Does Isner Foot-fault with his back foot?

pmata814

Professional
I think I remember Canas being called for foot-faulting because his back foot extended to the center hash mark when he was initiating his service motion. Anybody recall this? Isn't it supposed to be a foot-fault if any part of your body crosses that plane? Isner does it on every serve.
 

rfprse

Professional
Not any part of your body but any part of your foot should not cross the line, I think.

However, everytime I watched his match, I could not help but notice the foot fault, too.
At the deuce court (especially on his first serves), his back foot seemed to be almost always placed over the centerline.
 

Fedace

Banned
I think I remember Canas being called for foot-faulting because his back foot extended to the center hash mark when he was initiating his service motion. Anybody recall this? Isn't it supposed to be a foot-fault if any part of your body crosses that plane? Isner does it on every serve.

That is ok, Serve is his only shot, why are you trying to take that away ? Do you want the man to go on food stamps ??:confused:
 

Fearsome Forehand

Professional
I noticed that too.

I think he did foot fault a few times by crossing the center line with his backward striding right foot. Not sure which line judge would call that because normally the foot fault judge is on the baseline.
 

angharad

Semi-Pro
From the ITF 2007 Rules of Tennis:

During the service motion, the server shall not:
a. Change position by walking or running, although slight movements of the feet are permitted; or
b. Touch the baseline or the court with either foot; or
c. Touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the sideline with either foot; or
d. Touch the imaginary extension of the centre mark with either foot

If the server breaks this rule it is a "Foot Fault".

Source (pdf)
 

fridrix

Rookie
Some dick was doing that at an NTRP tournament I just played... claimed it didn't matter as long as his foot wasn't there when he hit the ball.
 

JLyon

Hall of Fame
i think as long as your feet are on the correct side when you jump, it doesn't matter where your feet you were at the beginning of the motion

If your foot started at that point with the toss then it is a foot fault as the foot slides back across line. Pretty hard fault to call though unless there is a linesman directly behind. Nadal also is very close when he serves as well.
 
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