Referee Procedures Flashcards
Referee is the final authority on all questions of
Tennis Law!
Successful Referees possess the following three characteristics and qualities:
-A strong knowledge of the ITA rules, how they are implemented and how they differ from the ITF Rules of
Tennis, USTA tournament regulations and The Code.
-The ability to facilitate and gather consensus from
individuals with varying interests.
-A strong ability to listen and be conversational in nature,
not authoritarian.
Successful Referees possess the following three characteristics and qualities:
-Precise preparation and strong attention to detail.
-A calm composure and demeanor, no matter how difficult
the situation.
-Understanding and embracing that even though it’s not
your fault, it is now your problem.
Referee duties during a dual match: If roving, the Referee should be located where?
Centrally located as possible.
Referee duties during a dual match: If in the chair, the Referee should be located where?
Select a court most effective for
overseeing the majority (if not all) of the matches. This, of course, is subject to the court layout of the venue.
Referee duties during a dual match: If you are an off-court Referee, you should be located where?
If you are an off-court Referee, be visible to the players, coaches and other officials throughout the match.
Referee duties during a dual match: Here are some of the major duties that a Referee has during a dual match, in addition to what match(es) you are primarily officiating. This is not an exhaustive list: (Nine Items)
a. Certify (with the help of all officials) that the correct players are on the correct courts. If not, it is the Referee’s responsibility to straighten things out.
b. To the best of your ability, ensure that scoring
devices and scoreboards are kept current.
c. Attend to Medical, Bleeding and/or Concussion Timeouts as necessary.
d. Determine the application and penalty of any “carryover” Code Violations.
i. Point and game carryover penalties shall be assessed at the start of the next game, or immediately if in a tiebreak. A default carryover penalty shall be assessed immediately, regardless of the score.
e. Monitor player, coach, DPA, bench player and spectator behavior and assess cautions/official warnings/point penalties as needed.
f. Suspend play as needed (lighting, rain or any other condition that occurs that becomes hazardous to players, coaches, spectators and/or officials).
g. Following the completion of doubles, within two minutes, the Referee should secure and distribute changes to the singles lineup, if any. Communicate
those changes immediately to officials, match announcer and Sports Information Director (SID).
Referee duties during a dual match: If you are not the sole official for the dual match, a good practice is for the Referee… (3 items)
a. is for the Referee not to be the acting official on the last singles match of the dual match (particularly if it is the deciding match).
b. Be sure to take a position close to the court (about half a court away) so that you have a clear view of all activity and can be easily appealed to on a question of law.
c. If you have started that match as a
Chair Umpire, then you should finish that match in the same capacity.
