TEAM ROSTERS:
There is no maximum number of players allowed on a team’s roster provided all players have signed the Team Roster and Waiver Form. It is the responsibility of all team captains to ensure players are in compliance with this policy. Teams have up until the third week of the season to make changes to their roster. After the third week, rosters will be frozen. Roster changes that require additional T-Shirts will be subject to availability. All roster changes must be communicated to and approved by the league office.
WAIVERS:
To be eligible to participate in the league, each player must sign the team waiver form. Team captains can find the team waiver form in the information email sent prior to the start of the season. A link can also be found on the SSC rules page. Captains are required to turn in completed waiver forms to an SSC Coordinator prior to their first game. Players not present for their team’s first game must still submit a signed waiver form prior to participating.
Players that register individually agree to the waiver policy electronically, so there is no need to submit a separate waiver form.
PLAYER RESTRICTIONS:
All SSC participants must be 21 years of age or older prior to their first scheduled game.
Players that have participated in Division 1 Collegiate or Professional sports must be a minimum of two years removed from participation to be eligible to play in a similar SSC sport.
Players may only be on one roster for any given sport on a given night, regardless of if multiple divisions are offered. Violation of this rule may result in game forfeiture by both teams.
The SSC reserves the right to request a photo ID from any player at any time for any reason.
Roster checks will be performed by an SSC Gameday Coordinator at the request of the challenging team. Only individual players may be challenged. Entire teams may not be challenged. The challenging team must provide legitimate reasons for submitting a roster check request. Challenging teams must report their intention to initiate a roster check to an SSC Official as soon as possible to ensure the preservation of playing time.
Except in the case of a late-arriving player, teams forfeit the right to challenge a player’s eligibility at a point noted in the “Roster” section of each sport’s respective rules document.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
We are all adults, and the SSC expects all participants and spectators to act like it. Unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification. At the request of an SSC Official, disqualified players or spectators must leave the playing area.
Repeated or egregious unsportsmanlike behavior, including refusal to leave the playing area, will result in an extended suspension term.
Suspended players are not permitted to attend any current or future SSC leagues, tournaments, races, and social events until after having received written approval from SSC Player Services. Violation of this policy may result in a team forfeit and additional suspension.
OVERLY COMPETITIVE PLAYERS:
All SSC sports are intended to be recreational. Any player who is deemed to be excessively competitive and/or overly aggressive may be removed from competition at the discretion of any SSC official or gameday coordinator.
DRONES:
Drones, model planes, and any other unmanned aircraft are not permitted at any SSC activity.
UNIFORMS:
SSC T-Shirts are your team’s uniforms. All players must wear the appropriate color uniform with the current SSC front logo to participate. Past season’s uniforms are not permitted, even if they are the correct color. Any player not wearing the appropriate uniform will be sidelined for that game.
The SSC T-Shirt must be worn on the outside of any clothing worn during play with all logos and designs in tact and clearly visible.
UNIFORM ALTERATIONS:
Players are permitted to modify their uniforms in any way provided they do not cover up or obscure any of the logos printed on the shirts and the resulting garment does not pose a threat to player safety.
FORFEITS:
If a team is short the minimum number of players to play a regulation game, the game will be ruled a forfeit.
In the case of an injured player, at the sole discretion of an SSC Official, a game may be continued if a team does not have the minimum number of players for a regulation game provided the team has a chance to win.
FORFEIT FINES:
If the forfeiting team is short the minimum number of players to play an exhibition game, a $50 forfeit fine will be assessed. This fine is transferred in full in the form of a gift card or voucher to the offended team who showed up with no game to play. Provided the fine is paid on time, the offended team can collect the forfeit fine from an SSC Coordinator the following week.
Forfeit fines must be paid prior to the end of the offending team’s next scheduled game. Payment can be made to an SSC Coordinator by either cash or check. Unpaid forfeit fines may result in additional forfeits and/or suspension from the league. Teams with outstanding fines from past seasons will be barred from future registration in any SSC sport or event until they are paid in full.
Game forfeiture notice must be submitted via the SSC website by 5:00 PM on the preceding day (Friday for weekend games) in order to avoid the forfeit fine.
Except in the case of a late-arriving player, teams forfeit the right to challenge a player’s eligibility at a point noted in the “Roster” section of each sport’s respective rules document.
The minimum number of players required to play an officiated exhibition game is noted in the “Roster” section of each sport’s respective rules document
DIVISION PREFERENCE:
Whenever possible, the SSC will separate divisions based on playing experience and/or ability. In the event multiple divisions are not possible, all players will be placed into a single division.
Division placement for all teams will be at the sole discretion of the SSC.
Any team that wins a super social championship will automatically be placed in the social division for the next season in which they participate. Top finishers from the previous season may also be moved up at the discretion of the SSC.
Any player, or team based on the majority of their players, that is determined to be in the incorrect division may, at any point during the season, be asked to switch divisions at the discretion of the SSC.
PLAYOFFS:
Whenever possible, the SSC will hold a single-elimination playoff tournament after the regular season has concluded. The number of teams to advance to this playoff tournament will vary from season to season based on team records and available venue space. The playoff tournament may be held on a day and time other than the normal day and time of regular season games.
Space permitting, eligible teams not advancing to the playoff will be scheduled for an additional game. Teams must be in good standing and have no outstanding balances owed to be considered eligible.
Final Week of League Games:
INCLEMENT WEATHER:
Prior to the start of the game, players and spectators should regularly check the SSC Rainoutline for venue status updates. Players and spectators can also sign up for automatic updates via email and/or text message. Details are available on the SSC website.
Once the game has started, gameday coordinators will work with facilities coordinators and SSC Operations personnel to monitor weather and playing conditions in order to determine if play will need to be suspended and/or games postponed.
GAME RESCHEDULING:
In the event of inclement weather or any other event that causes games to be postponed, the SSC will make every effort to reschedule. In the event of multiple cancellations, the SSC reserves the option to shorten the regular season and/or the playoff schedule. Makeup games may be scheduled on weekdays other than those regularly scheduled. Makeup games may be scheduled at venues other than those regularly scheduled. Neither refunds nor pro-rated refunds will be given if the season is shortened due to inclement weather or due to actions taken by the venue.
OFFICIALS:
All games will be self-officiated, however the SSC will provide a Gameday Coordinator for each location to help direct payers, resolve disputes, etc. Scores shall be reported to the SSC Game Coordinator.
The benefit of the doubt is given to the team calling the fault. If a ruling cannot be reconciled, the point should be replayed.
EQUIPMENT:
The SSC will provide balls and paddles. Players are encouraged to purchase and provide their own paddles.
Athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required while on the court.
PLAYING ROSTER:
Team Leagues
All matches are doubles play. Except in the case of an injured player, substitutions must be made in between games. All present team players must participate in at least one game.
Teams lose the ability to challenge a player’s eligibility after the first game, except in the case of a late-arriving player.
The minimum number of players to play a scrimmage, and avoid the forfeit fine, is one.
Pickup Leagues
Matches can be doubles or singles based on attendance. Players will rotate courts and partners after each completed game.
FORMAT:
Games are played first to 11 points, win by two. Points are scored only by the serving team, however “Rally Scoring” (points scored on every rally) may be used for the third game if time restrictions warrant.
Team Leagues
Each team plays one match per night for seven weeks. Each match consists of three games or as many as can be played in the time allotted, whichever is fewer. No new game shall begin after 45 minutes.
Pickup Leagues
Each player plays as many games as can be played in the time allotted. No new game shall begin after 45 minutes.
SERVICE SEQUENCE:
When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right/even court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left/odd court when serving or receiving.
At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team. After that, both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault.
The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even/deuce court.
If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd/ad court.
As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court. The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even/deuce court, and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
In singles the server serves from the right/even court when his or her score is even and from the left/odd when the score is odd.
Any fair method can be used to determine which player or team has first choice of side, service, or receive. (Rally, paddle spin, etc.)
THE SERVE:
The serve must be made underhand. Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level).
The server has the option of dropping the ball and hitting it after the bounce. The ball can be dropped from any height but cannot be thrown, tossed, or otherwise released with any added force to bounce it.
The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed).
TWO-BOUNCE RULE:
When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.
NON-VOLLEY ZONE (THE “KITCHEN”):
The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.
Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
LINE CALLS:
A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
FAULTS:
A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
Any rules not specifically mentioned here follow those set forth by the USAPA.
STANDINGS:
Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. Teams are ranked in order based on the following criteria:
- Total Standings Points
- Head to Head
- Total Games Allowed
- Total Game Differential