Rules - South Carolina High School League

TENNIS
1. The League will sponsor girls' and boys' championships in each classification that has at least
twelve of its schools participating. If this requirement is not met, schools may enter the tournament
of the next higher classification. In addition to the team competition, an AAAA - AAA and an AA - A
Singles Tournament will also be held. These tournaments will be exclusive of the team competition.
2. Girls’ teams will play in the fall of the year and boys' teams will play in the spring. Should a school
not have a girls' team, a girl can play on the boys' team in the spring. No student may participate in
both seasons in the same school year.
3. The head coach must attend a League sponsored rules clinic. All coaches must verify with their
principal completion of the online concussion course found at www.nfhslearn.com.
4. The rules of the United States Tennis Association will apply when not covered by High School
League rules.
5. Each match will be two no-ad sets with a 10-point tie-breaker played to decide the match if the sets
are split. A set tie-breaker will be a 7-point tie-breaker. Pro-Set scoring (8 games, 7-point tiebreaker
at 7-7) is permitted once the match has been decided. This includes the regular season
and play-offs. (Any exception will result in both teams forfeiting)
6. Team competition will consist of 5 singles and 2 doubles teams. Only two players may play both
singles and doubles during the same dual match. A player may play on only one doubles team in a
dual match. (Any exception will result in a team forfeit, 7-0)
7. Coaches will exchange line-ups before the match begins, with at least 1-5 singles listed. Coaches
have the option to hold off announcing doubles until after singles matches have been completed, but
must inform the other coach beforehand. If doubles matches are announced after singles matches
are completed, doubles line-ups will be exchanged simultaneously.
8. All players will be required to compete in a school issued shirt. Appropriate tennis apparel is
expected (cut-offs and jeans are not considered appropriate tennis apparel). Bandanas are not
permitted.
IMPORTANT DATES: Girls Tennis Boys Tennis
First Practice............................................... July 27 ...................................... January 28
First Scrimmage.......................................... August 3.................................... February 4
Schedule Due ............................................. September 1 ............................. March 1
Eligibility Due .............................................. 7 days prior to first regular season match
First Contest ............................................... August 27.................................. March 4
Deadline to Report Qualifying Teams ........ October 23................................ April 30
Play-Offs..................................................... TBA........................................... TBA
Deadline to Report Open Singles Entries ... October 26................................ May 3
State Singles Tournaments ........................ November 9-10......................... May 17-18
9. All classes are allowed 16 varsity regular season matches and two tournaments or 18 regular
season matches and one tournament. Varsity teams are also allowed four scrimmages and one
jamboree. JV teams are allowed 14 matches, two tournaments, two scrimmages and one
jamboree. Tournaments may be pre-season and start on August 17 (girls) and February 22 (boys).
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