The Intramural Sports Tennis Rules are based on the rules of the United States Tennis Association. Some of the more important rules as well as rules unique to the Cal Intramural Sports Program are included herein. All players are responsible for reading this document prior to participating in Singles or Doubles Tennis.
- Number of Playersadd
A complete doubles team consists of two (2) players, but a minimum of one (1) player is required to start a game. A singles team consists of only one (1) player. By game time, all teams must have at least the minimum number of their players at the court and ready to play. If a doubles team shows up with only one (1) player, they may play either 1 versus 2 of the other team or 1 versus 1, at the fully present team of two’s discretion. 1v2 will follow normal doubles rules, with both sides of the court in play, and the (1) player having two service rounds instead of one to compensate for their missing partner's service round.
- Roster Limitadd
Each doubles team is allowed a maximum of three (3) players on their roster. Roster size is (3) to prevent forfeits, but only (2) players may play in a game as there are no substitutions once the game has started. Each singles team is allowed a maximum of one (1) player on their roster.
- Length of Gameadd
The team that first wins six (6) games in a match first shall win that match. Games are played with traditional tennis scoring. A game is played to four points, but if teams are tied at three points (40-40 in tennis scoring), then deuce is declared and teams must win by two points to win the game. A team must win by two (2) games, and there is no game cap. Forty-five minutes are allotted to complete a match. If the match is not completed at the end of the time allotted, the team leading the match shall be the winner.
- Equipmentadd
The Intramural Sports Program will not supply tennis balls or rackets. Teams must provide a ball for warm-ups and match play. If neither team provides a playable ball, the match shall result in a double forfeit.
- Court Areaadd
The legal playing area includes all court area on either side of the center (net) line up to the fences surrounding the court. Doubles will be played with the alleys in bounds, while the alleys will be out for singles matches. The line is considered in.
- ServiceaddThe server will serve all points in their specified game. To initiate the serve, the server must toss the ball and strike it with a racket. The serve must be initiated from behind the baseline and between the center and the sideline. Even points will be served from the right (deuce) court, and odd points will be served from the left (ad) court and must land in the service box. The serve must first contact the ground in the opposite receiving service box. If the serve is declared out, a fault will be called, and a second serve will be allowed. If the second serve is declared out, the receiving team will win the point. A serve that hits the net and continues into the correct court is a let and the receiving team can elect to play the point or redo the serve.
- Playing the BalladdIf the ball contacts a player's body while in play, that player's team will lose the point. Accidental simultaneous touches are allowed, but only one player may touch the ball before returning it over the net, and only in one continuous motion. Touching the net will result in losing the point. Balls can only bounce once before the point is declared over. A ball touching the line is considered in.
- Contacting the NetaddA player shall not contact any part of the net or its supports while the ball is in play except with long hair. When the ball is driven into the net so that it causes the net or its supports to contact an opposing player, this is not an infraction as long as they did not contact the net by their own impetus.
- Switching EndsaddPlayers or teams switch ends of the court on odd games. This means that after the first game is complete, they switch sides, as well as every two games after that.
- FightingaddFighting of any kind will not be tolerated by IM Sports. Involvement in a fight includes an automatic, minimum, 365-day suspension. Involvement includes but is not limited to: instigation, retaliation, physical or mental intimidation and being an accessory to a fight. Participants who are not currently in the game can not enter the floor to break up a fight. Participants who leave the bench area during a fight will be ejected from that contest and can face a suspension of up to five years.
