EDLTCC CODE OF CONDUCT ON CLUB PREMISES

1      General

1.1   Members should at all times endeavour to be polite to other members, visitors and staff.  A complaints procedure covers action where a member or visitor has cause for dissatisfaction.  Visitors and prospective members should take away positive experiences to enhance the reputation of the Club.

1.2   Members should not do anything to annoy our neighbours.  We will endeavour to live in harmony with all the neighbours.  Any comments or complaints relating the behaviour of our neighbours must be passed to the Executive Committee avoiding direct confrontation wherever possible.  We should be conscious of avoiding excessive noise after 10pm.

1.3   Members should publicise positive aspects of the Club wherever possible and avoid criticism and adverse comment to non-members.

1.4   Club members should confirm that all those playing sports using Club facilities are members.  If they are not, ensure that a green-fee is paid but do not upset potential members unduly.

1.5   Members should respect the property of the Club and must not deface, damage or destroy Club property or that of other members and visitors.  Members should not drop litter and should pick up litter if others have dropped it.

1.6   Members should respect players of other sports.  Please do not talk loudly or make undue noise that would disturb a player’s concentration.  This is particularly important during tournaments.  Do not move in front of a player taking or receiving a shot.  For example, try not to talk within hearing distance or move within the line of sight (say within 10 metres) of a croquet player about to take a shot during a tournament.

1.7   Please report any hazardous or damaged equipment to a Committee Member, preferably in writing, as soon as practicable.

1.8   Note that there is a Suggestions and Complaints Book behind the bar to record serious issues.  All injuries must be recorded in the Accident Book, also kept behind the bar.

2        Tennis

2.1     General

2.1.1   Always respect other players and avoid interference with their play wherever possible.  This applies particularly to the professional coaches who earn livings by teaching on-court.

2.1.2   Do not enter a court via an occupied court unless no other access is available.  Wait to receive permission from players on the court if this is the only route.

2.1.3   Never encroach on another court when the ball is in play on that court, except when it is unavoidable to take a ball in play from your court.

2.1.4   Do not encroach on a neighbouring court to retrieve a ball, without the permission of players there.  Conversely, return balls to other courts as soon as practicable.

2.1.5   Use balls with distinctive markings on tennis balls to simplify the return of errant balls to your court.

2.1.6   Note that the surround netting is intended to stop balls, not people.  Do not damage the netting by running into it.

2.2       Dress

2.2.1   A form of tennis gear must be worn on-court, not necessarily white.  Beach clothes and jeans are not acceptable.

2.2.2   Footwear must be suitable for the tennis surface and should support feet and ankles to avoid injury.  Coarse-ribbed soles are not allowed on any playing surface.  Shoes must be non-marking.

2.2.3   Do not deposit chewing or bubble gum on any playing surface, floor footpath or car park on Club premises.

2.3       Court Etiquette

2.3.1   In doubles play where the server’s partner stands near the net, the spare balls are conveniently kept at the net.  In singles, or when the server’s partner remains at the baseline, spare balls should be kept behind the baseline.

2.3.2   Spare balls should be returned to the server’s end as soon as practicable.  This speeds up play and minimises the risk of losing balls, e.g. under the stop netting, as a constant ball-count is possible.

2.3.3   In doubles play, the server’s partner should be responsible for feeding spare balls to the server and for removing loose balls from the server’s court.  All players should ensure that the court is clear of balls before each service and that spare balls are returned to the net or to another owner’s court.

2.3.4   Members are responsible for adjusting the height and tension of the net before play and for reducing the tension when the court is no longer needed.  Note that the winder adjusts the tension and the centre tie controls the height of the net.

2.3.5   Members are also responsible for sweeping loose debris from a court before play.

2.4       Visitors and Prospective Members

2.4.1   Members should try to make visitors feel at home, remembering that playing as a visitor or prospective member can be an ordeal.  Ensure that a Member, preferably a Tennis Committee member, explains the relevant Club rules and procedures to each visitor.

2.4.2   Visitors to Club Days should not be expected to choose fours so “Visitor” tags should not be allowed to reach the bottom of the board.  Members should therefore select visitors for a four before this happens.

2.4.3   Ensure that all prospective members are given a Welcome Pack and an Application Form.

3.1       General

3.1.1   Dress properly.  Always wear flat-soled shoes.  Wear white or light coloured clothing as appropriate, certainly in tournaments, and usually for Club sessions and competitions, weather permitting.

3.1.2   Before the Game.  By convention, the player with the lowest handicap tosses up, and is also responsible for setting up any bisques.

3.1.3   Play as quickly as possible.  Try to decide, before your opponent has finished his turn, what you are going to do next to avoid wasting time.  Do not carry out long discussions with your partner in doubles matches when it is your side’s turn to play.

3.1.4   Call a referee (by raising your mallet vertically) if you are about to make a stroke where there is a possibility that a fault may be committed.  If no independent Referee is available, then ask your opponent to watch.

3.1.5   If you are aiming to hit a ball in the jaws of a hoop, have someone watch it to ensure contact is made.

3.1.6   Do not accept advice (or offer it), but query any point of law if uncertain.  The only person allowed to give advice to you during a game is your partner in a doubles match.

3.1.7   Do not distract your opponent by walking about, talking loudly, catching his eye, etc.  Do not stand directly behind him watching him shoot, or directly in front of him on the line of aim.

3.1.8   Be sensitive to your opponent during matches with respect to conversation.  Some players do not welcome remarks during the course of a game.  For the same reason, do not talk to any other outplayers unless they clearly welcome a chat.

3.1.9   Whilst out of play and off the lawn, be aware of other games taking place.  Stand still if you are in the line of play on another court, or near a player about to make a shot.

3.1.10  Be sure you know Part 4A (General Laws of Conduct): Striker a joint Referee, Questionable Strokes, Testing Position off the Ball, Players’ Opinions Differ, Interruption of Stroke, Presence on Court, Testing for Lifts, Advice and Aids.

3.1.11  After play.  The winner normally clears the halls from the lawn and removes the clips from the hoops.

3.1.12  The winner also usually pays the drinks after the game (if appropriate).

3.2       Tournaments

3.2.1   On arrival - report to the Manager, and confirm your handicap (Regulation No. 22)

3.2.2   Be punctual.  Allow yourself time to change, so that you can be on the lawn in play at the required time.  Always be clear about the time you are needed for your next game

3.2.3   Carry a watch (for time-limited games) and plastic markers to mark balls in double-banked games.

3.2.4   Find out from the Manager what arrangements have been made for players to take meals.  Do not take a meal without confirming with the Manager that you will not be required for the time the meal will take.

3.2.5   Before the game.  Do not knock-up on the Lawn without the Manager’s permission,

3.2.6   After the Game.  Report your result to the Manager immediately so he can put on other games and plan ahead.

3.2.7   Obtain the Manager’s permission to leave the ground before doing so, and confirm with him what time you are needed the following day.

3.2.8   The Manager’s decision is final on all matters concerning the scheduling of matches.  Give him or her all the help you can.  Note that the Manager has powers of disqualification!  (Regulation 12).

3.3       Double-Banking

3.3.1   Keep an eye out at all times to ensure that you do not impede the other game,

3.3.2   Do not walk across the line of aim of the other game.

3.3.3   Ask the other game if you can mark and lift any of their balls that may be at risk, Always err on the cautious side, even if you are playing well - nothing is more annoying to the other game than having to try to guess where a critical ball was, before you hit it.

3.3.4   Always let the other game through if a break is being played.

3.3.5   If you do lift and mark a ball, make quite certain that the player in play in the other game realises that you have done so, particularly if the outplayer has started a new turn.

3.3.6   Do not leave your mallet lying inside the yard line whilst you retrieve a ball that has gone off the lawn

3.3.7   Read the guidelines on double-banking issued by the Croquet Association.