New Canaan Women's Platform Tennis League

Warm-Up Serving

• Players take turns serving to each other.
• Receiver does not return the serve. They catch the ball.
• At the end of the serving warm-up, it is okay to hit 1 or 2 controlled returns to get your timing. Don't rifle the return back at the server.
• Once the match starts, there is no more practicing of the serve, except for the 3rd and 4th server in rotation. If you are the 3rd or 4th server, it is appropriate to ask "Can I try one?" If you fault, "Can I try another?" It is rare for the receiver to say "No," although they could.

Making Line Calls

• Assume the ball is in if it is close to the line.
• If your partner has made a bad call, reverse it. If the ball was put back in play after the bad call, play a let. If your partner did not put the ball back in play and made a bad call, your team forfeits the point.
• If you perceive someone has made a bad line call, let the first instance go.
• If it happens again, ask them if they are sure of their call. You have made your point.
• If it happens again, ask their partner what they thought.

Suggestions for a Good Paddle Partnership

• REMEMBER THAT PADDLE IS A GAME!!!! Enjoy it for the exercise, the sportsmanship and camaraderie! Have fun --- it's not a matter of life and death.
• Encourage your partner whenever possible, by praising her good strokes and ignoring her bad shots. NEVER criticize your partner in the middle of a match - she feels badly enough about her own error!
• Keep chatter to a minimum once the match has started. It is not necessary to comment or rehash each point. The next point is the one that counts so start thinking about what you are going to do next shot.
• Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to call yourself on a carry, a double hit and touching the net. Become aware of what a carry feels like. Sometimes in our enthusiasm, we make errors and it is important for you to call them on yourself - your opponents should not call them, but will be aware and may smolder in rage, and that's no fun.
• Watch out for foot faults. Opponents smolder at those, too. If the opponent is making flagrant foot faults, a word tactfully spoken while changing sides should remedy the situation.
• On lines - if you are not sure, give the advantage to the opponent. YOUR honesty and graciousness may invoke the same in your opponents and it will make for a happier match.
• REMEMBER THAT A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE CAN BE A BIG FACTOR IN WINNING. If you are confident and friendly, your partner will be at ease and play a better game. If you are tense and edgy, you will not only psych yourself out, but your partner as well! If you have confidence in your partner, she will live up to your expectations and gain confidence. So --- have a positive attitude and a friendly smile, and REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE PLAYING PADDLE FOR FUN!!!!