Tennis Rules

Scheduling The Match – In this league, there are no set dates or times or locations for play. YOU contact your opponent every Monday and schedule the day, time and place of this week’s match.

You can see who your opponents are this week by logging on to the web site and clicking the TEAMS & SCHEDULES link. You can see your opponents’ contact information by logging on to the web site and clicking the SEARCH FOR MEMBERS link.

You have 1 week to schedule a match with your opponent. If your opponent is out of town for a week and cannot play, there is a 1 week grace period. If after the following week your opponent can still not commit to a match date, you have the option of either making the other player forfeit the match (you win 12-0) or you can reschedule for the following week.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you win by forfeit, you do not get to take 14 points (7-0,7-0). Players can only take 14 points if they actually PLAY the match.  

Substitutions – There are no subs allowed in Singles Play.  Subs can be used for the Flexi Doubles and Mixed leagues.

Format – Matches are 2 regular sets with ads and deuces and tie-breaks.

Example 1:
6-3, 6-4 Winner reports 12, loser reports 7

Example 2:

6-4, 3-6 Winner reports 10, loser reports 9

Example 3:
5-7, 6-4 Game score is tied at 11-11 (and a tie-breaker is played for the winning point).

If you split sets, the player with the most number of games wins. If the GAME SCORE is tied, you will get to play a 12-point tie-breaker. The winner of the tie-break wins and gets to add 1 more point to their score.

Each week you will enter your scores on the MatchMaker Tennis web site. The finals are determined by the scores entered over the entire season.

Start Times – Out of all of the leagues we offer, the Flexi-Leagues are the most flexible. You must call your opponent and schedule a start time and location of your match. Once the date, time and location has been set, you must adhere to it. It is a good idea to write down the opponent’s cell number — if someone is late, you can contact them via cell.

Forfeits -There is a 10 minute grace period from the agreed upon start time. If the other player does not arrive within 10 minutes, the late/team player will forfeit 2 games and the score starts out as 0-2. If the missing player/team is more than 20 minutes late, that set is forfeited and the player that arrived on time will take the win at 6-0. If the opposing player is more than 30 minutes late, they forfeit the match and the player that was there on time takes the win at 12-0.

Rain Outs – If you get rained out, you may reschedule your match at a later date but all scores have to be entered on the date you actually played the match.

Balls – Each player is responsible for bringing one NEW can of balls (unopened) each week. The balls must be designed for the court surface you are playing on (ex. Hard courts, clay courts, etc.) One player opens the can of balls and plays the match.

The WINNER of the match gets the 2nd un-opened can of balls.

Entering Scores – Each player is responsible for entering in their own game score. Log onto the web site and click the ENTER SCORES link. Navigate to your event. Enter in YOUR team number, the DATE you played your match and the number of games you WON. Click the SUBMIT button. You will get a chance to verify your scores before they are posted. Click the YES link if the data is correct and click the NO link if you need to change the data.

All scores with a date of 0000-00-00 will be deleted.

Player Responsibilities – You are responsible for:

1. Calling your opponent on Monday and scheduling the match Date, Time & Place.
2. You should also send an e-mail reminder to your opponent the day before the match.
3. You are responsible for arriving on time to the match.
4. If you cannot make the match, you are responsible for calling your opponent at least 2 hours before your start time.
5. You are required to bring 1 new can of un-opened balls to every match.
6. Reading The Code – A Players Guide For Unofficiated Matches.

Team Sizes – Each team must have a minimum of 2 active MMT players. There is no maximum to the number of players a team can have. A minimum of 2 players are required to play every week. More than 2 players can play and subs are allowed – however, you are not allowed to have subs mid game. A game must be finished before a sub can play. This league plays at a scheduled day and scheduled time every week for the entire season. All schedules are posted on the web site in the MEMBERS ONLY AREA. A season is about 9-10 weeks long.

Scheduling The Match – These leagues have a specific date, time and place of play. MatchMaker Tennis reserves the courts and schedules the dates, times and locations of each match. You don’t have to do anything but show up at the designated time and place each week.

Substitutions – Each teammate must find a substitute replacement for themselves for each day they cannot play. They can find substitutes by utilizing the On-Line Sub System in the MEMBERS ONLY AREA of the MatchMaker Tennis web site. Only ACTIVE MMT members can sub. After the teammate has found a sub, they must let their teammates know who the sub is going to be. Keep in mind that there are NO SUBS ALLOWED DURING FINALS. If you do not have a complete team during finals week, you may have to forfeit. Need to add someone? Just call the office and we will add them to your team.


Play Format – 2 teams of at least 2 players each play on 1 tennis court. Play 2 sets of regular tennis – ads, deuces, lets etc. with one exception. FOR EACH GAME, THE FIRST TEAM TO 11 POINTS, WINS THAT GAME. If the game scores are tied at the end of both games, 1 more game is played. The winner of the tie-breaker will add one more point to their score.  Each week your team will enter their scores on the MatchMaker Tennis web site within 3 days of the match. The finals are determined by the scores entered over the entire season.

Start Times – MatchMaker Tennis utilizes public parks, high schools and private clubs for their tennis courts. We have specific times we are supposed to use the courts. Play is to start at the time indicated by the schedule. If you need a warm-up period, you must arrive EARLY to the courts.

Forfeits – Start times are listed on each schedule.There is a 10 minute grace period. If a team arrives late, they do not get a warm-up period. If the other team does not have a complete roster 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, they will forfeit 2 points for those matches they cannot play. Example: If a double team has 1 player show (the 2nd is more than 10 minutes late), the late team forfeits 2 points and the score starts out as 0-2-2. If the missing player is more than 20 minutes late, that entire game is forfeited and the team with the correct number of players will take the win at 11-0. If the late team is more than 30 minutes late, they forfeit the entire match and the team with the correct number of players will take the win at 11-0, 11-0 for that match.

No-Show / Late-Show – If a player on a team is a no-show or late-show 2 times, they may be replaced. The no-show / late-show player will be moved to the Unassigned Player list for that league and a player on the Unassigned Player list for that league will be moved down to the team for that active season only. It is possible for the no-show / late show player to be placed on a team for that league later in the season if another must be replaced. The next season will start as a clean slate.

Snow / Ice / Rain Outs – Rain out cancellations are posted on the WEATHER page of the web site 30 minutes before play is scheduled to start. You can also check our FaceBook page, and Twitter account or the office voicemail for updates. If your event is cancelled, you will not need to reschedule the match. Next week will resume as it appears on the schedule.

If it starts to rain AFTER the match has begun, the number of games played will be entered as your team’s score at the point it starts to rain. There will be a 15 minute delay to determine if the rain will stop and play can resume. If play cannot resume, enter in the number of games won. Please make sure that your team starts at the appropriate time so that if it rains, your team has the best opportunity to play the most games.

Balls – Each team is responsible for bringing at least one pickleball, designed for the location of play – indoor vs outdoor.

Entering Scores – Each team is responsible for entering in their own game score within 3 days of the match. Log onto the web site and click the ENTER SCORES link. Navigate to your event. Enter in YOUR team number, the DATE you played your match and the number of games you WON. Click the SUBMIT button. You will get a chance to verify your scores before they are posted. Click the YES link if the data is correct and click the NO link if you need to change the data.

All scores with a date of 0000-00-00 will be deleted.

Player Responsibilities – You are responsible for:

1. Letting teammates know a list of the dates you can/cannot play.
2. Finding a sub for yourself on the days you cannot play — and letting your teammates know who your sub is for each day.
3. Arriving early for each match.
4. Enter your scores.
5. Bringing a can of new tennis balls, water or a sports drink, sweat towel, bug spray sun screen, etc. each week.

How To Play Pickleball

Serve – The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves.

The Server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. Starting with the right-hand service square, the service is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. The Server must hit the ball in the air on the serve.

The Server is NOT allowed to bounce the ball and hit it off the bounce. The service is made diagonally cross court and must clear the non-volley zone, including the line (A serve that hits the non-volley zone line is out) Only one serve attempt is allowed, except if the ball touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court, in this case the serve may be taken over.

At the start of each new game, the 1st serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents.

Calling the Score – The score should be called as three numbers – server score, receiver score, the server number: 1 or 2.
To start a match, the score will be called as: zero – zero – two*

The server number (1 or 2) applies for that service turn only. Whoever is on the right side (depending on the score) when the team gets the serve back is the first server for that service turn only. The next time that the team gets the serve back, it might be the other player that is on the right and is therefore the first server for that service turn only.

*First Server Exception: To minimize the advantage of being the first team to serve in the game, only one player, the one on the right side, gets to serve on the first service turn of the game. Since the serve goes to the other side when that player loses the serve, that player is designated as the second server. Therefore, at the start of the game, the score should be called, “0-0-2.” The “2” indicates the second server and means that the serve goes to the other side when the serve is lost.

When a team’s score is even, the player who served first in that game must be on the right (even) side of the court and on the left (odd) side when the score is odd. Or, expressed alternately, when the first server of that game is on the right side of the court, that team’s score should be even. If this is not the case, then either the players are positioned on the wrong side of the court or the called score is inaccurate.

Scoring – A team shall score a point only when serving. If a point is scored, the server moves to the left side (odd court) and serves to the diagonally opposite court. A player who is serving shall continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her team.

The receiving side never alternates sides.

The first server continues to serve until the serving team loses a rally by committing a fault; then the serve passes to the second server on the team. The 2nd teammate will serve from the right hand side. After 2 faults, the serve moves to the opposing team – this is called a Side Out.

The first side scoring eleven points wins.  Five (5) games are played each night.  Ex. Team 1 wins 3 games and Team 2 wins 2 games.  Each team will enter in their own wins on the website.  At the end of the season, there is a playoff.

Thereafter both members of each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing team (except on the FIRST serve). When the receiving team wins the serve, the player in the right hand court will always start play.

Double-Bounce Rule – Also called the Two Bounce Rule, each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. Once these two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.

Volleys – To volley means to hit a ball in the air without first letting it bounce. In Pickleball, this can only be done when the player’s feet are behind the non-volley zone line (seven feet behind the net). Note: It is a fault if the player steps over the line on his volley follow-through.

Faults – A fault is committed when the ball:

• Touches any part of the non-volley zone on the serve (including the line).
• Is hit out of bounds
• Does not clear the net
• Is volleyed from the non-volley zone
• Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side

(as of Spring 2003)
Queen City Tennis League Rules USTA Rules and Code of Conduct (Sportsmanship) apply.

1) Host Clubs*:
a) Host Club must provide a new unopened standard size can of balls appropriate to the court surface per line.
b) Host facilities must be of playable condition or have off site courts available with access to restrooms and water.
*While we are sometimes the HOME team, we are always playing at the opposing team’s facility. Per Libby Meiners, we NEVER provide balls since we are buying gas for the trip over…

2) Match Play:
a) A match consists of best of 3 sets. A 12-point tiebreaker to break 6-6 ties (first to 10 by 2). See USTA tiebreak rule.
b) Play is to be continuous, except for a 1-minute break between court changes and 10 minutes between 2nd and 3rd set. Injury or illness time out is 5 minutes.
c) No coaching, gesturing or line calls consulting allowed from spectators.
d) No disruption from the sidelines allowed. If play continues match will stand as played.
e) Cell phones are not allowed to hinder play. Penalties will be assessed.

3) Forfeits:
a) Start time is 3pm* every Sunday. Warm-ups begin 15 minutes prior to starting time. Delayed teams have a 15-minute grace period. A forfeit may be taken when grace period expires. If a forfeit is not taken, the match stands as played.
b) Forfeits called before match must start with the lowest position. Forfeits called at the start of the match must be from the lowest position scheduled for that location and start time. 

*Start times vary depending on the division you are playing. Please contact the team captain to verify your start time. ALSO arrive 1/2 hour early for all matches. We must be warming up 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The start time indicates that the first ball should be put into play at that time.

4) Roster:
a) All teams must submit a roster to the league commissioner prior to first match. The roster must include the player’s name; position, phone number and e-mail address if available. Substitutes must be listed on the roster as such. Additional substitutes may be added to the roster during the season any time prior to play by team captains.
b) Only full dues paying club members age 19 and over may play. Salaried Professional of a club may not play.

5) Team Lineups & Player Positioning:
a) Team captains must exchange lineups prior to the start of play and indicate the use of substitutes.
b) The best team must be rostered at line#1, the next best at line#2, and so on.
c) A player or sub can only play one line per match day.

6) Rescheduling:
Every effort should be made to complete matches as scheduled
a) If a match is rained out before any lines have started, they will play on the rain date scheduled by the league commissioner. Since no points have been played the line-up submitted by captains becomes void, including forfeits.
b) If a match is interrupted by rain then completed lines stand as played, interrupted lines must be completed as soon as possible, match-picking up from the last point played with the same players.
c) League commissioners have final decision on handling of particulars of a rain delay.
d) Rescheduling of a match due to any event affecting play date as determined by the Commissioner will be given to captains at the earliest possible date.
e) Once a make-up match is scheduled it cannot be rescheduled unless all 4 players are in agreement. Keep in mind that changes to the lineup can occur until start of match.

7) Players Movement & Stacking:
a) Players may move up or down 2 positions from their position listed on roster submitted. Clubs with more than one team may move players from one team to another within 2-position limitation. (i.e. position 6 on team A may play position 1 or 2 on team B)
b) Substitutes may move up or down 2 positions from initial placement.
c) No stacking is permitted. Stacking is defined as the illegal placement of a weaker team in a higher position, to better assure a victory for a stronger team playing at a lower position.
d) To avoid a last minute forfeit a player may move up more than 2 positions. The player will resume his normal position at the next match.

8) Scores:
a) The home team captains are responsible for reporting scores online via tenniscores.com

9) Penalty Points:
a) League commissioners may issue penalty points for infractions of the rules.

10) Protests:
a) Protests must be made in writing by team captains only to the league commissioner within 24 hours of match. Either captain may file an appeal to the Competition Committee in case of an adverse ruling by the commissioner.

11) Division Standings:
a) Total number of matches won determines division standings. If there is a tie the position will then be determined by the following order:
1. Total matches won in head to head competition.
2. Total games won in head to head competition.
3. Total games won for the season.

No-Show / Late-Show – If a player on a team is a no-show or late-show 2 times, they may be replaced. The no-show/late-show player will be moved to the Unassigned Player list for that league and a player on the Unassigned Player list for that league will be moved down to the team for the active season only. It is possible for the no-show / late show player to be placed on a team for that league later in the season if a different player violates the no-show/late-show rule and must be replaced. The next season will start as a clean slate.