Opinion on noisy player.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

The code says the player is allowed to move around as much as (s)he wants as long as it is not intended to distract you. And there is no way you could prove that by moving his feet a distraction was the intended purpose.

I have known many players that "pitter-patter" their feet as the ball is tossed for timing purposes and sometimes the shoes squeek so this is not all that unusual.

I think you just need to man up (or woman up) and not worry about it.

[tennis tom]

We're not talking about movement, it's about loud, noisy, deliberate, foot stomping meant to distract and get into opponent's heads. You can't make utterances while your opponent is hitting the ball or wave your arms wildly. Stomping your feet deliberately as your opponent is hitting the ball, with the intent to distract and make them miss, would be the same thing.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

We're not talking about movement, it's about loud, noisy, deliberate, foot stomping meant to distract and get into opponent's heads. You can't make utterances while your opponent is hitting the ball or wave your arms wildly. Stomping your feet deliberately as your opponent is hitting the ball, with the intent to distract and make them miss, would be the same thing.

Yes, you're right.

I can tell you, however, that you will hear a lot of foot noise out of me in certain situations when you're hitting. Say you have a sitter when we are both at net and you are winding up for a groundstroke. There is going to be some serious hopping and squeaking going on, all of intended to be as ready as possible to reach your shot. Maybe someone else's shoes don't squeak and they are heavier so it sounds like stomping?

Just hit your shot and win the point, foot noise or no foot noise.

[WBF]

Squeeking borders on unsportsmanlike behavior IMHO. There is a reason it is rarely done at higher levels, and only at specific points where you are at a disadvantage (i.e. as opponent serves, goes for a sitter, etc.). Does anyone care to explain how shuffling your feet in a squeeky manner at these points can actually help (remember, we are talking before a ball is struck by opponent, not the small steps to set up for *your* stroke)?

It is far more defensible than stomping feet though. I don't buy that squeeky-feet can help, but I do buy that some people might *think* it actually helps their preparation. Stomping feet? Call them on it.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by WBF

Squeeking borders on unsportsmanlike behavior IMHO. There is a reason it is rarely done at higher levels, and only at specific points where you are at a disadvantage (i.e. as opponent serves, goes for a sitter, etc.). Does anyone care to explain how shuffling your feet in a squeeky manner at these points can actually help (remember, we are talking before a ball is struck by opponent, not the small steps to set up for *your* stroke)?

It is far more defensible than stomping feet though. I don't buy that squeeky-feet can help, but I do buy that some people might *think* it actually helps their preparation. Stomping feet? Call them on it.

Simply put, if you are moving your feet while opponent is lining up his shot, you cannot be flat-footed.

If you are moving your feet, your shoes might squeak.

And if your shoes don't squeak like mine do, it probably sounds like a stomp.

Cindy -- who once had a partner comment on her squeaking, but the issue seemed to be more the squeaking coming from her insoles rather than just foot movement

[WBF]

It seems like shuffling your feet before your opponents shot would delay your reaction to the shot. You are taught to split step and be ready to move to either side. Not split step and then shuffle.

I could be wrong. I'm certainly not an expert on the topic

Also, to avoid confusion, I am talking about the many tiny, loud, squeeky steps right before the opponent serves, goes for a sitter, etc. I think Ivanovic does or did do this very often when returning.

[a10best]

shoe scuffles, squeaks are part of the game, as-is someone who constantly slips. you'll need better concentration, but someone talking between the point is not acceptable or a real player.
I have never seen that unless it is a very fun match among friends.
I used to play on the beach with passers by, skate boarders, barking dogs, etc. so nothing distracts me nowadays.

[tennis tom]

Just before your opponent hits his shot you should almost always be STILL. This doesn't mean you are flat-footed, you should be up on your toes. This is called the SET position or the split-step. Not only should your feet be still but your head also should be still because that's where your eyes are.

You want to focus on the ball coming off your opponent's strings so you can move your butt as quickly as possible to where the ball will be. This is called ANTICIPATION but is just intent focusing of the vision. That's why you shouldn't chew gum and play tennis at the same time. When you're jaw is moving or jaw-boning, your eyes can't be still. Most in-experienced players do not start moving to the ball until it comes over the net. Those with so-called good anticipation are watching the ball come off their opponent's strings and sub-consciously the swing of the arm.

An exception to being still, as your opponent is hitting, is if you put up a dead duck setter and your only hope is to "guess" where it's going and run for the hills. This may cause your opponent to take his eye off the ball and flub. But, deliberate foot-stomping with the intent to distract your opponent into missing is UN-SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT. In an officiated match, they could call it. Otherwise it's like the not-up rule or when you're grazed by a ball going out, the honor system.

[Totai]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

Stop posting about whining and just play.

That doesn't make any sense.

[spot]

I still don't get how someone could make enough noise by stepping loudly that it could come anywhere close to being a hindrance. I mean if thats enough to distract you I can't imagine how bad it must be for you people playing next to a couple more courts of people playing or to people in the stands cheering different courts on.

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by Totai

That doesn't make any sense.

It does if you understand English.

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by Totai

That doesn't make any sense.

Stop trying to make sense and just play.

[Sakkijarvi]

Hmmm. With all the people in the world playing tennis without doing things like the 'stomper' ... I dare say it wouldn't hurt to pipe up. But then again, the one time I mentioned to a massive, step and a half into the court foot faulter ... that he was foot-faulting ... I ended up with a petulant baby on my hands that insisted on doing it "his way" after burying a few serves in the bottom of the net.

[PushyPushster]

Originally Posted by WBF

Does anyone care to explain how shuffling your feet in a squeeky manner at these points can actually help (remember, we are talking before a ball is struck by opponent, not the small steps to set up for *your* stroke)?

I took group lessons with a tennis pro who insisted you make your sneakers squeek on the way to the net. It was part of the drill and he mentioned it several times. It was his opinion that the noise would let your opponent know you were in position and place extra pressure on them to come up with a passing shot. I guess it's a bit of a head-game, but I don't see anything wrong with that.

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by PushyPushster

I took group lessons with a tennis pro who insisted you make your sneakers squeek on the way to the net. It was part of the drill and he mentioned it several times. It was his opinion that the noise would let your opponent know you were in position and place extra pressure on them to come up with a passing shot. I guess it's a bit of a head-game, but I don't see anything wrong with that.

Was his name Ilie Nastase? Maybe ask for your money back. Very strange, maybe he should stick with teaching the fundamentals like how to volley proprerly.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

Just before your opponent hits his shot you should almost always be STILL. This doesn't mean you are flat-footed, you should be up on your toes. This is called the SET position or the split-step. Not only should your feet be still but your head also should be still because that's where your eyes are.

You want to focus on the ball coming off your opponent's strings so you can move your butt as quickly as possible to where the ball will be. This is called ANTICIPATION but is just intent focusing of the vision. That's why you shouldn't chew gum and play tennis at the same time. When you're jaw is moving or jaw-boning, your eyes can't be still. Most in-experienced players do not start moving to the ball until it comes over the net. Those with so-called good anticipation are watching the ball come off their opponent's strings and sub-consciously the swing of the arm.

An exception to being still, as your opponent is hitting, is if you put up a dead duck setter and your only hope is to "guess" where it's going and run for the hills. This may cause your opponent to take his eye off the ball and flub. But, deliberate foot-stomping with the intent to distract your opponent into missing is UN-SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT. In an officiated match, they could call it. Otherwise it's like the not-up rule or when you're grazed by a ball going out, the honor system.

Take the Bryan Brothers. When both are at net, their feet are in constant motion. Lots of little hops and adjustment steps and positioning movements. This could, I imagine, generate some noise. Then as opponent is striking the ball, they both split at the same time.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by PushyPushster

I took group lessons with a tennis pro who insisted you make your sneakers squeek on the way to the net. It was part of the drill and he mentioned it several times. It was his opinion that the noise would let your opponent know you were in position and place extra pressure on them to come up with a passing shot. I guess it's a bit of a head-game, but I don't see anything wrong with that.

Yeah, kinda weird, Pushy. I would actually prefer that my opponent not know I have moved in to net. If I can literally time my approach when my opponent isn't looking, I can get an easy put-away.

I have been in clinics where the pro complimented someone on their squeaking shoes. The idea was that this person was doing actual footwork of some sort, which was rather unusual in this particular clinic!

[jswinf]

It's hard for me to imagine stomping on a tennis court, in tennis shoes, hard enough to be noisy (with the exception of squeaking, that can be surprisingly loud) without it really hurting. Maybe the guy will be nursing some heel or ball-of-the-foot bruises, or a nice case of plantar fascitis for his troubles.

Or was he maybe a clown by profession and just happens to have size 24 slappy feet?

[gameboy]

If the sneaker sounds bother you, go play on clay, or better yet, natural grass.

Seriously, you are just projecting your insecurities on others. Just concentrate on your own shot and pretty much everything else disappears into the background. You need to get in the proverbial "zone" and block everything out.

[PushyPushster]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

Was his name Ilie Nastase? Maybe ask for your money back. Very strange, maybe he should stick with teaching the fundamentals like how to volley proprerly.

No, he was actually a very nice older gentleman. He obviously didn't think squeaky sneakers were hindrance-worthy, though. I've got to agree with him on that one.

Originally Posted by CindySphinx

Yeah, kinda weird, Pushy. I would actually prefer that my opponent not know I have moved in to net.

You may be correct. The net is my personal kryptonite so I try to stay as far away as possible. On the very rare occasions I venture forward, though, I'm always sure to make my sneakers squeak because of all of his comments. And then I dump my easy volley into the net. Maybe tennis tom was right ... I should have concentrated more on the 'How To Hit A Volley' part of the lessons and less on the 'Be Sure To Make Your Sneakers Squeak' portion of the drill. Too late now.