The basics of positioning at net are black and white with a lot of gray area mixed in, too. Let’s keep it simple and chat only about the basics of playing the net when your partner is serving. While you may stand anywhere on the court, the best position is up at the net. When you are at the net you have two main objectives: to win the point, with your volley, and not to lose the point.
To win the point you must be able to volley for a winner. To hit this type of volley, how close to the net should you stand? You want to stand close enough to the net to put any volley away. The farther away from the net you are, the more difficult it is to accomplish this. Standing very close to the net makes it easier to hit a winning volley. Standing too close limits your reach and makes you susceptible to the lob. Each player will have to decide how close to the net he or she can stand and still feel confident in putting the ball away.
The second object of not losing the point means protecting your alley. If your opponent hits into your alley, he or she will win the point (unless it’s a lob and then your partner will be able to retreive it). You must stand close enough to your alley to be able to volley any attempt to go down it by your opponents. At the same time, you want to cover as much court as possible, thereby giving yourself the greatest chance to hit a winning volley. A good rule of thumb is: Never stand inside your alley. At the same time, you must look for an opportunity to poach towards the middle for the volley. So stand next to your alley, not in it. Next, we want to follow the ball as much as possible as long as we stay in between the singles sideline and the center of the court. Crossing the center line will give your opponents a very good look at your alley, which we cannot let happen.
All players from beginners to the pros have these two objectives when their partner is serving. They will be standing in different positions but still have the same objectives. So keep moving and put that volley away.

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The Binghamton Tennis Center will be running a Level 1 ETA sanctioned junior event for Boy’s & Girl’s 12, 14, 16 & 18 singles, January 23-25. There will be juniors from across the state competing and we encourage our local juniors to enter and participate!

Below is an entry blank. Entry deadline is January 10 and one must be a USTA member. Please call us with any questions.

BTC LEVEL 1 ETA TENNIS TOURNAMENT

WHERE: Binghamton Tennis Center, Upper Mill St.

WHEN: January 23-25, 20003

EVENTS: Girl’s 12, 14 & 16 singles
Boy’s 12, 14, 16 & 18 singles

ENTRY FEE: $40/singles

SANCTION: Eastern Tennis Association

PRIZES: Trophies awarded to all finalists.

RULES: Matches will be best two of three sets, 12 point tiebreak at 6-6. A 15 minute default rule will be enforced. USTA rules govern all play. We will 9 game consolation matches for 1st round singles losers.
Entry fee must accompany application. Mail entries to Binghamton Tennis Center, PO Box 117, Binghamton, NY 13903, Entry deadline is Friday, January 10 at 5pm!! Draws and times will be available Tuesday, Jan 13 online at www.tennisinformation.com!
______________________________________________________________________________
ENTRY FORM

NAME_________________________________________PHONE#_______________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________
your #
PARTNER’S NAME ________________________USTA #____________________DOB____

EVENTS check desired one
singles singles
Girl’s 12 & under ____ Boy’s 12 & under ____
Girl’s 14 & under ____ Boy’s 14 & under ____
Girl’s 16 & under ____ Boy’s 16 & under ____
Girl’s 18 & under ____ Boy’s 18 & under ____

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Administrative Match Schedule Report

League: USTA/EASTERN - WESTERN REGION - BINGHAMTON - 2004 Binghamton Mixed
Flight: 7.0 Mixed Binghamton
Schedule Status: The match schedule has been published
Report Date: 12/31/2003 7:37 pm EST

Played Match # Facility Rnd Date Time Home Team Visiting Team
972890 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 1/17/2004 7:00 PM Bowen Saunders/Sopchak
972891 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 1/17/2004 7:00 PM Mirch O’Connor
972895 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 1/30/2004 8:00 PM Bowen Mirch
972894 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 2/1/2004 8:00 PM O’Connor Saunders/Sopchak
972892 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 2/7/2004 8:30 PM Saunders/Sopchak Mirch
972893 Binghamton Tennis Center 1 2/7/2004 8:30 PM O’Connor Bowen
972900 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 2/20/2004 8:00 PM Saunders/Sopchak O’Connor
972901 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 2/22/2004 8:00 PM Mirch Bowen
972896 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 2/27/2004 8:00 PM Saunders/Sopchak Bowen
972897 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 2/29/2004 8:00 PM O’Connor Mirch
972898 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 3/13/2004 7:00 PM Mirch Saunders/Sopchak
972899 Binghamton Tennis Center 2 3/13/2004 7:00 PM Bowen O’Connor
972902 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 3/27/2004 7:00 PM Bowen Saunders/Sopchak
972903 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 3/27/2004 7:00 PM Mirch O’Connor
972907 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 4/2/2004 8:00 PM Bowen Mirch
972906 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 4/4/2004 8:00 PM O’Connor Saunders/Sopchak
972904 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 4/24/2004 7:00 PM Saunders/Sopchak Mirch
972905 Binghamton Tennis Center 3 4/24/2004 7:00 PM O’Connor Bowen

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The Syracuse Community Tennis Association (CTA) will once again offer a USTA Umpires Clinic on Saturday, January 10. So you know, it is always nice to have a local umpire, and we use umpires several times a year at junior tournaments as well as for the High School State Qualifiers. Umpires get paid for these events, and unlike the senior circuit or tour, they do not get yelled at! You can register by e-mailing Cam Bundy at cbundy@twcny.rr.com or call Steve Peckich at 315-449-0400. I believe the clinics are usually run at Drumlins. One local umpire, Chip Kinne, has worked several events for us, as well as college dual matches. It would be nice to have another person or two trained!

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