If you have never played in a tennis ladder before it's a great way for new players to get started. Here are the basics... No matter where you start on the ladder, after a period of time you will end up playing games with people of similar ability. If you improve, you are likely to go up the ladder but you will then be playing against harder opponents. If you wish to take a break from the ladder (e.g. you are away for 6 months) then you can do so by clicking on 'take a break' from the admin page (you need to be logged in to access this page). When you are ready to make a challenge, go to the rankings page (you must be logged in first). Then click on the player you wish to challenge and follow the instructions. In order to play your match you must be a member of the tennis club or be playing against a member. The ladder rules and latest tennis rules are below.

Rules page from USTA.com

Abridged Rules

1. You may challenge the player one to three positions above you on the ladder. When you join the ladder you may challenge any player at any position on the ladder for your first challenge.

2. All games should be played within 7 days of a challenge being made (unless there are extenuating circumstances) otherwise the challenger wins.

3. You should play your game at a mutually convenient time. If your timings do not coincide (one person can only play week days 9-5 and the other only evenings and weekends) and you CANNOT agree, then you MUST play your match on a weekday commencing between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. This will be known as a 'compulsory match time'.

4. If the person being challenged offers 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) and the challenger cannot make any of them, then the CHALLENGE is VOID.

5. If the person being challenged cannot offer 3 different 'compulsory match times' (on different days) then the CHALLENGER WINS by default.

6. If either party is more than 20 minutes late in attending an agreed match then the late or non attender loses the match. Please be reasonable regarding traffic conditions etc.

7. If you make a successful challenge you swap your name with the person you beat. Therefore you may jump (or drop) up to three positions at a time.

8. Each match will be one 8 game pro-set (first to eight games, must win by two). If the players reach a score of 8-8, a 12 point tie-breaker will be played (first to seven, win by two).

9. Please check with your opponent any 'local rules' prior to playing.

10. If no result has been recorded by two thirds of the way through the challenge period a reminder is emailed to both parties.

11. If no result has been recorded by the end of the challenge period a warning is sent to record the result within a few days 'grace period'.

12. If no result has been recorded by the end of the grace period the challenger automatically wins.

13. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and grace period with no consequences.

14. If the challenged person wishes to forfeit the challenge they can record this within the challenge and grace period and the game is won by the challenger by forfeit. [these settings are customizable in the script]

15. Other rules can be added here.

You will have noticed a points score appear next to player names on the rankings page (if logged in). This is a trial points rating system based on the classic Elo system. Players will be awarded points for winning and lose points for losing depending on how difficult the system calculates your opponent to be. It will take a few games to settle down the scoring system. Currently the rating is displayed for information purposes only but in future it will be possible to arrange the ladder ranking system around this points score.

This software is provided free of charge. To support further development of the ladder please consider making a donation. Thank you.

The ladder is hosted on a not for profit basis by squash-ladder.net. The data held is not processed for any purpose other than to allow individuals to participate in the ladder. The information held is Name and Email address. It is your choice if you wish to include any further contact details. They are stored in a password protected database. Your password to access the site is stored in the database in an encrypted form. The data is relatively safe but no guarantee is made regarding security. It is believed that these uses do not necessitate that the database and squash ladder be notified under the Data Protection Act, UK. Your ladder operator may need to register as a data operator depending on their country of operation. If you have any concerns about data protection or data security please discuss this with your ladder operator.

Technical Information