Again With The Footfaulting?

[equinox]

another thing, if i was ever called without a warning given first. the opposition better make sure their own foot isn't anywhere near that line.

[kylebarendrick]

That shouldn't be an issue. Per the code, you cannot just call a footfault. First you would have to warn the player. Second, you would have to attempt to get an official. Failing both of those remedies, only then could you call a footfault and then only if it is "flagrant". The code is pretty clear that flagrant means it is clear to the receiver.

So to hfmf's example, the player calling the footfaults was in violation of the code since there were officials available at Districts. If they were concerned about their opponent's footfaults, they should have gotten an official to watch the match. They had no right to make that call on their own.

In NorCal our local league rules allow us to call for court monitors, which are typically one player from each team, who can call footfaults. I have seen plenty of really egregious footfaulters clean up their act quickly when monitors were brought onto the court.

As I said above, when I am playing a match I don't look for or call footfaults - it isn't worth the argument and I don't want to lose focus on the match. I would just like to see people respond to a FF warning with some humility rather than hostility.

[surfsb]

If an official is called in or someone is agreed upon to act as a stand-in official, where are they located in respect to play? Do they stand at the net-post or in line with the baseline on the server's side?

[blakesq]

you are mistaken Kyle. YOu can call a footfault immediately. This what the code says:

"24. Foot Faults. A player may warn an opponent that the opponent has
committed a flagrant foot fault. If the foot faulting continues, the player may
attempt to locate an official. If no official is available, the player may call flagrant
foot faults. Compliance with the foot fault rule is very much a function
of a player’s personal honor system. The plea that a Server should not be
penalized because the server only just touched the line and did not rush the
net is not acceptable. Habitual foot faulting, whether intentional or careless,
is just as surely cheating as is making a deliberate bad line call."

Where it says "may", it means an option, that player does not have to do it. If the code said "shall", then that means the player is obligated to follow the code as stated.

Originally Posted by kylebarendrick

That shouldn't be an issue. Per the code, you cannot just call a footfault. First you would have to warn the player. Second, you would have to attempt to get an official. Failing both of those remedies, only then could you call a footfault and then only if it is "flagrant". The code is pretty clear that flagrant means it is clear to the receiver.

So to hfmf's example, the player calling the footfaults was in violation of the code since there were officials available at Districts. If they were concerned about their opponent's footfaults, they should have gotten an official to watch the match. They had no right to make that call on their own.

In NorCal our local league rules allow us to call for court monitors, which are typically one player from each team, who can call footfaults. I have seen plenty of really egregious footfaulters clean up their act quickly when monitors were brought onto the court.

As I said above, when I am playing a match I don't look for or call footfaults - it isn't worth the argument and I don't want to lose focus on the match. I would just like to see people respond to a FF warning with some humility rather than hostility.

[Cindysphinx]

Nope, you must warn and you must locate an official. From Friend At Court:

USTA Comment 18.6:Whenmay the receiver or the receiver’s partner call foot faults? In a non-officiated match, the receiver or the receiver’s partner may call foot faults after all efforts (warning the server and attempting to locate an official) have failed and the foot faulting is so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the receiver’s side.

[blakesq]

Thanks Cindy, I stand corrected.

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Nope, you must warn and you must locate an official. From Friend At Court:

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by blakesq

Thanks Cindy, I stand corrected.

Hey, it's not your fault. The wording in the Rules/Code is often not as clear as it could be.

[pmerk34]

Originally Posted by kylebarendrick

That shouldn't be an issue. Per the code, you cannot just call a footfault. First you would have to warn the player. Second, you would have to attempt to get an official. Failing both of those remedies, only then could you call a footfault and then only if it is "flagrant". The code is pretty clear that flagrant means it is clear to the receiver.

So to hfmf's example, the player calling the footfaults was in violation of the code since there were officials available at Districts. If they were concerned about their opponent's footfaults, they should have gotten an official to watch the match. They had no right to make that call on their own.

In NorCal our local league rules allow us to call for court monitors, which are typically one player from each team, who can call footfaults. I have seen plenty of really egregious footfaulters clean up their act quickly when monitors were brought onto the court.

As I said above, when I am playing a match I don't look for or call footfaults - it isn't worth the argument and I don't want to lose focus on the match. I would just like to see people respond to a FF warning with some humility rather than hostility.

I was adjacent to league mixed doubles match on Friday and all them foot faulted at one time or another.

[tennis tom]

Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, should be questioned long and hard regarding her views on foot faulting, past and present.

[pmerk34]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, should be questioned long and hard regarding her views on foot faulting, past and present.

NO POLITICS EVEN IN JEST!!!!!

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by pmerk34

NO POLITICS EVEN IN JEST!!!!!

I agree, me bad. The foot-faulting issue is sensitive enough to effect vital national security interests. It's best left to the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the CIA for review and interpretation. This is complex. Maybe unmanned high-flying drones should be employed for pin-point accuracy?

[tennytive]

Originally Posted by PatrickB

Another one that most people miss that is surprisingly often is foot faulting the center line. Two common cases I see pretty often:
1. A right hander serving from the deuce side lines up with their front (left) foot just to the right of the center hash mark and the back (right) foot offset behind it across the extension of the center hash.
2. A right hander serving from the ad side lines up with their front (left) foot just to the left of the center has, and then steps to the right with their back (right) foot prior to hitting the ball, crossing the center service line.

What about the sideline? I see a player in doubles who routinely stands with his back foot outside the doubles sideline. ie wide of the court on his ad side serve.

I searched and can't find where it states the server is allowed to stand in regard to the imaginary sideline extension. Is it legal, or a foot fault?

[Cindysphinx]

One of my opponents in a recent 4.0 match was footfaulting like crazy. I didn't raise it, warn her or even tell my partner.

'Cause I didn't want to be That Guy.

Besides, she is really nice and maybe someday she'll help me get on a team. But not if start calling her for footfaults!

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Our league now has this statement in its document called "Basic Rules and Customs Every Player Should Know":



Trouble is, I don't see where they get this. It's not in the local rules, and it's not in the Code so far as I know.

Does anyone know?

Seems like they made it up like they do with most things in your leagues.

The code addresses something similar where you can call it if it's flagrant and after you've tryed to contact an official.

Ironically though Ive been in a situation twice now where the opponents were either calling it on me or my partner, and luckily it was in a tournament and I was the one getting an official.

(usually the speel goes like this: "They are calling foot faults. Maybe we are doing it, and maybe we are not, Im not sure, but I dont trust those guys to call it.....")

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by tennytive

What about the sideline? I see a player in doubles who routinely stands with his back foot outside the doubles sideline. ie wide of the court on his ad side serve.

I searched and can't find where it states the server is allowed to stand in regard to the imaginary sideline extension. Is it legal, or a foot fault?

www.usta.com (it has the rules on it somewhere)

You cant go over the baseline, the imaginary extension of the center hash mark, or the imaginary extension of the doubles sideline.

But "the sideline" is different depending on if it's singles or doubles. In doubles you can serve from behind the doubles alley, but in singles you can not.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by JavierLW

You cant go over the baseline, the imaginary extension of the center hash mark, or the imaginary extension of the doubles sideline.

Ah just the opening I was looking for.

Does this apply to a part of the body (most likely foot) touching the ground or does it apply to any part of the body encroaching in a three-dimensional sense into the space?

In other words, there are players who stand close to the imaginary extension of the center hash mark and as they serve they will bump against an imaginary vertical plane aligned with the center line. Some players noticeably bring their racquets in through the opposite side to create an angle.

Is this a violation.

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Ah just the opening I was looking for.

Does this apply to a part of the body (most likely foot) touching the ground or does it apply to any part of the body encroaching in a three-dimensional sense into the space?

In other words, there are players who stand close to the imaginary extension of the center hash mark and as they serve they will bump against an imaginary vertical plane aligned with the center line. Some players noticeably bring their racquets in through the opposite side to create an angle.

Is this a violation.

You cant touch the ground on the line, or the imaginary extension of the line.

You can float in the air all you want. (with any of those lines or imaginary lines)

I had a guy at a tournament that thought I was "foot" faulting because I had a bad habit of bringing my right foot up and swinging it over the center hash on ad court serves. (but not touching the ground)

I went and got an official once he started to actually call it.

The rules are pretty clearly on www.usta.com, Im not sure how someone could say they "searched for them but didnt find them".

[Falloutjr]

I don't even know how people can call foot faults. I'm always watching the ball and my opponent. If you can hit return winners while looking at your opponent's feet, you need to go up a level or two.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by JavierLW

I had a guy at a tournament that thought I was "foot" faulting because I had a bad habit of bringing my right foot up and swinging it over the center hash on ad court serves. (but not touching the ground)

I went and got an official once he started to actually call it.

Another example of why I am skeptical of club players calling FFs correctly.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Falloutjr

I don't even know how people can call foot faults. I'm always watching the ball and my opponent. If you can hit return winners while looking at your opponent's feet, you need to go up a level or two.

It has more credibility in doubles when the net man on the receiving side has a better view.

Can the net man call a FF or does it have to be the returner? (I think either can call)