Foot Fault?

[captainbryce]

I have a question about the rule that governs foot faulting.

If your foot goes over the live before the serve, but it isn't actually touching the court (ex: your front foot twists so that it's elevated over the line, but doesn't actually touch it), is that still considered a foot fault? I've seen a number of players get called for a foot fault, when it doesn't appear that their foot actually touched the line. Is this over officiating, or are line judges right to call it in this case?

 

[Def]

I have a question about the rule that governs foot faulting.

If your foot goes over the live before the serve, but it isn't actually touching the court (ex: your front foot twists so that it's elevated over the line, but doesn't actually touch it), is that still considered a foot fault? I've seen a number of players get called for a foot fault, when it doesn't appear that their foot actually touched the line. Is this over officiating, or are line judges right to call it in this case?

It's not a foot fault unless your foot actually touches the ground in front of or on the line.

 

[MauricioDias]

its a little difficult to see the foot fault in this case. I think that if its a jump it cannot be conidered. I didnt read the rules to search for anything about it.

 

[Lukhas]

I guess it has something to do with the footfault calls on Hewitt in Brisbane. It's simple: the foot must be in contact with the ground behind the baseline. "Contact" is the important word; leg drive is allowed if the player's feet isn't touching the baseline or inside the court at the beginning of the motion. That's also what explained Hewitt to Lahyani during a changeover who -more or less- agreed to it; however the chair umpire wasn't the one to call the footfaults.

ITF rules of tennis courtesy of the USTA:
http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/ITF - RoT 2010.pdf

 

[captainbryce]

I guess it has something to do with the footfault calls on Hewitt in Brisbane. It's simple: the foot must be in contact with the ground behind the baseline. "Contact" is the important word; leg drive is allowed if the player's feet isn't touching the baseline or inside the court at the beginning of the motion.

ITF rules of tennis:
http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/ITF - RoT 2010.pdf

That's what I thought. Hewitt was getting some bogus foot-fault calls, I suspect because of his natural service motions (where he twists his feet before launching into the court). I've also seen other players get called for foot-faults when it doesn't appear that their feet were actually touching the line. I think it should only be called when it's obvious or flagrant. It doesn't affect the point in any way, so they should give the benefit of the doubt to the players.

 

[Bartelby]

Hewitt always gets called so he may be the one with the problem.

 

[tennis_pro]

It's not a foot fault unless your foot actually touches the ground in front of or on the line.

Just wondering. So technically it's possible to throw the ball very high towards the net, then at the very last second make a small jump (let's say you managed to get to the service box) and whack the ball for an ace?

 

[tennis_pro]

delete post

 

[The_Order]

Your foot must touch the line for it to be deemed a foot fault. Jumping into the court is fine so long as you don't touch the line or the court before you serve.

 

[Def]

Just wondering. So technically it's possible to throw the ball very high towards the net, then at the very last second make a small jump (let's say you managed to get to the service box) and whack the ball for an ace?

If you touch the ground in front of the line anytime during your motion it is a fault, so you would need a massive leap to make that work.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Guy Forget did that, but he rarely got called for it.