Hindrance Question

[RogueFLIP]

Wondering if this is a hindrance:

Singles receiver stands at the service line or in the service box and once the server starts his motion, the receiver darts back to the baseline. Now from the Code (see below) I understand that the receiver can stand anywhere, but I don't see any other reason except to try to distract the server by moving backwards.

I understand how the SABR is legal or even moving laterally a step or so to try and 'read' the serve. But backwards?


From The Code:

35. Body movement. A player may feint with the body while a ball is in play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing a ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving arms or racket or stamping feet, is not allowed.

 

[lockbox]

As long as you're not waiving your arms or intentionally trying to distract someone, this is not a hinderance. Server should focus on their serve with the understanding that the receiver may be in a different location after the ball is tossed up.

 

[Purestriker]

Wondering if this is a hindrance:

Singles receiver stands at the service line or in the service box and once the server starts his motion, the receiver darts back to the baseline. Now from the Code (see below) I understand that the receiver can stand anywhere, but I don't see any other reason except to try to distract the server by moving backwards.

I understand how the SABR is legal or even moving laterally a step or so to try and 'read' the serve. But backwards?


From The Code:

35. Body movement. A player may feint with the body while a ball is in play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing a ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving arms or racket or stamping feet, is not allowed.

Totally legal. As long as they don't do anything to distract the server. For example, squeak their shoes or wave their arms (IGA style) or something else that would create a distraction. Like the code says.

One of my teammates said that servers will often look at where they are going to serve, so they move during the toss to that location and it works more than I would have ever thought.

 

[kylebarendrick]

I would argue that yes, they are doing this in an attempt to throw off the server. I would also agree that this wouldn't be a hindrance as I am sure they would, if challenged, explain some nonsense strategic reason why they are doing this.

Best to focus on making good serves and be happy that the receiver has decided to start every point with their momentum going in the wrong direction.

 

[RogueFLIP]

Rats, ok I guess. Yeah I was just interpreting that last sentence of The Code "...any other movement' bc I can't see the tactical advantage of moving backwards.

Guy I play occasionally in my intra club league pulls a lot of shenanigans like this, and I've had to pull out the rules to shut down some of his more egregious offensives. Some people *sigh*

 

[socallefty]

I can't see the tactical advantage of moving backwards.

Tactical reason could be that when you stand very close, many servers take it as an attack on their ego and want to serve ‘bigger’ usually causing a big drop in their %. Then the returner moves back to a normal position after the server starts their toss to have a better chance to hit a decent return.

In any case, it is not a hindrance - it is no different from changing position after the toss as happens when you move in late, move from left to right, right to left etc. In all cases, you are trying to hit your return from a different spot from where the server thought you were going to be.

 

[DariaGT]

just serve like Dolgopolov or LeConte, prob trip over on his pie maker or get hit in the loins.

 

[ttwarrior1]

do a slow slice serve

 

[Ty Webb]

I would intentionally try and drill the guy. I think after I hit him in the face (goal) a few times he would stop. I have hard flat 1st around 100mph so I think it would be effective. I know I could hit him rather quickly. As far as I know it would be legal and not looked down upon in response to this player described by the OP.

 

[kevin qmto]

This is a grand opportunity to bean your opponent, never waste those lol.

 

[Robert F]

He's quick enough to get the serve back when he is running out of the service box? Yes it is distracting, but it almost seems more of a disadvantage for him.

 

[stapletonj]

"A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing a ball."

simple as.

Look up to where you are going to toss the ball BEFORE he moves up or back or sideways, etc.
Serving is hard enough as it is without trying to change your serve mid swing because you think you saw him move and it wasn't a feint. Or was it?

 

[ChaelAZ]

Years back playing dubs there was an opponent that was crowding the center line when his partner was back returning, and he would fake a move over every time I served. I called him on it since he wasn't the returner and wasn't able to touch the ball, that his move was intentionally trying to distract my serve. He said he was just 'adjusting' for his net game. So I moved waaaay out wide and started serving hard T every serve, and didn't take long to brush him back, but he got really pissy about it.

Anyway, in that scenario I would be body serving all day while they try to back peddle and get in position.

 

[jxs653]

I'd hit my serve swiftly if I see my opponent do something like that. I think he's doing disservice to himself. I'd welcome it rather than feel hindered.

 

[socallefty]

Keep serving your best serves if someone stands close with maybe a few more to the body to jam them. Don’t try to hit the returner or their partner instead of focusing on winning points and games. That is what they want you to do - don’t lose your discipline in the face of their gamesmanship. If you hit them, it is no big victory for you as it is a soft ball and it doesn’t hurt much - it is not like being hit with a cricket ball or baseball. Whoever wins the match will have the last laugh whether you manage to hit them or not. This is juvenile stuff that happens at lower levels where the serve-% is a weakness.

 

[kingcheetah]

I'd hit a lot of variety, but if I was up by a lot in the match I'd probably tag him with a serve at some point.

 

[GrassCourtFan]

Wondering if this is a hindrance:

Singles receiver stands at the service line or in the service box and once the server starts his motion, the receiver darts back to the baseline. Now from the Code (see below) I understand that the receiver can stand anywhere, but I don't see any other reason except to try to distract the server by moving backwards.

I understand how the SABR is legal or even moving laterally a step or so to try and 'read' the serve. But backwards?


From The Code:

35. Body movement. A player may feint with the body while a ball is in play. A player may change position at any time, including while the server is tossing a ball. Any other movement or any sound that is made solely to distract an opponent, including, but not limited to, waving arms or racket or stamping feet, is not allowed.

Technically yes, in reality nobody can call it.

It is a hindrance; the only reason to do this is solely to distract an opponent, and running backwards is like waving your arms and stomping your feet, has no in-game use.

But nobody can really call it, because there's no way from the outside to prove it's just for distraction; they can claim they really do want to reposition like that before your serve, or something.

 

[ichaseballs]

In rec tennis, it reminds me of the foot fault.
you can mention it, but not really allowed to call it in a match.

I have dealt plenty with people yelling during my serve (they think its funny) - not in a league
I have enough voices in my head to keep me occupied.
Just think of it as an exercise in dealing with people you don't like

 

[TennisOTM]

A receiver moving during the service motion is not only done because they are "reading" the server. It could also be that their original position was meant to induce/tempt/bait you into hitting a low-percentage serve attempt. Then they move to increase their chances of making the return if the serve actually goes in.

In this case, maybe they were baiting you into attempting to hit them (which would be a fault if they miss) then moving back to increase their chances of getting a racket on a good serve, and also increase their chances of dodging a bean attempt. I'd say it's legal.

 

[Connor35]

I don't think it would be illegal.

But I also don't think it would be effective.

It seems like this would only work against people with poor serves anyway, and you shouldn't need tricks to beat someone with a poor serve.

You couldnt really get back to the baseline on anyone with a decent serve.

 

[Roforot]

I think it's a mistake to try to hit htem w/ your serve. It's the same like trying to hit too hard when they're crowding the serve.
If you feel this is gamesmanship and want to use gamesmanship back at them, catch your toss 1-3 times especially if you're off, to make them use energy going back and forth.