The Honor Code of Ethics is prepared under the philosophy that “today’s opponent is tomorrow’s tennis friend.”
To ensure that end, the code should be used as a guideline during league play.
1. Courtesy
- The game of tennis depends upon courtesy and fairness.
- Hosting teams should extend themselves to provide pleasant conditions for their guests. Water (or other beverages) should be place on each court, and rest room facilities must be provided. Above all, it is important to treat visiting teams like friends.
- Guest teams should be courteous and friendly, supporting the host’s efforts at providing a pleasant tennis atmosphere.
2. Friends, Coaches, Children, Parents
- Friends, coaches, children, parents are not permitted on the court at any time.
- Spectators or coaches may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring, or the conduct of a match during play.
- Coaching will be allowed as described in the rules posted for Local League play. Please refer to the Local League Rules and Regulations for details.
3. Conduct of Players
- The highest type of sportsmanship is expected from every player.
- If you do not have an umpire, then you must call all balls as if you were a linesman, except that any doubt must be resolved in favor of your opponent.
- It is your obligation to help your opponent make a call when your help is requested.
- Do not enlist the aid of a spectator in making calls.
- It is the server’s responsibility to call the score before each point.
- Calls of “out” or “let” must be made instantly. A delay in making the call implies that the ball was not seen clearly and is therefore “good”.
- In doubles if one partner calls the ball “out” and the other partner calls it “good,” then the ball was not seen clearly and is therefore “good.”
- When the first serve is obviously out, it is discourteous to return it across the net.
- Never try to take advantage of an opponent by serving before he/she is ready. Your opponent may ask for a “let” if you quick-serve him/her. However, if he/she either hits the ball or tries to hit it, he/she cannot claim that he/she was not ready.
- You must volunteer honestly against yourself such violation such as a double-bounce, ball touching your body or clothing, touching the net or reaching over the net.
- In doubles, there should be no conversation during the course of play other than brief instructions to your partner, such as “mine,” “out,” “run,” or “bounce it.”
- USTA regulations specifically prohibit the following:
- Loud, abusive, of profane language, racquet throwing or slamming of balls.
- Stalling. There will be no continuous strolling to the net to use towels or get a sip of water or to rest between points.
- Making a comedy of the match, whether winning or losing.
- Coaching or outside distractions such as inappropriate cheering or clapping.
- Cheating. The Golden Rule of tennis is that every player calls balls on his/her side of the net as he/she would want them called on the other side.
- Intentional waving of a racquet or arms, or making distracting noises.
- Foot-faulting. A person who unknowingly foot-faults is taking advantage of his/her opponent. The person who knowingly foot-faults is cheating.
