2016 JUNIOR TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS
USTA Northern Tournament Eligibility
Page 1
USTA Age Eligibility
Page 1
Junior Tournament System
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USTA Northern Tournament Descriptions – Levels
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Format of Play for USTA Northern Sanctioned Tournaments
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Ranking Points
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Ranking Requirements – Rankings/Standings List
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Officials
Page 4
Seeding
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Scheduling Matches and Number of Matches Played
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Financial Aid for Tournament Players
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Sportsmanship
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Anti-Bullying Policy
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USTA Northern Suspension Point System
Page 5 - 7
National Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 Tournaments
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2016 JUNIOR TOURNAMENT REQUIREMENTS
USTA NORTHERN TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible to play in USTA sanctioned tournaments in the USTA Northern Section you must meet
the following eligibility criteria:
USTA Membership requirement (except for 10U & Level 8 Tournaments)
 The junior player must hold a current USTA membership number assigned to USTA Northern.
 This membership number also allows the player to be eligible for ranking and endorsement in the USTA
Northern Section.
Residency requirement
 The junior player must establish residency in the USTA Northern Section.
 A resident of USTA Northern is someone:
o whose family has permanent legal residence which is located within the Northern Section; OR
o who spends more than 6 months and 1 day living in the Northern Section.
o who’s family legally resides is that person’s domicile.
USTA AGE ELIGIBILITY
 In order to compete in USTA sanctioned tournaments, junior players must meet the “month of birth”
eligibility requirement adopted by the USTA. This means that you may continue to play in the 12, 14, 16
and 18 age divisions until the first day of the month you turn 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively. For example,
if your 13th birthday is on February 25th , you may play in the 12s division during the month of January but
beginning on February 1st, you would need to register for the 14s age division.
 When a tournament begins in one month and ends in the next, players should use the starting date of the
tournament to determine eligibility for the age group you wish to register for. Tournaments that use
TennisLink for registration will automatically have the USTA age eligibility of all entrants checked by
TennisLink.
JUNIOR TOURNAMENT SYSTEM
Key points of the tournament system include:
 Northern Section sanctioned junior tournaments consist of Levels 3 – 8 and 10U.
 Level 8 is the entry level for tournament play and Level 3 is the highest level offered within USTA
Northern.
 Levels 3 and 4 are national points tournaments.
 All 12s play for both boys and girls in Levels 5, 6, 7 & 8 will be green dot ball on a 78ft court.
 Points are not required to enter tournament levels.
 Level 7s are capped at 249 points in any age group. Players with 250 points or more can’t play in a
Level 7 in any age group.
 Levels 3 – 8 and 10U tournaments may have a doubles event affiliated with them. In order to play in a
Level 3 or 4 doubles tournament, players must also be selected to play in the singles event. Players
must also play doubles in their own age group at all Level 3s, 4s and 5s. (We encourage players to play
doubles; it is a vital element in the continued growth of a junior tennis player.)
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USTA NORTHERN TOURNAMENT DESCRIPTIONS
Levels:
Level 3 - The highest level event played in the section, two (2) per year. These are the January Level 3
and the June Level 3 USTA Northern Junior Section Championships. The winner of a Level 3
tournament earns 650 national points and 330 section points. The points in a Level 3 tournament count
towards a player’s national ranking and section ranking. You must play doubles in the same age group
you play singles in – no exceptions.
The January Level 3 tournament will be a draw of 32 in singles and 16 in doubles (the top 32 players to
register in each age group will be selected – selections will be based on the most current
standings/rankings list after entries close – you must be selected in singles in order to play doubles).
The June Level 3 (Junior Section Championships) will be open, meaning any USTA Northern Section
resident may play, no restrictions and no points required.
Level 4 - There are four (4) events per year that have a Level 4 designation. The winner of a Level 4
tournament earns 250 national points and 220 section points. (All Level 4 tournaments are limited to the
top 24 players to register in each age group – selections will be based on the most current
standings/rankings list after entries close). You must be selected to play in singles in order to play
doubles. You must play doubles in the same age group you play singles in – no exceptions.
Level 5 – One (1) Level 5 tournament will be held each month. The points earned in a Level 5
tournament count towards a player’s section ranking (These are no longer national points tournaments).
The winner of a Level 5 tournament earns 165 section points. From January – April and October –
December Level 5s will be draws of 32 in each age group and from May 1 – September 30, Level 5s
will be open, meaning no draw limits or point restrictions. From May 1 – September 30, Level 5s will
also be open to non-section residents. All boys and girls 12s events will be green dot ball on a 78ft
court.
Level 6 – At least one (1) Level 6 tournament will be held each week throughout the year. The points
earned in a Level 6 tournament count towards a player’s section ranking. The winner of a Level 6
tournament earns 88 points. Level 6s are open, meaning there are no draw limits or point restrictions.
Level 6s are open year-round to non-section residents. All boys and girls 12s events will be green dot
ball on a 78ft court.
Level 7 - At least one (1) Level 7 tournament will be held each week throughout the year. Players with
250 points or more in any age group will not be allowed to participate in Level 7 tournament play in any
age group, they must move up to Level 6 and above. Level 7s are open, meaning there are no draw
limits. All boys and girls 12s events will be green dot ball on a 78ft court.
Level 8 – These are entry level tournaments. No membership is required to enter, however, players
must create a USTA account at no cost in order to enter. Level 8’s will be either ½ day or one day nonelimination, non-rankings tournaments. All play in 12’s and 14’s will be green dot ball on a 78ft court.
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10U – All 10 & Under tournaments will be open to anyone. There are no rankings affiliated with 10U
tournaments. All play for boys and girls 10U tournaments will be orange ball on a 60ft court.
FORMAT OF PLAY FOR USTA NORTHERN SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS*
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All Level 3s and 4s will be Full Feed In Consolation (FIC) in singles. (FIC = Should a player lose in any
round in the main draw through the quarter finals, they are fed back into the consolation draw – consolation
will be played out to the finals).
All Level 5s will have the option of choosing which format they want to use (FIC, FMLC). (FMLC =
Should a player lose their first match in the main draw they are fed back into the consolation draw).
All Level 6s and 7s will have the option of running either First Match Loser Consolation (FMLC) or
Modified Feed In Consolation (MFIC) in both singles and doubles, year round. That decision is made by the
Tournament Director based on registration numbers. (MFIC = If a player loses their second match in the
main draw, they are fed back into the consolation draw).
All Level 8’s will be non-elimination tournaments utilizing Round Robin (RR) or Compass draws.
In singles for Levels 3 and 4, in all age groups, with the exception of 12s, matches will be best of 3 tiebreak
sets in the main draw. All 12s play, both boys and girls in main draw and consolation, will be best of 2
tiebreak sets with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set. In consolation, play will be best of 2 tiebreak sets
with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set. Levels 5, 6 and 7 will have the option of running the best of 3
tiebreak sets in the main draw or best of 2 tiebreak sets with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set. All
consolation matches will be best of 2 tiebreak sets with a Match Tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set. All play in 10s
may use the modified scoring formats as outlined in FAC (Friend At Court).
All doubles events affiliated with Levels 3 and 4 will be single elimination, 8 game pro sets. If it is a stand
alone doubles event, the format may follow FIC, FMLC or MFIC and may choose to play best of 3 tiebreak
sets in the main draw.
Start of Play – With the expansion of draw sizes for Level 3s and 4s, play could start as early as noon on
Friday. With Levels 5, 6 and 7, play could possibly start as early as Friday morning. These
considerations were made to accommodate the scheduling guidelines within FAC (Friend At Court). Please
make sure to always check the tournament home page for start time information and any updates.
*Match formats may change due to weather conditions, draw sizes or other unforeseen circumstances.
RANKING POINTS
USTA Northern along with USTA National, uses a combined singles and doubles ranking list for all levels with
the exception of Level 8 and 10U, which will have no rankings affiliated with them. A player’s ranking
includes his or her best six (6) results in a rolling 12-month period in both singles and doubles. Singles equals
100% of points earned while doubles equals 15% of points earned. The chart below describes how the system
works:
Player X (a player with better singles results)
Best six (6) singles tournaments = 1500 points
Best six (6) doubles tournaments = 1200 points
15% of 1200 = 180 points
1500 + 180 = 1680 total combined ranking points
Player Y (a player with better doubles results)
Best six (6) singles tournaments = 1200 points
Best six (6) doubles tournaments = 1500 points
15% of 1500 = 225 points
1200 + 225 = 1425 total combined ranking points
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If a player plays in a higher age level, the player will have a ranking in the higher age level. Points earned will
also count down in the lower age level, provided a current ranking is established in the lower age group.
RANKING REQUIREMENTS
Standings List Explanation: A monthly combined (singles & doubles) standings list is published the 1st of every
month as well as weekly on Mondays. This list includes all players who have participated in at least one
sanctioned tournament event during the last 12 months. Tournament directors, to assist them in seeding their
events, use this list most often. Players, who believe their standings are incorrect, should contact Kristi
Bushinski at: [email protected]. The standings list will use the best six (6) tournaments from
the previous 12-month period to calculate total ranking points for that list. A player’s six (6) best
tournaments in both singles and doubles will comprise their combined ranking. Once a player ages up
(turns 13, 15 or 17), points from the previous age group will fall off of their player record, meaning the lower
age group ranking will no longer show.
OFFICIALS
All Level 3s, Level 4s, and Level 5s are required to have a roving official designated by the tournament
director. For all Level 3s, there should be one roving official for every 4 courts. For Level 4s, there should be
one roving official for every 6 courts. For all Level 5 events, there should be at least one roving official per site
used. Additionally, all Level 3s and 4s will be required to have a tournament referee.
SEEDING
Auto seed will be the method of seeding all tournaments. The Computerized List Method will be used for
seeding (FAC), based on the current standings/ranking list after entries close.
SCHEDULING MATCHES AND NUMBER OF MATCHES PLAYED
In all junior age groups, it is recommended that no player shall play more than 2 singles matches and one
doubles match per day when using the regular two-out-of-three set format. An additional singles and doubles
match may be played in cases where the event is using a tiebreak in place of a third set. In case of poor weather
conditions and tournament facility deadlines, the tournament director and referee will make any necessary
adjustments to the rules regarding matches played. In some cases, adjustments to the schedule will have to be
made if the draws are greater than 32 players and the event uses a full feed-in format. In some cases, match
play may begin early in the morning on the first day of the tournament due to draw sizes.
It is recommended that in the 12 and 14 age divisions no match should start after 8:00 p.m., and in the 16 and 18
age divisions no match should start after 10:00 p.m. It is also suggested that players should be given a
minimum rest of 12 hours between the completion of play of their last matches of any day and the start of play
of their first matches the following day. (For complete scheduling guidelines, please refer to "Friend At Court"
under "Scheduling Guidelines".)
FINANCIAL AID FOR TOURNAMENT PLAYERS
It is a goal of USTA Northern to make tennis available to all young athletes regardless of race, color, or
financial status. Applications for assistance from available funds can be requested from the USTA Northern
office at [email protected]
SPORTSMANSHIP
The USTA views sportsmanship as the demonstration of these characteristics: determination, fair play,
competitiveness, and compliance with the USTA Code of Conduct. (You can find the USTA Code of Conduct
along with “Friend At Court” information at www.usta.com). All junior players are expected to use good
sportsmanship both on and off the court.
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In addition, there is a USTA Northern Spectator Policy that is enforced. Ultimately, if a spectator refuses to
adhere to the spectator policy, an immediate enforcement of the point penalty system against the player with
whom the spectator is involved will be triggered (detailed in “Friend At Court”).
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
USTA Northern supports an environment for participation in tennis conducive to the enjoyment of the sport that
is free from threats, harassment and any type of bullying behavior.
A USTA Northern program participant (including players, coaches, volunteers, etc.), parent or spectator who
engages in any act that constitutes bullying - including physical, emotional and the use of electronic
communications (i.e.cyberbullying), harassment or threatening behavior intended to harm others through any
written, verbal, physical or electronically-transmitted expression directly to the intended or through a third
party, is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to:
• Suspension Points
• Suspension
• Permanent Suspension
• Referral to Law Enforcement Officials
The severity and pattern behavior, threats and/or result shall be taken into consideration when disciplinary
decisions are made.
To report those who are in violation of the above policy, please contact Mike Goldammer, USTA Northern
Executive Director, at [email protected] or 952-358-3284.
USTA NORTHERN SUSPENSION POINT SYSTEM
The USTA Northern Suspension Point System will be in effect at all sanctioned junior tournaments in the
section and will be used in main draw and consolation rounds (With the exception being 10U tournaments).
Persons authorized to file suspension point reports are: tournament referees and their assistants, on-court
officials, tournament directors, members of the USTA Northern Junior Competition Committee and the USTA
Northern Director of Junior Competition. All of the above-authorized persons will report only on violations
personally witnessed by them.
Recording of Suspension Points:
Suspension Point Reports with descriptions of all violations will be sent to the Director of Junior Competition in
the USTA Northern office. These reports will then be forwarded to the USTA Northern Junior Competition
Committee for documenting and recording on the junior player’s tournament record. NOTE: Suspension points
received out of section (National Tournaments, Zonals, etc.) will also count against a player’s local record.
The USTA Northern Junior Competition Committee will implement the Suspension Point System and points
assessed as defined in “Friend At Court” for 2016. Below is an explanation of the Suspension Point System
currently in use for USTA National and USTA Northern as defined in “Friend At Court” and used as a guide in
reviewing the points assessed for 2016. The third point explains the "Code" under the Point Penalty System.
Suspension Point System:
Application: The Suspension Point System shall apply to tournaments listed on the USTA Northern Junior
Tournament Schedule. It applies to conduct:
 During all matches (main draw, compass draw, consolation, qualifying, and doubles);
 During tournament activities;
 At tournament facilities
 At facilities, such as hotels, dormitories, and homes where players stay.
 Online behavior
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Suspension Points: The USTA Northern Director of Junior Competition shall record suspension points upon
being notified of the following violations:
Code Violations under the Point Penalty System: For each violation under the Point Penalty System (USTA
Regulation I.P.), two points shall be assessed for the following:
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Point - 2 points
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Game -2 points
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Default - 2 points
Defaults:
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Default for a flagrantly unsportsmanlike act on or off the court - 8
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Default for refusal to play or continue to play for any reason other than illness, injury, or personal
emergency - 5
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Default because of an adult decision - 5
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Default for no-show - 5
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Default due to late arrival for a match - 1
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Disqualification for ineligibility - 3
Withdrawals:
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Entering two or more tournaments, matches, or exhibitions scheduled to take place at the same time,
in whole or in part, unless each Tournament Committee involved approves the multiple entries in
writing - 5
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Withdrawal from a tournament (singles or doubles) after entries have closed for any reason other
than injury, illness, or personal emergency - 4
Unsportsmanlike Conduct:
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Unsportsmanlike or inappropriate conduct off court at locations such as the tournament site, hotel, or
housing – 8-10
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Not using best efforts to win - 2
Gross Misconduct:
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Physical act of violence against another person on or off the court by a player, parent, relative,
coach, or other person associated with a player - 10
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Illegal use of drugs or possession of illegal drugs - 8
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Possession or consumption of alcohol beverages - 8
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Gambling activity (as defined in USTA Regulation I.N.18.) - 8
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Destruction of property - 8
Playing While Under Suspension: Competing in any sanctioned tournament while under suspension by the
USTA or one of its Sectional Associations - 10
Suspension Points Received at International Tournaments: Each suspension point assessed a player by the
International Tennis Federation at tournaments not on the National Junior Tournament Schedule - 1
Persons Authorized to File Suspension Point Reports with the Referee: The following persons are authorized to
file suspension point reports with the Referee for offenses they personally witness.
 Tournament Committee members, Tournament Directors
 Referees
 Deputy Referees
 On-court officials (including Roving Officials)
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Court Monitors, if specifically authorized by the Referee
Club or facility managers
Hotel or dormitory managers
Families housing players
Junior competition staff and Junior Competition Committee members
Player Suspension:
 Initially, if a player accumulates 10 or more points over any 12-month calendar period, he/she will be
suspended according to the following information:
o First suspension: 8 weeks with no tournament play. No ranking for the current year and no
endorsement to the next Junior National Tournament/Event. The initial 10 or more points are
erased following reinstatement. After a first suspension reinstatement, a player shall be
suspended either a second or third time with the accumulation of 5 or more points.
o Second suspension: 6 months with no tournament play. No ranking or endorsement as stated
above. The 5+ points resulting in the second suspension shall be erased following reinstatement.
o Third suspension: Additional six months suspension.
Appeal Following Suspension:
 A player may appeal his/her suspension to the USTA Northern Junior Competition Committee. All such
notices of appeal must be received in writing at the USTA Northern office no later than 10 days after the
date of the original suspension notice.
 Code violations are final and may not be appealed.
Notices Issued:
The USTA Northern Junior Competition Committee will inform players and their parent(s) by mail when a
player accrues six (6) suspension points. Copies of subsequent suspension point reports received by USTA
Northern will be sent to the player’s residence. When a player accrues eight (8) points, an additional
notification regarding the possibility of imminent suspension will be sent by mail for review by the player and
his/her parent(s). NOTE: Due to delay in receiving documentation, a player may accumulate additional
suspension points before being notified when he or she is at 6 points. Therefore, all players must rely on their
own records of suspension points to avoid actual suspension.
If, after receiving the 6-point notice, a discrepancy between the USTA Northern record and the player’s
personal record can be found, a review may be requested in writing by the player and/or parent and sent to the
USTA Northern Junior Competition Committee at the USTA Northern office.
NATIONAL LEVEL 1, 2, 3 AND 4 TOURNAMENTS
The following link provides further information on additional national tournament opportunities for players. As
well, should you have further questions you can always contact the section office.
http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/Zonals-2014NJTSTriFold-Final.pdf
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