USTA Captain's Toolkit: Lineup Card, Roster Planner & Resources
The USTA Captain's Toolkit
You volunteered. Nobody paid you. The least we can do is hand you the tools. Fill these in on your phone or print them for the courts β nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
1. Match-Day Lineup Card
Fill in your lineup, tap Print this card, and take a paper copy to captains' exchange. Below is a common format of 2 singles and 3 doubles β but USTA lineup rules vary by section, league, and age/rating flight, so always confirm your flight's format and any court-order rules before you set it.
| Line | Court # | Our player(s) | Opponent(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles 1 | |||
| Singles 2 | |||
| Doubles 1 | |||
| Doubles 2 | |||
| Doubles 3 |
Some leagues play a different mix (e.g. 3 singles + 2 doubles, or doubles-only combo). Adjust the lines to match your flight. Court order and default/withdrawal rules also vary β check your local USTA league page for the official regulations.
2. Team Roster Planner
Add every player once at the start of the season and you will never scramble for a phone number again. Tap Add player for a new row, or the Γ to remove one. This runs entirely in your browser β no data is stored, sent, or shared. Refreshing the page clears it, so print a copy when you are done.
| Player | NTRP | Contact | Availability |
|---|
Tip: note availability plainly β βhome matches only,β βout Aug 15-22,β βprefers doubles.β It makes lineup night far faster.
3. Plain-Language Team Gear Setup Guide
Matching team shirts are a small thing that makes a real difference β you spot your team across six courts, and everyone feels like an actual team instead of eight strangers who signed up. Here is how to organize it without the usual headache. No account, no bulk minimum, no design fee.
The simple version
- Pick one design everyone likes. Put two or three options in the team chat and let a quick vote settle it. One design, one color keeps it clean and easy to reorder.
- Collect sizes early. Our tees run in sizes S through 4XL, so ask each player for their size before you order. A shared note or spreadsheet works fine.
- Order early β this is the big one. Everything is printed to order, so allow 3β5 business days of production time before the order even ships. There is no overnight option. For a match or team photo, order at least a week or two ahead.
- Shipping, honestly: US-only, free over $50, and a flat $4.75 under that. Placing everyone's shirts on one larger order is the easy way to clear $50 and skip the shipping fee.
Know what you're buying (so nobody is surprised)
- Performance tees are polyester β genuinely moisture-wicking, quick-drying, with UPF sun protection. This is the on-court shirt.
- Hoodies and pullovers are cotton-blend fleece β warm and comfortable for cool mornings and warmups, but not moisture-wicking. They also run small, so order one size up from your usual.
- Returns are for defects or damage β because each item is custom-printed to order, we are not able to offer 30-day change-of-mind returns. If something arrives flawed or wrong, we make it right. This is exactly why collecting correct sizes up front matters.
- Where it's made: designed in Austin, TX; printed and shipped in the USA.
Browse these public collections for design ideas β these are our regular store pages, not a private team shop:
Want to check ratings or the bigger league picture first? Visit the USTA League Hub or take the quick NTRP self-rating quiz.
4. Captain's Match-Day Checklist
Run through this before you leave the house. Tap to check items off; it prints as a paper list too.
5. New Captain FAQ
I've never captained before β what am I actually responsible for?
At a high level: fielding a legal lineup for each match, communicating dates and sites to your players, exchanging lineups with the opposing captain, and reporting the score afterward. The exact duties and deadlines are set by your local league, so read your section's captain materials once at the start of the season.
How do lineups and court order work?
Formats and court-order rules vary by section, league, and flight β the number of singles and doubles lines, how you rank strength, and default rules are all set locally. Use the lineup card above as a starting template and confirm the specifics on your official USTA league page.
What happens if a player cancels last minute?
This is why the roster planner exists. Keep availability and contact info current so you can call a sub fast. Every league has its own rules about substitutions, defaults, and minimum players to avoid forfeiting lines β know yours before match day.
Do we have to buy matching team shirts?
No β it's purely optional. Some teams love the identity of matching gear for match day and team photos; others skip it. If you do want it, the gear guide above walks through picking a design, collecting sizes, and ordering early enough for production time.
Is any of the info I type here saved?
No. The lineup card, roster planner, and checklist all run in your own browser and nothing is stored or sent. That also means it clears if you refresh or close the tab β so print a copy when you're finished.
Court Sportswear β original tennis tees for USTA league players. Designed in Austin, TX; printed & shipped in the USA. This toolkit is free to use and share. Formats, rules, and deadlines differ by USTA section and league; always confirm details with your official local league resources.