any matches during the previous month will be moved below players who have played a match during the previous month.

   The object is to not have someone play a couple matches at the beginning, get to the top, and then not play for a couple months.  Pretty simple idea, you have to play at least 1 match per month.

2. To be declared the winner of a ladder, a player must:
   
     a) play a minimum number of matches  &
     b) play against a minimum number of different players
   
   In general, the minimum number of matches and different players for a ladder is the "Challenge Range" size.  Exceptions may be made depending on draw size, hurricanes, or other factors that affect players ability to play. 
   
   Ex: If the Challenge Range for your ladder is 5, then you must play at least 5 matches against 5 different people to be declared the winner.
   

"Inactive" Status

1. If a player is unable to play because of injury, illness, or an extended vacation, they should send an e-mail message indicating this to tpladder@btcservices.com.  They will then be designated as "inactive" on the ladder.  Other players should not submit challenges to inactive players.  When inactive players are able to play, they should send an e-mail notification and their inactive designation will be removed.
    

Sportsmanship

There are very few restrictions for ladder play.  However we recommend that participants not play the same opponent in back-to-back matches.  While this recommendation cannot easily be enforced, it is contrary to the spirit of ladder participation to play exclusively with only one or two partners.  Obviously, any system can be abused if the participants attempt to "beat the system."  The main goal here is to have a good time and reward personal accomplishment with some small public recognition.  So let's have fun.
 

The"Local Rules"

Although TennisPlaza will work hard to make the Ladder as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, we assume no responsibility for any actual or perceived negative consequences befalling anyone choosing to participate in the ladder.

All participants agree to relinquish any and all decisions regarding the operation of the ladder or the awarding of prizes to TennisPlaza.

By participating in the ladder you agree to abide by all ladder rules and procedures posted on the website (i.e. the page you are reading now :-).  Changes in rules will be promptly posted on the website but may not always be communicated to you individually.

TennisPlaza has the right to move a player to a different ladder.  We will keep track of legitimate player complaints.  Players that have complaints lodged against them will be advised.  If complaints continue, the player may be moved to the next higher ladder.
 

Resolving Disputes

All players are urged to amicably settle disputes (ex: doesn't return phone call, can't decide on court, etc) between themselves.

If the dispute cannot be resolved, each player should submit, via e-mail, a description of their view of the dispute to tpladder@btcservices.com.  If the match was already played, this email must be received within 48 hours of completion the disputed match.

TennisPlaza's decision in resolving the dispute will be final and cannot be appealed by either player.
 

BY JOINING THE LADDER YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING

I hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against TennisPlaza, their agents, successors and assigns for any and all injuries or losses which may be suffered by me in connection with my participation in the Ladder.

By registering and playing in the Ladder you relinquish your right to sue TennisPlaza, any of the sponsors or any one associated with the ladder  for any negative event (perceived or real), even if it occurs through their negligence, that might arise through you participation in the ladder.