Mini Tennis 8 v 8 competition (presented by Mark Tennant, ITF)

What is a Mini Tennis 8 v 8 competition?

This format sees players split into 2 even teams and then players in each team are numbered from 1-8. Each player plays 1 singles match against every other player in the opposing team.

Organiser tips

COURTS AND PLAYERS: 2 teams of 8 players (can be any number so long as teams have the same numbers). One is the Red team the other the Blue team. Both teams number their players 1-8.

Set up 8 Mini Tennis Red courts across 2 full-size courts (for older players use 8 half courts).

SCORING: Matches are best of 9 points, alternating serve after each point. If a player wins their match, on their scorecard they record the number of the opposing player (1-8) and that is the amount in points they win. (Eg Red 2 beat Blue 6 so Red gets 6 points)

SCORESHEETS: Each player keeps a scorecard (next page) to record their results. Younger players will need an adult to fill this in for them. Enter all scores on the team scoresheet at the end.

Activity

ORDER OF PLAY: To start, Player 1 from the Red team plays Player 1 from the Blue team, 2 plays 2, 3 plays 3 etc up to 8. After each match, the Red team players move one court to the left and the Blue team stay on the same court. The competition ends when 8 rotations have been made and all players have played everyone from the opposing team.

AT THE END: Each player gives their scorecard to the organiser, the organiser adds up the total from the Red players, then the total from the Blue players. The team with most points wins.

Adapt the Format

Many formats can easily be adapted to suit players aged under 10, mixed ages, teams and to be a more or less competitive event.

Download ‘ADAPTING COMPETITION’ for a quick and easy guide to adapting this format to suit your needs.

Themes

Many competitions are more fun and easier to promote if they have a theme such as Davis Cup, Olympics or Family Day attached.

Download ‘ADDING THEMES’ for ideas.

Player Scorecard:

Players carry around this scorecard and record their points won in each round.

Court Layout and Rotation

After each round player from the Red ream move to the left or ‘up’ one court. The blues stay.