Level 2 Tennis

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The Level 2 Tennis training is designed for Special Olympics Massachusetts coaches who would like to become a Level 2 Tennis coach and/or for volunteers who would like information about Special Olympics Massachusetts Tennis.  This training counts as Level 2 certification and/or recertification for three years from the date this training is completed.��This training will cover Special Olympics Massachusetts Tennis events, rules, competitions, the divisioning process, registration and tennis resources.�

Level 2 Tennis

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Coach ratio per athlete:

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����All Coaches and Unified Partners must complete the Level 1 certification prior to their participation with a team.  Level 1 certification requires a Volunteer Application and Level 1 online training and both                 items are found here. 

SOMA Tennis Events

• Athletes may compete in Individual Skills or Singles, and one Doubles Event.
• All Athletes & Unified Partners must submit an Individual Skills score from practice when registering for a competition; even if they are not competing in Skills at a competition.  The Skills score is used for divisioning.

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Individual Skills – Level 1, 2 or 3 (court size and ball compression change in each level)

Singles – Level 2, 3, 4 or 5 (court size and ball compression change in each level)

Doubles – Level 3, 4 or 5 (court size and ball compression change in each level)

Unified Doubles – Level 3, 4 or 5 (court size and ball compression change in each level).*Each Unified team shall determine it’s own order of service and selection of courts (ad or deuce)

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Individual Skills 

Individual Skills

Level 1

• Short court 42’ x 27’
• Red Ball – low compression 25%

Level 2

• 60’ x 27’ court
• Orange Ball – low compression 50%

Level 3

• 78’ x 27’ court
• Traditional Yellow Ball

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Individual Skills Scoring

The skill stations are the same in each level.  An athlete gets scored in each station and scores are totaled for a final score. The skill stations are as follows:

• Forehand Volley
• Backhand Volley
• Forehand Groundstroke
• Backhand Groundstroke
• Serve – Deuce Court
• Serve – Advantage Court

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How to run and score individual skill stations?

Individual Skills Scoresheet

Individual Skills Stations (SOI Rulebook)

Singles Events

Level 2

• Short court 42’ x 27’
• Red Ball – low compression 25%

Level 3

• 60’ x 27’ court
• Orange Ball – low compression 50%

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Level 4

• 78’ x 27’ court
• Green Ball – low compression 75%

Level 5

• 78’ x 27’ court
• Traditional Yellow Ball

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Traditional Doubles & Unified Doubles Events

Level 3

• 60’ x 27’ court
• Orange Ball – low compression 50%

Level 4

• 78’ x 27’ court
• Green Ball – low compression 75%

Level 5

• 78’ x 27’ court
• Traditional Yellow Ball

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Match Play Rules

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Competition will be governed by the Rules of Tennis from the official code of the ITF. Please note items of particular interest below.

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Serving - The serving motion may be underhand or overhand. Coaches should work with their athletes to avoid bouncing the ball prior to a serve. See “Short Court Modification” for rule change.

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Scoring – One six-game, no-ad set will be used, with a set tiebreak, first to seven points by a margin of two, at six games all. Traditional scoring of love, 15, 30, 40, etc. or simplified scoring of 1, 2, 3, 4 may be used. At deuce (or 3–3), the server serves into the side of the court chosen by the receiver.

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Continuous Play – Court Monitors allow 20 seconds between points and 90 seconds on changeovers.

There is no break after the first game.

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Coaching – Since there is no break after the first game, coaching should not be allowed until the player changes ends at the end of every odd game and during the three-minute rest period prior to the deciding tie break.

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Match Play Rules (continued)

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Court Monitors – Are used on each court to ensure each match runs fairly and in good faith.  Applications of the ITF Rules of Tennis will be made based on the level/ability of the athlete.  Court monitors will assist with the management of the match including line calls, scoring and placement of the players.

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Medical Timeouts – A medical timeout for each new medical condition, or aggravation of a pre-existing condition, may be taken during the warm-up or match for a treatable medical condition. Treatable medical conditions include, but are not limited to, injury, illness, and heat-related conditions and cramps. Once the court monitor is notified and the trainer, medical personnel or person treating the athlete has reached the court and made a diagnosis that the condition is treatable, the three-minute treatment time begins.

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Bathroom Breaks– A player may request one or more bathroom breaks during the match. Coaching is not allowed during medical time outs or bathroom breaks. Players will be escorted during toilet breaks.

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Registration

�Registration is done  by Local Program Coordinator or Head Coaches.  If you need help with registration, please contact ops@specialolympicsma.org ��When a coach registers a team they must submit the following:

• Individual skills score for each athlete and Unified partner 
• Coaches on each team
• Athletes and Unified partners must have appropriate paperwork submitted in order to register

If an athlete is attending the State tournament, they must attend their Area tournament first if one is offered.�  �Divisioning

�1. Submit an individual skills score (if competing in Unified doubles, Unified Partners must also 

submit a score)

2. Divisions are determined by age and event level that is being registered for.

Divisioning and Registration

Practice, Skill Development & Resources

Special Olympics Massachusetts wants to make sure that you have confidence in your knowledge of tennis rules, skills and practice ideas.  Listed below are Special Olympics tennis resources that can help with the training and skill development for athletes.����Special Olympics, Inc Tennis Resources��

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Level 2 Tennis Quiz

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Level 2 certification is not processed until you have completed the Level 2 quiz.

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To take the Level 2 Tennis quiz please click here.