June 2015, Issue 6
June 2015, Issue 6 Overrules is the official quarterly newsletter for all tennis officials in USTA Northern. Items included in each quarterly issue are upcoming news and notes, trainings/evaluations, rules and procedures updates, milestones, introductions to new officials and a showcase about an official working in our Section. Ideas and information is always welcome. If you have anything you would like to add, please e-mail Kristi Bushinski at [email protected].
A Message From Our Section President: Dear USTA Northern Officials, As some of you may have already heard, Tim Kurtt has decided to resign his post as the Chair of Officials for USTA Northern effective June 22. In addition, Tim will also be transitioning out of officiating over the next few months. This is a sad time for all of us as Tim is the most decorated official to ever come out of USTA Northern and is recognized as one of the best officials in the world. He is one of only a handful of people worldwide to have worked all four Grand Slams and the Olympics multiple times – something most of us can only dream about. We have been so fortunate to have Tim as a leader, mentor, role model, and more importantly, a friend during his service to the officials organization within USTA Northern all these years. Thank you Tim for your vision, service and dedication. You have represented our Section with such professionalism and grace around the Section, United States and the world. We will definitely miss you. In the meantime, the Section is in discussions about how we would like to move forward. If anyone is interested in increasing their role within the officials’ organization for our Section, or has suggestions, please feel free to contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected] or Mike Goldammer at [email protected]. Also, any questions that would have gone to Tim previously (rules interpretations, on-court situations, code violations, etc.), please now contact Kristi directly with those as she will be the officials’ Point of Contact during this time of transition. Once again, thank you Tim for all of your service to the officials and USTA Northern, and thank you officials for all that you do for the Section! Sincerely, Kathy Lundberg President, USTA Northern
Upcoming Clinics/Trainings/Evaluations/School If anyone knows of someone looking to get into officiating (Level 1) or if anyone is looking to move their ranking up, (i.e., college level) and would like to attend a Level 2 chair clinic, or be evaluated, please contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected]. We do not have any clinics scheduled at this time, but will add some to the calendar based on response.
News, Notes and Reminders Calendar/Schedule Blocking Thank you to everyone for keeping their calendars updated with their availability in Arbiter. We are coming into a very busy time with the National Senior Games, Aquatennial and other events for the summer, please keep your calendars updated to reflect your availability. Thank you! Vision Forms This is a reminder that vision forms for all on-court officials (Sectional and above) must be submitted by December 1, 2015. As of June 18, we have not received your 2015 vision form. Click here for the 2015 Vision Form. Forms can be faxed to 914-696-7178 or emailed to [email protected]. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Best Practices& Reminders Clarification about Rest Periods Before Start of Third Set Junior Matches The summary of important changes in The 2015 Friend at Court and handouts at the Officials’ Schools contained an error. The error involved the rest periods in matches in which there is an interruption in play in the first set of a best-of-three set tiebreak junior match. 1. The information correctly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in the second set of a best-of-three set tiebreak match, there was no 10-minute rest period and instead there was only the standard 2-minute Set Break. This also means that there is no coaching before the start of the third set. 2. The information correctly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in a bestof-three set match with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of the third set, there would be a 3-minute rest period during which coaching is allowed. 3. Correction. The information incorrectly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in the first set of a best-of-three set tiebreak match, there was no 10-minute rest period. In fact there is a 10-minute rest period when the interruption of play occurs during the first set. 4. Clarification. Table 12 applies the same to short sets and conventional tiebreak sets. Rest periods for the best-of-three tiebreak short sets are the same as the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Rest periods for the best-of-three short sets with a Match Tiebreak are the same as the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Player returning late from a three-minute rest period A player returns late from the 3-minute rest period before a Match Tiebreak played in lieu of a full third set. The Tennis Rules and Regulations Committee clarified that the first penalty imposed should be a Time Violation. The player will then be penalized under the Point Penalty System for further lateness, meaning Code Violations should be issued. Consecutive Time Violations are not currently permitted in any USTA competition.
What’s the Call? Situation #1 Player A hits an overhead in which Player B volleys back over the net into the proper court, but the ball hits Player B’s racquet and wrist almost simultaneously when hitting the volley. What is the ruling? Answer: As soon as the ball hits any part of Player B’s person, either before the ball or after it hits her racquet, the ball is dead and the point is over. Because the ball is coming towards Player B, it is her responsibility to make the call (#5 in The Code, pg. 49 in FAC). Situation #2 In a tie-breaker, the players switch sides after six points and the wrong player (Player A) serves the next point. What is the call? Whose serves the next point? Answer: The point stands because it was played in good faith, but since the error was discover after an odd number of points have been played, the service order remains altered and Player B then serves. If the error is discovered after an even number of points, the error is corrected immediately. (#27 in Rules of Tennis, pg. 20) Situation #3 In a doubles match, Team B serves out of turn. Both teams realize the mistake after the first point. What should they do? Answer: If a player serves out of turn in a standard game, the player who was originally due to serve shall serve as soon as the error is discovered. However, if a game is completed before the error is discovered, the order of service shall remain as altered. Also, if a fault is served and then the error is discovered, the fault that was served before the error should stand. Situation #4 A player serves from the wrong side of the court (the deuce side), when the score is 30-15. What is the call. Answer: During a standard or tie-break game, if a player serves from the wrong half of the court, this is corrected as soon as it is discovered and the server should serve from the correct half of the court according to the score. If a fault was served before the error was discovered, the fault shall stand. Remember: The general guiding philosophy in correcting mistakes whether it is failing to change ends, serving from wrong ends, serve to the wrong court, receiving from the wrong court, etc., is this: Any such error shall be corrected immediately as soon as discovered, but not while the ball is in play, and any points completed under the erroneous condition shall be counted as the points were played in good faith. The only exceptions to the “rectify immediately” requirement are: In the case of a doubles match where the players of one team happen to reverse their “sides” when receiving in the middle of a set, and the mistake is discovered during the middle of a game, the players finish that game in their “new” positions, but then resume their regular sides in all receiving games after. In cases of error during a tiebreaker (see pg. 20 in Friend At Court)
Who is Working Higher Level Events Outside of the Section? Look at all the USTA Northern officials who are working professional events around the country. For more information on how you too can apply to work professional events, please contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected]. Ron Jacobus Jr. working as a Chair at the Tulsa Men’s 15k hard courts in June. Vyasachar Mohan worked the Houston ATP Clay Court championships in April He will be working the Washington, DC ATP/WTA and the Cincinnati Masters ATP/WTA in August and the US Open in September. Way to go Northern Officials, keep up the great work! Please forward information for future newsletters to Kristi Bushinski at [email protected].
Milestones Happy Birthday to the following officials! Yelena Yan 7/13 James Robertson 7/27 Khai Tran 8/16 Richard Arians 9/26 Rachel Reese 9/26 Dennis Hayden 9/27 Robert Hank 9/28
Welcome New Officials We have some new faces to the officials group. Please welcome Yelena Yan, Aaron Goodman and Sandy McLeod. Please take the time to introduce yourself when you see then out and about on the courts. Welcome aboard!
Getting To Know USTA Northern Official ... Dennis Hayden Q:
How long have you been an official?
A:
Started in 1998 I think, after Mohan pestered me. So this is my 18th year.
Q:
How and why did you get started?
A:
Mohan had been officiating for a year, and when he told me about the duties I felt it was a good way to give back to tennis in a positive way.
Q:
What has been your biggest highlight as an official?
1. 2. 3. 4.
Meeting a greater variety of the tennis community. Having a pro tournament (WTA) held locally. It is missed. The sense of challenge. The sense of accomplishment after handling difficult situations properly.
Q: A:
What are the best reasons to become an official?
Q: A:
Why should someone else become an official?
Q:
What advice would you give young officials who are looking to advance to the professional level?
A:
Be proactive about yourself. Refresh your knowledge of rules frequently. Ask questions, even if you think you know the answer to situations that occur. Don’t shy away because an error has occurred, but embrace the opportunity for learning.
For all of the above. The greatest is the giving back to a wonderful sport. All of the reasons stated. An individual can set his/her goals and work toward them. There are several paths to follow if one chooses to do so.
A Message From Our Section President: Dear USTA Northern Officials, As some of you may have already heard, Tim Kurtt has decided to resign his post as the Chair of Officials for USTA Northern effective June 22. In addition, Tim will also be transitioning out of officiating over the next few months. This is a sad time for all of us as Tim is the most decorated official to ever come out of USTA Northern and is recognized as one of the best officials in the world. He is one of only a handful of people worldwide to have worked all four Grand Slams and the Olympics multiple times – something most of us can only dream about. We have been so fortunate to have Tim as a leader, mentor, role model, and more importantly, a friend during his service to the officials organization within USTA Northern all these years. Thank you Tim for your vision, service and dedication. You have represented our Section with such professionalism and grace around the Section, United States and the world. We will definitely miss you. In the meantime, the Section is in discussions about how we would like to move forward. If anyone is interested in increasing their role within the officials’ organization for our Section, or has suggestions, please feel free to contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected] or Mike Goldammer at [email protected]. Also, any questions that would have gone to Tim previously (rules interpretations, on-court situations, code violations, etc.), please now contact Kristi directly with those as she will be the officials’ Point of Contact during this time of transition. Once again, thank you Tim for all of your service to the officials and USTA Northern, and thank you officials for all that you do for the Section! Sincerely, Kathy Lundberg President, USTA Northern
Upcoming Clinics/Trainings/Evaluations/School If anyone knows of someone looking to get into officiating (Level 1) or if anyone is looking to move their ranking up, (i.e., college level) and would like to attend a Level 2 chair clinic, or be evaluated, please contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected]. We do not have any clinics scheduled at this time, but will add some to the calendar based on response.
News, Notes and Reminders Calendar/Schedule Blocking Thank you to everyone for keeping their calendars updated with their availability in Arbiter. We are coming into a very busy time with the National Senior Games, Aquatennial and other events for the summer, please keep your calendars updated to reflect your availability. Thank you! Vision Forms This is a reminder that vision forms for all on-court officials (Sectional and above) must be submitted by December 1, 2015. As of June 18, we have not received your 2015 vision form. Click here for the 2015 Vision Form. Forms can be faxed to 914-696-7178 or emailed to [email protected]. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Best Practices& Reminders Clarification about Rest Periods Before Start of Third Set Junior Matches The summary of important changes in The 2015 Friend at Court and handouts at the Officials’ Schools contained an error. The error involved the rest periods in matches in which there is an interruption in play in the first set of a best-of-three set tiebreak junior match. 1. The information correctly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in the second set of a best-of-three set tiebreak match, there was no 10-minute rest period and instead there was only the standard 2-minute Set Break. This also means that there is no coaching before the start of the third set. 2. The information correctly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in a bestof-three set match with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of the third set, there would be a 3-minute rest period during which coaching is allowed. 3. Correction. The information incorrectly stated that if there was an interruption of 10 minutes or more in the first set of a best-of-three set tiebreak match, there was no 10-minute rest period. In fact there is a 10-minute rest period when the interruption of play occurs during the first set. 4. Clarification. Table 12 applies the same to short sets and conventional tiebreak sets. Rest periods for the best-of-three tiebreak short sets are the same as the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Rest periods for the best-of-three short sets with a Match Tiebreak are the same as the best-of-three tiebreak sets. Player returning late from a three-minute rest period A player returns late from the 3-minute rest period before a Match Tiebreak played in lieu of a full third set. The Tennis Rules and Regulations Committee clarified that the first penalty imposed should be a Time Violation. The player will then be penalized under the Point Penalty System for further lateness, meaning Code Violations should be issued. Consecutive Time Violations are not currently permitted in any USTA competition.
What’s the Call? Situation #1 Player A hits an overhead in which Player B volleys back over the net into the proper court, but the ball hits Player B’s racquet and wrist almost simultaneously when hitting the volley. What is the ruling? Answer: As soon as the ball hits any part of Player B’s person, either before the ball or after it hits her racquet, the ball is dead and the point is over. Because the ball is coming towards Player B, it is her responsibility to make the call (#5 in The Code, pg. 49 in FAC). Situation #2 In a tie-breaker, the players switch sides after six points and the wrong player (Player A) serves the next point. What is the call? Whose serves the next point? Answer: The point stands because it was played in good faith, but since the error was discover after an odd number of points have been played, the service order remains altered and Player B then serves. If the error is discovered after an even number of points, the error is corrected immediately. (#27 in Rules of Tennis, pg. 20) Situation #3 In a doubles match, Team B serves out of turn. Both teams realize the mistake after the first point. What should they do? Answer: If a player serves out of turn in a standard game, the player who was originally due to serve shall serve as soon as the error is discovered. However, if a game is completed before the error is discovered, the order of service shall remain as altered. Also, if a fault is served and then the error is discovered, the fault that was served before the error should stand. Situation #4 A player serves from the wrong side of the court (the deuce side), when the score is 30-15. What is the call. Answer: During a standard or tie-break game, if a player serves from the wrong half of the court, this is corrected as soon as it is discovered and the server should serve from the correct half of the court according to the score. If a fault was served before the error was discovered, the fault shall stand. Remember: The general guiding philosophy in correcting mistakes whether it is failing to change ends, serving from wrong ends, serve to the wrong court, receiving from the wrong court, etc., is this: Any such error shall be corrected immediately as soon as discovered, but not while the ball is in play, and any points completed under the erroneous condition shall be counted as the points were played in good faith. The only exceptions to the “rectify immediately” requirement are: In the case of a doubles match where the players of one team happen to reverse their “sides” when receiving in the middle of a set, and the mistake is discovered during the middle of a game, the players finish that game in their “new” positions, but then resume their regular sides in all receiving games after. In cases of error during a tiebreaker (see pg. 20 in Friend At Court)
Who is Working Higher Level Events Outside of the Section? Look at all the USTA Northern officials who are working professional events around the country. For more information on how you too can apply to work professional events, please contact Kristi Bushinski at [email protected]. Ron Jacobus Jr. working as a Chair at the Tulsa Men’s 15k hard courts in June. Vyasachar Mohan worked the Houston ATP Clay Court championships in April He will be working the Washington, DC ATP/WTA and the Cincinnati Masters ATP/WTA in August and the US Open in September. Way to go Northern Officials, keep up the great work! Please forward information for future newsletters to Kristi Bushinski at [email protected].
Milestones Happy Birthday to the following officials! Yelena Yan 7/13 James Robertson 7/27 Khai Tran 8/16 Richard Arians 9/26 Rachel Reese 9/26 Dennis Hayden 9/27 Robert Hank 9/28
Welcome New Officials We have some new faces to the officials group. Please welcome Yelena Yan, Aaron Goodman and Sandy McLeod. Please take the time to introduce yourself when you see then out and about on the courts. Welcome aboard!
Getting To Know USTA Northern Official ... Dennis Hayden Q:
How long have you been an official?
A:
Started in 1998 I think, after Mohan pestered me. So this is my 18th year.
Q:
How and why did you get started?
A:
Mohan had been officiating for a year, and when he told me about the duties I felt it was a good way to give back to tennis in a positive way.
Q:
What has been your biggest highlight as an official?
1. 2. 3. 4.
Meeting a greater variety of the tennis community. Having a pro tournament (WTA) held locally. It is missed. The sense of challenge. The sense of accomplishment after handling difficult situations properly.
Q: A:
What are the best reasons to become an official?
Q: A:
Why should someone else become an official?
Q:
What advice would you give young officials who are looking to advance to the professional level?
A:
Be proactive about yourself. Refresh your knowledge of rules frequently. Ask questions, even if you think you know the answer to situations that occur. Don’t shy away because an error has occurred, but embrace the opportunity for learning.
For all of the above. The greatest is the giving back to a wonderful sport. All of the reasons stated. An individual can set his/her goals and work toward them. There are several paths to follow if one chooses to do so.
