The ITA Division I Operating
Committee held a highly-focused conference call and after a great deal of
vigorous discussion, the committee voted to mandate experimentation in the
winter of 2014 (January/February) with a new dual meet format that will
represent a dynamic change from the current team format. The new ITA format
will be time sensitive (under three hours), but still emphasize the importance
of doubles in the college team match. The following is the ITA dual meet format
for experimentation:
The dual meet will consist of three doubles matches played first (worth a total of one point), followed by six singles matches, each individual match worth a point. Four points are required to win the team match.
The three doubles matches will each consist of one set to 6, with one-ad scoring and a tie-breaker at 5-all. Once a team has won two doubles matches, the remaining doubles match will stop (NB. this "clinch" policy is the current rule in the ITA National Indoor Team Championships and the NCAA Team Championships).
Six singles matches will follow the doubles, each singles match two out of three sets, with each set using one-ad scoring, and a tie-breaker at 5 all.
Once four points have been reached ("clinching" the team match), the remaining matches shall not be completed (as in the doubles point, this "clinch" policy is the current rule in the ITA Indoor Team Championships and the NCAA Team Championships).
There will be no warm-up against opponent before the first point is played in doubles and singles: players will be expected to warm-up with their own team prior to the scheduled match time (it should be noted that this "no warm-up against opponent" rule is tentative: a final decision about this will be made by the ITA Operating Committee at its annual meeting this December).
The dual meet will consist of three doubles matches played first (worth a total of one point), followed by six singles matches, each individual match worth a point. Four points are required to win the team match.
The three doubles matches will each consist of one set to 6, with one-ad scoring and a tie-breaker at 5-all. Once a team has won two doubles matches, the remaining doubles match will stop (NB. this "clinch" policy is the current rule in the ITA National Indoor Team Championships and the NCAA Team Championships).
Six singles matches will follow the doubles, each singles match two out of three sets, with each set using one-ad scoring, and a tie-breaker at 5 all.
Once four points have been reached ("clinching" the team match), the remaining matches shall not be completed (as in the doubles point, this "clinch" policy is the current rule in the ITA Indoor Team Championships and the NCAA Team Championships).
There will be no warm-up against opponent before the first point is played in doubles and singles: players will be expected to warm-up with their own team prior to the scheduled match time (it should be noted that this "no warm-up against opponent" rule is tentative: a final decision about this will be made by the ITA Operating Committee at its annual meeting this December).
21 comments:
This is going to be great fun!
did you mean no add scoring? not familiar with one add scoring.
"Still emphasize the importance of doubles..." by dumbing down the game altogether.
Why not a coin-toss for the doubles point?
The USTA has been telling us (ITA Officials) that we need to distance ourselves from representating USTA during ITA events, to the point we can't display any USTA endorsed officials gear. If this is the case, then why in the hell is the USTA mucking up collegiate tennis by inserting themselves into making changes to ITA rules (without ITA involvement) for the sake of special ITA play days. This is just one more case of the USTA's arrogance.
Explain: One-Ad scoring? My guess is if the game goes to the second duce a second time, next point wins.
I thought one ad was a typo, but googled it and found this article. Looks like the idea is from ITA and referencing a new "one ad" format.
http://tenniskalamazoo.blogspot.com/2013/09/ita-proposes-format-experiement-with.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Zootennis+%28ZooTennis%29
1-add scoring: = play the no-ad point on the 9th point.
This new format will be great!! Now there will be plenty of time after the match to go have LUNCH.
Now we need Randy to figure out how to get the schools to pay for it.......
I'm working on it now. Of course the elite program at Baylor already provides lunch as does the elite program at TCU.
I really prefer more than a Subway sandwich so I'm working on a higher level of sandwich...
In fact, if we are in the Metroplex I would prefer a double order of boiled shrimp from Pappadeaux's with non-alcoholic wine or beer.
I don't think TCU could be considered an 'elite program' just right now. But I can say those "lunches" that TCU provides are NOT 'elite' in anyone's world.
I'm gonna love the new rules. Hope they stick around longer than February 2014.
I believe Texas used to provide lunch AND drinks, but that perk was eliminated after Mr. big black bag (name withheld)kept filling his bag with the goodies.
I wouldn't brag about the crap provided by Baylor as a perk for the officials. Usually pretty bad.
OMG! You DEMAND food and then get pissy about getting food! GROW UP...
I say pay you cheapO's less since we are playing a lot less!
I just hope you don't screw up the scoring! I cannot wait!
You can be fairly sure that that last comment was sent in by a disgruntled (and cheap) tournament director.
thats nice that the MTOA officials are so pampered, do some matches down in SEC country and let me know if food is provided. I work many matches down south and usually just get food on my own before match and then 3-5 hrs later get next meal after match has ended. Now if ITA Regional or NCAA Regional officials get meals provided but few schools actually provide meals.
Let's just change everything and go to World Team Tennis scoring. I see lots of training going on next Spring!
VIRTUAL TENNIS.
Here's a novel idea to solve the time/cost issue in college tennis. Have the players log-on and play a virtual game of X-box tennis; the system could keep a running score and tab on the team score. Fans could also log-on to follow their team. To keep the coaches involved, you could have them matchup in a 10 question quiz on ITA rules. No travel costs. No lost class time. The student-athletic would still need excellent eye-hand coordination to become a top-flight player. Solves multiple problems.
Let the Matches begin!!
I am a certified USTA and ITA official with approx. 12 years experience. I was recently made aware of your interesting blog relating to the "One Ad Scoring" and the "2014 Experimental ITA Rule Changes." While some of my below mentioned changes are stupid, they make about as much sense as these ITA "Powers that Be" decisions.
- "One Ad Scoring" - That is just a fancy name for "No Ad Scoring." This is plain stupid and confusing. Leave it alone.
- "2014 Experimental ITA Rule Changes" - If everything is time sensitive (under three hours), why not just play "Short Sets with Add scoring" for both, Doubles and Singles. Then play a tie-break at four all.
Just curious why these "knowledgeable ITA powers that be" cannot hold their meetings during the summer months and experiment with their carefully thought out decisions during the fall tennis season. Since a lot of schools participate in fall unsanctioned events, I feel this would be the perfect time to implement these "brilliant" suggestions and not wait until the season is underway. It would save a lot of confusion among the coaches, players, and officials. Sometimes I feel these ITA decision makers are just trying to justify their existence.
I spoke with a number of coaches at Regionals last week at TCU. All of them felt the new rules were horrible...doubles rule change is a joke...and college tennis is in serious trouble with David Benjamin at the head of the ITA
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