TCWO Little Aces League: Scorekeeper’s Guide
Before the match begins, introduce yourself to each player and make sure you know their names as
well. Tell both players that you are there to help keep score and resolve any issues they might have
understanding the rules of the game.
Before a point begins, make sure you are standing at the side of the court, right beside the net post.
This way you can see the whole court and see each player, easily and equally. Check to see that each
player is standing over or close to their position marker at the back line. Both players must be ready –
in the right position and focused on the ball - before a serve is hit. If the player returning serve is not
ready when the serve it hit, stop and replay the point.
Last but not least, parents are not allowed to scorekeep any games that involve their own child. We
have experienced problems in the past with perceived biases and accusations between parents. By
establishing this rule, we hope to eliminate any conflict of this nature in our league.
Rules of the Game:
1. In tennis, a player/team can score a point if their opponent hits a ball out, hits the ball into the net,
lets the ball bounce twice, double faults, or fails to return the ball.
2. Overhead serves must land on or before the service line. Underhand serves (in the Red Court only)
must also land on or before the service line. Underhand serves in the Orange Court can land
anywhere inside the court boundary. Please note that underhand serves are a means for any player to
start the point if they have trouble starting the point with an overhead serve. Any player who begins
taking advantage of the underhand serve (by hitting aggressive shots to the corners, for example)
should be asked to slow their serve down and aim for the middle of the court OR serve overhand. A
demonstration of a proper underhand serve can be provided by a coach if necessary.
3. If the serve hits the net cord, goes over and bounces in, it’s considered a “let” and the serve is
replayed. If a serve hits the net cord, goes over but bounces out, the ball is out and is considered a
fault.
4. The server always has 2 attempts to start the point. If the server misses both attempts, it is a double
fault and the point is awarded to the opposite team. The serve switches teams/players every 2 points.
5. The ball can only bounce once on a player’s side before that player must return it. If the ball
bounces twice in a row, the point is awarded to the opposite team. With the youngest beginners on
the Red Court, the ball can bounce more than once if needed. A player can hit a volley (hitting the ball
before it bounces) on any shot except the return of serve.
6. If any part of the ball hits the line when it bounces, the ball is considered in. It is the responsibility of
the player on the side the ball bounces to call the ball out if it lands out. Failure to do so simply means
the point continues. The player (on the side the ball bounces) and the scorekeeper must be 100% sure
the ball was 100% out in order to call a ball out and award a point. If a player calls a ball OUT which is
CLEARLY IN from the Scorekeeper’s view, the scorekeeper can interject and correct the players call. On
clay, sometimes the bounce leaves a mark which you can find immediately and use to show you’re
your call is correct. Please replay the point in this situation. If bad calls are being made consistently,
please inform the supervising coach.
7. Always remind players/teams to shake hands after each match!
Scoring and Matchplay Formats:
In all playing formats, when a point is won, that team is awarded 1 towards their score - 0,1,2,3,etc.
(we do not use the standard scoring system - love, 15, 30, 40, game). In all matches, a single score is
kept for each team which will go toward their final score tally for the day. So, for example, if Team Red
beats Team Blue 24-11, Team Red will score 24 and Team Blue 11. This way, even though Team Blue
lost, they are still contributing to their team score and are rewarded for the points they win. When the
coach signals that time is up, each team must finish the point they are currently playing. Scorekeepers
then report the scores to the supervising coach while the kids get a drink and take a little break.
Each week, all teams on all courts will play three timed matches approximately 12-15 minutes long
(with supervising coaches assigning the matchups):
Match 1: Singles, 2 points on, 2 points off
When there are 2 team members to a side, they rotate every 2 points (called, 2 on, 2 off). Each player
plays against the same opponent for the entire match, switching off and on, every 2 points. The player
waiting off should be standing on their designated marker if they’re on the Red Court, or standing at
the back of the court when they’re on the Orange or Green court. This will ensure that they do not
interfere and create an unsafe situation for those playing the game. If there is only one player to a
side, that player will play every point in the match.
Match 2: Singles, 2 points on, 2 points off
Matchups change – coaches will determine and assign new matchups
Match 3: Alternating Hit Doubles
This format is like doubles table tennis: Both players on a team are active in every single point and will
alternate every shot. Each team serves two points (each player from each team serving one point). The
receiver returns it, then the server’s partner must hit it next shot, followed by the receiver’s partner
and so on. This alternate hit sequence continues throughout the rally and if a player hits it out of turn
(hits two times in a row), the team loses the point.
We hope you find this guide useful and please remember, if at any point while scorekeeping a
match, do not hesitate to pause the game and seek help from your supervising coach if you need
too. Do your best to help our kids learn the rules and scoring of tennis so that they can become
independent tennis players as quickly as possible!
General Court Set-up for League Play
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