Moaning and Grunting

[TennsDog]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Warning: If you are a screamer or anyone else on this board, you should be kicked out of the game. You are doing it because you talked yourself into thinking you need to do it.

Quit screaming no one is trying to kill you.

Lol.

[Mike Cottrill]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

So now tennis is going to be compared to karate? What about the other sports? Why aren' they screaming?

Nope, just wondering if there was a purpose. BTW the first grunting I remember was Andre and Lendl complaining about it. So maybe Bollettieri came up with it.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Janne

Though I dont grunt/moan as loudly as Nadal/Roddick since my dad said he could barely hear me when doing it.

That is different. When you make a noise but the sound stays within your own space - that would never bother me. But if you belted scream after scream on everything you did, that would bother me.

Everyone lets out some air on certain shots much like the famous rally call - COME OOOOOONNNN!!!!! That is sports. It is an every now-and-then thing that happens sparadically - really, no one is bothered by this unless you think it is unsportsmanlike conduct.

But when a player is yelling COME ON, COME ON, COME ON, COME ON, COME ON, on every shot - wouldn't that be nerve racking? Wouldn't that be distracting? So if I don't use words and instead scream on every shot, that is okay?

However, if the opponent thinks it is unsportmanlike, then the benefit shoudl go to the opponent who has to hear the crazy stuff. At that precise time - the little screamer needs to shut up.

[FH2FH]

I think the "screamers" have found over time it helps them win matches. Why?

1. The other player can't hear how the ball makes contact, which drastically affects depth perception. This is especially true for mishits.

2. It is distracting to their opponent, when NOT used to playing a screamer. It is absolute gamesmanship when taken to annoying levels.

3. They are forcing themselves to exhale/relax during the stroke, which is the one positive benefit of screaming/grunting.

If you don't think sound is important when playing, try playing at a court where you cannot hear the ball hit the ground or other players racquet. I played a match a few years ago on the 4th of July. All I can say is, wow. It seems like it shouldn't matter, but it does.

IMO, Over-Grunting is cheating, like McEnroe's temper tantrums, Chela spitting, Hewitt insulting, etc. Shut up and play, like BB said. We are all big boys and girls, but there comes a point where it is rude and obnoxious. Players get away with far too much on the court. I have no respect for such BS.

Checking decibel levels is not a bad idea, but the crowd might interfere with the measurements. It would be accurate on points where the crowd is quiet however. Finding some way to reduce it overall would be beneficial. Only so much drama is good for tennis. This has become ridiculous. Contrary to McEnroe's opinion, I think his behavior was NOT good for tennis. The guy is a jerk. A great player, but a jerk.

[Jonny S&V]

I really don't understand why, since the exhalation (sp?) of breath does relax the muscles, then why in the world don't they just exhale without the grunt. I think the extremely audible grunt is just a psychological thing that needs a good whack on the head.

ITF
26. HINDRANCE (OLD 21, 25 & 36)
If a player is hindered in playing the point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point.
However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player’s own control (not including a permanent fixture).

see also "The Code"

BB - absolutely correct in that there needs to be specific boundaries established - I think the worst case is when in mixed doubles - where the deliberate noises are almost calculatingly deliberate, so much so that it is extremely hard not to laugh like school boys when it sounds like primal intercourse. That's a must for calling Hinderence.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Jonny S&V

I really don't understand why, since the exhalation (sp?) of breath does relax the muscles, then why in the world don't they just exhale without the grunt. I think the extremely audible grunt is just a psychological thing that needs a good whack on the head.

"A good whack on the head". Hilarious!

Seriously, breathing is important. I would never say it isn't. A low audible moan is tolerable and for the most part 99% of us would agree that it would not bother us and does not cause a distraction. But a scream is distracting and is not necessary in exhaling to put some punch into the ball.

We are not weightlifting and we are not in a karate tournament. Tennis has its rules and we need to enforce the rules.

What does the Tennis Code say?

41.2. Grunting (or other loud noises) can be the basis for a let or loss of point, and should be avoided. Fortunately, a player can usually adjust to his opponent's grunting so that it does not become a distraction; unfortunately, grunting can be an annoyance to players on an adjacent court.

When my child starts to raise his voice where it becomes distracting or annoying what do I say to him? I say "please use your inside voice".

So attention to you screamers out there: Please use your inside voice when moaning and groaning. Let it be something that you can hear but your opponent barely hears. Otherwise, we will put you on a time-out.

Self-management is good etiquette.

[ilovecarlos]

Originally Posted by Mike Cottrill

Nope, just wondering if there was a purpose. BTW the first grunting I remember was Andre and Lendl complaining about it. So maybe Bollettieri came up with it.

No, it was Monica Seles. Did she train @ Bollettieri too? It is odd that lot's of his former students do it though isn't it? Hmmmmm. Does Nick bear some responsibility for not stopping it before it got out of control?

[ubel]

I blame Bruce Lee. Damn him and his ridiculously awesome skills.

[Jonny S&V]

Hey Bungalo Bill,

Can you explain to me exactly why exhaling can relax you?

Thanks

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Jonny S&V

Hey Bungalo Bill,

Can you explain to me exactly why exhaling can relax you?

Thanks

1. If you don't exhale, you will turn purple and die. (kidding!!!!)

I am really not a Doctor type but maybe someone here can help you. What I do know is it helps with your anxiety.

[Jonny S&V]

Ah, no wonder people thought I was constipated on the court!

[Bungalo Bill]

Where are those screamers at? You know who you are. Come out and tell us why we need to accept this in the sport of tennis. Give us your lame analogies with other sports, your pathetic sports science myths, and your lame rationale on why you have to belt out blistering, ear popping screams to hit a two ounce tennis ball.

And don't give me the crap about the heaviness factor do to spin and speed of the incoming ball. You also do it when the ball is barely moving like on a serve.

Come out you closet freaks and take some shots. Let me hear you scream with your pathetic excuses. I want it banned, over, done, bye-bye, c-ya, adios, canned, penalized, fined, kicked-out, ratings reduced, nail beds used, electric shock treatments, bamboo slivers in the nails, chinese water torture, etc....

If you want to scream, let's hear some real screams. Torture sounds about right for you pathetic little tonsil wigglers.

[FH2FH]

Originally Posted by Jonny S&V

Hey Bungalo Bill,
Can you explain to me exactly why exhaling can relax you?

Here's a good read. You'll find more of the same if you search.

http://www.effortlesstennis.com/fundamentals.html

"12. Breathing
Regulating your breathing allows more efficient use of your energy. The skill of breathing while you play is often overlooked. Most people hold their breath at the moment of contact. People are so busy trying to hit the ball that they forget to breathe until they are gasping for air. Holding your breath at contact means you are tightening muscles as you are hitting the ball. It seems like tightening your muscles would create more power, but what is actually happening is that the tightening decelerates the racquet thereby diminishing power. Over the last dozen years or so exhaling on contact has been championed by many of the mental training experts in the game. The new piece of the puzzle from Effortless Tennis is inhaling as your partner contacts the ball, timing your inhale to continue until you exhale as you contact the ball. Soft inhale, soft exhale."

Oh... and I'm not a screaming advocater!! Breathing = Good, Screaming = Bad (unless it's beacuse I'm crushing my opponent, haha).

[Midlife crisis]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

1. If you don't exhale, you will turn purple and die. (kidding!!!!)

I am really not a Doctor type but maybe someone here can help you. What I do know is it helps with your anxiety.

Apparently, there is some sort of biofeedback from the core body muscles so that forcefully exhaling causes the muscle to be able to relax more. It's similar to a type of stretching called PNF (proprioreceptive neuromuscular facilitation) where you reach a stretch, then tense the muscle, relax it, and then find you're able to stretch it further.

Bolletieri was a proponent of it in the long past and I remember commentators saying it started with him a couple of decades ago. It was also supposed to help prevent choking on a shot somehow.

Who knows, but it really is ridiculous that someone has to grunt so loudly on a drop shot. Can you imagine if all of a sudden, golfers started grunting when they putt?

[ilovecarlos]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Where are those screamers at? You know who you are. Come out and tell us why we need to accept this in the sport of tennis. Give us your lame analogies with other sports, your pathetic sports science myths, and your lame rationale on why you have to belt out blistering, ear popping screams to hit a two ounce tennis ball.

And don't give me the crap about the heaviness factor do to spin and speed of the incoming ball. You also do it when the ball is barely moving like on a serve.

Come out you closet freaks and take some shots. Let me hear you scream with your pathetic excuses. I want it banned, over, done, bye-bye, c-ya, adios, canned, penalized, fined, kicked-out, ratings reduced, nail beds used, electric shock treatments, bamboo slivers in the nails, chinese water torture, etc....



Yeah!!!! What he said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want to scream, let's hear some real screams. Torture sounds about right for you pathetic little tonsil wigglers.

[Janne]

Wow, BB. You really hate these screamers with a passion now dontcha? Atta' boy!

[ilovecarlos]

Yeah, what Bungalo Bill said....and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Off with their effing heads!

[ilovecarlos]

Oooops..a most humble apology to BB for posting inside your quote...my computer spazzed on me.....

[Jonny S&V]

Hey BB, Didja get it out of your system or are you still brimming with pick-a-fight energy?