Frequently Asked Questions
>> Please refer to this page often, as new FAQs are added frequently!
1. Who supplies tennis balls?
Each team supplies its own balls. For match play the coaches agree which team supplies the balls for each particular match. You can bring your own with you OR you may purchase from Spring Break Tennis at $65/case (24 cans - Gamma Championship Ball). All orders and payments are due by February 1.
2. When can I book practice times?
As soon as you pay, you can start booking practice times. With the all-inclusive fee, each team receives 8 court-hours of practice time. ( i.e.- 3 courts for 3 hours = 9 court hours). Each Match has 1/2 hr. before the start of each match for team warm-up.
3. How do I know where I practice?
You will receive your practice site schedule at check-in. Remember, you need to book all your practice times before February 1, After February 1, limited practice times may be requested at check in.
4. How do I find the sites?
The information and directions for ALL match sites and practice sites is available on the Web Site. (Click the links). You will also receive a Coach's Guide at check-in with all necessary information including directions to all sites.
5. There is the "#123" next to our team's name on the "Teams Registered" list; however, we are not ranked #123 in the Nation!
The number next to your college name is the order in which teams sent in their registration. And the number next to your match is the order in which we receive your "Match Request."
6. Why is there not a trainer on site?
We are unable to secure on-site trainers in order to keep the cost low for all teams. Trainers and any medical services are available through Carolina Sportscare (843) 521-1970, or the emergency room at the Hospital (843) 689-8281.
7. How do I know when my team's payment has reached SBT and my site is confirmed?
As soon as SBT receives any team's payment, we will show your team on the "Confirmed Teams" list. If you find your team at the same site for more than two matches and would like to experience other sites, please notify us immediately. Part of the Hilton Head Island SBT experience is having the opportunity to play at different sites.
8. Where do I get water?
All players should carry a full insulated water jug with them to all sites. The web site and Coach's Guide state which sites have a water supply. At some resorts on Sundays there are no water and bathroom facilities available.
9. What do we do if it rains?
Please refer to the specific guidelines for rain on the web site and in the Coach's Guide!
10. Why are there leaves on my court?
At most facilities the courts are blown off each morning. Please get out of the way of any maintenance people when they are blowing courts. DO NOT STAND ON THE COURT AND WATCH! Courts can be cleaned one minute and the next have leaves all over. Please call as soon as you arrive at a site that has leaves on the courts, don't wait.
11. How can I get my racquet strung?
We have a racquet repair service managed by Clint Van Aswegan ( 843.290.0185). Racquets are to be taken to the tennis shop at the Beach & Tennis Resort between 8 am - 5 pm. (Shop is closed 12 - 1 pm for lunch). All racquets turned in before 5 pm will be finished and ready for pick up the next morning no later than 10 am. Labor cost = $14, labor & strings is $24.
12. How come some of the teams play on Har-Tru?
They requested to play on Har-Tru! We never place a match on Har-Tru unless both coaches request it! SBRC is a beautiful site and can accomodate men and women on 9 courts at the same time. All matches at SBRC are Noon - 4 pm.
13. How do we get to play in Savannah at Bacon Park?
Just request this! If both coaches want to play in Savannah, it is a great facility and most match times are 11- 3 pm, and can accommodate men and women at the same time. The driving time from Hilton Head Island is approximately one hour.
14. I am at Port Royal Racquet Club and my opponents aren't here!
Your opponents are at Port Royal Plantation. There are 18 individual site maps and one large Island map on the website. Also your Coach's Guide has the large Island Map and individual directions to each site. At least the night before any match you should contact the coach of the team you are playing to make sure you both know where you are going, the match time, and how many players you are bringing.
15. I am going to South Beach Racquet Club and the security people at Sea Pines will not let me enter. I told them I am with Spring Break Tennis, but I still can't get a pass.
Never tell any security gate that you're with Spring Break Tennis. This means nothing to them! You need to tell them where you are going (Spring Break Tennis is not a physical location). At Sea Pines, ALL vehicles need to pay $5 for a gate pass. If your lodging is in Sea Pines, you will have a pass: if you need more than one pass for your other vehicles, please get them from your lodging person when you arrive to get your keys.
16. We had a big National Ranking match with the #3 ranked team and we are #4, and we had to start with singles first! Why didn't we get to start with doubles?
Coaches need to tell Ray when you book a match, if you need special consideration!
17. My players always get upset when we have to rol-dri our courts after it rains! Why can't SBT hire people to do this?
We are trying to keep your costs down. If we hired people to clean courts, it would add an extremely high cost to each team's fee, as some days we are using well over a 90 courts. Plus, it is very difficult to have 20 or 30 people on standby to clean courts. We don't think coaches want to pay this extra cost!
18. What's the big deal about playing two matches on the same day?
We have found out that more than 60% of the injuries that occur at SBT happen to player's playing their second match of the day. SBT has no problem if a team has more than 8 active players on their roster at SBT and there is at least a two hour break between matches. Here are some of the problems that occur when teams play twice on the same day: #1. Because of injuries, teams cancel matches against opponents later in the week. #2. It is hotter than the coaches anticipated and players can't handle 7 or 8 hours in the heat, causing more injuries and match cancellations. #3. Players get upset, as they are spending all day on the courts and aren't getting any time on their own. #4. Players don't get proper nutrition, as they are rushing from match to match. #5. SBT has a limited number of sites and it is not fair for a few teams to take up all the match time with three days of two-a-day's. SBT will allow two matches on the same day during the slower weeks but will be very careful when booking two-a-days for teams during the busy weeks. ANY REQUEST FOR A SECOND MATCH OF THE DAY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNTIL AFTER JANUARY 1
19. When are the trophies handed out for the tournament?
First of all this is not a tournament. All matches at SBT are individual regular dual matches between teams arranged by the coaches. Trophies? We don't think the coaches would want to foot the bill each day for 30 match winners!
20. When it rains who gets to play indoors?
No one goes indoors! There are four covered courts at the Van der Meer Tennis Center, and two commercial indoor courts at Ship Yard, which we do not use! If we did have use of the indoor courts, it would be pretty difficult to pick the teams each day that would get to go indoors. Plus, the courts are very rarely available.
21. I coach both the men's and women's teams and would like them to play at the same site and at the same time, how can I do this?
When requesting a match make sure you let Ray know that you would like to do this. Nine courts at the same time are available at the Beach & Tennis Resort, Bacon Park, and South Beach Racquet Club. To assure yourself of this option, you must request this as soon as possible. Many coaches do this 8 or 9 months in advance. Also to accommodate coaches wishing to do this, we will book you at the High School (six brand new courts) and the Middle School (four courts), these two sites are an easy 5 minute walk from each other.
