Question re doubles etiquette

[Jim Clark]

During doubles can the receiving team's 'non-receiver' move around at all? For example, can he 'distract' the server by shuffling around, etc? I know he can't move into the receiving box, but is everything else permissable? How about the serving team's non-server, also. Thanks

[Kaptain Karl]

So long as the intent is to "keep on one's toes" or be "ready" it's okay. If the intent is to hinder / distract, it's not legal. (The problem is, figuring out -- and ruling -- on which it is....)

- KK

[racquet_jedi]

I've seen Stubbsy talk about moving around at the net during her "Dubs with Stubbs" sessions on the TC...

Also, KK, can I join PUT-OFF?

[Kaptain Karl]

You're IN!

- KK

[tbini87]

During doubles can the receiving team's 'non-receiver' move around at all? For example, can he 'distract' the server by shuffling around, etc? I know he can't move into the receiving box, but is everything else permissable? How about the serving team's non-server, also. Thanks

yes they can move around. i kind of look at it from the pov that it is the server that lets the net man distract him. it is one of those things that is not very clear and hard to rule on, so your best bet is to let them move around and just focus on the serve. once his moving around affects you he has done the job he probably wanted to do.

not "everything else" is permissible though. i don't think doing jumping jacks or swinging your racquet around or doing anything else that is dramatic is allowed. if they are getting out of control just ask them to calm down their movement on your serve then try to go on the best you can.

[WBF]

You can.

Keep in mind that if my opponent hugs the T, or does anything more than staying on their toes, I tend to let my very hard to dodge first serve wander very close to them (so that any error in the serve will perhaps result in a lovely welt).

[raiden031]

Casually moving around is fine, but when they do things like jerk their body as if trying to fake you out or lunging in any direction, then thats inappropriate and I'd call them on it.

[blakesq]

YOu know wrong, the non-receiver can move into the receiving box. The non-receiver can stand in the receiving box. However, if he gets hit on the fly by the serve, its the server's point.

Also, the non-reciever cannot be moving simply to distract the server, but he can move to poach, fake poach, etc.

During doubles can the receiving team's 'non-receiver' move around at all? For example, can he 'distract' the server by shuffling around, etc? I know he can't move into the receiving box, but is everything else permissable? How about the serving team's non-server, also. Thanks

[TNT16]

if my opponent hugs the T, or does anything more than staying on their toes, I tend to let my very hard to dodge first serve wander very close to them (so that any error in the serve will perhaps result in a lovely welt).

And win the point :)

[TNT16]

Also, the non-reciever cannot be moving simply to distract the server, but he can move to poach, fake poach, etc.

True.

I play doubles against this one guy who is very nice in every other way but likes to make noise with his sneakers (or do something like a jumping jack) just before the opponent hits -- clearly with no purpose other than to distract the hitter . . . really annoying!

I have not brought myself to pull him aside about this yet -- I have treated it as yet another challenge to overcome thus far.

[blakesq]

Maybe the purpose is simply doing a split step to get moving?


True.

I play doubles against this one guy who is very nice in every other way but likes to make noise with his sneakers (or do something like a jumping jack) just before the opponent hits -- clearly with no purpose other than to distract the hitter . . . really annoying!

I have not brought myself to pull him aside about this yet -- I have treated it as yet another challenge to overcome thus far.

[TNT16]

Maybe the purpose is simply doing a split step to get moving?

No the jumping jack is not a split step -- it is arms in the air and stomping not followed by a poach . . . .

[raiden031]

Also, the non-reciever cannot be moving simply to distract the server, but he can move to poach, fake poach, etc.

How can the non-receiver poach when his partner is about to receive the ball from the server?

[tbini87]

You can.

Keep in mind that if my opponent hugs the T, or does anything more than staying on their toes, I tend to let my very hard to dodge first serve wander very close to them (so that any error in the serve will perhaps result in a lovely welt).

this is actually the same thing i like to do, as opposed to calling them. it is a good way to send a message without really interrupting to play. have only had a few opponents do this (obviously just to distract), but was not skilled enough to actually hit the moving target. oh well, served its purpose anyways!

[Geezer Guy]

YOu know wrong, the non-receiver can move into the receiving box. The non-receiver can stand in the receiving box. However, if he gets hit on the fly by the serve, its the server's point.

Actually, the server would get the point no matter WHERE he hit the non-returner, but hitting him on the fly (OUCH!!) is very effective for taking them out of the match entirely.

[Kaptain Karl]

Good one, Geezer! (I had to think about your post for a few seconds ... then I got it.)

- KK

[Djokovicfan4life]

You can.

Keep in mind that if my opponent hugs the T, or does anything more than staying on their toes, I tend to let my very hard to dodge first serve wander very close to them (so that any error in the serve will perhaps result in a lovely welt).

Slighty OT, but last week I played doubles against a guy with a kick serve as his first and second serve. I remembered what everyone on TW says about taking the ball early so I played about 3 or 4 feet from the service line (his kicker wasn't that strong) and took the ball before it had any chance to kick.

I think I made him mad because the next time I missed my first serve he was RIGHT on top of the service line (we're talking toes firmly planted on the line).

I threw caution to the winds and blasted a second serve ace right by his feet. :)

God, that felt good.