We will have an interest meeting on Monday January 8 after school in the library  Downingtown West.

ALL players should fill out the interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMg6v6o7rmfIcmeIJlW90P8E-y1QdHdXnd5jzmtDguNi9M4g/viewform

Below is the information you will need to know for the upcoming season.  Please let Coach Justin know if you have any questions:

Head Coach- Justin DePietropaolo, jdepietropaolo@dasd.org 
Assistant Coach- Pete Atanasson

Team Basics

• The Downingtown West Boys Tennis Team plays in the spring season, starting in March and ending in late April.  We play in the Ches-Mont League against other schools in the area but also play non-league matches as well.  We have 16-18 matches total each season.
• During matches we are divided into Varsity competition and Junior Varsity Competition.  However, we usually play and travel for matches as ONE team.  We also practice as ONE team.  
• Varsity consists of 3 singles matches and 4 doubles matches for a total of 11 players playing in each varsity match.  Our best 3 players play singles while everybody else plays doubles.  Varsity matches go on FIRST. 
• Junior varsity consists of everybody else that does NOT play varsity and is primarily ALL doubles matches.  The number of junior varsity matches depend on how many players are on each team and how much time we have left in the day.  When we play larger teams, almost everybody gets to play.  When we play smaller teams, it's limited to the top few players on JV.  Junior varsity matches begin to go on when varsity individual matches come off court.  

Tryouts and Making the Team

• Tryouts will begin on March 6th at the Downigntown West Tennis courts after school.  Please see above for practice schedule for the first week.  Tryouts will most likely be held the first 2 days and we will make a decision on who had made the team by then, but this is weather dependant. 
• In order to make the team, new players should be able to exhibit sound tennis strokes, footwork, grip and follow though.  They should understand how to keep score and are able to demonstrate this.  Previous USTA team or tournament experience is a plus.  Ultimately, they should know how to play tennis.  This is a tennis team, not a tennis class.  
• Returning Players should show that they have worked on their game in the offseason through clinic, team, lesson play or at the very least- practicing with a purpose with a partner.  Just because a player was on the team in a previous year, does not mean they make the team the next year.  
• You make the team not only based on your ability, but on your attitude, commitment and behavior.  If any of the latter 3 changes at any point during the season, you may be asked to leave the team. 
• We do not have a set number of spots on our team, as this will depend on the above criteria.  However, usually we keep between 25 and 30 players each year.  

Determining Where a Player Plays

• Each team in the league is expected to have a team ladder which ranks the strength of each player top to bottom.  The ladder will be determined mostly by challenge matches but also by how coaches assess players. 
• Players wanting to play singles should let coaches know by the first day of practice.  Please keep in mind only the top 3 players on the team play singles.  Players wanting to play singles should have some offseason competitive singles experience such as USTA tournaments, team play and/or UTR matches..  We will have a singles tournament to determine our singles spots.  
• After singles are determined, everybody else will play doubles and participate in a Round Robin Doubles Box Ladder Tournament.  Starting positions in this tournament will be based on the previous year's ladder with new players added to each group at the coache's discretion. This will be the basis for our ladder during the season.  
• Doubles partnerships after that are determined primarily by coaches but input is always helpful from players.  

Practices

• Practices for the most part will be after school until anywhere between 4:30-6:00, but this could be extended or shortened depending on the plan for that day.  For instance the first week is usually a little longer so we can determine our ladder.
• Practices are every weekday that we do not have a match.  We may also have a Saturday practice.
• Practices are MANDATORY.  The only exception would be illness or extreme academic conflicts (tests, NHS meeting, etc.)
• Practices run as long as our season lasts.  
• Players are expected to be picked up from practice within 10 minutes after practice ends.  
• If a player misses an unexcused practice before a match, their spot in the lineup for that match may change.

Matches

• Home matches are after school until we are finished and are for Varsity AND junior varsity.  All players must stay until all matches are complete.  We usually have a 6pm cutoff time if matches are not done by then. 
• Half of our matches are usually away.  You will be let out early for these matches and shouldride the bus there.  Players need to ride the bus home too.  The only exception would be if a player has a reasonable conflict and the player sends in a note from a parent or guardian.
• Players must be in uniform for the matches.  They will be given the opportunity to get uniforms at the beginning of the season.  
• Varsity players are to commit to the season until the ENTIRE varsity season is complete.  This includes District/State playoffs and Individual League tournaments and includes 3rd and 4th doubles players as well which may or may not play in these.
• Junior varsity players are to commit to the season until the ENTIRE JV season is done including the league Junior Varsity Tournament.
• PLEASE take a look at the schedule and let us know if there are any conflicts with academic trips or spring break in ADVANCE.  

Behavior and Attitude

• All players are expected to act in a positive attitude towards their own teammates at all times.  
• During matches, players not playing in a match should cheer on their teammates in a respectable manner so not to offend and disturb the opponent.  
• Any violation of behavior and attitude will be met with punishmen, which most likely will start with being immediately removed from site.

Physicals and Activity Fees

• DASD is using Arbiter/FAMILY ID to do all physicals for athletics. All families must creat an account here: https://hello.familyid.com/.  The West specific link can be found here: www.dasd.org/westathletics and https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/downingtown-high-school-west.   For a complete list of Family ID instructions go here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c_5q1zSaCE6Xx3aBL-5SCZ9sxseQv1jw/view?usp=sharing
• EVERYBODY looking to play tennis MUST have their physical in this system.  Any student-athlete that does not have a completed registration ca NOT participate.  The due dates for these is March 1st.  
• When putting in your physical for tennis, the PIAA form Section 6 MUST be completed by your doctor an uploaded in Family ID.  If you have played a fall or winter sport, you should just need the Re-cert form.  If not, the Section 6 form must be filled out and dated AFTER June 1st.  NOTE- if you cannot get an appointment with your physician quickly, urgent care centers have been used in the past and are available to do such for a small fee.  
• Activity fees are to be paid through Family ID and/or PaySchools as well.  You will put in payment information and after a player has made the team, you will be charged the $75 activity fee.  

Captains

• All seniors are eligible to run to be captains.  Traditinally we have allowed juniors that have played in the top 5 varsity spots in their first 2 years to run for captain as well.  
• All interested players should let coaches know they are interested by the first day.
• Prospective captains will give 2 minute speeches before practice.
• Captain duties include announcing lineups, organizing team activities, representing team interests, organizing pre-match activities.  

Pre-Season Optional Practices

• We will be having pre-season optional practices one day per week starting in February.  An e-mail and notice on the website will be sent out the previous Friday letting everybody know which day that is.  You will then be required to sign up so we know how many players are coming.
• The practice will be OUTSIDE so that players can get acclimated to the weather.  
• These are optional, but highly recommended if you can attend.