KSHSAA Tennis

Please read through this information as this is important information coaches need to be aware of this season. These newsletters will be sent weekly throughout the season. If you are aware of an unusual situation(s) or rules/protocols that should be addressed, please email ssmith@kshsaa.org. Thank you for all you do for Kansas athletes!

REGIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
Regional assignments have been posted to the KSHSAA Tennis website. Good luck to all teams and athletes throughout the duration of the season!

This information is available by going to kshsaa.org, selecting ‘Tennis’ from Athletic, and clicking on ‘Regional Assignments’ under GIRLS STATE.

All schools participating in interscholastic tennis will receive a regional assignment as soon as their school submits to the KSHSAA their Fall (girls) / Spring (boys) Activity Participation Form.

The KSHSAA Executive Board has established the following criteria for making regional assignments:

Appropriate Attire: (Competition and Warm-up)
• Shirt and shorts/skirt or tennis dress are required.
• School colors and identification are desirable but not required.
• Shorts must be worn at the waist with a minimum five (5) inch inseam.
• Unaltered shirts with sleeves.

Appropriate Attire: (Competition and Warm-up) - continued
• Sleeveless tops tailored by the manufacturer (T-shirt tailored top without sleeves)
• Players are to be neat in their attire.

Inappropriate Attire: (Competition and Warm-up)
• Jeans or jean shorts
• Ragged or cut-off shorts
• Tank tops (thin shoulder straps with large arm opening and scoop front and back neck opening)
• Tops that do not cover the waist
• Torn shirts
• No shirt (boys) or sports bra only (girls)
• Undergarments or tights which extend below the shorts/skirt (Exception: compression shorts which are unadorned and of a single color)
• Clothing, headwear, or other apparel with inappropriate pictures or verbiage

COACHES: Ensure that your athletes are properly equipped. Bottoms should be at least a 5” inseam according to the KSHSAA Tennis Manual.

REMINDER(S):
STUDENT MANAGER GUIDELINES
School tennis players who serve as team managers during the opposite tennis season must confine their duties to traditional managerial tasks (i.e. keeping statistics, organizing equipment, pre and post practice/match duties). They may not hit/play in practice as this would be a violation of KSHSAA Rule 30, Seasons of Activity.

See page 20 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

Girls' State Tennis (October 18-19, 2024)
Class 6A: Prairie Village-Harmon Park Tennis Complex (Host - Shawnee Mission East HS)
Class 5A: Andover District Tennis Complex (Host - Andover Central HS)
Class 4A: Topeka-Kossover Tennis Center (Host - Topeka-Hayden HS)
Class 3-1A: Wichita-Riverside Tennis Complex (Host - Wichita-Collegiate HS)

Week 5 - September 9, 2024

STUDENT MANAGER GUIDELINES
School tennis players who serve as team managers during the opposite tennis season must confine their duties to traditional managerial tasks (i.e. keeping statistics, organizing equipment, pre and post practice/match duties). They may not hit/play in practice as this would be a violation of KSHSAA Rule 30, Seasons of Activity.

See page 20 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

REGIONAL ASSIGNMENTS UPDATE
As of today, we are waiting to hear from two schools regarding hosting regional tennis. The goal is to get Regional assignments posted by September 13, 2024, as stated in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual.

GROUP VS PRIVATE INSTRUCTION INTERPRETATION OF RULE 26-1-4
Art. 4: A student shall not participate in group training sessions or tryouts held by colleges or other outside agencies in a sport while he or she is a member of a school athletic team in that identical sport.

Q/A: A student who is a member of their school tennis team belongs to the local Tennis Club.

What may the student do at the Tennis Club during the school season of sport?
1. The student may take a private lesson.
2. The student may play/hit with another club member at a time of their choosing but not during an organized group training session.
What would be considered a violation of this rule?
1. A student may not participate in Group instruction.
2. A student may not participate in an organized group training session.

DOUBLES TENNIS EXCEPTION: Given the uniqueness of teamwork when playing doubles tennis, a doubles pair may receive private instruction and not be in violation. Once their school coach identifies a doubles team, those two doubles partners may participate in a private lesson together without violating this rule.

See page 21 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

REMINDER(S):
DEFAULTS - NEW RULES
Defaults will be treated as a loss and will be used in seeding processes (only for directs and NOT for indirects). The athlete will not be eligible to participate in the remainder of the tournament. If the default is determined to be a medical default by a medical advisory team (coach, tournament manager, onsite medical personnel), the medical default will not be counted in seeding. If the athlete is cleared and determined healthy enough to continue play by the medical advisory team, the athlete may do so. Retired matches will be used in seeding (only as a direct). See page 21 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

Looking Ahead:
September 13: Regional Assignments Posted October 11-12: Regionals
October 18-19: State Tennis

Useful Websites/Links
KSHSAA Tennis Website
KSHSAA Tennis Manual
USTA
USTA Newsletter Registration

Week 4 - September 3, 2024

DEFAULTS - NEW RULES
Defaults will be treated as a loss and will be used in seeding processes (only for directs and NOT for indirects). The athlete will not be eligible to participate in the remainder of the tournament. If the default is determined to be a medical default by a medical advisory team (coach, tournament manager, onsite medical personnel), the medical default will not be counted in seeding. If the athlete is cleared and determined healthy enough to continue play by the medical advisory team, the athlete may do so. Retired matches will be used in seeding (only as a direct). See page 21 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

REQUESTING A LINE JUDGE PROTOCOL
See page 26 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding line judge

REMINDER(S):
ENTERING WIN/LOSS RECORDS
Coaches are expected to enter win(s)/loss(es) within 48 hours of competition. There are additional options when entering tennis scores this year regarding defaults/medical defaults/medical retirement. Accurate and updated information is essential to the seeding process for postseason. Please ensure this information is being entered throughout the season - this is a communication piece between coaches and ADs.

To enter win/loss records: Login to kshsaa.org - Click on "Activities" - scroll to tennis - click on "Girls Win/Loss Report"

Week 3 - August 26, 2024

ENTERING WIN/LOSS RECORDS
Coaches are expected to enter win(s)/loss(es) within 48 hours of competition. There are additional options when entering tennis scores this year regarding defaults/medical defaults/medical retirement. Accurate and updated information is essential to the seeding process for postseason. Please ensure this information is being entered throughout the season - this is a communication piece between coaches and ADs.

To enter win/loss records: Login to kshsaa.org - Click on "Activities" - scroll to tennis - click on "Girls Win/Loss Report"

COACHING OPPORTUNITIES DURING A MATCH
On page 25 of the Tennis Manual, under Time Issues #3, here is the clarification on when coaches are allowed to coach.

Changing ends = 90 seconds max
End of a set = 2 minutes max
Split sets = 10 minutes max (shorter if players agree)
Before tiebreak = 90 seconds max (6-all or 8-all pro set)
Before super tiebreak = 3 minutes max

All times listed above must be adhered to by the one (1) coach that is salaried by the school.

POTENTIAL POSTSEASON CONFLICTS
The KSHSAA office has been made aware of potential conflicts with other scheduled events during Regional Tennis. It is important for coaches and athletes to have conversations about conflicts prior to postseason. This list may not be all-inclusive of potential conflicts.

Central States Marching Festival: KState- https://www.k-state.edu/band/festivals/csmf.html (October 12, 2024)
Small School Marching Championship: https://kansasbandmasters.com/ (October 12, 2024)

REMINDER(S):
August 30, 2024 - DEADLINE TO NOTIFY KSHSAA OF NON-PARTICIPATION
To ensure schools are assigned to Regionals equitably, it is imperative that schools communicate with the KSHSAA if your school does not end up having a girls' tennis program. If the KSHSAA office is not made aware of this and a school is assigned to a Regional with no athletes, this creates an unequal distribution of schools amongst Regionals. PLEASE EMAIL SARAH SMITH (ssmith@kshsaa.org) by August 30, 2024, if your participation status has changed. Tennis season is a short window - please communicate as the season progresses.

Week 2 - August 19, 2024

FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE - August 19, 2024
The first official day of practice is always an exciting one! All athletes MUST have a PPE (Physical) and Concussion Form on file before they participate in practice. Please ensure these documents are signed and submitted. It is good practice to have a meeting with athletes and parents to ensure they understand team rules and policies - this can avoid conflict and confusion during the season.

FIRST COMPETITION DATE - August 23, 2024
The first date for competition is set for Friday, August 23, 2024. Please ensure scores are entered into the KSHSAA scores reporting system within 48 hours of competition.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING (EAP) - August 21, 2024
The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Rehearsal Day for girls' tennis is set for August 21, 2024. This is the opportunity for your school's administration, coaching staff, athletes, local EMT, etc., to practice the school's established EAP procedures at all facilities used for practices and games. It is imperative that all parties know where an AED is located and that one is close.

If your school needs an EAP, don't delay! A template is available on the KSHSAA website: KSHSAA Student Health and Safety

August 30, 2024 - DEADLINE TO NOTIFY KSHSAA OF NON-PARTICIPATION
To ensure schools are assigned to Regionals equitably, it is imperative that schools communicate with the KSHSAA if your school does not end up having a girls' tennis program. If the KSHSAA office is not made aware of this and a school is assigned to a Regional with no athletes, this creates an unequal distribution of schools amongst Regionals. PLEASE EMAIL SARAH SMITH (ssmith@kshsaa.org) by August 30, 2024, if your participation status has changed. Tennis season is a short window - please communicate as the season progresses.

REMINDER(S):
Rules Exam Due August 22
The deadline for submitting answers to this year's rules exam is August 22, 2024. Coaches now have two (2) attempts to pass the exam with a 90%. You will be able to see your score and your answers immediately. Correct answers with rule references will be available when the testing window closes. All head middle school and high school coaches are required to complete this exam by the deadline.

Week 1 - August 12, 2024

Welcome back to school and to the 2024-2025 season of girls' tennis! Please read through this information as this is important information coaches need to be aware of this season. These newsletters will be sent weekly throughout the season. If you are aware of an unusual situation or rules/protocols that should be addressed, please email ssmith@kshsaa.org. Thank you for all you do for Kansas athletes!

Rules Exam Due August 22
The deadline for submitting answers to this year's rules exam is August 22, 2024. Coaches now have two (2) attempts to pass the exam with a 90%. You will be able to see your score and your answers immediately. Correct answers with rule references will be available when the testing window closes. All head middle school and high school coaches are required to complete this exam by the deadline.

KSHSAA Tennis Manual
The KSHSAA Tennis Manual has been mailed to schools and is available in a digital format on the KSHSAA tennis website (use the links available at the end of this newsletter). Please read through the KSHSAA Tennis Manual as most questions may be answered by reading this manual.

Important Tennis Policy/Rules Updates
-There are important updates regarding MS/JH competition points. Please refer to page 16 in the Tennis Manual for the full language.

KSHSAA Rule 41, Section 3 (MS/JH Regs), Article 2: Two dual meets may be substituted for one day of tournament competition.

a. One those days when school time is used, only four matches or tournaments may start prior to 3 p.m. C.T.

-Fall Classifications (40/60): Classes 4A-1A will use the 40/60 split to determine Class 4A and Class 3-1A this fall for girls' tennis. See pg 18 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

-Default/Medical Default/Retirement Policy: Defaults will be treated as a loss and will be used in seeding processes (only for directs and NOT for indirects). The athlete will not be eligible to participate in the remainder of the tournament. If the default is determined to be a medical default by a medical advisory team (coach, tournament manager, onsite medical personnel), the medical default will not be counted in seeding. If the athlete is cleared and determined healthy enough to continue play by the medical advisory team, the athlete may do so. Retired matches will be used in seeding (only as a direct). See page 21 in the KSHSAA Tennis Manual for full language regarding this policy.

Girls' State Tennis (October 18-19, 2024)

Class 6A: Prairie Village-Harmon Park Tennis Complex (Host - Shawnee Mission East HS)
Class 5A: Andover District Tennis Complex (Host - Andover Central HS)
Class 4A: Topeka-Kossover Tennis Center (Host - Topeka-Hayden HS)
Class 3-1A: Wichita-Riverside Tennis Complex (Host - Wichita-Collegiate HS)

Looking Ahead:
August 19: First day of practice
August 21: Tennis Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Rehearsal Day - Communicate with your school AD on this!
August 22: KSHSAA Tennis Exam deadline
qAugust 23: First day of tennis competition