Global rule change for tennis to take effect in U.S. on January 1, 2012
If a picture says a thousand words then these videos will tell you the story of 10 and Under Tennis (TAUT). If you have questions and hesitations about what's ahead please take a moment to watch this short clip. This is red level tennis. Enjoy "the mega rally" ...
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that on January 1, 2012 the rules of tennis will be officially changed and require that 10 and Under Tennis tournaments be played utilizing smaller, lighter racquets and lower-bouncing balls on smaller courts. The change was adopted by the USTA in the summer of 2010.
The USTA rule change is on the heels of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) global rule change. The ITF rules states:
"From 2012 the rules of tennis will state that no 10 and under age group competition can take place using a standard yellow ball; instead a slower red, orange or green ball must be used."
This rule change signifies the emergence of 10 and Under Tennis as an integral part of the development of young players. The scaled-down equipment and smaller courts better allow kids to rally and play the game earlier in their development, and increase the likelihood that they will return to the court and continue to improve while having fun doing it.
"We want tennis to be fun and accessible to kids as they enter the game," said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. "Similar to other sports such as baseball, basketball and soccer, kids will now learn and compete on the right-sized court with the right-sized equipment, which will help us grow the game."
The days of applying an adult model to children’s tennis are over! Watch this short video to see tennis from a child’s perspective:
The specifications for the revised rule hold that all tournaments for those ages nine and 10 be played on 60-foot courts using orange low-compression tennis balls and regulation nets (3- feet at the center) or, for those more experienced and more skilled players, on 78-foot courts with green lower-compression balls. Tournaments for those eight years-old and younger are to be played on 36-foot courts using either red low-compression balls or foam balls and nets at a height of two-feet, 9-inches.
"Change can be difficult," say Amy Jensen, NorCal Manager of Player Development. "During these times it is important to keep in mind that many other sports have very successful scaled down versions such as baseball (little league), basketball, golf and soccer. Some would say that tennis, as a sport, is actually slow to adapt! And also globally there are numerous countries that have implemented versions of 10 and Under Tennis many years before the U.S. They have seen great retention of players, as well as success producing high performance players and world champions."
Tennis parents have raised many great questions about TAUT. During this adjustment period, some players may become what we are calling our 'lost generation.' These are the players that make an early jump up to the 12's, rather than stay in the 10's. It is wise to educate yourself and find out as much as you can before making that decision on behalf of your child.
"My players (age 8 and 11 yrs) are already using a yellow ball and I thought that TAUT meant going backwards. We were convinced that TAUT was recreational or introductory tennis and that once my kids had used a 'regular' yellow ball that they had graduated," says Helen Bae of El Cerrito. "However now I understand that this is just tennis scaled to size, just like their clothes or their shoes. If my boys use the wrong equipment it will be harder to develop sound technique, a complete arsenal of shots, tactical awareness of how to use these shots, and the ability to construct points successfully. Also I think my youngest would enjoy the game way more as he could have success playing at the net on the smaller courts. The fun factor is huge!"
And here are some insights from Bill Weber. Bill is a teaching professional, and also a member of the NorCal TAUT Committee: "I have trained in a variety of U10 global models; Belgium, Canadian, USPTA, and the English. When I talk to parents I tell it like it is. I explain to them that the US is already 20 years behind. All you have to do is look at the top 100 ranked players and you can see that we don’t have strong representation. TAUT is the next evolution in our sport. It’s time to get on board with 10 and Under Tennis!"
What will TAUT look like here in NorCal?
Our NorCal TAUT Committee has been working hard to forward to following rules and guidelines for all 10 and Under sanctioned tournaments in 2012:
Tournament Levels: Novice and Open (for 10 and Under tournaments there will not be Challenger tournaments)
Age: All players under the age of 10 are allowed to compete in 10 and Under tournaments
Ball: All Novice and Open level tournaments will use a Green level ball. The Green ball is slower and bounces lower than a yellow ball.
Court Size: All matches will be played on a full size court (78’x27’ singles, 78’x36’ doubles).
Racquet: It is RECCOMMENDED that all players utilize a racquet that is 26’ inches in length or shorter.
Scoring and Draw Formats for NOVICE Tournaments:
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Round Robin draws that are scheduled so as to complete all matches in a division on one day and in no more one 4-hour period of time.
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Multiple concurrent Round Robins with the best finishers from each Round Robin competing in one or more playoff matches. This format may be schedule on one day in no more than one 4-hour period of time or the playoff matches may be scheduled on a second day. Compass Draw that is scheduled so as to complete all matches in a division on one day and in no more one 4-hour period of time. Alternatively, the final round or rounds may be scheduled on a second day.
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Any draw format when all matches are a pre-determined length of time and the winners are those players who lead at the end of the timed period. This format shall be scheduled so as to complete all matches in a division on one day and in no more one 4-hour period of time.
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Matches shall use short sets with no-ad scoring.
Scoring and Draw Formats for OPEN Tournaments:
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Round Robin that is scheduled so as to complete all matches in a division on one day and in no more one 4-hour period of time;
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Multiple concurrent Round Robins with the best finishers from each Round Robin competing in one or more playoff matches. This format may be schedule on one day in no more than one 4-hour period of time or the playoff matches may be scheduled on a second day.
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Compass Draws are scheduled so as to complete all matches in a division in one day and in no more one 4-hour period of time. Alternatively, the final round or rounds may be scheduled on a second day.
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Matches shall be played using the best of 3 short sets with a 10 Point Match Tie Break in lieu of a third set.
Removal of 10 and Under Rankings:
Also note that there will no longer be 10 and Under Rankings in 2012. This is an extension of the concept removing adult models from youth sports. Did you know that the drop out rate for kids playing youth sports is 70% by the age of 13? Organizaitons like the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) exist to bring awarenss to the fact that there is an 'adult problem in youth sports.' This removal of rankings coincides with the child-centric approach that is the core of the TAUT philosophy.
"The removal of ranking points for 10 and Under Tournaments shifts the emphasis away from results," says Summer Verhoeven, NorCal 10 and Under Tennis Coordinator. "At this stage of development the main focus is on creating a love of the game! We look forward to the culture change that 2012 will bring. The focus will now be on creating a user friendly tournament experience, team (as well as individual) competition, learning to play the game, and of course making friends and having fun."
For more information on the rule change go to:
www.10andundertennis.com