squeaking shoes on purpose

[weaver]

I know people who "sqeak" their shoes when returning because they are getting ready to return and splitting before the return to get ready... As far as I'm concerned that should be legal...

Originally Posted by weaver

I know people who "sqeak" their shoes when returning because they are getting ready to return and splitting before the return to get ready... As far as I'm concerned that should be legal...

99% of the time it is legal. That's why it is very rarely called, and even less frequently before the non squeaker complains.

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by burosky

You are right. Intent alone is not enough. That is why I stated "deliberate" intent. Who determines it? In an unofficiated match if it was your opponent doing it, it would be you. However, just as Javier said, it would be quite difficult to prove deliberate intent. If there is a disagreement, that is when you call for a lines person. If it was an officiated match, either you or the official can determine it. If the official doesn't call it, you can't just call hindrance on your opponent though. You still need to go through the official then the official will make a decision. Usually though, if the official doesn't call it, most likely it isn't a hindrance.

Right, I agree perhaps in this situation.

But as long as people think that somehow you cant call hindrance in an unofficiated match because you can. (you are supposed to warn them first however)

Some situations are obvious. Like my opponent who is yelling out things when the ball is going out. Again all that matter is that he "choose" to do something that he clearly should have control over.

Squeeky shoes may not be obvious because people play all the time with squeeky shoes. Even if someone is doing it in such a way that it's on purpose (making them squeek, not just to distract you), it would be hard to prove it.

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by rasajadad

I can tell you for a fact that it is a code violation. I guy in my league that a friend of mine's uncle's brother in law a couple of years ago used to do it, so I had to look it up.

Can you share with us where you "looked it up"? We want to learn too!

Originally Posted by rasajadad

I can tell you for a fact that it is a code violation. I guy in my league a couple of years ago used to do it, so I had to look it up.

Your "facts" are WRONG

[Gemini]

Originally Posted by weaver

I know people who "sqeak" their shoes when returning because they are getting ready to return and splitting before the return to get ready... As far as I'm concerned that should be legal...

Split stepping is only the instance of a single squeak which I'm not referring to. I'm talking about someone shuffling their feet multiple times (back and forth usually) while a person is somewhere in the process of serving prior to striking the ball. Capriati did this years ago and I've seen the occasional junior player do it once they realize that it can be annoying. If your shoes squeak when your recovery after a shot, there's nothing wrong with that.

[Topaz]

Sometimes...the shoes are just squeaky. And when a person moves, the shoes squeak. Asking the person not to move in a tennis match is...well, kinda unrealistic.

And some courts tend to be 'squeakier' than others as well, for instance, I played on a really slick indoor court this weekend, and I was squeaking like you wouldn't believe (my shoes are also worn down). Absolutely none of it was really under my control and none of it was 'intended'...but I'm not going to *not* prepare for the ball just because I think my shoes might distract my opponents. I believe someone else also said it...if that bothers a person, they have much bigger focus problems that they need to fix.

I think you'd always have a hard time trying to prove 'intent' if you think someone is doing it deliberately while you're serving as well. Some people split-step, and some people move their feet more than that while getting ready to receive the ball. In my opinion, it is just too minor of an area to get too worked up about. *shrug* Your mileage may vary...

[JRstriker12]

Originally Posted by Gemini

Split stepping is only the instance of a single squeak which I'm not referring to. I'm talking about someone shuffling their feet multiple times (back and forth usually) while a person is somewhere in the process of serving prior to striking the ball. Capriati did this years ago and I've seen the occasional junior player do it once they realize that it can be annoying. If your shoes squeak when your recovery after a shot, there's nothing wrong with that.

I've seen the purposely squeaking while you are trying to serve thing. When a person does it, it's pretty clear that they are shuffling thier feet on purpose o make noise to distract you. That's pretty bush-league and I"m pretty sure you can call a hinderance on it. I had a friend who did that during our friendly matches as a joke. It never bothered me enough to affect me.

Out side of that, it would be pretty hard to call anyone on that sort of thing during a point since it may be hard to distinguish choppy footwork with intentional noise-making.

[Moz]

I was called on it once by an umpire. I had to remove my shoes and play a point to prove that it was actually my feet squeaking.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Moz

I was called on it once by an umpire. I had to remove my shoes and play a point to prove that it was actually my feet squeaking.

What??? He had you play without your shoes on? Wow...though, you do seem to draw the ire of umpires!

[eagle]

My shoes squeak all the time. I actually like hearing them.

If I don't hear them, I know I'm not moving my feet enough .. taking smaller steps vs. big steps.

I don't intentionally do it or to distract myself or anyone though.

But it is a good on-court tool/reminder for me.

It's "da shoes".

Also, I believe I've read it on tennis mag from contributing instructors that hearing one's steps to ensures good footwork.

Now if I know my opponent doesn't do it normally while receiving but is purposely doing it to distract me, then that is entirely different.

r,
eagle

[rasajadad]

Originally Posted by JavierLW

Can you share with us where you "looked it up"? We want to learn too!

It's in the Code. #34 I think under "Movement/noise intentionally done to distract" or something similar. I also appreciate you editing my posts. Very nice!

Originally Posted by rasajadad

It's in the Code. #34 I think under "Movement/noise intentionally done to distract" or something similar. I also appreciate you editing my posts. Very nice!

Where does this translate to being a fact that it's a code violation?

34.

Body movement. A player may feint with the body while the ball is in
play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is
tossing the ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract
an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or
stamping the feet, is not allowed.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by Topaz

What??? He had you play without your shoes on? Wow...though, you do seem to draw the ire of umpires!

No, I was joking! (in hindisight it would have been easy to spot if it had actually been funny, but wasn't)

I get on fine with umpires apart from the racquet between legs code violation!

[rasajadad]

Originally Posted by woodrow1029

Where does this translate to being a fact that it's a code violation?

34.

Body movement. A player may feint with the body while the ball is in
play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is
tossing the ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract
an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or
stamping the feet, is not allowed.

I believe this is what covers it:
any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or stamping the feet, is not allowed

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Moz

No, I was joking! (in hindisight it would have been easy to spot if it had actually been funny, but wasn't)

I get on fine with umpires apart from the racquet between legs code violation!

Ha! My bad...but you never can be sure with you Moz...I wouldn't put it past you to throw your shoes at an ump and play barefoot!!!

Originally Posted by rasajadad

I believe this is what covers it:
any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving the arms or racket or stamping the feet, is not allowed

So again, where does that translate to a code violation?

If it's DELIBERATELY DONE TO DISTRACT, then it is a hindrance and loss of point, but not a code violation.

[rasajadad]

Originally Posted by woodrow1029

So again, where does that translate to a code violation?

If it's DELIBERATELY DONE TO DISTRACT, then it is a hindrance and loss of point, but not a code violation.

I think you're splitting hairs here, (or maybe I don't understand your question,) but the OP asked if sqeaking your shoes is allowed. I'm saying according to The Code - no, it's not.

[HyperHorse]

Oh geeeeeeez, if it really bothers you THAT MUCH...
Why not... grunt like a caveman?? That should balance things nicely..

Originally Posted by rasajadad

I think you're splitting hairs here, (or maybe I don't understand your question,) but the OP asked if sqeaking your shoes is allowed. I'm saying according to The Code - no, it's not.

Yes it is allowed as long as it's not intended to deliberately hinder your opponent. Shoes squeak all the time. It's so hard to tell when it is deliberate.

And it's not splitting hairs. There is a big difference between a hindrance loss of point and a code violation.