Boys and Girls Tennis Tryout Guidelines

Tryouts run for five days. Tryouts begin Monday, February 19 and conclude Friday, February 23. Players or candidates must meet all VHSL and Fairfax High School eligibility requirements to participate in the tryouts. This includes meeting all enrollment, academic and age requirements as defined by Virginia High School League (VHSL) bona fide student, grade, scholarship, age, semester, and enrollment rules as well as submission of the following forms.

1. Registration for tennis through www.fairfaxhighsports.org and Student Registration for Sports/Activities.
2. VHSL Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form
3. Student-Athlete Sports Education Program (Sports and Concussion Education)
4. Parent Sports Education Program (Sports and Concussion Education)
5. Fairfax County Public Schools Emergency Care Information

The tryouts will include assessments on fitness, agility and complex coordination, stroke technique and execution, court presence and awareness, match play performance, sportsmanship, emotional control, enthusiasm, self-belief and confidence, respect for the game and work ethic. The process will include both on and off court drills, points and point situations and competitive match play. The expectation will be to select 12 to 16 players per team.

At a minimum, selected players will be expected to meet competency level 5 and preferably competency level 4 proficiencies as outlined below:

Competency Level 5

Player…

1. Can (with moderate success) maintain a full-court rally with groundstrokes and volleys.
2. Can (with moderate success) serve from baseline to deuce and ad service boxes.
3. Can (with moderate success) execute shots from backcourt, mid-court and net with reasonably sound technique (e.g., acceptable grips and swing patterns).
4. Demonstrates understanding of basic positioning and tactics.
5. Can play full-court points from baseline.

Competency Level 4

Player…

1. Executes shots from backcourt, mid-court, and net with reasonably sound technique.
2. Can control and vary direction, net clearance, depth, spin and pace of shots (with moderate success).
3. Demonstrates understanding of basic positioning for singles and doubles.
4. Has ability to execute basic patterns of play from backcourt, mid-court, and net.
5. Maintains consistency in response to progressively more difficult shots (as defined by direction, depth, net clearance, spin, and pace).
6. Can execute basic game plan.
7. Maintains focus and intensity in practice and match play.

(Note: A complete description of all eight junior competency levels is included in this Fairfax High School Tennis Team Handbook).

To be considered for selection, all candidates must make a 100% commitment to the team. Prior to final team selection, all potential candidates must commit to attending all weekday practices, matches and scrimmages and extra weekend (and holiday) practice sessions scheduled as necessary and available.

Formal practices begin Monday, February 26 and extend through the conclusion of the season (which could be extended past the last scheduled match due to participation in playoffs and tournament play).

The schedule includes two preliminary scrimmages and 14 Patriot District dual league matches followed by the singles and doubles district tournament competition for qualifying players and the Occoquan Regional team championships:

Players will be notified no later Friday, February 23 of their selection or non-selection to the team.

Players not selected will be given a prescription of things they need to do to improve their skills to be better positioned to make the team in subsequent years.

Questions should be addressed to Director of Tennis Steve Gallagher ( )

(Please note: Accommodations may be made for candidates who are unable to attend some or all the scheduled tryouts due to illness, extended VHSL sport commitments or other compelling reasons. Coach Gallagher must be notified in advance of the start of the tryouts of conflicts or potential conflicts to receive consideration for accommodation.)

Steve Gallagher

Director of Tennis

339-793-0317 (cell)