TEN i The BUCS Tennis Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the World Tennis (WT, formerly ITF) Rules of Tennis. Further event specific requirements, rules, and regulations will be contained within the entry and pre-event information for each Championship.
TEN ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
TEN iii In the event that these regulations contradict the World Tennis (WT, formerly ITF) Rules of Tennis, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
TEN iv The gender eligibility criteria for the BUCS Tennis Championships will be determined as per REG 4.3.
TEN 1 Championships BUCS will host annually the following Championships:
TEN 1.1 Individual Championships The programme shall include the events listed in Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’), subject to entry numbers.
TEN 1.2 Team Championships The programme shall include leagues and knockout competitions as per BUCS general regulations, Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) and Appendix 10 (‘BUCS Promotion, Relegation and Knockout Information’).
TEN 2 Where possible institutions/Playing Entities should endeavour to wear team kit, identifying the name of the University/College.
Individual Championships
TEN 3 There shall be a separate tournament for each event as listed in Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’). The entry information and pre-event information for each event shall contain event specific information, including the tournament structure and format, any entry requirements, and/or any entry restrictions. However, the following shall apply to all events:
TEN 3.1 Match Format All matches shall be the best of three sets. The first two sets shall be tie-break sets (the tie-break shall be introduced at six games all) and when the score is one set all the deciding set shall be a 10-point match tie-break.
TEN 3.1.1 In the Doubles Championships only, no-advantage scoring shall be used in the first two sets. In no-advantage scoring at deuce there is one point to decide the game. The receivers choose whether to receive the service from the right half or the left half of the court but cannot change positions to receive this deciding point.
TEN 3.1.2 The match format for the Wheelchair Championships shall be subject to change depending on the number of entries received and therefore will be communicated in pre-event information.
TEN 3.2 Coaches Each Singles player/Doubles pair may have one nominated coach sitting on court for the duration of the match. If a Singles player/Doubles pair does not have a qualified coach available, a player from their institution may be nominated. Coaching advice can only be given during change of ends and the coach may only enter/leave the court during a change of ends.
TEN 3.3 In the instance where a player is late for a BUCS Individual Championships match, the following shall apply:
- If they are more than 15 but less than 30 minutes late for the match time, they shall concede the first set.
- If they are 30 or more minutes late for the match time they shall concede the match.
TEN 4 Disputes at events In line with REG 7.7, should a dispute occur at an event, the event appeal panel for Tennis shall comprise of: The Referee at any Individual Championship qualifying events individual qualifying events; The Referee and a BUCS Staff Member at the Individual Championship Finals and Team Championship Finals.
Team Championships
TEN 5 There shall be separate Team Championships for Men and Women. Wheelchair tennis players shall be included in these Championships through the use of the WT Rules of Wheelchair Tennis for any wheelchair tennis players - note point g for when a wheelchair tennis player is competing with and/or against a player not in a wheelchair.
TEN 5.1 In both the Men’s and Women’s Team Championships, in the Fast4 tiers, BUCS reserves the right to operate a maximum of four leagues per tier in a Conference (as opposed to the standard two), should entry levels permit, to enable more localised leagues.
TEN 5.2 In both the Men’s and Women’s Team Championships, in the lowest tier above the Fast4 tiers, REG 8.3.1.3 shall apply instead of REG 8.3.1.2.
TEN 5.3 In both the Men’s and Women’s Team Championships, on an annual basis – at the point of team entry – existing teams competing in the lowers tier above the Fast4 tiers (with the exception of those teams promoted to the tier above), existing teams competing in the Fast4 tiers, and any new teams, shall have the opportunity to request entry either at the lowest tier above the Fast4 tiers, or within the Fast4 tiers, for the following season. The final decision on league allocations shall sit with the BUCS Executive.
TEN 6 Match format
TEN 6.1 Each match shall consist of two doubles rubbers and four singles rubbers.
TEN 6.2 For the 2026-27 season, Full Set format tennis shall be played in all leagues and knockout competitions except for the following in which Fast4 format tennis shall be played:
- Men’s Scottish 6A and Scottish Conference Trophy
- Men’s Northern Tier 5A and Northern Conference Trophy
- Men’s Midlands 5A, Midlands 5B and Midlands Conference Trophy
- Men’s Western 4A and Western Conference Trophy
- Women’s Northern 4A and Northern Conference Trophy
- Women’s Midlands 4A and Midlands Conference Trophy
- Women’s Western 3A and Western Conference Trophy
TEN 7 Fixture administration and arrangements
TEN 7.1 Court bookings
TEN 7.1.1 Full Set format A minimum reservation of 12 court hours MUST be booked by the host team for a fixture. This shall comprise at least 2 x 2 hours for doubles rubbers (including a 5 minute warm-up per rubber), and 4 x 2 hours for singles rubbers (including a 5 minute warm-up per rubber) = total 12 court hours. These court hours must be booked in accordance with TEN 7.2/TEN 7.2.1. Failure to book the minimum prescribed above will result in the home team forfeiting any rubbers not completed should the match not be finished. For knockout fixtures, an additional 1 hour on 1 court MUST be booked in case of the need for a tie-break shootout (note TEN 11.5). The additional hour is for the tie-break shootout only and as such should be booked for immediately after the court hours booked for the normal fixture, not alongside any of these hours, and the normal fixture should be completed within the standard 12 hours.
TEN 7.1.2 Fast4 format A minimum reservation of 6 court hours MUST be booked by the host team for a fixture. This shall comprise at least 2 x 1 hour for doubles rubbers (including a 5 minute warm-up per rubber), and 4 x 1 hour for singles rubbers (including a 5 minute warm-up per rubber) = total 6 court hours. These court hours must be booked in accordance with TEN 7.2/TEN 7.2.1. Failure to book the minimum prescribed above will result in the home team forfeiting any rubbers not completed should the match not be finished. For knockout fixtures, an additional 1 hour on 1 court MUST be booked in case of the need for a tie-break shootout (note TEN 11.5). The additional hour is for the tie-break shootout only and as such should be booked for immediately after the court hours booked for the normal fixture, not alongside any of these hours, and the normal fixture should be completed within the standard 6 hours.
TEN 7.1.3 Start times
TEN 7.1.3.1 Full Set format No league or knockout match may start before 11:00 on a weekday or 10:00 on a weekend, or after 19:00 without the written consent of both institutions/Playing Entities.
TEN 7.1.3.2 Fast4 format No league or knockout match may start before 11:00 on a weekday or 10:00 on a weekend, or after 20:00 without the written consent of both institutions/Playing Entities.
TEN 7.1.3.3 Notwithstanding TEN 7.1.3.3 and TEN 7.1.3.2, the BUCS Executive reserves the right to determine as they see fit the start times for any Finals or other fixtures (such as Super Weekend fixtures) hosted by BUCS and the host of any centralised Conference Finals event shall have the right to determine as they see fit (but no earlier than 10:00 and no later than 19:00 for Full Set format fixtures or 20:00 for Fast4 format fixtures) the start times for any Finals hosted at said event.
TEN 7.1.4 Rubbers may only be moved onto different surfaces (or from indoors to outdoors, or vice versa) from that specified in the pre-fixture confirmation with the agreement of both captains.
TEN 7.1.5 Where possible teams should ensure use of scoreboards on each court.
TEN 7.1.6 Court surfaces All courts should have a WT recognised court surface. Any courts with a non-recognised court surface, or a surface that falls under the type 'Other', require approval by the BUCS Executive in advance of fixtures being scheduled to take place on them. In all cases the court surface should be flat, with courts and surrounding area free from hazards such as holes, raised areas and obstacles.
TEN 7.2 Order of play Players shall compete in rank order i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 singles; 1, 2 doubles. The doubles rubbers ordered 1v1, 2v2 should be played first, followed by the singles rubbers, which will be ordered 4v4, 3v3, 2v2, 1v1. Any proposed changes to the standard order of play must be agreed by both teams prior to play (note TEN 7.2.1 for an exception to this).
Coaches/captains/administrators can use the below guide for court booking variations:
|
|
On four courts |
On three courts |
On two courts |
|
Round 1 |
Doubles 1 and 2 |
Doubles 1 and 2 |
Doubles 1 and 2 |
|
Round 2 |
Singles 1 – 4 |
Singles 4 – 2 |
Singles 4 and 3 |
|
Round 3 |
|
Singles 1 |
Singles 2 and 1 |
TEN 7.2.1 An exception to TEN7.2 is that institutions/Playing Entities are permitted, but not encouraged, to book three courts for two rounds (three courts x 4 hours consecutive for Full Set format, three courts x 2 hours consecutive for Fast4 format). In this case, in order for the fixture to be completed there must be 1 doubles rubber and 2 singles rubbers played in round 1, followed by the 1 doubles rubber and 2 singles rubbers in round 2. The away team shall select the order of the rubbers within these rounds prior to play.
TEN 7.2.2 Nominations Prior to the start of the fixture, captains shall provide the names of up to six players that may be selected.
TEN 7.2.2.1 Singles nominations Teams consisting of more than four players may nominate any four of these players for singles rubbers, but teams must play in rank order. For example, if a team brings their 1-6 ranked players, 3, 4, 5 and 6 can play as Singles 1, 2, 3 and 4, with players 1 and 2 only participating in the doubles. Captains shall simultaneously share their nominations for the singles rubbers in writing no later than prior to the start of the first singles rubber.
TEN 7.2.2.2 Doubles nominations Teams consisting of more than four players may nominate any four of these players for doubles rubbers. The players nominated may play in any order as the nominated 1st or 2nd pair. Captains shall simultaneously share their nominations for the doubles rubbers in writing no later than prior to the start of the first doubles rubber.
TEN 7.2.2.3 Where TEN 7.2.1 applies, a player cannot be nominated to play both a singles rubber and a doubles rubber in the same round, so once the away team has selected the order of the rubbers within these rounds, nominations will need to be made to comply with this, as well as TEN 7.2.2.2 and TEN 7.2.2.1.
TEN 7.3 The number and surface of courts booked, and the respective hours should be posted in the fixture notes on BUCS Play and be sent as part of the fixture confirmation. Where this includes confirming if any alternate surface courts are available for use during these hours if there are any issues using the primary courts booked, then agreement under TEN 7.1.4 shall not be needed to move rubbers onto these.
TEN 7.4 Fixtures are not permitted to take place prior to the initial ranking deadline passing without the approval of the BUCS Executive. Approval will only be given on the condition that the relevant ranking lists are submitted prior to a fixture taking place and that these lists will then remain locked except in the circumstances covered under TEN 9.6.3.1 and TEN 9.6.3.2.
TEN 8 Balls
TEN 8.1 Premier Tier (National)/National Championship The home team shall supply a minimum of two tubes of four new WT approved balls for each of the singles rubbers. There will be a ball change after the first set. The home team shall supply a minimum of four new WT approved balls for each doubles rubber (unless agreed by both captains to have a ball change at the end of a set).
TEN 8.2 Premier Tier (North/South)/Tier 1 and National Vase/National Trophy The home team shall supply a minimum of three new WT approved balls for each rubber.
TEN 8.3 Tier 2 and below and Conference Cup The home team shall supply a minimum of three new WT approved balls for each rubber, unless captains agree to re-use balls.
TEN 8.4 Any tie-break shootout rubbers shall be played with the existing balls from previous rubbers in the match, unless both team captains agree to play with new balls.
TEN 9 Team selection This regulation supersedes REG 11.1.
TEN 9.1 All individuals in a team must be from the same Playing Entity and meet the individual eligibility requirements of REG 4.
TEN 9.2 In order to be selected in a team, all individuals must be registered on BUCS Play as a participant.
TEN 9.3 Individuals may not be fielded (including as an unused nominated player) for multiple teams in the same Championships (Men's/Women's) on the same day.
TEN 9.3.1 Where a Playing Entity is found to have fielded an individual for multiple teams in the same Championships on the same day, the following shall apply:
TEN 9.3.1.1 In the case of a league match: If a breach of TEN 9.3.1 has been identified before the relevant League Result Submission Deadline as per Appendix 2 (‘BUCS Leagues and Knockouts – Dates and Deadlines’) has passed for the fixture for which there was a breach, the fixture shall be awarded as a walkover win to the opposition.
TEN 9.3.1.2 In the case of a knockout competition match: If a breach of TEN 9.3.1 has been identified before the following round, or in the case of a final, within 10 working days of the fixture taking place, the fixture shall be awarded as a walkover win to the opposition. If the breach is identified so close to the following round that the team awarded the walkover win cannot fulfil the following round fixture, the following round fixture shall be recorded as an involuntary walkover win to their opponents, unless both teams agree to reschedule the fixture.
TEN 9.3.1.3 In the case of ‘round robin’/’mini league’ format playoff matches, TEN 9.3.1.1 shall apply with references to “the relevant League Result Submission Deadline” replaced with “the relevant playoff deadline”. In the case of ‘knockout’ format playoff matches, TEN 9.3.1.2 shall apply, except for any playoff ‘final’ matches for which TEN 9.3.1.1 shall apply with references to the “the relevant League Result Submission Deadline” replaced with “the relevant playoff deadline”.
TEN 9.3.1.4 The first fixture an individual is fielded (including as an unused substitute) for is not affected as at this point TEN 9.3.1 has not been breached, only any subsequent fixture(s) shall be affected.
TEN 9.3.1.5 A Playing Entity wishing to report a breach of TEN 9.3.1.1 to the BUCS Executive should do so via email to [email protected] and will be expected to ensure that there is validity to any claims before they make their report. As such, the Match Appeals process (REG 15) does not have to be used to raise such breaches. Reports deemed to be frivolous, vexatious or not containing adequate information to justify why it is considered a breach of TEN 9.3.1 may result in a charge of misconduct being raised in accordance with REG 5.
TEN 9.4 Where a Playing Entity has more than one team in a Championships (Men’s/Women’s), and more than one fixture scheduled across these teams on a given day, they are not permitted to concede a walkover for a higher ranked team while continuing to field one or more lower ranked teams on the same day. For example, a Playing Entity may not concede a walkover at second team level, while continuing to field their third and fifth teams on the same day. Matches fulfilled in contravention of this regulation will be awarded to the opposition, or where both teams are in contravention, be voided.
TEN 9.4.1 For possible exceptions due to ‘Ring Fencing’ of teams, refer to TEN 9.5.
TEN 9.4.2 Involuntary walkovers may be granted in exceptional circumstances if applied for in accordance with walkover regulations in REG 13 meaning that TEN 9.4 would be suspended in some instances. Application to suspend TEN 9.4 must be made to the BUCS Executive in advance of affected fixtures.
TEN 9.5 Ring Fenced teams Ring Fenced teams will be denoted by their specific group being named in brackets, e.g. (Medics). Information on how to apply for Ring Fencing can be found in REG 2.6.7. Ring Fencing of teams allows for a variation to the standard team selection regulations by allowing a Playing Entity to identify separate groupings of student-athletes such as ‘Medics’ and as a result have separate groupings to which the team selection regulations shall apply.
TEN 9.6 Ranking lists
TEN 9.6.1 There shall be separate ranking lists for the Men's and Women's Championships. The ranking lists will be available here for ease of reference.
TEN 9.6.2 Prior to the start of the season, each Playing Entity must submit a ranked list of all the players they expect to use across their teams in a Championships. Where a Playing Entity has any Ring Fenced teams (TEN 9.5), they must submit a list for each separate grouping of student-athletes. These lists must be submitted no later than the deadline in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and must feature enough individuals to field the number of teams entered. Failure to submit this information will result in sanctions being imposed as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document.
TEN 9.6.3 Following the initial ranking deadline passing, ranking lists will be locked and cannot be changed except in the following circumstances:
TEN 9.6.3.1 There shall be two re-ranking windows, during which Playing Entities can change the ranked order of existing players on their ranking list and/or remove players from their ranking list. The dates for the re-ranking windows will be displayed in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Changes to ranking lists made during a re-ranking window will only come into effect at the end of the window.
TEN 9.6.3.2 Playing Entities may request to add players in at any position on their ranking list at any time during the season by emailing [email protected]. Requests must be submitted to, and approved by, the BUCS Executive in advance of the players competing in any fixtures so they should be made as far in advance of affected fixtures as possible.
TEN 9.6.3.3 If an individual on a ranking list becomes no longer eligible to represent a Playing Entity under REG 4 at any time during the season, the Playing Entity must inform the BUCS Executive of this by emailing [email protected] without unreasonable delay and they will be removed from the ranking list, unless a re-ranking window is open, in which case they can be removed by the Playing Entity when an updated list is submitted without the need for the BUCS Executive to be informed by email.
TEN 9.6.4 The order on their ranking list shall be determined by each Playing Entity with their players in genuine order of playing strength, with their best player ranked as 1 and the second best as 2 and so on. The order does not need to be in accordance with ATP, WTA or LTA ratings, but Playing Entities ranking players out of ratings order may be requested to justify their ranking lists to the BUCS Executive.
TEN 9.6.5 Teams for a fixture day (across all leagues, knockout competitions and/or playoffs) must be selected in rank order. This applies across all teams, e.g. A player ranked number 8 cannot play in the 1st team if the player ranked number 7 is playing for a lower team's match that day.
TEN 9.6.6 No player ranked (as per the published ranking list at the time) at number 4 or above shall be eligible to play below the 1st team (including league, playoff and knockout competition matches). No player ranked (as per the published ranking list at the time) at number 8 or above shall be eligible to play below the 2nd team, and so on throughout a Playing Entity’s teams.
TEN 9.6.6.1 Where a Playing Entity has any Ring Fenced teams (TEN 9.5), and therefore a ranking list for each separate grouping of student-athletes, for the purposes of TEN 9.6.6, teams within each separate grouping will be treated as having a respective designation (1st team, 2nd team etc.) within their grouping, regardless of their designation across all the Playing Entity’s teams.
TEN 9.6.6.2 A Playing Entity may not submit a match appeal regarding a breach of TEN 9.6.6 having discovered retrospectively that their opponents played a player ranked at a position above the highest permitted, when their ranking list was available to check online at the time of players being nominated as per TEN 7.2.2. If at this time a team identified that their opponents are intending to play a player ranked at a position above the highest permitted and they refuse to correct this, their opposition should complete a Playing Under Protest Form as per REG 12.1.
TEN 9.6.7 Individuals within a team must play in rank order across singles rubbers in all matches.
TEN 9.6.7.1 A Playing Entity may not submit a match appeal regarding a breach of TEN 9.6.7 having discovered retrospectively that their opponents played out of rank order, when their ranking list was available to check online at the time of singles nominations being shared. If at this time a team identified that their opponents are intending to play out of rank order and they refuse to correct this, their opposition should complete a Playing Under Protest Form as per REG 12.1.
TEN 9.6.8 Playing Entities deemed by the BUCS Executive to have exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list could face a misconduct charge raised in accordance with REG 5. Examples of what might be considered as misconduct are:
- If the BUCS Executive deems that a Playing Entity has deliberately not ranked players in genuine order of playing strength and/or has failed to justify why players are not ranked in accordance with any external ratings/rankings systems.
- A Playing Entity listing from the start of the season an individual who will be joining their institution in January and so at this time is not a current student/player.
- A Playing Entity found to have listed on their ranking list a fake player.
- A Playing Entity found to have not removed during a re-ranking window an individual who it was known at that time could no longer play for the remainder of the season.
- A Playing Entity found to have not removed an individual no longer eligible to represent a Playing Entity under REG 4 in accordance with TEN 9.6.3.3.
TEN 9.6.9 A Playing Entity wishing to report concerns to the BUCS Executive that another Playing Entity has exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list should do so via email to [email protected]. The reporting Playing Entity will be expected to ensure that there is validity to any claims before making their report. Reports deemed to be frivolous, vexatious, or lacking adequate information to justify why they believe the Playing Entity has exploited these ranking list regulations and/or manipulated their ranking list may result in a charge of misconduct being raised in accordance with REG 5.
TEN 9.7 Team size
TEN 9.7.1 Each team shall consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of six players. Up to four players shall play one singles rubber each and the fifth and/or sixth players may be selected for doubles only.
TEN 9.7.2 A team fielding enough players to fulfil the minimum number of players required (three), but not a full team, shall be permitted to play but shall concede the rubbers they are unable to fulfil. In such circumstances it is expected that the team would notify their opposition as soon as possible after it is known that they will not be fielding a full team of this, specifying how many players will be fielded. For the avoidance of doubt, if notice of being short of players is given to the opposition in advance of the fixture, the opposition team is only required to bring enough players to match the adjusted team size and the appropriate number of matches shall still be conceded. Teams found to be fielding less than a full team and conceding matches for multiple fixtures may face disciplinary action.
TEN 9.7.3 A team unable to field the minimum number of players required shall concede a walkover, however institutions/Playing Entities with multiple teams should be aware of TEN 9.3.
TEN 9.7.4 If a player retires prior to the official match time (as defined by TEN 7.1.3), the fulfilment of the highest rubbers should be prioritised with any lower rubbers the team is not able to fulfil being conceded.
TEN 9.7.5 If a player retires during a rubber, the opponent shall be deemed to have won all the remaining games and sets necessary to win the rubber.
TEN 10 Coaches Each team may have a nominated coach sitting on court for each rubber in the match. If a team does not have one or more qualified coaches with them, then any team member not required to be playing at the time may be nominated. Coaching advice can only be given during change of ends and the coach may only enter/leave the court during a change of ends.
TEN 11 Scoring system
TEN 11.1 Full Set format
TEN 11.1.1 The doubles rubbers shall be the best of three sets. The first two sets shall be tie-break sets with no-advantage scoring (the tie-break shall be introduced at six games all) and when the score is one set all the deciding set shall be a 10-point match tie-break. In no-advantage scoring at deuce there is one point to decide the game. The receivers choose whether to receive the service from the right half or the left half of the court but cannot change positions to receive this deciding point.
TEN 11.1.2 The singles rubbers shall be the best of three sets. The first two sets shall be tie-break sets (the tie-break shall be introduced at six games all) and when the score is one set all the deciding set shall be a 10-point match tie-break.
TEN 11.2 Fast4 format
TEN 11.2.1 All singles and doubles rubbers shall be the best of three sets and will be played using no-advantage scoring. In no-advantage scoring at deuce there is one point to decide the game, the receiver(s) choosing whether to receive the service from the right half or the left half of the court, but in doubles the players cannot change positions to receive this deciding point.
TEN 11.2.2 The first two sets shall be tie-break sets with no-advantage scoring, first to four games with a tie-break (first to seven points, two points clear at six points all) played at three games all.
TEN 11.2.3 If after the first two sets the score is one set all a deciding set shall be played which shall be a 10-point match tie-break (first to 10 points, two points clear at nine points all).
TEN 11.3 To determine the match score the winner of each doubles rubber shall receive one point and the winner of each singles rubber shall receive one point.
TEN 11.4 In the event of a tie on match score in a league fixture, the match shall be considered a draw.
TEN 11.5 If a knockout competition match finishes 3-3, then a tie-break shootout (to 10 points) shall take place as follows. The tie-break shootout consists of three tie-break rubbers – two singles and one doubles – with players nominated as follows: Tie-break rubber 1 (singles) – one of the players nominated for Singles 1 or Singles 2 under TEN 7.2.2.1; Tie-break rubber 2 (singles) – one of the players nominated for Singles 3 or Singles 4 under TEN 7.2.2.1; Tie-break rubber 3 (doubles) – a pairing comprising two other players who were nominated for any of the Singles or Doubles rubbers under TEN 7.2.2.1 or TEN 7.2.2.2. For the avoidance of doubt, no player may play in more than one tie-break rubber. Players for each rubber of the tie-break shootout should be nominated simultaneously before the first tie-break rubber.
TEN 11.5.1 The order of play for the tie-break shootout should replicate that of the preferred order of play as in TEN 7.2 unless agreed otherwise by both team captains before the start of the tie-break shootout.
TEN 12 League points
TEN 12.1 Three points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.
TEN 12.2 Where a walkover has been awarded/conceded (REG 13), three points shall be given to the non-offending team and three points deducted from the offending team.
TEN 12.3 No points will be awarded to either team in the case of a void fixture.
TEN 13 Calculating final league positions
TEN 13.1 Final league positions will be primarily based on league points accumulated. However, should there be any ties on points within a league, they shall be split using the sequential system of tiebreaker steps detailed in TEN 13.2–TEN 13.12.
TEN 13.2 If after the application of a step the number of tied teams is reduced, but two or more teams remain tied, the tiebreaker criteria from that step shall be reapplied again to any remaining tied teams, before, if required, moving to the next step. For the avoidance of doubt, this will also apply where four or more teams are tied and may then split into two or more separate groupings of tied teams.
TEN 13.3 For any tiebreaker step where data from fixtures across the whole league is used, if the tie on league points has been effected by any walkovers conceded to the teams tied or any void fixtures involving these teams, any results against the team(s) which conceded the walkover(s) or the team(s) involved in the void fixtures (i.e. all the results between the teams tied on league points and the team(s) conceding the walkover(s)/void match(es)) will not be included in the calculation.
TEN 13.4 The teams tied will be ranked based on voluntary walkovers conceded (the lower the better).
TEN 13.5 The teams tied will be ranked based on league points accumulated from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TEN 13.6 The teams tied will be ranked based on Rubber difference from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TEN 13.7 The teams tied will be ranked based on Rubbers for from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TEN 13.8 The teams tied will be ranked based on Set difference from fixtures between the tied teams (the higher the better).
TEN 13.9 The teams tied will be ranked based on Rubber difference from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TEN 13.10 The teams tied will be ranked based on Rubbers for from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TEN 13.11 The teams tied will be ranked based on Sets difference from fixtures across the whole league (the higher the better).
TEN 13.12 If a tie cannot be broken using the above system, then the final league positions of any teams still tied shall be determined by the BUCS Executive drawing lots.
TEN 14 Scorecards Institutions/Playing Entities are required to maintain accurate records* of the matches played by their teams in case of a tie on points within a league which requires additional score information to that on BUCS Play. In such circumstances, the BUCS Executive will contact the relevant institutions/Playing Entities for details of all their league matches in order to separate the teams.
* ‘Accurate records’ are taken to mean precise details of all aspects of the fixture including rubbers, sets and games/match tie-break points; won and lost. This should also include player names for those who competed in each rubber.
TEN 15 Incomplete fixtures
TEN 15.1 In the event of a fixture being incomplete with no fault on either side, a result can be taken if four rubbers have been completed. The results shall be taken on all those rubbers that have been completed. If four rubbers have not been completed, or in the case of a knockout competition fixture the number of rubbers completed would result in a draw, then the fixture shall be replayed. The home team for the replay will be determined by coin toss, undertaken by the BUCS Executive.
TEN 15.2 In the event of a fixture being incomplete due to a late start, with a team at fault, their opposition may claim any rubbers not completed or unplayed.
TEN 15.3 In the event of a fixture being incomplete due to an institution booking insufficient court time (as per TEN 7.1.1), their opposition may claim any rubbers not completed or unplayed.
TEN 16 Representative commitments When one or more player(s) from the same institution/Playing Entity are selected for the Master’U BNP Paribas international representative competition, the institution/Playing Entity concerned shall be able to postpone any affected league fixtures.
TEN 16.1 The institution/Playing Entity concerned shall be responsible for informing the opposition institution/Playing Entity of the requirement to postpone the fixture no later than 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) after the announcement of the squad for the representative team, and no later than five working days prior to the original fixture date. Upon notification of the postponement, institutions must follow REG 14.3 to rearrange the fixture.
TEN 16.2 Knockout competition fixtures are not covered under TEN 16.
TEN 17 Premier Tier/National Championship/National Vase specific regulations
TEN 17.1 The National League teams shall compete on two centrally hosted National fixture weekends, as well as Wednesdays.
TEN 17.2 Venue requirements All Premier Tier league fixtures and National Championship/National Vase knockout competition fixtures and playoff fixtures are to be played on indoor courts.
TEN 18 Additional National League playoffs specific requirements The home team for each of the National League playoff matches will be determined by coin toss, undertaken by the BUCS Executive. If the teams have played each other in the playoffs in one or more of the previous three BUCS seasons, the team that did not win the coin toss in their most recent meeting will be allocated as the home team. Institutions/Playing Entities are encouraged to use neutral venues, but this is not mandatory.
TEN 19 Additional variations for Fast4 format tiers
TEN 19.1 Between points, a maximum of twenty-five seconds is allowed. The maximum time starts from the moment that one-point finishes until the first service is struck for the next point.
TEN 19.2 When the players change ends at the end of a game, a maximum of sixty seconds are allowed.
TEN 19.3 At the end of each set there shall be a set break of a maximum of ninety seconds. Players are permitted to sit down at the end of a set.
