Frequently asked questions
NEW TO JTT:
Q: How does USTA Jr. Team Tennis work?
A: USTA Jr. Team Tennis is a combination of practice and match play for juniors ages 6-18. Teams play local
matches against other area teams of similar age and ability level. A match consists of boys singles, girls
singles, boys doubles, girls doubles, and mixed doubles. The winning team is determined by highest overall
games won. How often teams play and the scoring format will vary by league. Following the local season,
teams can choose to compete in a Championship series.
Q: What are the different divisions?
A: The divisions are broken down by age and ability level. Not every league offers teams in each division.
8 and under: QuickStart Tennis format
10 and under: QuickStart Tennis format
12 and under: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced
14 and under: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced
18 and under: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced
Q: Where are there local leagues?
A: During the summer there are leagues in Grand Forks, Fargo, Sioux Falls/Brandon, Rochester, Eau Claire,
St. Cloud, Brainerd, Southern Minnesota (Mankato/St. Peter), Northern Minnesota (Hibbing, Grand Rapids,
Duluth), Greater North Dakota (Jamestown, Bismarck, Mandan) and the Greater Twin Cities Area
stretching from Northfield to North Branch. Don’t see your area? See below on how to start one.
Q: How do I find a team?
A: Some leagues allow open registration, so players can just sign up and be placed on a team. Other leagues
require players to be affiliated with a team prior to registering. Contact your local league coordinator or the
Section office at 952-887-5001 to learn how leagues are structured in your area. If needed, they can connect
you with coaches in your area or talk to you about how to form your own team.
Q: How can I start a team/league in my community?
A: We have resources to help you through the entire process from generating interest to training coaches/team
managers. The first step is to contact the USTA Northern office at 952-887-5001 to receive materials and
get started on a customized plan.
Q: How much does it cost to play?
A: All players must be current USTA members. A junior membership is $19/year. Multiple year discounts are
available as well as family memberships. There is a $5 USTA Northern JTT Section league fee. Online
processing fees are $3 or 7.5% + $.50, whichever is greater. Teams and local leagues may charge additional
fees to cover their costs.
Q: Who can coach?
A: Any adult can coach a team. Tennis experience is not necessary and trainings are available. USTA
HIGHLY encourages all youth programs to conduct background screenings and check references on anyone
who interacts with the players to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Q: When are the different league seasons?
A: The primary league season is during the summer and runs the months of June and July. Other team tennis
offerings are available throughout the year and vary by location.
Q: When does registration begin?
A: Depends on the league season and local program. Typically registration begins approximately 6 weeks
prior to the league starting.
Q: Is there a registration deadline?
A: It depends on how the league is structured. Most leagues accept players even after the league season has
begun, but there may be a late fee.
Q: How long is the summer season?
A: This will depend on the local league. Most begin in early – mid June and they are done by the end of July.
Q: How often do teams play?
A: This will vary by league. The majority of leagues have matches once a week and/or participate in a series
of one-day tournaments throughout the summer.
Q: How often do teams practice?
A: This will vary by team.
Q: Can players play up into an older age division?
A: Yes, players can play up, but they cannot play down. We encourage players to stay within their own age
division, but there may be instances when it is appropriate for a player to play up.
Q: Why does the summer season always end the last week of July?
A: This is based on feedback from our providers. Numerous reasons are given including but not limited to:
MN high school coaches can no longer have contact with their athletes after July 31st, high school captain’s
practices start in early August, families often go on vacations starting in early August, local summer
programs typically finish at the end of July and they do not have coaching staff available in August.
Q: I can’t find information on the Web site, what do I do?
A: First, please make sure you are on the appropriate Web site. USTA.com has general information, but
nothing specific to local leagues. To find information pertinent to our area, please go to
www.northern.usta.com. You will find USTA Jr. Team Tennis in the left navigation bar. If you are looking
for player schedules and records, you can go directly to http://tennislink.usta.com/teamtennis.
ELIGIBILITY:
Q: When is the age cut-off date?
A: A player must remain age eligible through August 31st of the Championship year.
Q: When is the membership cut-off date?
A: Players must have a current USTA Membership through the end of the league season, which is July 31st.
Players advancing to a National Championship must have a current membership through the duration of the
Championships.
Q: What are the regulations surrounding who must play in the Advanced division?
A: The regulations are listed below. In addition, coaches are provided with supplemental considerations to be
factored in when determining if advanced is the appropriate level for a player.
1. The USTA Northern junior tournament standings lists are used to set play level benchmarks. Players
who meet the benchmarks stated below as of the first standings list published in April, 2011, MUST
play in the advanced division.
For play on a 12 and under Jr. Team Tennis team, players ranked in the top 30 in 12s MUST
play in the Advanced division.
• For play on a 14 and under Jr. Team Tennis team, players ranked in the top 40 in 14s or in the
top 15 in 12s MUST play in the Advanced division.
• For play on a 18 and under Jr. Team Tennis team, players ranked in the top 50 in 18s, top 30 in
16s, top 20 in 14s, or top 5 in 12s MUST play in the Advanced division.
2. Minnesota and Wisconsin: Any player who advances as an individual to his or her high school state
tennis tournament during a previous school season MUST play in the Advanced Division. This includes
singles and doubles.
3. Teams that win the Section Championship at the Intermediate level must either move up to the
Advanced level as a team or disperse to form new teams at the same level for the next Championship
year. The new team(s) may have no more than three (3) players (one boy and two girls or two boys and
one girl) who were on the Section Championship roster. The 14 and under Intermediate Section
Championship team may also remain intact, if they move up to the 18 and under Intermediate level.
•
REGISTRATION:
Q: What information do I need to register online for a team?
A: Team Number (ex. 5551231234) and USTA membership number
Q: How do I get a team number?
A: From your coach or program director. Note: some coaches/programs register all of the players, so you
may not have to.
Q: How do I get a USTA Membership number?
A: A junior membership is $19/year. You can sign up at www.usta.com or by calling 1-800-990-8782. If you
already have a USTA membership, but misplaced the number, you can call Member Services at 1-800-9908782.
Q: If I want to play on two teams, can I just switch back and forth during the local season?
A: With permission from both coaches, you can play on multiple teams, if you register online for both. You
will need to declare which team you will participate on during the championships.
Q: Can a player participate on more than one team at the Championship level?
A: NO. If a player has received local play history on multiple teams, they must choose which team they would
like to participate on for the Championships series. This is true across all divisions, so they can only play on
one team in only one division.
Q: How many players do you recommend per team?
A: 8-10. This allows some flexibility if players need to miss a match, yet the team is still small enough that
the players get to play and feel like a valued member.
GENERAL LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONSHIP QUESTIONS:
Q: Why are the Championships played primarily during the week?
A: Based on surveys, during the week works better with local programming and availability of coaches,
players, and facilities. Playing the championships during week also avoids 99% of the conflicts with USTA
tournaments, so players have the opportunity to do both, if they would like to.
Q: If my team plays a team in a different division will it count as local play (ex. 18 intermediate playing
an 18 and under advanced team)?
A: YES. You will need to inform the USTA Northern Jr. Teams Assistant at [email protected], so
the match can be set up for you.
Q: What happens if both teams decide to play extra matches, can those matches count?
A: YES. You will need to contact your Local League coordinator. They can set up an additional match in the
system, so you can record those extra scores.
Q: What if we have one player who is advanced and the rest of the team is intermediate, what level
should the team play at?
A: If that player is going to play on the team, the entire team must play up to the Advanced level. Check
nearby communities to see if there is another team that individual could play on, so the rest of the team can
stay at the more appropriate intermediate level.
Q: Who can play in the Championships?
A: Players must be USTA members, age eligible, and have at least one match recorded in TennisLink with the
participating team to be eligible for the Area Championships. Players that advance past Areas must have
played in at least three matches over at least 2 days with that same team to be eligible for Section and
National Championships. Matches played at the Area Championships count toward the required play
history. Teams may substitute up to two players onto their team, if necessary. Contact USTA Northern to
review substitution rules.
Q: How many teams advance to Nationals?
A: One team in each of the following divisions advance to Nationals: 14U Intermediate, 14U Advanced, 18U
Intermediate, and 18U Advanced.
Q: We hear a lot about 10 and under Tennis. Are there any Jr. Team Tennis leagues for this age group?
A: Yes. We currently have a few leagues with a 10 and under age division, but are looking for more. To find a
league or learn how to start your own, contact USTA Northern at 952-887-5001.
Q: Our program director does an incredible job, can we nominate them for an award?
A: YES, there are two different awards that they could be eligible for. The Jr. Team Tennis Section Organizer
of the Year award and the Ward Burton Junior Development Award.
Have a question that isn’t answered here?
Contact USTA Northern at 952-887-5001 or send an email to [email protected].