About the Lisvane Box League

We’ve been running the Box/Ladders for around 8 years at Lisvane TC, we have the largest junior box league in South Wales and in total currently have over a 100 players playing singles regularly, this is approximately 40% of all Club members .   

These Leagues, for Men, Ladies & U16 Juniors, are divided into divisions called groups e.g. group 1, group 2, group 3 etc. Players can play their matches anytime during each term, each term will normally last 6-9 weeks, shorter in the summer, longer in the winter. Players need to write their contact details on the Club notice board and make arrangements to play matches in their own time. On the last day of each term promotions and demotions will take place on the specified date, the points in each League are then reset to zero ready for the next term.

For many players the major benefit of these Box Leagues is having a pool of players of a similar level to call upon to play fun/social/competitive matches. For those that want a bit more, the challenge of reaching the higher group/divisions will be their goal - something for everyone, but remember playing and competing regularly really is the key to improvement in tennis!

Box League Rules

General Match Rules: 

After a 5 minute warm up matches to be played using a score format that both players agree on. Fast4 rules as the default if you can not agree - please see LTA Fast4 . You can of course play whatever format you want (BOTH agree on) but please record the matches as FAST4 matches, and if you can't agree it's FAST4. If full sets played it will record as follows: 6-0 = 4-0, 6-1 = 4-1, 6-2 = 4-1, 6-3 = 4-2, 6-4 = 4-2, 7-5 = 4-3, 7-6 = 4-3 with the final set always recorded at a match tiebreak to 10 points with 2 points clear. Top Tip: if you are really short on time then maybe just play 3 tiebreaks sets as follows: 2 tiebreaks best of 7 points i.e. first to 4 points and a match tie break to 10 points if 1 set all (less than 15 minutes - but at least you've played a match, kept the Leagues flowing and maybe saved yourself a £10 e-joining fee due to inactivity).

• Play with yellow balls (as new as possible please), the winner(s) sweeps the clay courts and enters the match score asap after the match. 
• See also ITF Clay Court Rules for un-umpired matches on Club notice board.
• Any player that does not show for an agreed match within 15 minutes of an agreed time will forfeit the match, the winner MUST record a walkover win against the 'no show' player, the match CAN NOT be replayed. 
• A player that cancels an agreed match within 24 hours (for WHATEVER reason) of the agreed time will lose the match, and a forfeit (walkover) MUST be recorded as above i.e. a walkover win to your opponent. Note: matches canceled by BOTH players (due to weather) can be re-played at any other mutually agreed time.
• ENJOY YOUR MATCHES, CALL LINES & SCORE FAIRLY - if in doubt see ITF rules on Club notice board!
• In the very unlikely event that we receive 3 complaints (in writing) about the same player this player maybe be removed from the League without warning. Top Tip: Please respect your opponents time, if you have agreed a match then make every effort to turn up and play.
• Your ladder admin is Tony Symons-Hicks and can be emailed at tournamenttennis@icloud.com if you have any questions NOT covered on this page.

The above rules are NOT negotiable under ANY circumstances.  The above, may be subject to change by Admin if the amendment helps to promote more matches being played and/or the smooth running of the these Leagues. Therefore, any suggestions for improvement of future Leagues are most welcome and will be noted, however please note; we will NOT reply to any email, text or WhatsApp query that has been covered on this page and within these rules.

Many thanks and enjoy your tennis! 

Box Leagues issues and what to do:

Some tips on what to do for the smooth running, convenience and fairness for all involved:

• My opponent is ignoring my match requests?

Tip: keep all correspondence and let admin know. This is the biggest complaint that admin receives so just let us know if this happens to you.  Top tip: if someone invites you to play, please don’t ignore them,  maybe response with "sorry I can’t make that date but what about ????” .  Ignoring multiple invites is simply unacceptable!

• There is only a week to go in the League and I can’t get anyone to play. I may get demoted if I can’t get another match in. What can admin do?

This is a frequent question: 'what can admin do'? You’ve had 10 weeks to play matches but have left this important match until the last week - admin will not get involved in this, sorry!

• My opponent won’t play me, he/she has enough points to stay up but I need the points or will be demoted?

Admin is aware that this happens. However, once again, leaving matches until the last week is the major cause of this issue, admin will not get involved, sorry!. 

• I can’t login to my account?  Can admin reset my password?

No, we can’t reset it. You’ll need to contact the LTA. Here’s the link: https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/ 

• My opponent didn’t turn up for the match?

Tip: Did you send them a reminder text/email 24 hours before? This is something I always do, it’s worth checking the day before if they are still OK for the match. If on the other hand you did send a reminder and they replied then see rules under ‘View Regulations’.

• My opponent only wants to play a friendly match and not a Box League?

Tip: I, personally, would only play a practice match after I’ve played that person in the Box. These Box Leagues are the best practice one can get so why put it off. 

• My opponent cancelled the day of the match?

Rule: A default win MUST be recorded on the system in your favour - for whatever reason if a match is cancelled within 24 hours.  The excuse may be (probably is) perfectly genuine, nevertheless the rules are a default win. This is a Box League rule and NOT a recommendation. 

• My opponent was late?

If they didn’t contact you and arrive later than 15 minutes you record a win in your favour. If they contacted you saying they were delayed then personally I’d wait and play them, at least they didn’t cancel, and are making an effort to turn up, even if late.

• It was raining heavy but my opponent still wanted to play, I didn’t?

You are under no obligation to play if the rain is medium to heavy, we do tend to play at Lisvane TC in light rain - especially on the clay courts. You both need to agree on this one together and it’s outside admins control. Personally, I don’t play in the rain.

NOTE: The full set of Box League rules are under the section ‘View Regulations’.