Members' Court Etiquette
These general guidelines help keep games moving, show respect for others and preserve the good name of the club.
1 Warming up. Warm up courteously. Allow yourself and other players enough time to prepare and warm up the body for a game, especially in winter.
2 Ball safety. Keep your side of the playing area safely clear of balls. The net players should scoop up net balls quickly and feed the server with balls, where possible. Do not go onto adjacent courts to retrieve balls during play. Promptly pass balls which stray onto your court to the server on the adjacent court after a point has been played.
3 Scoring. The server should keep the score and call out the score clearly prior to each service, and the game score at the end of the game. Avoid returning a first serve fault. Be gentle when sending back balls to the server between points.
4 Ball In or Out. Be scrupulously fair in all line decisions. Players are responsible for line calls on their side of the net. Be generous with your decisions and accept those given against you. You should not make decisions or volunteer opinions on calls from the other side of the net. In the case of genuine uncertainty you should replay the point.
5 Service foot faulting. You should self-monitor your footwork and be respectful if someone comments on it. If in doubt, adopt your normal servicing stance but take a good step back.
6 Net-cord points. It is polite to apologise when you win a point after the ball hits the net cord.
7 Swearing. Foul language is a no-no. It’s offensive, off-putting and improves no-one’s game. So is frequent shouting. Do not hit, kick or throw a racket, ball or other object in anger.
8 Crossing. If crossing an occupied court to a vacant court, wait outside the court during a game and cross the court at the net when the game finishes, giving your apologies. Ditto when crossing to exit.
9 Court care. If you are the last players off a court please lower the net and lock the gate to the court.
10 Pavilion. Last player in the pavilion - if you're the last member to leave the club, ensure the toilet lights (and any heating) have been switched off and the door securely locked.
11 Supporting. Home matches are a great opportunity to watch and support our club teams and the bar. Be courteous and thoughtful, with applause for all players.
12 Finally. Respect your partner, be civil and enjoy the game!
Approved by the FCTC Committee on 23rd June 2014 - reviewed 15th May 2017
1 Warming up. Warm up courteously. Allow yourself and other players enough time to prepare and warm up the body for a game, especially in winter.
2 Ball safety. Keep your side of the playing area safely clear of balls. The net players should scoop up net balls quickly and feed the server with balls, where possible. Do not go onto adjacent courts to retrieve balls during play. Promptly pass balls which stray onto your court to the server on the adjacent court after a point has been played.
3 Scoring. The server should keep the score and call out the score clearly prior to each service, and the game score at the end of the game. Avoid returning a first serve fault. Be gentle when sending back balls to the server between points.
4 Ball In or Out. Be scrupulously fair in all line decisions. Players are responsible for line calls on their side of the net. Be generous with your decisions and accept those given against you. You should not make decisions or volunteer opinions on calls from the other side of the net. In the case of genuine uncertainty you should replay the point.
5 Service foot faulting. You should self-monitor your footwork and be respectful if someone comments on it. If in doubt, adopt your normal servicing stance but take a good step back.
6 Net-cord points. It is polite to apologise when you win a point after the ball hits the net cord.
7 Swearing. Foul language is a no-no. It’s offensive, off-putting and improves no-one’s game. So is frequent shouting. Do not hit, kick or throw a racket, ball or other object in anger.
8 Crossing. If crossing an occupied court to a vacant court, wait outside the court during a game and cross the court at the net when the game finishes, giving your apologies. Ditto when crossing to exit.
9 Court care. If you are the last players off a court please lower the net and lock the gate to the court.
10 Pavilion. Last player in the pavilion - if you're the last member to leave the club, ensure the toilet lights (and any heating) have been switched off and the door securely locked.
11 Supporting. Home matches are a great opportunity to watch and support our club teams and the bar. Be courteous and thoughtful, with applause for all players.
12 Finally. Respect your partner, be civil and enjoy the game!
Approved by the FCTC Committee on 23rd June 2014 - reviewed 15th May 2017