Foot faults in recreational matches
- Thread starter Netspirit
- Start date
If someone in a recreational match foot faults that blatantly, then:
1. they don't know what they are doing
2. probably can't fix it on the spot
3. aren't gaining an advantage by doing it
I would mention it to them in a matter of fact way during a break, like "do you know you're foot faulting when you...." but I wouldn't "call it" and take points. A tournament or league is different - the expectation that players know what they are doing is higher.
1. they don't know what they are doing
2. probably can't fix it on the spot
3. aren't gaining an advantage by doing it
I would mention it to them in a matter of fact way during a break, like "do you know you're foot faulting when you...." but I wouldn't "call it" and take points. A tournament or league is different - the expectation that players know what they are doing is higher.
I also recommend:
- Chalking the tyres of cars and leaving notes when you've seen cars overstay when there's no parking police
- Hang out in the bathrooms and make sure no-one pees on the seat
- Follow people who j-walk and tap them on the shoulder for their own safety
Mad fun.
---
On topic: Get a life, people. I would never notice, let alone mention* a foot fault in a rec match. Life is too short.
*The only time I would, and this is the ONLY time, is if it was a verrry close friend, who also played major tournaments, and I thought me telling him after the match might let him know if he didn't already know.
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
If it's a rec match (fun, doesn't count for anything, social hit), I usually ignore it unless they start walking in and start serving from the service line or about 5 feet in from the baseline.
If it's a USTA/Competitive match and it's flagrant enough that I can notice it, I'd say something. If it continues, it's a fault. FWIW - I don't recall playing any flagrant foot fautlers in a USTA match.
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
if it big enough that i can see, then i will tell him. if he still does it i will remind him again, again i get a coach. if it at an event with no coaches or refs, then i go rigt up to the net and serve. but i give him 2 warnings.
Dreamer
Professional
I've told people during a match before and found that it actually hurt their game. So I try to tell them after a match. I rather be playing a better match and then leave them to fix it on their own later. Changing even the smallest thing can really unravel their serve.
edit: against a more advanced player they can probably fix it, but then again I would be more surprised they foot fault in the first place.
edit: against a more advanced player they can probably fix it, but then again I would be more surprised they foot fault in the first place.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
If they're serving your typical 75 MPH flat/slice first serve and not coming into the net, then it really doesn't give them an advantage. If I knew they were strictly recreational players who would never play a real tournament, I wouldn't say anything.
The real question is, how can some of these people not realize that they're doing it? I've seen people start with the left foot VERY close to the baseline, then take not one, but TWO steps into the court. Duh.
The real question is, how can some of these people not realize that they're doing it? I've seen people start with the left foot VERY close to the baseline, then take not one, but TWO steps into the court. Duh.
And this should be my problem....why? If they are blatantly not playing the game properly, why exactly should I be sympathetic towards them? Tell them early so that they're thinking about it before someone else does. This is, of course, if it's in a legitimate match. If you're playing around with someone, then tell them so that they can improve. If you're playing in a tourney against someone, I'm not going to let them play illegally if it's blatantly obvious because I might hurt their ego. That's not my problem.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
^^^^^ I'm pretty sure Dreamer was referring to recreational matches. Maybe not though.
PrinceMoron
Legend
If you are 6'4'' then the top of the net lines up with the oponents baseline if you are standing just outside your baseline.
Stand in a bit and you can see clearly over the net, and it is blatantly obvious if someone is footfaulting.
You have every right to call a fault, of whatever kind. Next you are going to say it is a recreational match and just keep playing if the ball lands 2 inches out....
If I am footfaulting, please let me know.
It is a game, and games have rules, so why bother playing if you aren't going to follow the rules?
Stand in a bit and you can see clearly over the net, and it is blatantly obvious if someone is footfaulting.
You have every right to call a fault, of whatever kind. Next you are going to say it is a recreational match and just keep playing if the ball lands 2 inches out....
If I am footfaulting, please let me know.
It is a game, and games have rules, so why bother playing if you aren't going to follow the rules?
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
I've decided that it will be easier to say something if I come across someone who is *not* footfaulting. As in, "Wow! You're not footfaulting on your serve!"
So far, I haven't had to say this.
So far, I haven't had to say this.
SteveI
Legend
What would be the point it taking the time or effort to mention it..if you are indeed playing for fun?
JRstriker12
Hall of Fame
1. You cant see your own feet while serving (if you are doing it right).
2. No one has told them.
3. In their mind's eye they are vaulting into the court like Roddick blasting an 140mph ace, but reality they are shuffling into the court like your 90 yr old grandma with a walker.
4. They know but they don't care.
user92626
G.O.A.T.
I didn't know they held American Idol Judge audition at those bars? hehe..
So that he could modify things for tournaments. Note I said 'after the match'. Ie. To let him know for when it does matter.
ProgressoR
Hall of Fame
if it was blatant, and in a rec match, i wouldnt even call it, it is clear the chump is either not taking the game seriously, or he is and is too incompetent to notice he FF's or he is cheating. Any option is not acceptable.
I will pack my bags take my balls (if they are his i will hit them over the fence) and going home. I will scrub his name from my mobile phone and send a group SMS to everyone I know (tennis player or not) that this guy is the pits.
I will create a website called JOHNSMITHFOOTFAULTS (or whatever his name is) and optimise it for SEO so it rates highly on searches for tennis.
I will then set up a spam bot and send out 10,000 emails a day informing everyone of this.
If this happens in a match, dont even get me started, the safest option for him is to move to a different city, and change his surname.
By accepting this in silence or inaction, we are perpetuating it, we become on par with the criminals and stop being the victims.
I will pack my bags take my balls (if they are his i will hit them over the fence) and going home. I will scrub his name from my mobile phone and send a group SMS to everyone I know (tennis player or not) that this guy is the pits.
I will create a website called JOHNSMITHFOOTFAULTS (or whatever his name is) and optimise it for SEO so it rates highly on searches for tennis.
I will then set up a spam bot and send out 10,000 emails a day informing everyone of this.
If this happens in a match, dont even get me started, the safest option for him is to move to a different city, and change his surname.
By accepting this in silence or inaction, we are perpetuating it, we become on par with the criminals and stop being the victims.
Bobby Jr
G.O.A.T.
Ha ha... good topic! I have a club match to play against a guy I've never played before soon (he'd be equivalent to a 5.0). I've seen him play many times including earlier this week and he foot faults on every single serve. He's usually a whole step inside the baseline - which really shouldn't happen at his level and I'm suprised people haven't called him on it especially when he's playing doubles and someone would be right at the net to see it.
I was even thinking of what to say to him during our match or mentioning it to him sometime.
I was even thinking of what to say to him during our match or mentioning it to him sometime.
In a recreational match, I'm VERY liberal with line calls. I want to play, not pick up balls all day. The idea of playing a recreational match is either to improve or have fun. Either way, playing every close ball is better for both.
In any competitive situation, he should be called.
A bit like Bobby describes above, there's a guy at my club who steps right into the court on every serve. Not just part of his foot on the line; his entire foot is well over the base line. To my mind, serving from that position gives a big advantage. If you allow him to get away with such a blatant breach of the rules, you might as well call his shots which land six inches beyond the line 'in'.
I've never played this particular guy at my club but, if I did, I'd definitely call him on every single serve he hits. Part of the reason is that he also cheats like hell on line calls!
A bit like Bobby describes above, there's a guy at my club who steps right into the court on every serve. Not just part of his foot on the line; his entire foot is well over the base line. To my mind, serving from that position gives a big advantage. If you allow him to get away with such a blatant breach of the rules, you might as well call his shots which land six inches beyond the line 'in'.
I've never played this particular guy at my club but, if I did, I'd definitely call him on every single serve he hits. Part of the reason is that he also cheats like hell on line calls!
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
lol..........:twisted:
I've had a guy call me in a sun. am doubles match, and then take the point. I said, "That's chicken ****."
He said, "Let's take it into the parking lot." (Black guy, garbage man for a living, Oakland ca.)
I said, "No one has ever pulled that on me. YOu knew you were going to lose, so you had to do something." Not only did he make the return on the first serve I hit, but he makes the call 77' away, blocked by the net, and a guy on the side said I came up to the line and barely touched it.
He said, "Let's take it into the parking lot." (Black guy, garbage man for a living, Oakland ca.)
I said, "No one has ever pulled that on me. YOu knew you were going to lose, so you had to do something." Not only did he make the return on the first serve I hit, but he makes the call 77' away, blocked by the net, and a guy on the side said I came up to the line and barely touched it.
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I dare you to film yourself to see if you ever fault.
ProgressoR
Hall of Fame
i dont think i do, no one has created a website about it so I presume I dont.
I like the picture btw
