Line Calling: Poor eyesight or hooking?

[Morpheus]

I ran into this 4.5 player today who either had really bad eyesight or was using line calling as a tactic. He would question every close ball he hit out--and, believe it or not, I started giving him some out balls, and then he started called a lot of my in balls out. Anything on the line was out and I hit a lot of balls close to the lines. And he never gave me any assistance on balls I couldn't see, which is something I do willingly.

He won the first set 7-6, then I got a little angry and took the second 6-0. He "retired" after the second set and I was happy to oblige. I've got his number now, but I doubt I'll play him again.

Any hookers out there want to stand up for this guy? How do all you good guys deal with this type?

[Phil]

Any hookers out there want to stand up for this guy? How do all you good guys deal with this type?

First, tell him-to his face-that you think he's cheating, that is, once you've convinced yourself that it's not just a case of "bad eyesight".

Secondly, don't ever play with him again. There must be plenty of honest players out there who you can play-life is too short to let an opponent drain the joy out of the game.

[tennis-n-sc]

I think there are a lot of players at every level that mentally call a ball out before it ever really hits. It is hard to change that preconceived mindset on close balls. I try to never willingly give anyone anything but instead hold to the rule.."any ball not seen clearly out is good". Sort of removes all the questions and me thinking I am being such a fair player and good sport by "giving someone a call".

[@wright]

"When in doubt, call it out" j/k

[PugArePeopleToo]

In a recent close match, on two occasions I called my opponent's serves out, and immediately corrected myself. I apologized and asked to him to take two. He was clearly unhappied becasue my returns were short, and he could have put them away with ease. Should I give him those two points instead?

[Verbal_Kint]

He had the right to the points, yes.

Marnix

[Phil]

In a recent close match, on two occasions I called my opponent's serves out, and immediately corrected myself. I apologized and asked to him to take two. He was clearly unhappied becasue my returns were short, and he could have put them away with ease. Should I give him those two points instead?

One bad call in a match is excusable, but twice in the same match? You say it was a "close" match? As others said, when in doubt, you HAVE to call the ball in-you cannot return the serve and THEN make an out call, and then reverse that call. You CHEATED-pure and simple. Sounds like it wasn't intentional, but you have no right to ask your opponent to serve again-even if it's "take two". You should DRILL yourself on making that IN call when in doubt-I know a lot of people's first inclination-especially lower level players-is to make the call in their favor, but if you didn't see it clearly-again, if ANY doubt remains-you have to give your opponent the benefit of that doubt.

[PugArePeopleToo]

Phil,

Are you suggesting making two bad calls unintentionally equal cheating? I understand perfectly when in doubt call them in, that wasn't my question. I was asking how to rectify bad calls when they were made. I also don't know why you think lower level players have a propensity for cheating. What does a person's rating have to do with his honesty?

[Phil]

Pugarepeople - Yes, from my experience, lower level players DO tend to make more bad calls. This is probably because they haven't learned, or programed themselves to give the benefit of the doubt to their opponents, and NOT because they are out-and-out cheaters (though we all run into some of those, too). I think-for most, not all players-as they move up the ladder, develop a sort of tennis integrity-a deeper understanding of the rules and conduct of the game. A lot of that has to do with confidence-knowing that you don't NEED to make questionable calls to win.

As I said, it doesn't sound to me like you intended to cheat, BUT...you did-by taking away probable points from your opponent. You know, FOOT FAULTING is also considered CHEATING, even if the perpetrator is unaware that he is footfaulting. Cheating is cheating, whether you're aware of it or not. Unintentional cheating is due to ignorance of the rules and can be easily rectified. A TRUE cheater is probably a cheat for life.

[Cypo]

Here's the code and the ITF on it:

The Code 18. Normally, asking for a replay of a point is a sign of weakness and of failure to exercise line calling responsibilities, and should occur only on rare occasions. One of these is as follows. Your opponent's ball -- a serve or otherwise -- appears out and you so call, but return the ball to his court. Inspection reveals that your out call, which stopped play, is in error. Since you actually returned the ball a let is authorized. Had you not returned the ball the point would have been your opponent's. (See last sentence in par. 19.) Another possible replay situation occurs when, just as C is returning A's good shot, A's overzealous partner, B calls A's shot out. If C hits a placement he wins the point; otherwise, the point should be replayed.
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ITF Rules Case 7: If a chair umpire or line umpire calls "out" and then corrects the call to good, what is the correct decision?

Decision: The chair umpire must decide if the original "out" call was a hindrance to either player. If it was a hindrance, the point shall be replayed. If it was not a hindrance, the player who hit the ball wins the point.
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So the answer is - if you're playing under the code, you did the right thing. If you're playing under ITF, they were his points. In the absence of a chair umpire, the players take this role. Since you called the balls out, it can not be considered to have hindered you.

I have all this at my finger tips because I did the same recently (except that my return would have won the point) and offered to to replay the point (thinking I was being fair) - boy did I get some funny looks !

Cheaters are at all levels - they improve those "skills" as well (and develope a B game of gamesmanship)

[PugArePeopleToo]

Cypo,
Thanks for the clarification.

Phil,
I guess we just have to agree to disagree regarding level vs. bad calls. Interesting you brought up foot faulting. I'll post a different thread on that subject.

[tennis-n-sc]

Remember that ITF rules do not pertain to the United States except for some pro play. While the rules that Cypo describes are, in effect, the same as USTA, some other rules are different. As I understand it, the Code is the same everywhere.

[Cypo]

I've never met anyone besides Americans who knows of the Code. Just wanted to mention it in case someone plays a foreigner, or in another country.

[10s247]

My funny hooking story is I was the best junior in my area, and my competition hooked line calls all the time until he got really good and could beat almost anyone around.

[joebedford]

If I unintentionally made a bad call, and my opponent was certain of it, I would want to be challenged on it. I would give him the point unquestionably. I would rather give up the point than take the risk of allowing resentment to fester.

Also, I never question an opponent's calls. Never. Never ever ever. But sometimes I feel like the only one who remembers that we're not playing for money. Even if he's a hooker--so what? In the greater scheme of things, what's the diff? As long as I enjoyed playing and played my best, the score is irrelevant.

Feeling philosophical today, I reckon. :D

[10s247]

But sometimes calling lines are hard, my supporters watching me tell me all the time that I call balls in that were 2 feet long, but I am scared to make a bad call at crucial times in the match.

[joebedford]

10s247, I would much rather have that reputation, than a reputation as a hooker. :-)

[Simbah2004]

All of us will make bad calls every once in a while. I cannot dictate my opponents behavior, but If I have any doubts whatsoever I give them the point. I don't question calls on the other side of the court - EVER. But I don't like to be questioned, even if I make a mistake.
The other day I was playing this older fella who gave me 8 bad calls... I was beating him badly, but I didn't finish the match and stopped playing. These types of players end up not having people to play with once they develop such reputation.

[ProStaffTour90]

I help my coach with a beginners squad and there is this one bloke who makes appaling line-calls so i take great pleasure in watching his little match at the end. I used to think that he was cheating, but now i think that he just doesn't understand the rules like about any part of the ball hitting the line! So probably the majority of people who do this don't do it intentionally, there won't be many cheaters out there................i hope !

[Redferrari350]

If it's close, I give it to em. Forget about it and win the next point.

[Reza]

try this: call shots that he hits four feet out "in", actually giving him the points. Then, when he asks you what you are doing, simply say that if he calls the ones that you hit in "out," then you will call the ones that he hits out "in." This has always been my tactic against cheaters and it normally works better than anything else.