Full Explanation of Three Minute Break Rule

Procedures for 3-Minute Rest Period before Match Tiebreak in Junior Matches

When a 3-minute rest period is taken in a junior match before a Match Tiebreak, the procedures below shall be followed.

1.   The official starts the clock on the 3-minute rest period after explaining the rest period and giving any explanation required because of a request for a toilet/change of attire break. There are three possible situations.

·         No player requests an immediate toilet/change of attire break.  The official simply starts the clock at the end of the explanation.

·         At least one player requests an immediate toilet/change of attire break.  The official starts the clock at the end of the explanation in order to time the rest period and the toilet/change of attire break.  (The toilet/change of attire break must be timed so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break.)

·         One or more player requests a toilet/change of attire break after the 3-minute rest period. 

o  The official starts the clock at the end of the explanation. 

o  The official starts the clock again at the end of the 3-minute rest period so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break.

2.   Players must remain on court or in an area adjacent to the court designated by an official.

3.   The official shall monitor the entire 3-minute rest period to ensure that players do not leave the court or the designated area.  The official must continue to monitor the court until play resumes, even if the official’s assistance is needed or requested on another court.

4.   Coaching is permitted during the 3-minute rest period and must take place on court or in an area adjacent to the court designated by an official.  Coaching may take place using a cell phone or other communication device.  The device must be turned off and stowed at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period.

5.   A player who is not ready to play at the end of the 3-minute rest period may receive a time violation, just as the player would for being late after a changeover or 2-minute Set Break.   Should an additional 20 seconds pass without the player being ready, a code violation for delay of game may be issued.

6.   If both players or teams are not ready to play, assess the time violation penalty against the last player or team who is ready to play.

7.   A player may choose to take a toilet/change of attire break during the 3-minute rest period, but in doing so, the player waives the right to further coaching and coaching is not permitted during the toilet/change of attire break.  Reasonable time is given for this break.  The break must be timed so that the official has at least some objective information on which to determine whether a player has exceeded the reasonable time allowed for the toilet/change of attire break.  Coaching for any player not taking a toilet/change of attire break ends at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period.

8.   Preferably any toilet/change of attire break is taken at the conclusion of the 3-minute rest period.  Reasonable time is given for this break.  Coaching is not permitted for a player who is taking a toilet/change of attire break or for any player waiting for another player to return from a toilet/change of attire break.

Instruction to Players Before Start of 3-Minute Rest Period

1.  Instruct the players immediately before beginning to time the rest period.

·         The 3-minute rest period will begin at the conclusion of this explanation.

·         Coaching is allowed during the rest period.

·         Coaching must occur on court or in the area that the Referee has designated that is next to the court.

·          “Time” will be called at 2 and ½ minutes and players must be ready to play in 30 seconds thereafter;

·         Failure to be ready to play will result in a time violation.

·         Further delay will result in code violations.

2.  If a player requests a toilet/change of attire break:

·         Explain that the toilet/change of attire break may be taken after the 3-minute rest period and that the player has reasonable time to complete the break.  No player may receive coaching during a toilet/change of attire break.

·         If a player insists on the need to take the break now, explain that the player loses the right to receive coaching and has reasonable time to complete the break.

3.   Assuming that at least one player takes advantage of the rest period, the official calls "Time" at 2 ½ minutes and advises the players that within 30 seconds all coaching must cease and they must be ready to play.

4.   If a player is not ready to play, the official assesses a time violation.  The penalty will be either a warning or a point penalty depending on whether the player or team has received a previous time violation.

5.   If the player is not ready to play in an additional 20 seconds, the official assesses a code violation.  The penalty is a point penalty, game penalty, or default depending on whether the player or team has received a previous code violation.  Note that if the penalty is a game, the match is over.

6.   If the player is not ready to play in an additional 20 seconds, the official assesses a code violation resulting in the match being over.

Reasonable Time for Toilet/Change of Attire Break

1.   The rules allow players reasonable time for a toilet/change of attire break.  Penalties for lateness after a toilet/change of attire break should be assessed in only the most blatant case of delay.  The players must be given the benefit of the doubt.

2.   When the courts are arranged for easy access to toilet facilities, the Referee may give guidance to the players and officials as to how long it should take for a round trip to the toilet.  But even then, it is impossible for the Referee to fix a specific time as being reasonable because of variables including:

·         The possibility of there being a line to use the facilities.

·         The difference in the reasonable amount of time needed to use the toilet or locker room depending on the specific reason for the trip.

3.   A blatant case that justifies assessment of a penalty for lateness requires the official to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a player has abused the right to a toilet/change of attire break.  The official may assess a time violation (warning or point penalty depending on whether the player or team has previously received a time violation).  If play has not begun within 20 seconds of issuing the time violation, a code violation (point, game, or default) may be assessed.

4.   Remember that the bigger issue with toilet/change of attire breaks is with a player receiving unauthorized coaching.  The penalty for receiving unauthorized coaching is a code violation.

MTOA Spring Work Opportunities

The MTOA has a list available of all tournaments in the Metroplex in February through May of 2012.  The list contains the tournament name, dates, referee, contact information, and tennis link for the tournament.

If you are interested in receiving this list, please email your request to the email posted above and we will be glad to send you a copy.

February 3rd Line Clinic Information

BASIC INFORMATION

Date:  February 3, 2012

Location:  T-M Racquet Club

Time:  7:00 p.m.

Duration of clinic:  2 hours

Contact Person:  Seande Pulley (spulley12@hotmail.com) 214 896 8122

LINE UMPIRE TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES

Be neatly dressed in your USTA uniform, unless issued another uniform by the tournament. Have your sunglasses, water bottle, etc. ready. Arrive early (perhaps 7 minutes) to your assigned court.

Service line:
 Chair should be facing straight down the service line
 Sit alertly in a comfortable position, hands resting on your knees, feet on the ground
 When the server starts to toss the ball, move your head and eyes to the line
 If the serve is good (within 18”), make your safe signal (SS) by placing your hands together, just off the knee. If you are on the same side as the chair umpire, the SS should be slanted
toward the Chair Umpire (CU). If opposite the CU, arms straight, hands together, just off the knee.
 If the serve is out, loudly call “fault” and then make your signal out (SO). Your arm should be straight from the shoulder, thumb closed against your hand.
 If you are on the same side as the CU, the SO should be straight out toward the service line.
 If opposite the Chair Umpire, the SO should be parallel to your sideline.
**** Additional duties: * have a measuring device to check net between sets


Base Line:
* prepare for ball change if needed (2 or 3 games before change)
 Chair should be angled toward the intersection of the serve line and the far sideline
 Sit alertly with good posture, hands resting on your knees, feet flat on the ground
 If the server is on the opposite end from you, you have no call to make until at least 3 hits. So watch the point develop.
 If the server is on your end, watch for footfaults, but do not “hawk” the line. Then, watch the point develop. Head movement (HM) as you “watch the point develop” is important. But, Do not track. Rather follow the ball in play (at least from service line to service line) and go to your baseline when threatened. The decision to go to the line should be made before or as the ball crosses the net, giving time to decide a focal point for looking at the line depending on the direction the ball is traveling.
 If you are on the same side as the Chair Umpire, SSs and SOs should be slanted toward the CU.
 If opposite the Chair Umpire, hand signals should be just off the knee, or straight from the shoulder.
 SS: 18”or less, hands together, just off the knee SO: shoulder high, arm straight, after a loud, crisp “out”


Long line:
 Before each point move quickly to your appropriate position depending on the crew configuration (Chr +1, Chr +3 , Chr + 5, Chr + 6, etc)
 Ready position (RP): feet roughly shoulder width, hands on knees (similar to a baseball umpire)
 At Ease: feet roughly shoulder width, hands clasped behind back
 If the server is on your end, watch server until the toss starts, then move your head and eyes to the line.
 Head movement (HM) during the point is important. Follow play, then go to the line when threatened.
 Moving from center to side line requires fast movement. Instead of using a two-hand SS, use a one-hand running safe signal (RS) to assist in quickness. Be sure to keep an eye on the action as you move.
 SS: 18’’or less, hands together, just off the knee SO: shoulder high, arm straight, after a loud,
(vertical to the ground), in the ready position crisp “out,” in the ready position
 When calling serve behind the receiver, there are 3 acceptable positions: A. on the line, in the ready position or crouched low, B. inside standing (hands on thighs) or in the ready position, C. outside standing (hands on thighs) or in the ready position. After the serve, move quickly to the normal RP.


Miscellaneous:
 Look to the chair umpire (1) on point ending shots, (2) between points, (3) and always on changeovers
 Don’t dive, flag, or embellish hand signals. Just off the knee, or shoulder high, with arm(s) straight
 “Out” calls should be crisp, prompt and loud. Long “out” calls do not necessarily sell.
 Always follow the Official’s Code of Conduct, on and off the court.
This document was originally prepared by Bob

NOTE: symbols for T/E grading of line officials can be seen as a beginning note on NUCULA

MTOA Request For Training Monies

Printed below is the formal request that the MTOA has sent to the USTA Texas Section requesting funds for training:

OFFICIALS TRAINING

Metroplex Tennis Officials Association

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

2012

PROPOSAL

Trainees would be paid a flat rate of $50.

 Trainees would have to attend either the annual Officials School or Roving 101.

 Trainees would be assigned a trainer and rove for at least one 6-hour shift.

 Roving 101 teacher would receive a flat rate of $50 per training session.

Trainers for roving officials would be paid by the tournament and trainees from the USTA money.

Trainer would determine if trainee was ready after the allotted training time.

                                                                  COST  PROJECTIONS

$50 per trainee for 6 hours of on-court training X 20 officials: $1000

20 trainees are projected since there is an average of 30 new officials per year, but not all complete the training.

$50  per training session for Roving 101 instructor X 6 sessions per year:  $300.

Training for chair officials:  $400

Total cost for all training and materials:  $1700

GUIDELINES

 Roving 101 would only be required of those officials who take the provisional test during the year and have not attended the  officials school.

Those who attend the school would not be required to attend Roving 101.

Trainers would be expected to cover the Roving 101 materials during the training time.

Roving 101 materials will be mailed to all trainees who do not attend the Roving 101 class.

The trainer would have the discretion to say whether or not the trainee is ready after the allotted training time.

Trainees must wear official clothing, possibly with the exception of the shirt, but in lieu of the official shirt, trainee must wear a red or blue polo shirt.  Trainees who are improperly dress will not be permitted to do the shadowing.

Point to remember:  MTOA averages 30 new officials per year, but not all would complete all of the training.  Based on previous numbers, of the 30 who start, around 20 complete all of the training.