The ATL has written a minimal set of its own rules, while also adopting widely recognized rules from the Houston Ladies Tennis Association (HLTA) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

The order of precedence is as follows:

1. ATL
2. HLTA
3. USTA

Complete sets of the ATL and HLTA rules are contained on this site in both on-line versions, and downloadable PDF versions.  All sets of rules can be accessed via the links below.  The "On-Line" versions are suitable for viewing on this web site.  The "Downloadable PDF Versions" are more suitable for printing and can be viewed on-line, printed, or downloaded.

You will need Adobe Reader to open or print the PDF version.  You can download and install it on your computer for free by clicking below:

1.      TEAM REQUIREMENTS 

a)    ATL teams consist of a maximum of 25 players for 5 lines.  Players may be added during the season until a maximum of 25 players is reached.  The coordinator must be notified by Monday evening prior to a player participating in the next day's matches.  All players must be listed on the team roster.  No substitutes are permitted.  Players may not be dropped and replaced.  A player may not switch teams in mid-season.  Once a player is on a roster that has been submitted, that player cannot play for any other team during that season.  

b)    Championship level players (according to HLTA & WHLTA ranking) are restricted to playing Line 1 and Line 2 only.  No Open Championship/Super Championship level players will be allowed to participate in this league.

c)    Each club or subdivision must provide three courts on Tuesdays at 9:00 am and two courts at 10:30 am.  If it is necessary for a team to play some of the matches indoors, the host captain must notify the guest team prior to the matches.  Do the best you can. 

d)    Play begins at 9:00 am and 10:30 am (when court is available).  Default times are 9:15 am and 10:45 am.  Default rules will be strictly enforced.  Warm-ups must be taken PRIOR to default time. 

e)    Due to the fact that we have five lines, we will rotate all lines each week, with three lines playing at 9:00 am and two lines playing at 10:30 am.  Lines will rotate, such that each team will have an opportunity to play at 9:00 am five to six times out of the THIRTEEN week play schedule. 

f)     ATL will follow USTA rules and HLTA guidelines unless otherwise stated. 

g)    Phones and pagers are not to be used on the court.  If a player’s phone or pager rings during the match, the offending line will forfeit either the set they are playing at that time, or the following set if they are between sets.  However, if the offending player chooses to answer the phone, her line will immediately default the match.  At the time of the first offense, any player on the court can turn off her phone or pager without further penalty. 

The ringing of the first phone shall serve as notice to all players on the court that all phones and pagers must be turned off.  The subsequent ringing of a phone or pager belonging to any player on the court shall result in the default of the match by the offending line. 

Players may use their phone, during the 10-minute break between the second and third sets, provided they are away from the court and comply with the time restriction. 

h)    As a courtesy to players, any defaults known in advance should be reported to the team captain ASAP. 

i)     Team captains must set line positions in advance of match time and exchange lineups BEFORE matches start each week.  Players are not restricted to specific line assignments (except championship and baby championship level players playing Lines 1 & 2 only).  Obvious sandbagging will be brought to the attention of the Rules Committee. 

j)     There will be a luncheon if voted on by the captains.

k)    The ATL is a semi-competitive league for A level teams with geographic boundaries that include Clay Road on the north, Barker Cypress on the west, Westheimer on the south and the 610 West Loop on the east.  Any new teams joining the league should be within these boundaries, unless voted on by the captains.

2.   FORMAT:  Teams will play each other once each season.  Matches will consist of 2 out of 3 sets, regular scoring with a 12-point tie breaker at 6 all in the first 2 sets.  A super tie breaker, first team to 10 points and win by 2, will be played in place of a third set.  Balls, ice and water (preferably on the court) must be provided by the home team each week (only USTA approved balls).

a)  SCORING;
5 POINTS for a win in 2 sets or a default
4 POINTS for a win in 3 sets
3 POINTS for a loss in 3 sets
2 POINTS for a loss in 2 sets or retired (illness, injury,etc.)
0 POINTS for a loss by default

3.   TROPHIES:  Points will be kept and the team that wins will receive a trophy at the end of each play season, which will be engraved with the winning team name.  The winning team will keep the trophy through the next season, at which time the trophy will be given to the next winning team.

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1.  GENERAL 

1. H.L.T.A. is a hard court doubles league made up of 4 levels.  Each level is divided into flights based on ability - Open Championship-1, Open Championship-2, Championship; A-1, A-2, A-3; B-1, B-2, B-3; C‑1 and C-2.  Each large flight is divided into divisions based on geographical location of the playing site.
    
2. H.L.T.A. has two seasons - Fall season beginning in September and Spring season beginning in February.
    
3. A copy of each team's roster and registration fee must be in the Head League Coordinator's possession by the published roster deadline date in order for that team to be qualified to play.  Each roster must have a minimum of 10 players and a maximum of 15.  H.L.T.A. considers "regulars and substitutes" as equals in membership and all should be listed ALPHABETICALLY on team rosters.
    
4. Any additions or subtractions to rosters must be in the possession of the Head League Coordinator by the ROSTER CHANGE DEADLINE DATE.
    
5. All team members must be paid members of H.L.T.A.  EVERYONE LISTED ON THE ROSTER MUST HAVE DUES PAID TO THE H.L.T.A. OFFICE BY THE ROSTER CHANGE DEADLINE DATE.  A $10.00 penalty shall be assessed for dues received between the roster change deadline and the captains' meetings.  No one under 18 years of age may participate in the women's league.  Any player who wins without being a member forfeits any wins.  Membership forms may be obtained from the H.L.T.A. office (713-774-7160) or on the website (www.hlta.com)
    
6. Determination of level and flight of teams is based on prior performance and points scored.  This will be supervised by the Head Coordinator and Flight Coordinators.  Prior performance is based only on a team's previous season's record.  Any team (or player) that does not play for one season will be considered a new team (or player) when re-entering league.
   
   (a)  Winners will be moved up a flight and any team making 75% of the total points for a season will be invited to move up a flight provided the team retains six or more of its players from the previous season.
   
   (b)  A team winning less than 33% of its possible points will be reclassified, for the upcoming season, at the next lower flight.  Any C-2 team not making 33% of its points will be allowed to remain at the C-2 level.
   
   (c)  A new team entering at a specific flight, or a team being re-formed to remain at the same flight may only consist of a combination of the following:

   (1) players who played at that flight the previous season and whose team made its points;

   (2) new players to H.L.T.A.;

   (3) not more than 4 players from any higher flight;

   (4) not more than 4 players from any lower flight.

   (d)  Any team that drops out after the league schedules are prepared or during the season shall not be eligible to play league the following season.  This would apply to all members listed on that team's roster.  H.L.T.A. encourages the teams to submit a full 15 member roster to avoid dropping below the 10 member minimum when unforeseen circumstances arise.
   
   e) All tennis professionals: current and ex-teaching pros, current and ex-touring pros who maintain a USTA rating of 5.0 or above must play at the Open Championship Level.
    
7. Each team must have a Captain or Acting Captain at the Captain's meeting.  Your schedules and score sheets will be given ONLY TO A MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM and will not be mailed.
    
8. Court Requirements:  Two courts allow 1 team; four courts allow 2-4 teams; six courts allow 5-6 teams, etc.  Any required court fee/guest fee/parking fee must be paid by the home team.  Playing site must have a restroom and water available.
    
9. The host team must furnish 4 cans of unopened yellow USTA APPROVED CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITY BALLS for hard courts (no seconds).  The matches will be played using the balls opened by the home team.

1. Regular matches will be scheduled on Monday mornings.  All matches will be played on the date scheduled except for matches postponed because of rain (See Section MATCH PLAY #9) and matches rescheduled pursuant to the SPRING BREAK rules below.
    
2. Home Team Captain will ascertain number of courts available (at least two required) and must contact Visiting Team Captain at least 4 days prior to their match (Note: no later than Thursday afternoon), to discuss place, order of matches and whether the upcoming matches will be played - all indoors or all outdoors.  The Home Team Captain shall have first choice as to when her pairs shall play.  The visiting team should be informed of home team's club dress code, if any.
    
3.  Each team must have a Captain or Acting Captain present at every scheduled match.  Captains MUST exchange line-ups before the first match begins, and must record the scores after each match. Both Captains must sign and mail both score sheets to the appropriate Flight Coordinator immediately following the match.  ONCE LINE-UP SHEETS HAVE BEEN EXCHANGED, LINES OR NAMES CANNOT BE MOVED FROM ONE LINE TO ANOTHER.  A substitute (player that is not listed on the original score sheet) can be used in a match that has not begun.
    
4. All first matches should start at 9:00 a.m. with a warm-up not to exceed 15 minutes.  For instance:  #2 and #4 doubles at 9:00 a.m., #1 and #3 doubles at 10:30 a.m..  Generally, one and one half hours should be allotted each match for scheduling purposes.  If a team has to travel a long distance a 9:30 or 10:00 starting time is permissible and all 4 teams may play at one time (courts permitting) if agreed upon in advance by both Captains.  INDOOR TEAMS should book the courts for 4 hours to avoid being bumped.
    
5. There will be a 20 minute default rule in effect for all scheduled matches.  The official time for determining defaults is available at 713-529-4444.  Players are urged to report for their matches at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.  Default time for 2nd round matches will be immediately following completion of 1st round matches but not before 20 minutes after the scheduled time.  For example, default time for a 10:30 a.m. scheduled match would be 10:50 a.m. provided the court is available for league play.  This rule must be strictly followed.  No personalities, extenuating circumstances, or other leniencies should be given.  A default should not be played, and is credited to the team having both players present on time.

1. Team matches will consist of 4 doubles matches.
    
2. Individual matches will be the best 2 out of 3 sets - playing regular scoring.  The 12-point tie-breaker as specified by USTA will be in effect any time the score reaches 6-all in any set.
    
3. Scoring:
   
   (a)  8 points will be counted for #1 doubles, 7 points for #2, 6 points for #3 and 5 points for #4.  Total match score will be 26 points.
   
   (b)  A bonus point will be given for a 3 set loss, provided all three sets are completed.  These points will be used to determine league standings.
   
   (c)  A total of all points at the end of the regular season will determine the winner of each flight, or each division where flights are so divided.  In the case of a tie for first place in a division, a winner will be decided using the following method:

   (1)   Head-to-head season winner

   (2)   Sets won (entire season)

   (3)   Least sets lost (entire season)

   (4)   Games won (entire season)

   (5)   Least games lost (entire season)

   d)  Any team winning a division will be moved to the next higher level the following season. (See General Rules 6.a.)
   
   (e)  All division winners will receive individual trophies.
    
4. Play must be continuous.  All warm-ups, including service, must be taken before the first point is played.  During the individual matches, a break not to exceed 10 minutes may be taken between the 2nd and 3rd sets only!
    
5. Phones and pagers are not to be used on the court.  If a player’s phone or pager rings during a match, the offending line will forfeit either the set they are playing at the time, or the following set if they are between sets.  However, if the offending player chooses to answer the phone, her line will immediately default the match.  At the time of the first offense, any player on the court can turn off her phone or pager without further penalty.
   
   The ringing of the first phone shall serve as notice to all players on the court that all phones and pagers must be turned off.  The subsequent ringing of a phone or pager belonging to any player on the court shall result in the default of the match by the offending line.
   
   Players may use their phones during the 10 minute break allowed between the second and third sets provided they are away from the court.
    
6. No children are allowed court side at matches at any time.  Offending line will be defaulted.
    
7. A defaulted match, for any reason, is scored as 8 points for #1, 7 points for #2, 6 points for #3, 5 points for #4 for the opposing team.  The name of all players, including those defaulting, must be written in the proper space on the score sheet, as if the match had been played as scheduled.  If a match is begun and then must be defaulted because of injury or illness of a player, write the match score up to the point of default: "2-6, 4-3, 40-15, default - injury".
   
   (a)  Defaults must be made from the bottom up.  Any default not from the bottom up will be loss of the line plus 5 point penalty.  Any blatant withdrawing/retirement will result in loss of line plus 10 point penalty. Tardy defaults will not be assessed extra point penalty, provided the tardy team shows up, dressed to play, before all other matches have been completed.  When playing rain make-ups, defaulting from the bottom up does not apply.
   
   (b)  The default of four lines by a team is a serious breach of sportsmanship and shall subject the defaulting team to a penalty of up to 40 points.  Within one week of the date of a four line default, the captain of the defaulting team shall notify the Flight Coordinator in writing of the reasons for such default.  The Board, upon consideration of such written explanation, as well as any other information presented to the Board, shall assess such penalty as it deems appropriate.
    
8. In the event of rain:
   
   (a)  Completed matches will stand as played.
   
   (b)  Rained out matches must be completed within two weeks of the originally scheduled date or no points will be scored.  If a rain make-up is also rained out, an additional two weeks from the date of that rain out can be taken to complete the match.
   
   (c)  Incomplete matches must be resumed at the same set, game and point as they stood when halted.  (Any point played is always counted and never played again.)  No player substitutions can be made.
   
   (d)  For any lines that have not started their matches, teams do not have to adhere to their original line ups when playing make-up matches.  Any players may be used as long as they are not already playing on another line.  When playing rain make-ups, defaulting from the bottom up does not apply.
   
   (e)  If line ups have been exchanged, but play cannot begin due to rain, the score sheets are rendered null and void, including any lines that were to be defaulted
   
   (f)  In questionable weather, teams scheduled for 9 a.m. matches must be at the playing site.  Cancellation of matches by captains should not be made before 10 a.m.  If rain occurs after matches have begun, be prepared to wait for 30 minutes to determine if courts become playable.
   
   (g)  In the event of a rain out, date, time and location of all rescheduled matches must be reported by both team captains to the Flight Coordinator within 48 hours.  Home team is responsible for scheduling matches to be played as soon as possible.  Each line may be scheduled individually.
   
   (h)  All rescheduled matches must be played at the home team's courts, unless a change of location is agreed upon by all 4 players.  Rescheduled matches do not have to be played under the same conditions (all indoors or all outdoors).
   
   (i)  Score sheets must be sent to the Flight Coordinator as soon as all matches are completed in order for points to be awarded.  Matches not played by the first Monday after League ends will not be scored.  Any exceptions will be noted.
   
   (j)  Rained-out matches must be rescheduled at the discretion of both Captains.  If mutual agreement cannot be reached, the Flight Coordinator may select a date.  Once a rain make-up is mutually agreed upon, teams are committed to play on that date at that scheduled time (barring further rain).
    
9. No linesman or umpires will be provided for matches.  Players are urged to call the score after each point, to avoid confusion.
    
10. No coaching (by teammates or professionals) will be allowed during matches, including the break between the 2nd & 3rd sets.
     
11. Teammates and spectators may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring or the conduct of the match.
     
12. It is the home teams' responsibility to control the spectators conduct during match play.  No spectators will be allowed on the court proper.
     
13. Poor conduct will not be tolerated.  The Head League Coordinator may penalize a team who displays poor conduct as defined in the USTA Rules.
     
14. Unless otherwise specified, USTA rules will govern play.  Also, "The Code" as a handbook of ethics and fair play should be understood and followed by every H.L.T.A. player.  Captains and team members are urged to familiarize themselves with the official USTA rules and "The Code".
     
15. Any situation not covered by these rules should be referred to your Captain.  If in doubt your Captain can contact your Flight Coordinator.  She will either answer your question or contact the proper authority.  Our official umpire will make the final decision where USTA rules are involved.  The HLTA Board will make the final decision where H.L.T.A. rules are concerned.  All official protests must be submitted to the Head League Coordinator in writing within 14 days of the scheduled match being protested.

4. SPRING BREAK 

1. The Head League Coordinator will designate two weeks in the Spring season as Spring Break weeks.  Teams will be asked on their registration form to indicate which one of the two weeks they would like to have recognized as their official Spring Break week.  No team will be required to play matches during their declared Spring Break week.
    
2. One of the two weeks will be selected by the Head League Coordinator for a league wide bye based on which date appears to accommodate the most teams.
   
   Teams whose Spring Break falls on the other week can reschedule their match on either the Monday of the league-wide bye, or the Monday following their last regularly scheduled match.  If either team wants the match rescheduled, then rescheduling is mandatory.  The schedule change must be reported to the level coordinator before the start of the season.
    
3. Regardless of which Monday is chosen, the matches are to be played as regular Monday matches with all four lines playing that day.  For matches that are rescheduled to the end of the season, if the home team cannot provide courts, then the visiting team may do so.  However, the original home team retains the right to set the line times.  If neither team can provide courts then the level coordinator should be notified.
    
4. In the event of a rain-out the week prior to their Spring Break, teams will not be required to play over their Spring Break week.  The teams may take an additional week (or even two weeks, in the event of conflicting Spring Breaks) to complete the match.

5. THE 12-POINT TIEBREAKER 

1. The team that first wins seven points shall win the game and the set provided they lead by a margin of two points.  If the score reaches six points all, the game shall be extended until the two point margin has been achieved.  Numerical scoring shall be used throughout the tiebreaker.  The team whose turn it is to serve shall be the server for the first point.  Thereafter each player shall serve in rotation for two points, in the same order as previously in that set, until the winners of the game and set have been decided.
    
2. Players change ends after every six points and at the conclusion of the tiebreaker.
    
3. The team that served first in the set that ended in a tiebreaker shall receive service in the first game of the following set.

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