Spin Rules????

[boosterjuice]

On a few occassions, I have put SO much back-spin on the ball that upon bouncing on the other side of the net, the spin has propelled the ball back to my side of the court without any contact from the oppossing player. We argued about who should get the point for this. He didn't make any contact with the ball. However, the ball made it over to my side and I was unable to reach it.

My question is, who gets the point?

[mj01]

You do. Doesn't matter where the ball lands, its where it hit initially. One thing though- if the ball bounces back to your side, your opponent is allowed to reach over the net and hit it (as long as he doesn't touch the net).

[Rickson]

On a few occassions, I have put SO much back-spin on the ball that upon bouncing on the other side of the net, the spin has propelled the ball back to my side of the court without any contact from the oppossing player. We argued about who should get the point for this. He didn't make any contact with the ball. However, the ball made it over to my side and I was unable to reach it.

My question is, who gets the point?
I do this move intentionally and of course I'd never give up the point on a perfectly executed backspin shot. The only way your opponent gets the point is if he touches the ball with his racquet, even if it's on your side of the net, before the bounce. As a matter of fact, your opponent can even hit the ball into the net on your side if he wants to but he can never touch the net.

[boosterjuice]

Thanks a lot.

I guess we shouldn't have played a let on those points. Oh well, I'll get him this year.

[Rickson]

Thanks a lot.

I guess we shouldn't have played a let on those points. Oh well, I'll get him this year.
You let him get away with taking away a point from a perfect shot? The only reason I don't go for it all the time on short shots is because of the high bounce you need to generate in order to get it back over.

[boosterjuice]

Knowledge=Power.

I've never seen these shots done the pros. The high bounce must be the reason. It's still very gratifying to pull it off though.

[Rickson]

Knowledge=Power.

I've never seen these shots done the pros. The high bounce must be the reason. It's still very gratifying to pull it off though.
Most dropshots have a very low bounce obviously, but the over and back shot is usually an accidental tourist. They usually happen on a mishit which is originally meant to be a dropshot but gets a bigger popup but still has a lot of backspin. I've been on both ends of the over and back, and I actually had to reach way over the net in order to make contact with the ball, but I won the point, unlike the same opponent who could only watch when I did it to him several weeks earlier. If what goes around comes around, I prevented karma.

[mj01]

Knowledge=Power.

I've never seen these shots done the pros. The high bounce must be the reason. It's still very gratifying to pull it off though.

Santoro did it to Nalbandian in the Aussie Open QF, with that goofy cross- handed forehand chop he hits. It might have been a mistake, because Nalbandian beat him 0 and 0 the last two sets.

I don't hit much slice off my forehand, and generally don't generate enough spin on my backhand to do it, but I've had it done to me a few times. Its unbelievably frustrating if you can't get to it. Which obviously makes it a good shot if you can pull it off.

[Freedom]

You're opponent can't reach over the net to hit the ball...


Or is it a special situation when the ball is bouncing back over to your side?

[Geezer Guy]

You're opponent can't reach over the net to hit the ball...

Or is it a special situation when the ball is bouncing back over to your side?

Yes - it's a special situation. Once the ball bounces you are allowed to hit it wherever it is - even if it's bounced back over the net. You have to hit it before it bounces a 2nd time, and you cannot touch the net in any way (meaning your clothing or your racquet).

[badmice2]

ditto...

in this situation, your opponent MUST touch the ball before it takes it's second bounce on your side. this is the only time in tennis a player is allow to reach over the net (without touching the net of course). if he doesnt touch...point is your's to keep.

[Andres]

Knowledge=Power.

I've never seen these shots done the pros. The high bounce must be the reason. It's still very gratifying to pull it off though.

Santoro did it to Roddick also :)
And Guillermo Vilas did it pretty often ;)

[dmastous]

Santoro did it to Roddick also :)
And Guillermo Vilas did it pretty often ;)
Santoro also got Nalbandian on a volley that boucned back to his side. Pros don't do it intentionally because it's a very low percentage shot. Yes, if you pull it off, you'll probably win the point, but more often you'll end up eating the ball when it sits up for your opponent.
I've had it happen, but only when having to stretch for a wide volley (like Santoro against Nalbandian) and just barely getting a racquet on it, or hitting a particularlly tough half-volley.
A shot I'd like to perfect is a passing shot that hits the top of the net and totally messes up an on coming volleyer. If I can get that shot down, I'd be a STAR!:cool: