Foot faults

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
Is it just me, or does foot faulting tick everyone else off too? It's just one of those things that gets under my skin. It's cheating, plain and simple, and it should be called. I mean, yeah, I'd like to serve 4 inches closer to the net too. Those 4 inches can make a HUGE difference in a serve. But it's ILLEGAL. Since no one really calls foot faults (so I can't), if I see you foot faulting I'm calling all of your shots on the line out. If it's close, it's out. That's only fair.

For example, take a look at this guy in the white shorts (starting at 1:15), supposedly a 5.0 player. But he would LOSE to a 3.0 on every service game because he can't serve. Every single one of his serves is a fault by rule.

http://youtu.be/18LCcXOTfW8
 
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penguin

Professional
I don't understand why some people really don't give a **** about foot-faulting. Your feet stay inside the line same as the ball doesn't go over it. It's part of the game!
I don't play competitive tennis though, so I just make sure to tell them at some point, usually after playing, so that they at least know. If it was me I would want to know...

I would only call it in-game if they are really taking the mick- like stepping a foot into the court or something.

It's far far too common though. The first video next to yours on youtube is this final between two 5.0's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y52N89OvZkY

both foot-fault on their serves by taking a "mini-step" on the ball toss. Far too many people do this. In a tournament I would want it called because it is obviously a minor advantage to the serve to do it.
 
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Foot faulting is really only an advantage when serving and volleying, so unless my opponent is using it as a direct strategy, it doesn't bother me. Most people that foot fault every serve don't even know they are doing it. I doubt either of these guys are 5.0s anyways, as both would struggle in the 4.5 division here in Texas.

Also, I would just tell my opponent they are foot faulting and be done with it. If they ace you by crossing the center line and hitting a serve down the T, just call a foot fault and tell them they are serving from the other side of the court. I do not understand your ideology of countering a rule infraction with legitimate cheating.
 

joetennisact

New User
So frustrating!!!!

What I just can't understand are those players that START with their feet on or even in front of the baseline!

I usually don't complain because I don't play in any leagues or tourneys, just at the club. I kind of view it as an extra challange! But if I'm getting crushed on their serve or even worse if they have a hard serve and volley, I speak up.
 

floydcouncil

Professional
Is it just me, or does foot faulting tick everyone else off too? It's just one of those things that gets under my skin. It's cheating, plain and simple, and it should be called. I mean, yeah, I'd like to serve 4 inches closer to the net too. Those 4 inches can make a HUGE difference in a serve. But it's ILLEGAL. Since no one really calls foot faults (so I can't), if I see you foot faulting I'm calling all of your shots on the line out. If it's close, it's out. That's only fair.

For example, take a look at this joker in the white shorts (starting at 1:15), supposedly a 5.0 player. But he would LOSE to a 3.0 on every service game because he can't serve. Every single one of his serves is a fault by rule.

http://youtu.be/18LCcXOTfW8

Seriously, you're going to complain about THAT foot fault? Geeeeeez.......
What does he gain by stepping 6" inside of the baseline on his serve? Nothing!!
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
I foot fault on every serve. Never think about it unless I'm playing in a tournament with an umpire. I get called once and then move off the line a few inches. Never get called again. Doesn't affect my serve on way or the other.

I'd bet you could call foot fault on 90% of rec league players. Probably even some of you that "never" foot fault like the op.

I'd also bet the OP talks about foot faulting pretty much every match he plays and blames "those foot faulting cheaters" when he loses. Am I right OP?
 

penguin

Professional
I foot fault on every serve. Never think about it unless I'm playing in a tournament with an umpire. I get called once and then move off the line a few inches. Never get called again. Doesn't affect my serve on way or the other.

??? huh??

So you know this, then why don't you change it for the whole time?

A serve that lands a few inches deeper in the box is an advantage. A serve that gets over the net with 1 mm clearance when it would have hit the cord is an advantage. It is disrespectful to an opponent to foot-fault all the time, especially if you are evenly matched and or there are only small margins. Who do you think you are to say that it is not important? What other rules do you feel like changing because you can't be bothered?
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
It bugs me too. I played doubles against a guy this summer that was stepping in on almost every serve, usually around 6-8 inches. He was serving big and rushing forward. I finally started calling him on it when he was serving to my partner. I was at net and could see it clearly. He got pretty torqued after I called three of his first serves in a row as foot faults.

I play by the rules on my line calls. If I think it nicked the line I will call your ball in. If I can't tell, it's in. If you foot fault all the time it basically tells me that you don't consider the line to be part of the court and I can call all your balls out that hit the line.
 

floydcouncil

Professional
It bugs me too. I played doubles against a guy this summer that was stepping in on almost every serve, usually around 6-8 inches. He was serving big and rushing forward. I finally started calling him on it when he was serving to my partner. I was at net and could see it clearly. He got pretty torqued after I called three of his first serves in a row as foot faults.

I play by the rules on my line calls. If I think it nicked the line I will call your ball in. If I can't tell, it's in. If you foot fault all the time it basically tells me that you don't consider the line to be part of the court and I can call all your balls out that hit the line.

One has NOTHING to with the other. Line calls are made on your side of the court. Give it a rest with that stupid analogy.

You're going to tell me with a 100% certainty that you see a server stepping on THEIR baseline that's at least 78' (assuming you're standing on YOUR baseline) away from you?

If someone is 6" CLOSER to the net when he/she serves, physics dictates that serve has a higher chance of going LONG!!!
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
One has NOTHING to with the other. Line calls are made on your side of the court. Give it a rest with that stupid analogy.

You're going to tell me with a 100% certainty that you see a server stepping on THEIR baseline that's at least 78' (assuming you're standing on YOUR baseline) away from you?

If someone is 6" CLOSER to the net when he/she serves, physics dictates that serve has a higher chance of going LONG!!!

I agree with all you say, but the last part.

You need to rethink that one Einstein

6900e22130e77b88a417cd939fef6bc4092459b5070f36cea0250645b2082359.jpg
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
I don't call them and it doesn't usually bother me. They seem to be completely ignored in nearly all of continental Europe.

I was slightly peeved in my last ITF Seniors tournament semi-final. I was grinding away and my opponent started throwing in a lot of S & V to shorten the points. Unfortunately he had a very forward toss and a massive foot fault.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
I don't call them and it doesn't usually bother me. They seem to be completely ignored in nearly all of continental Europe.

I was slightly peeved in my last ITF Seniors tournament semi-final. I was grinding away and my opponent started throwing in a lot of S & V to shorten the points. Unfortunately he had a very forward toss and a massive foot fault.

It's like jaywalking .. it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt

enjoy
https://www.facebook.com/fitpl/videos/10152812005811586/
 
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Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
I play by the rules on my line calls. If I think it nicked the line I will call your ball in. If I can't tell, it's in. If you foot fault all the time it basically tells me that you don't consider the line to be part of the court and I can call all your balls out that hit the line.

^^^ this ^^^
 

Startzel

Hall of Fame
??? huh??

So you know this, then why don't you change it for the whole time?

A serve that lands a few inches deeper in the box is an advantage. A serve that gets over the net with 1 mm clearance when it would have hit the cord is an advantage. It is disrespectful to an opponent to foot-fault all the time, especially if you are evenly matched and or there are only small margins. Who do you think you are to say that it is not important? What other rules do you feel like changing because you can't be bothered?

If you read some of his other posts he's an admitted pusher. So his focus is solely on winning, not necessarily playing tennis.
 

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
I doubt either of these guys are 5.0s anyways, as both would struggle in the 4.5 division here in Texas.

Well, supposedly the other guy has an ATP ranking from playing challenger/futures events.

And being 6-8 inches closer to the line is an advantage serving even when you are not playing S&V.
 

Alchemy-Z

Hall of Fame
when I first started it bothered me cause I was working so hard to learn all the rules and play by them...

after a season or 2 I realized how common it was and find it more distracting to watch for it than just play the point.
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
At the higher levels of recreational tennis you rarely see a foot fault called. In fact I would say that there are a good percentage of players that do foot fault. I witness it all the time, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

People that get bent out of shape for a few inches are usually the players losing and can't handle the fact that the guy across the net is a better player. they are looking for an excuse to save some personal pride.

If a player is stepping over the line by a foot, then I guess you could say something, but I never would. I'm playing for fun no matter if I'm playing a tournament or a local round robin.

Calling things like a foot fault kind of puts everyone in a hostile mood and is generally considered a @#$#@ bag move, but if it makes you feel better go ahead, but you are not going to be making any friends at the court. Which will also reduce the number of players that will play with you in a more social setting.
 
OP thankfully you've presented a topic that has never been brought up here before. I propose that TWTT reclassify their headings and have one for "FUN RECREATIONAL & CLUB TENNIS" and another for "TOURNAMENT & COMPETITIVE TENNIS".
 

SteveI

Legend
Seriously, you're going to complain about THAT foot fault? Geeeeeez.......
What does he gain by stepping 6" inside of the baseline on his serve? Nothing!!

Bingo... he is getting no advantage on that serve. I would only make an issue of it .. if he was. His serve is not a weapon and is about 45 to 50 MPH with very little spin. He is also not a S and V player. I might mention it to him just as friendly reminder. On the other hand.. if he had a massive serve and was a S and J player... I would call it every time.
 
At the higher levels of recreational tennis you rarely see a foot fault called. In fact I would say that there are a good percentage of players that do foot fault. I witness it all the time, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

People that get bent out of shape for a few inches are usually the players losing and can't handle the fact that the guy across the net is a better player. they are looking for an excuse to save some personal pride.

If a player is stepping over the line by a foot, then I guess you could say something, but I never would. I'm playing for fun no matter if I'm playing a tournament or a local round robin.

Calling things like a foot fault kind of puts everyone in a hostile mood and is generally considered a @#$#@ bag move, but if it makes you feel better go ahead, but you are not going to be making any friends at the court. Which will also reduce the number of players that will play with you in a more social setting.

I've never called a foot fault, and everything you have written is true. But it is also true that the foot faulting -- done over and over again -- is also a hostile move designed to get ahead. The foot faulting is itself that small advantage you describe as getting "bent out of shape for a few inches." It is just passive-aggressive cheating instead of the aggressive-aggressive cheating of stealing line calls.

If it was not an advantage, then people would not do it.
 

Startzel

Hall of Fame
At the higher levels of recreational tennis you rarely see a foot fault called. In fact I would say that there are a good percentage of players that do foot fault. I witness it all the time, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

People that get bent out of shape for a few inches are usually the players losing and can't handle the fact that the guy across the net is a better player. they are looking for an excuse to save some personal pride.

If a player is stepping over the line by a foot, then I guess you could say something, but I never would. I'm playing for fun no matter if I'm playing a tournament or a local round robin.

Calling things like a foot fault kind of puts everyone in a hostile mood and is generally considered a @#$#@ bag move, but if it makes you feel better go ahead, but you are not going to be making any friends at the court. Which will also reduce the number of players that will play with you in a more social setting.

This attitude highlights the sad part of league tennis. Cheating is so common that it's become acceptable.

Your last paragraph is the saddest. You're blaming the innocent party to excuse the actions of the person breaking the rules. It's the same thing people do to **** victims. Never understood the logic behind this.
 

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
At the higher levels of recreational tennis you rarely see a foot fault called. In fact I would say that there are a good percentage of players that do foot fault. I witness it all the time, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

People that get bent out of shape for a few inches are usually the players losing and can't handle the fact that the guy across the net is a better player. they are looking for an excuse to save some personal pride.

If a player is stepping over the line by a foot, then I guess you could say something, but I never would. I'm playing for fun no matter if I'm playing a tournament or a local round robin.

Calling things like a foot fault kind of puts everyone in a hostile mood and is generally considered a @#$#@ bag move, but if it makes you feel better go ahead, but you are not going to be making any friends at the court. Which will also reduce the number of players that will play with you in a more social setting.

If it isn't a big deal, why doesn't the server just start his motion 6 inches behind the line. No big deal right? Just a few inches after all. Won't affect the serve that much right?
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
This attitude highlights the sad part of league tennis. Cheating is so common that it's become acceptable.

Your last paragraph is the saddest. You're blaming the innocent party to excuse the actions of the person breaking the rules. It's the same thing people do to **** victims. Never understood the logic behind this.

I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just telling you how it is a higher levels. If you call it, then you will be looked at in a different way by most of the experienced players. No one is going to call it. Most players playing higher level miss most serves by hitting long and not into the net. Crossing the line by a few inches actually hurts their service games.

You are much more likely seeing this called in the 3.0 to 3.5 levels.
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
If it isn't a big deal, why doesn't the server just start his motion 6 inches behind the line. No big deal right? Just a few inches after all. Won't affect the serve that much right?

And that will be the response from most players that do get called out for it. Why they don't start from a further distance to begin with is up for debate.

First, I don't think a lot of players know they do it. Once they get called out on it. They will do one of two things. One is lose it mentally and not be able to serve the rest of the match. Two, is to move a few inches farther from the line to adjust.

Also, there is so much of it going on that most players just don't mention it. In most matches that I observe ( I do so frequently as a coach), there are at least two foot fault guys playing. One guy isn't going to call out another guy for it if he thinks he might be foot faulting as well.
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
I've never called a foot fault, and everything you have written is true. But it is also true that the foot faulting -- done over and over again -- is also a hostile move designed to get ahead. The foot faulting is itself that small advantage you describe as getting "bent out of shape for a few inches." It is just passive-aggressive cheating instead of the aggressive-aggressive cheating of stealing line calls.

If it was not an advantage, then people would not do it.

I think there is a common misunderstanding here. Most people that foot fault don't even know they are doing it. They are not trying to take advantage.

I have seen guys jump into the court and land a few feet past the service line and come to the net. That is pushing it a little to much in my opinion, but in a social match, I still wouldn't call it. Maybe I'm less competitive than most people.
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
I don't even watch for footfaults. If someone is doing it so massively that I notice it without even looking for it, I'd probably say something at a changeover like "you're footfaulting by 2 feet, can you watch that?". Usually, people don't do it on purpose but are just unaware of their feet, and just mentioning it is enough to both get them to correct it and to throw their serve off for the rest of the match.
 

cknobman

Legend
Tons of people foot fault in my area (heck I have been called on it).

Unless the opponent is knowingly doing it and/or winning tons of free points off serve I usually dont bother.

When playing singles and preparing for return of serve is hard to sit there and watch for and call foot fault and be ready to properly return a serve.

I know I have a habit of sliding my foot too much so I start at least 6 inches back of service line on my serve.
 

SteveI

Legend
Tons of people foot fault in my area (heck I have been called on it).

Unless the opponent is knowingly doing it and/or winning tons of free points off serve I usually dont bother.

When playing singles and preparing for return of serve is hard to sit there and watch for and call foot fault and be ready to properly return a serve.

I know I have a habit of sliding my foot too much so I start at least 6 inches back of service line on my serve.

If you are playing singles.. it is very hard to call foot faults. If the player is tossing the ball into the court and lifting into the air to strike the ball.. you would have to see when the ball is struck and when the player touches the court. Of course if the player's foot is in the air when the ball is struck ..it is not a foot fault. How can you see and time that? If the player is just stepping on the line or inside the line and not getting any air time.. indeed you can make the call with no problem. In the case of this lefty in the video.. I am quite sure I could see it. If the player was not tossing the ball into the court like this guy.. I could care less. Guys serve is no weapon..
 
I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just telling you how it is a higher levels. If you call it, then you will be looked at in a different way by most of the experienced players. No one is going to call it. Most players playing higher level miss most serves by hitting long and not into the net. Crossing the line by a few inches actually hurts their service games.

You are much more likely seeing this called in the 3.0 to 3.5 levels.

I don't think your sense of the basic geometry of the serve is correct.

The closer you are to the net, the easier it is to hit the ball hard, over the net and inside the service line.

At an extreme level, it would obviously be easier to hit flat serves simply standing right at the net, slamming the ball nearly straight down. The more you move back the harder the serve becomes (the more back you are the smaller your over the net/under the service line window becomes).

The more back you are, the more precise the serve must be to drop in at all. Moving closer to the net is not really -- or primarily -- about getting the ball over, it is about creating a higher probability for success given the required 3+ foot drop in the (up to) 21' flight of the ball after it crosses the net.

At the service line, a person who is maybe 5'6" could still, with a perfect leap, extension and contact point, strike the ball just high enough (at around 9') to hit a serve on a straight line over the net and in. Every inch that the strike point goes forward or up this gets easier to do (although, since it is not a 45 degree angle, being two inches taller is better than being two inches inside the baseline). The serve flight path is affected by gravity and drag (and spin) disproportionately after it is over the net (as the ball slows) so there is even more margin of error, but none the less, this is the basic geometry.

Any inch less for the ball to travel from the racket to the net lessens how horizontal those first nearly 39 feet have to be to get over the net at all and thus lessen how horizontal the ball enters its final 21' approach to the service line.
 

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
I don't think your sense of the basic geometry of the serve is correct.

The closer you are to the net, the easier it is to hit the ball hard, over the net and inside the service line.

At an extreme level, it would obviously be easier to hit flat serves simply standing right at the net, slamming the ball nearly straight down. The more you move back the harder the serve becomes (the more back you are the smaller your over the net/under the service line window becomes).

The more back you are, the more precise the serve must be to drop in at all. Moving closer to the net is not really -- or primarily -- about getting the ball over, it is about creating a higher probability for success given the required 3+ foot drop in the (up to) 21' flight of the ball after it crosses the net.

At the service line, a person who is maybe 5'6" could still, with a perfect leap, extension and contact point, strike the ball just high enough (at around 9') to hit a serve on a straight line over the net and in. Every inch that the strike point goes forward or up this gets easier to do (although, since it is not a 45 degree angle, being two inches taller is better than being two inches inside the baseline). The serve flight path is affected by gravity and drag (and spin) disproportionately after it is over the net (as the ball slows) so there is even more margin of error, but none the less, this is the basic geometry.

Any inch less for the ball to travel from the racket to the net lessens how horizontal those first nearly 39 feet have to be to get over the net at all and thus lessen how horizontal the ball enters its final 21' approach to the service line.

Exactly. If angle relative to the net was not important, John Isner's serve wouldn't be as good.
 

struggle

Legend
I've never called it.

I do mention it occasionally as a mild form of "gamesmanship" if you will......

"Man, why don't you just serve from the service line?"
 

Startzel

Hall of Fame
I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just telling you how it is a higher levels. If you call it, then you will be looked at in a different way by most of the experienced players. No one is going to call it. Most players playing higher level miss most serves by hitting long and not into the net. Crossing the line by a few inches actually hurts their service games.

You are much more likely seeing this called in the 3.0 to 3.5 levels.

Shame on them and especially shame on you for encouraging players to cheat.
 
Isn't this already in the "Adult League and Tournament Talk" section? Not sure I understand.

Tournament players are competitive and care about FOOT FAULTING! Rec, club players, who play for "fun", don't want to make an issue out of it because at that level it would be seen as un-cool and would cost them "friends", social status or business. At that level, it's best to not make an issue out of it. To be fair to yourself just deduct a few inches from your line calls, but do it on your baseline where it would be difficult to discern--what's good for the goose is good for the gander--after a few chardonnays or merlots at the bar, all will be forgiven and forgotten about.
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
Tournament players are competitive and care about FOOT FAULTING! Rec, club players, who play for "fun", don't want to make an issue out of it because at that level it would be seen as un-cool and would cost them "friends", social status or business. At that level, it's best to not make an issue out of it. To be fair to yourself just deduct a few inches from your line calls, but do it on your baseline where it would be difficult to discern--what's good for the goose is good for the gander--after a few chardonnays or merlots at the bar, all will be forgiven and forgotten about.

Tournaments are typically much easier to call, too, because of the presence of roving officials or other impartial tournament officials that can be called to the court.
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/sports/tennis/foot-faults-and-the-rage-they-can-cause.html?_r=0

“It’s stupid rules that somebody made in, I don’t know, 1850, and now they give me problems with these things,” Marat Safin told reporters after his memorable foot-fault-induced tantrum at the Open in 2008. “It shouldn’t be that way.”

“I’ll say this: 95 percent of foot faults are not called,” said Justin Gimelstob, a former serve-and-volleyer who was whistled for his share. “If they are called, it’s almost 100 percent correct. Why and when are subject to interpretation. That’s why you see players vent.”
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
Shame on them and especially shame on you for encouraging players to cheat.

Can you show me where I encouraged people to cheat?

I'm just telling you how it is. I've been playing for over 35 years, played D1 college tennis, have ATP Tour points, coached 10 players to D1 full rides including 1 All-American.

Why am I wasting my time? I'm done with this thread.
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
I don't think your sense of the basic geometry of the serve is correct.

The closer you are to the net, the easier it is to hit the ball hard, over the net and inside the service line.

At an extreme level, it would obviously be easier to hit flat serves simply standing right at the net, slamming the ball nearly straight down. The more you move back the harder the serve becomes (the more back you are the smaller your over the net/under the service line window becomes).

The more back you are, the more precise the serve must be to drop in at all. Moving closer to the net is not really -- or primarily -- about getting the ball over, it is about creating a higher probability for success given the required 3+ foot drop in the (up to) 21' flight of the ball after it crosses the net.

At the service line, a person who is maybe 5'6" could still, with a perfect leap, extension and contact point, strike the ball just high enough (at around 9') to hit a serve on a straight line over the net and in. Every inch that the strike point goes forward or up this gets easier to do (although, since it is not a 45 degree angle, being two inches taller is better than being two inches inside the baseline). The serve flight path is affected by gravity and drag (and spin) disproportionately after it is over the net (as the ball slows) so there is even more margin of error, but none the less, this is the basic geometry.

Any inch less for the ball to travel from the racket to the net lessens how horizontal those first nearly 39 feet have to be to get over the net at all and thus lessen how horizontal the ball enters its final 21' approach to the service line.

That would be totally correct except you overlooked the fact that I stated that the vast majority of higher level serves are missed by missing long and not dump into the net. This fact alone takes the net out of the picture for what is being discussed in this thread.

Also contrary to belief, very few high level servers hit flat serves. They are too inconsistent. Most serves have spin on them at this level.
 
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Gemini

Hall of Fame
I don't call foot faults especially in rec tennis and only after playing will offer up my noticing a person foot faulting only if he/she seems open to my insights. So most of the time, I never mention it. In tournaments, I don't even bother with it even if I see it. And when I talk about "seeing it", I mean blatant foot faults where someone is stepping a foot or more over the line before contact.
 

TobyTopspin

Professional
I don't call foot faults especially in rec tennis and only after playing will offer up my noticing a person foot faulting only if he/she seems open to my insights. So most of the time, I never mention it. In tournaments, I don't even bother with it even if I see it. And when I talk about "seeing it", I mean blatant foot faults where someone is stepping a foot or more over the line before contact.

You can certainly tell the players who have been around the block a few times in this thread......
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
Can you show me where I encouraged people to cheat?

I'm just telling you how it is. I've been playing for over 35 years, played D1 college tennis, have ATP Tour points, coached 10 players to D1 full rides including 1 All-American.

Why am I wasting my time? I'm done with this thread.

Calling a footfault would be like having a stopwatch in the court to enforce the changeover time limit and make a big deal if someone took an extra second. They are both technically "black and white" rules, easily measured, but nobody (in their right mind) treats them as such.

Now, if a person is taking 5 minutes on changeovers, then you invoke the rule. Just like if someone is stepping a foot over the line, you enforce the rule. But if someone toes the line, you'd be seen as a real dick if you made a big deal of it (even though you would be 100% right according to the rules).

Comparing a 1 inch footfault to calling a ball out that was an inch in is obviously an asinine comparison (as I've seen a few times on this thread).

It would be fun to play a "rules are rules" guy, and demand that all measurements are taken before hitting the first ball (and this is just a warmup of all the things that could be measured). Without a doubt, some measurement will be off on the court. Then demand that it be fixed to the exact rule before you will play.

http://www.itftennis.com/technical/publications/rules/courts/overview.aspx

After that, keep "friend of the court" handy, and stop play for every violation of obscure rules or etiquette. When questioned, just say "rules are rules and we are either going to play by the rules or not play at all".

And if you "rules guys" think this is silly, ask yourself why you are so adamant about enforcing 1 inch footfaults, but don't care about the exact placement or width of the singles sticks? They are all "black and white" rules.
 
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coyote

Semi-Pro
I don't call foot faults especially in rec tennis and only after playing will offer up my noticing a person foot faulting only if he/she seems open to my insights. So most of the time, I never mention it. In tournaments, I don't even bother with it even if I see it. And when I talk about "seeing it", I mean blatant foot faults where someone is stepping a foot or more over the line before contact.

This is my viewpoint. I am a rare foot faulter When I do, it is going after a toss that I shouldn't any my toe steps on the line (not over but on).

I once played a guy who complained I was stepping on the line. It was a match shortly after I had been cleared to play following an achilles tendon rupture. I probably did step on the line as my balance was not quite right. He literally gets an official. Being an astute guy, I backed up about 3 inches as I knew I wasn't blatant. His next service game, he was serving at 4-5 beakpoint (also match point) and the official called him for a foot fault. He goes ballistic. I'm laughing years later. :)

For the most part, unless it is some kind of an advantage, I don't even notice.
 

Startzel

Hall of Fame
Can you show me where I encouraged people to cheat?

I'm just telling you how it is. I've been playing for over 35 years, played D1 college tennis, have ATP Tour points, coached 10 players to D1 full rides including 1 All-American.

Why am I wasting my time? I'm done with this thread.

Do you not read what you're posting? You're telling people not to worry about foot faulting because no one will call it.

And your background is exactly why you should be one protecting the game. Instead you're taking out the gentlemen part of a gentleman's game.
 

g4driver

Legend
I don't have cannon for a serve , but can hit flat, spin and kick to three spots - and I generally stand 4"-6" behind the line, so I have never get accused of foot faulting-

If a guy does foot fault against me, he would have to be a 12"' inches into the court and before I probably cared. I have never cared about someone foot faulting against me as I generally believe most people try to avoid them.

I honestly believe if a someone's serve is good, it is good with or without the foot fault and this is simply something I don't care to get upset about.

Occasionally, I see some 3.5 and 4.0 players get upset about this, and if asked my take , I just say as a returner, I concentrate on watching the ball and taking it early, not looking at my opponent's feet.
 
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beernutz

Hall of Fame
Can you show me where I encouraged people to cheat?

I'm just telling you how it is. I've been playing for over 35 years, played D1 college tennis, have ATP Tour points, coached 10 players to D1 full rides including 1 All-American.

Why am I wasting my time? I'm done with this thread.

You are arguing with a 3.0 who believes there are players with 4.5 level skills in his league.
 
Do you not read what you're posting? You're telling people not to worry about foot faulting because no one will call it.

And your background is exactly why you should be one protecting the game. Instead you're taking out the gentlemen part of a gentleman's game.

I found that strange too, but if he's coaching tennis it's further evidence why American tennis is in the state it's in.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
I don't call or say anything w.r.t. to foot faults unless it's flagrant (like others have said, a foot or maybe more). I liken it to the "neighborhood rule" in baseball double plays.

What does bothers me though is when the opposing player stands inside the base line several inches or more prior to starting the service motion.
 
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