Persistent Bad Calls, How to Handle?

[Angle Queen]

Sorry, guys. I guess I'm just too much of a pacifist on the court, yeah, even in USTA. I just "go for the middle" when I feel like I'm being hooked, which is, admittedly, rare. It's mostly just bad...eyesight...literally. (Shhh, I play some even older-than-me folk.) I do the same when I'm "in doubt" too; it's almost always a good play, at least at my (low) level.

But I'll also admit to grumbling too, afterwards. But I get over it. And move on.

All that said, I have seen "linespeople" used in an unofficiated match (the next court over). Mixed doubles. "Honor" called into question and "hitting at my wife." Oh bother.

I don't play mixed anymore.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by omega4

I would have "scolded" the official back and asked her if she would pay for my medical bills if I was tripped up by a ball in the middle of the court.

I commend you Cindy for being tidy on the court. I plan to be the same as well. Better safe than sorry, especially since the older we get, the harder it is for our bodies to bounce back from injuries....

Well, um . . . bless your heart, but . . . .

She was right. I went *behind the curtain* to get the ball. On account of how I had no clue what I was doing.

BTW, you don't have to pay for officials (or court time) around here for Districts and Sectionals. The 2.5 Officiating Program was something extra that the captains as a group voted to have. So of course we should pay for it. Someone has to . . . .

[Cindysphinx]

Also . . . most of the hooking that I see happens on big points, not all the time.

I got hooked recently in a match tiebreak at 7-7. Hit a volley to the baseline player. She was standing on the baseline, and the ball hit in front of her feet. Her partner at service line called it out, and baseliner claimed she didn't get a good look.

There's nothing to be done for that except to get revenge by winning the match.

Instead, we lost.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Angle Queen

Sorry, guys. I guess I'm just too much of a pacifist on the court, yeah, even in USTA. I just "go for the middle" when I feel like I'm being hooked, which is, admittedly, rare. It's mostly just bad...eyesight...literally. (Shhh, I play some even older-than-me folk.) I do the same when I'm "in doubt" too; it's almost always a good play, at least at my (low) level.

But I'll also admit to grumbling too, afterwards. But I get over it. And move on.

All that said, I have seen "linespeople" used in an unofficiated match (the next court over). Mixed doubles. "Honor" called into question and "hitting at my wife." Oh bother.

I don't play mixed anymore.

I was a linesperson for a boys doubles and girls singles. It wasn't fun standing in the middle of the blazing sun..

I assume "go for the middle" is hitting obvious winners?

Yeah, I'm playing mixed doubles for a tournament on Friday. My partner is a weak 3.0 (weak F/Backhand, lack of court coverage, and... She was a Dallas Cowboys hat while playing... )

Should I say sorry for someone if I hit them (especially if they are a girl)? It's tennis and one day or another, you will get hit by a ball haha.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Well, um . . . bless your heart, but . . . .

She was right. I went *behind the curtain* to get the ball. On account of how I had no clue what I was doing.

BTW, you don't have to pay for officials (or court time) around here for Districts and Sectionals. The 2.5 Officiating Program was something extra that the captains as a group voted to have. So of course we should pay for it. Someone has to . . . .

Oh, well I'm never going to be around these "2.5s".. I honestly don't understand the NTRP ratings.. I know what's it for, but alot of people on here constantly blab about it... especially you Mrs.Sphinx.

It doesn't make sense to pay for an official when they are just as capable to make bad line calls as the opposing player. I might as well be better off beating the cheater by playing obvious winners..

[wrxinsc]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Well, this is straight up genius. It really is.

I have never seen this done. But if my partner and I were making bad calls, this would get through much more clearly than trying to have a discussion about it. I also like how it isn't cheating, because you don't take the point. You give them a little taste, and then show them how a gentleman/lady plays the sport.

I will try this the next time I play a couple of line call cheats. It only happened once in 2012, so it may be a while, but I will report back.

Two snaps up, LostInAmerica.

a new policy to deal with teh hookers at 2.5 for sure.

[Angle Queen]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

I assume "go for the middle" is hitting obvious winners?

No. It's quite literally, up the middle, right at the T. Admittedly, I play mostly doubles these days and that's still a smart play much of the time. It just avoids so much angst on both sides.

Should I say sorry for someone if I hit them (especially if they are a girl)? It's tennis and one day or another, you will get hit by a ball haha.

Unless you've purposefully gunned for them (that's a whole other discussion...which we've had several times here on TT)...yep, a "sorry, sorry" is in order....even though we all know it's gonna happen and the price we all pay...to play.

[IA-SteveB]

Originally Posted by gmatheis

I usually have a tripod in my car , I'd set up my iphone to record the match and tell them I will be using the video as evidence for a grievance.

You can't be serious.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Angle Queen

No. It's quite literally, up the middle, right at the T. Admittedly, I play mostly doubles these days and that's still a smart play much of the time. It just avoids so much angst on both sides.

Unless you've purposefully gunned for them (that's a whole other discussion...which we've had several times here on TT)...yep, a "sorry, sorry" is in order....even though we all know it's gonna happen and the price we all pay...to play.

I knew it was up at the T. I thought I was wrong. Haha. Isn't that strategy nearly useless if either the net player poaches or if both players are at the net?
A passing shot is an option. A lob as well.

Oh okay. Thanks for the tip! My mixed partner was going to force me to say sorry if I did anyways..

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by IA-SteveB

You can't be serious.

I don't think he is..

Nothing wrong with recording for self-evaluation, but for only to catch cheaters, it's ridiculous.

[IA-SteveB]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

I don't think he is..

Nothing wrong with recording for self-evaluation, but for only to catch cheaters, it's ridiculous.

I didn't think so. An iPhone battery could never last that long.

[Ronaldo]

Next time you get a bad call, call two of theirs out. That's the USTA way.

[skiracer55]

...some clown hooks you, just say "Okay, I got it...you're a cheater. Fine, just don't do it against me, because the next time you do, I'm gonna stab you in the face with a soldering iron..."

Works every time...

[Nellie]

I am sure that you got flustered, but in retrospect, how many points do you think were effected by bad calls - something like 5 in the match? You have to hold it together when people do bush league tactics.

I usually do what angelqueen suggest and aim well inside the lines so there won't be any dispute.

then I start hitting people (not hard) and taking the point.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by IA-SteveB

I didn't think so. An iPhone battery could never last that long.

Maybe the IPhone 5S should have an extended battery life then huh?
Sigh, technology is going to kill us; I swear...

I don't know, but it seems reasonable if you have a friend or a teammate videotape you.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

Isn't that strategy nearly useless if either the net player poaches or if both players are at the net? :

In doubles if you can make them hit up from the middle it is a winning play every time. Now if you let it hang chest high in the middle you are hosed ... but if you can get the ball below the net and in between two net players ... you are golden.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Next time you get a bad call, call two of theirs out. That's the USTA way.

Hm, if that's the case, then USTA is not for me.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Nellie

I am sure that you got flustered, but in retrospect, how many points do you think were effected by bad calls - something like 5 in the match? You have to hold it together when people do bush league tactics.

I usually do what angelqueen suggest and aim well inside the lines so there won't be any dispute.

then I start hitting people (not hard) and taking the point.

Those Bush Leaguers...

They aren't the only ones though.. In several cases, I've seen higher ranked players in high caliber tournaments pull these kinds of tricks. Usually, they end up losing because they are being outplayed.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by dizzlmcwizzl

In doubles if you can make them hit up from the middle it is a winning play every time. Now if you let it hang chest high in the middle you are hosed ... but if you can get the ball below the net and in between two net players ... you are golden.

So basically shots that are so low and close to their feet, that they wouldn't have the time to reach them? Or in the other case, a low passing shot?

Interesting. Never thought of that tactic.

I don't know if that will work against agile/flexible doubles teams though.

If this would happen to me, I could just bend my knees and try to hit a high drop shot. I would probably lose the point the first time, but I could just hit in the corners with pace/spin....

I don't know, there's a flaw for every plan.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

So basically shots that are so low and close to their feet, that they wouldn't have the time to reach them? Or in the other case, a low passing shot?

Interesting. Never thought of that tactic.

I don't know if that will work against agile/flexible doubles teams though.

If this would happen to me, I could just bend my knees and try to hit a high drop shot. I would probably lose the point the first time, but I could just hit in the corners with pace/spin....

I don't know, there's a flaw for every plan.

When I was a 3.5 ... I was terrible at the net but did not know it. I felt like every volley needed to be put away for a winner because after all you were close to the net and it was the easiest shot in the game .... RIGHT?

However, after a extensive work with a pro my net game is vastly improved. I have become better at volleys and with that realization came this.

Only a special player can hurt you while hitting up from short in the middle of the court. If you can volley or hit a groundy that they have to play from the the T and hit up you will always be in control of the point. I have often hit two, three of four balls right back at the T until the opponents lifted the ball and gave me an easy put away for a winner.

Learning to volley has given me patience ... and patience is why I am no longer a 3.5.