Information Central
Captains Corner
by Kelly Sweet
- So, you're the new Captain. Lots of luck to you this season. You may be new to ALTA or USTA, and have a lot of questions. I'd recommend using this procedure or something similar. Believe me, it can save you a lot of headaches long term.
- At least a month before the roster deadline, contact each potential team member by phone or email. Be diligent; have a firm deadline. Be sure to get a solid answer, if they do not respond by your deadline, tell them you will not be contacting them, and they will be dropped from the roster. Then DO it. Confirm the following with each member:
- Name ____________ Email __________
- Phone ____________ Cell ____________
- Do you want to play this upcoming season?
Yes___ No___ - What do you want the team to do?
Serious ________ More social_______ - How often do you want to play?
Every week____ 4-5 ___ 2-3 _____ Alt_____ - What night(s) and time do you prefer to practice?
Day_______ Time _________ - Do you prefer 5 or 7 lessons? _______
1 hour or 1.5______________ - Are there other teams you are playing on in or out of LP? If so, when are you practicing? ____________
- BTW, how committed are you to either team? ___________________
- Are you interested in serving as Captain or Co-Captain?
- Are there any dates you know you can't play? Surprises aren't good for Captains OR team members. Poor communication can cost more matches than a bad stroke. Remind them to contact the captain ASAP if their situation changes during the season ______________________________
- Be sure to write down any doubts
or questions they may have, especially if this player is new to
your team or to league tennis (ALTA or USTA). This could be a LONG
list, depending on the previous team's makeup.
- When you have your roster complete (on paper), combine any money requirements you may have. Total, and then divide by the number of players you have, and give the total to each member with a firm deadline for collection. These may include but not be limited to:
- Lesson fees for Tennis Pros.
- Typically, these will run around 50 dollars an hour, but you must get a definite figure from the pro, and collect monies in advance. Captains who wait could at worst end up paying for others (I've seen it happen). At best they will have the stress of collecting.
- Fees
- Any court fees or Committee fees required for reservations, etc.
- Clothing
- Is your team thinking about t-shirts? You may think it's silly, but they can add a lot. I know several local outfits who will give you a fair deal.
- New balls for practices, etc.
- I generally open a new can each practice, as I find playing with old tennis balls has a negative effect on my game. Remember, you'll never play an ALTA or USTA match with used balls, so you might as well practice with new ones as well. It is a part of the rules, in a sanctioned match, it will make a difference in your game no matter what level you are playing, and let's face it, a can of balls is two dollars. Cheap entertainment, IMO.
- Ball Savers
- Alternatively, you may also choose to use a screw top ball saver, which costs about 11 dollars at Dicks or Sports Authority. This tool will keep a set of used balls pretty fresh for a week or more (your mileage may vary). Either way, it will make a difference for you long term.
- Playoffs. I have no idea if you will do better at the playoffs if you have a definite goal of winning it all, but it certainly doesn't hurt to plan ahead. Winning a division is a wonderful feat, and those teams who have won an ALTA or USTA City Championship have a memory that will last a lifetime. In my experience, I have been a contributing member or coach/captain of many successful teams, ranging from sandlot football to bowling leagues, and from State Record setting (and breaking) Cross Country teams to Tennis teams (all my tennis victories have been in my current neighborhood). While each of these successes is a fond memory, my tennis victories have been sweetest. This is primarily because of the dynamic nature of the game, which serves to increase the difficulty factor and the jubilation it causes when victory is yours. If you win one sometime, you'll know the elation I'm describing, if not, you can only imagine.
- I also recommend that you read and distribute this article written by Walter James in 1990. You may not agree, but it is wisdom for the ages as far as I'm concerned.
- Don't captain too long. Legacy Park has rules about this (two consecutive seasons) and it is with good reason. Most people tend to start getting possessive when they do it too often, and as an aside, it helps to have everyone get a chance to run things occasionally. Most players gripe the loudest who serve the least.
- Match days. It might be a good idea for you to have certain tools in your bag on match days. These include:
- Rules for USTA and ALTA Tennis.
- Of particular interest might be the tiebreaker sequence. For first year teams, I'd recommend giving every player a copy of these rules to keep in their bag. LEGALLY, players can't ask you about a call during a match. I've seen teams lose many games when a player was unsure about these little gems.
- Tape Measure.
- Use it to confirm net height. Regulation is 36 inches. It could mean the difference between a win and a loss, if for no other reason, than your opponents may be intimidated by one who "knows so much about tennis".
- First aid kit.
- Athletic tape, band-aids, ibuprofen, ankle wraps and a couple of Ziploc bags just in case. Injuries do occur. In fact, I'd pass this on to your team as well, it's just a good way to be prepared.
- Court Conditions
- Be sure the courts are clean and in good condition prior to your guests arriving. This is especially true during rainout make-ups. I've seen teams who have a make-up match ask me to move to a different court when I've already cleaned and dried my court for a practice session. What do you think I should do? My point is, you as captain need to pass this info on so your team is aware. This is especially important if you are playing a team that is heading for the playoffs. Some teams get really funny when they begin thinking they're going somewhere.
- There are lots of responsibilities to captaining, and sometimes the weirdest things will set people off. This is of course quite subjective, I know there is nothing at all weird about what sets me off…and of course this is true with your teammates as well. Nonetheless, when this happens, suck it up and shoulder the blame. I find myself apologizing and taking blame a lot, (after all, when I am the Captain, who better to take responsibility)?