College Timed Tennis Offer 2015-16
Timed Tennis is a fun way to play quick fire tennis matches, we will be encouraging colleges to run touchtennis events using smaller courts, shorter rackets and sponge balls, making it ideal for recreational players or tennis ‘newbies’. Timed Tennis can be run in a variety of formats – team events, singles or doubles competitions.
Colleges can benefit from a free promotional pack, prizes and equipment incentives by signing up to our College Timed Tennis Offer 2015-16. Colleges will be offered a ‘Timed Tennis pack’ in return for delivering a minimum of 3 Timed Tennis sessions over the 2015-16 academic year and submitting the results from these sessions to the Tennis Foundation.
To support colleges with identifying dates for these sessions, we are suggesting you may want to run your events to tie in with three key time periods:
- Fresher’s Week / Start of Term
- Pre-Christmas
- Davis Cup theme (1st weekend in March 2016)
Colleges will be able to deliver other sessions outside of these times however the promotional material will be geared towards these three time periods. In order for us to get the ‘Timed Tennis packs’ delivered to colleges in time for the start of the 2015-16 academic year, we are requesting colleges sign up by 23rd October 2015.
‘Timed Tennis packs’ with merchandise and promotional material for the first two timed tennis delivery periods will be sent out to participating colleges in early September. The ‘Davis Cup Timed Tennis packs’ will only be sent out to colleges who have already delivered a minimum of two Timed Tennis sessions and submitted their results by the beginning of February 2015.
There will be a maximum of 100 college packs available, with limited availability the packs will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Timed tennis promotional packs include: 1 dozen sponge touchtennis balls, a selection of Babolat prizes, A3 posters and touchtennis resources to help promote the events.
We have produced a ‘College Timed Tennis - Organiser Resource 2015’ to help you plan and deliver your events.
We hope you are keen to take part! To receive your Timed Tennis pack just follow these three steps:
1. Complete the application form and email it to education@tennisfoundation.org.uk by 23rd October 2015.
2. Have fun running a minimum of three timed tennis sessions!
3. Complete one results sheet for each event you run and email it back to us following the event. Failure to do this may affect the opportunity for you to receive further timed tennis/equipment packs from the Tennis Foundation/ LTA.
Colleges who are unable to commit to running a minimum of three events can still access and download all the timed tennis competition resources, see below:
Example Formats for Timed Tennis Team Events:
5 teams / 2 hours / 4 mini courts
7 teams / 2.5 hours / 4 mini courts
8 teams / 2.5 hours / 4 mini courts
10 teams / 2.5 hours / 8 mini courts
We will give you all the tools – all you have to do is organise and play!
We’d love to hear about timed tennis competitions taking place in colleges, why not tell us via Twitter: @TennisFndation using: #fetennis
Playing Mini Tennis matches – The basics
Organisation
o You can set up Mini Tennis courts using badminton courts or regular tennis courts see the section on How to set up Mini Tennis Courts
o You can also set up your own courts using Mini Tennis nets or barrier tape for the nets and mark out the lines with masking tape/throw down lines.
o If you can, use 21” rackets and 8cm foam balls.
How do you score in a Mini Tennis match?
Two of the best options are:
1. First to 10 points, like a standard tennis match tie-break, with each player having two service points each, two clear points needed to win. The nominated person serves for the first point,it then alternates every two points; when serving, players should stand behind the baseline; the serve can be hit underarm or overarm and the ball must not bounce before being hit; serves should be hit diagonally, landing in the diagonally opposite service box. Don’t forget to change ends every 6 points.
2. Short sets or full sets, first to four games and six games respectively, with full service games and regular tennis scoring. Alternatively to add a bit of drama, all service games can be decided by a “sudden death” point if they go to deuce (receiver chooses which side). This shortens the time required to complete matches.
In both of the above options you can set the rules about the number of serves you allow, ie. Allow two serving chances like regular tennis or make it harder with only one serve allowed.
Mini Tennis & Tie Break Score Sheets
Variations:
o You can set your own scoring to fit in with the number of players and courts you have, so a match can be ‘first to whatever you want really!’
o Play doubles matches.
o Play Timed Tennis Matches – Players play for a set period of time, until the whistle blows. The length of matches depends on time available and amount of entries eg. 10minute matches, with a final deciding point if there is a draw on the whistle. Timed matches can be ideal for running intra college competitions as you can plan exactly how long matches will last and therefore the overall time your competition will take. There are a range of example timings, formats and resources - see the section on Timed Tennis above.
Competition Planning Guidelines
Once you have decided you want to run a tennis event or competition, it is worth considering the following:
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Before
o What type of event do I want to organise?
o What type of event do I want to organise?
o Who am I hoping to attract and what will they want?
o What costs are involved, do I need to discuss this with the Student Union, college staff, etc?
o When am I going to run the event?
o Book the courts needed and recruit a team to help organise the activity or event and make sure I have the right equipment available.
o Organise any prizes (if relevant).
o Create an order of play, set of rules, or relevant format/ structure for the event/competition. Think about whether people will feel they’ve had a good opportunity to play and meet people, especially if it’s a social day or event.
o Confirm all entries and ensure they understand the format/structure of the event. How long are they likely to be there and how many chances to play will they have?
o Decide on any social activities alongside the event.
o Confirm that those helping are up to speed with the format.
o Be prepared for sudden last minute entries, drop outs and no shows – have a back-up plan.
o Explain what will be achieved during the event.
o How and where will I market or promote what’s happening?
o Promote the activity or event in advance, perhaps with posters, sign up sheets, entry forms, or via social media or the college website. You can access template posters by signing on to allplay
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During
o The experience people have during an event or competition will affect their satisfaction and – for new recruits in particular – whether they come back. Here are some tips to help people feel welcome and ensure you deliver a good experience for all.
o Arrive in good time and set up any necessary equipment; mini courts, nets, lines, etc.
o Put up copies of the rules and format so that people can read before the event starts.
o Try and stick to the schedule and keep encouraging players throughout.
o Take some pictures or even some video footage which can be used to report on the event afterwards.
After
o Get feedback from those who took part; get new ideas and find out what works.
o THANK all the helpers as well as those who took part – they will feel valued and more inclined to take part in another event.
o Raise some awareness post event with pictures and a write up on the college website, Facebook page, noticeboards and the local press.
o Ensure everyone who took part knows when the next event is taking place.
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Format ideas
Team cones
Box Leagues
Squad Tennis /Tag Team Tennis/Elimination Competitions/Compass Draw Competitions/Hit and Mix Doubles Competitions
Charity Tennis Events