One-on-One
Doubles® Tournament
Four-Hour, Non-Elimination Format. The new game in town. What is One-on-One Doubles?
One-on-One Doubles is the first, alternative, competitive game to
singles and doubles since the inception of the game in the 1870s.
This half-court, serve-and-volley singles game played on the doubles
court is now sanctioned by USTA/FLORIDA for Junior and Adult tournaments.
One-on-One Doubles is sanctioning tournaments throughout the U.S.,
for ranking purposes.
Format of Play and Rules of the Game
One-on-One Doubles tournaments can play matches with two or four
players on the court. If court availability and time allows, it's
preferable that each match has its own separate court (with 2 players).
If court space or availability is an issue, two matches can be played
simultaneously on one court (with 4 players).
With Four Players on Each Court
- Player A competes against player B for the entire match
- Player C competes against player D for the entire match
- Points are staggered a second apart
- Just like in a regular match, players compete serving and returning
on both the deuce and all courts
- Players change sides on odd games
New Court Dimension / Boundaries
There is a divisible line drawn through the middle of the court
from the center service line to the middle of the baseline. On clay
courts, one can use a regular court liner (that cleans the line)
to make the divisible line through the middle. On hard courts, one
can use chalk or white athletic trainers tape to mark off the middle
line.
Rules For One-on-One Doubles
- Players must serve and volley on both serves, or immediate loss
of point. A sincere attempt is good enough! Half volleys are permitted.
- All points are played crosscourt with the alley included.
- The returner can stay back or come into the net during the point.
- Matches are No-Ad scoring; first player to win four points wins.
the game; returner chooses which side to return the 3-all point
from, the deuce or ad court.
- Players alternate points from the deuce court to the ad court.
Ranking Points:
The One-on-One Doubles office will rank players, for One-on-One Doubles, with a minimum of one tournament played.
One-Day, Non-Elimination Format & Benefits
- Develops Players - Makes players volley and play the all-court game.
- No Partner Needed - This is a singles game!
- Short Time Commitment - Tournament is finished in a 3-4 hour time span
- Play Different Opponents - The non-eliminination and/or round robin format allows for it
- Club Friendly - Predicted time-frame maximizes courts during normally slow times
- Festive Atmosphere - Music can be played during tournament where permitted
- Ranking Points - Players can compete for age division ranking points!
- Charge Accordingly and Cut Expenses - Give one can of new balls per player/per tournament. Charge enough entry fee to make a reasonable profit.
How to Conduct the Tournament
Operating a one-day, One-on-One Doubles tournament
requires a mental adjustment for the Tournament Director. Players
will compete more during a short-time period. Your tournament participants
are showing up to play for a designated time period. Whether your
tournament lasts three or four hours, you want to keep the players
competing throughout your time period as much as possible.
Entries
Try to limit your number of entries to even totals (4, 8 or 16 player
draws) For odd number draws, give out byes.
Four Player Round Robin = 3 guaranteed matches;
play 8 game sets for juniors and 6 game sets for adults, i.e., first
to win 8 games and first to win 6 games.
8 Player Compass Draw = 3 guaranteed matches; play
8 game sets for juniors and 6 game sets for adults
16 Player Compass Draw = 4 guaranteed matches; play
6 game sets for juniors and 5 game sets for adults
Starting Time and Scheduling of Courts
It is imperative that all players check in for the same start time.
These One-on-One Doubles tournaments are run efficiently if all
matches begin at the same time. For example, "ALL matches begin
at 4 PM." For 1-set matches, players are usually given 5-10
minutes of break between matches. Based on court availability, you
will need 1-2 courts for every 4 player Round Robin; 2-4 courts
for every 8 player Compass Draw; and 4-8 courts for every 16 player
Compass Draw.
Remember, all tournaments' second and third round
matches will be played on a "to be followed by" basis.
This eliminates the old-school pre-scheduling of match times.
Conduct a Player Meeting at Start of Tournament
The success of this tournament's format is the director's ability
to gather all the tournament players in one place at the starting
time. The director will explain the format of play, rules, introduce
officials, and promote upcoming tournaments. This will put everyone
on the same page, answer questions, and provide a friendly atmosphere
for your tournament.
Play Music during One-on-One Doubles
One-on-One Doubles is played with a musical component that makes
for a festive atmosphere for both players and fans. Keep the sound
at a decent level, so that players can still hear the balls they
are hitting.
Troubleshooting
For 3 or 7 player draws - Having alternates in case of a "no
show" is helpful. If two players are sitting out because of
byes, send them out to play a practice/exhibition match. Even though
this match doesn't count, everyone will have a chance to play three
matches, if possible.
When you have a bye in two different Compass Draws,
pair up the "new" players sitting out each following round
to keep everyone playing.
For 6 player draws - The top two seeds get a bye,
if using a Compass Draw. The two consolation players would then
play two sets against each other with a tie-breaker for the third
set, if needed. Everyone leaves playing three sets.
You could always choose to run a six person round
robin with mini-sets to four (first to win four games). This format
will allow for everyone to play five matches and play plenty of
tennis. Be sure to make up a tie-breaking formula to determine the
champion.
For More Information
Contact Ed Krass, Executive Director, One-on-One Doubles, E-mail:
oneononedoubles@yahoo.com
Website: www.oneononedoubles.com
Telephone: (813) 684-9031
2008 © Ed Krass. All Rights Reserved
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