In the qualifying rounds there are no officials on the court — the players run the match. That only works when everyone plays by the same code: call it honestly, keep it moving, and treat every opponent the way you'd want to be treated. These ten rules keep matches fair, fast, and worthy of the club.
The Ten Rules
- Honor Above All — Fair Play, Fair Game.Every match runs on one currency: honesty. Call it as it truly is, even when it costs you the point. Win fair and you earn respect; win any other way and you earn neither.
- The Server Owns the Scoreboard.The serving side keeps the score and announces it out loud — clearly — before every serve, so both teams hear it. A score spoken is a score agreed; a score assumed is a score disputed.
- Your Side of the Net, Your Call.The receiving team makes the in/out call on balls landing on their side — never call a ball on the opponent's court. The player closest to the bounce has the final say; partners defer to the best set of eyes.
- When in Doubt, It's In.If you can't say for certain a ball was out, it stayed in — every time. Make calls instantly and audibly ("Out!" with a raised hand). You can't play a ball, keep the rally going, and then decide it was out — that call is gone.
- Ready Means Ready.A little banter between points is fine; stalling or moving during a serve is not. Never serve until the opposing side is set and facing you. If a genuine distraction interrupts the point, replay it — don't argue it.
- Settle It in Seconds — Replay, Don't Rage.Honest disagreements happen. If both sides truly can't agree and neither is certain, replay the point and move on — no debates, no grudges. Gamesmanship and stalling have no place here.
- Respect the Clock.Courts are booked back-to-back and the schedule is tight. Keep warm-ups short, changeovers quick, and dead time to a minimum. Running long isn't just your problem — it pushes every match behind you.
- Play Your Serves Clean.Call your own faults, foot faults, and lets honestly — the same standard you'd want from the other side. Policing your own serve is the clearest sign of a player others want to compete against.
- Carry Yourself Like a Champion.Compete hard, but keep it classy — no slamming balls, no trash talk, no theatrics when a call goes against you. Acknowledge great shots, own your errors, and let your racquet do the talking.
- Log It and Leave It Ready.When the last point is played, both teams confirm the final score together, report it to the organizers, and clear the court promptly with all balls collected. Shake hands or tap racquets — and hand the court off ready for the next match.
Golden rule for disputes: if it can't be resolved in a few seconds and no one is certain, replay the point. Keep the rhythm, keep the respect — the game is bigger than any single call.
Play hard. Call it fair. Respect the game — and everyone waiting to play it.