How to call a foul for reaching over net

[btpayne13]

My doubles partner and I played our first doubles match in a meet yesterday on our high school's JV team, visiting another high school about an hour away from home. We had a good match against our opponents, but it really annoyed me when one of them would constantly make contact with the ball very close to or across the net. If it's a close call, should I call a foul? What is the correct procedure for calling a foul for reaching across the net?

There was another situation later in the match where the server on the other team hit a baseline groundstroke. He didn't get a lot of power on the ball, so it was going to be very close as to if the ball would go across the net. Once it did go across the net (only several inches across), the returner on my team was preparing to hit a volley. However, the server's partner on their team was holding his racket way to close to the net, but wasn't crossing it. He seemed to be so close to the net, as if preparing to hit the ball before we could for some odd reason. Because the server's partner was so close, my partner was faced with two choices: (1) hit a volley and risk injuring the server's partner and/or damaging his racket or (2) not hit a volley in order to avoid any injuries for the server's partner. He chose to do #2. Technically, should this have been our point even though the server's partner didn't cross the net?

 

[GPB]

My doubles partner and I played our first doubles match in a meet yesterday on our high school's JV team, visiting another high school about an hour away from home. We had a good match against our opponents, but it really annoyed me when one of them would constantly make contact with the ball very close to or across the net. If it's a close call, should I call a foul? What is the correct procedure for calling a foul for reaching across the net?

This is tough, because you have to be SURE they made contact on your side. Unless they're hanging over, I wouldn't even make the call.

There was another situation later in the match where the server on the other team hit a baseline groundstroke. He didn't get a lot of power on the ball, so it was going to be very close as to if the ball would go across the net. Once it did go across the net (only several inches across), the returner on my team was preparing to hit a volley. However, the server's partner on their team was holding his racket way to close to the net, but wasn't crossing it. He seemed to be so close to the net, as if preparing to hit the ball before we could for some odd reason. Because the server's partner was so close, my partner was faced with two choices: (1) hit a volley and risk injuring the server's partner and/or damaging his racket or (2) not hit a volley in order to avoid any injuries for the server's partner. He chose to do #2. Technically, should this have been our point even though the server's partner didn't cross the net?

This seems like great positioning from the server's partner. If I was your partner here, I'd hit it right at the opposing netman. You're not going to damage the guy's racket by blasting a ball at him. Chances are good that you won't injure the guy either, unless you hit him in the eye. Being that close to the net is just asking to get hit, so if he tries to bully you with his positioning, make him pay!

 

[fuzz nation]

I'm a high school coach and this issue of breaking the plane of the net to hit a ball, as well as who makes the call, is nothing new. According to the rules and the code (read them this weekend in case you haven't), you have to make the call against yourself in the same way you'd own up to lightly "ticking" the ball with your racquet, your clothing, hair, etc. In an unofficiated match, all you can do is ask an opponent if they hit the ball on your side of the net and simply take them at their word.

Don't ever let a coach or a spectator chime in on this. The match must be managed by the players unless maybe a roaming official is present.

If an opponent blatantly reaches over the net to hit a ball and doesn't make a call against himself, simply stop play, have a civilized discussion about it (not everyone is hip to this rule), and get your coach to lend a hand if you need a consultation. No big deal. Don't get snippy or anything, just respect your opponents and let them know that you want to clarify the rules.

Here's the problem: a player can make contact on their side of the net and legally break the plane when they follow through, but that can often look as though the player reached over the net to hit the ball. Just keep this in mind when the issue comes up again.

Don't know what to say in terms of that other problem you had, especially since I didn't see it, but the opponent may have been guilty of hinderance with the position that he took up so close to your partner. If your partner went ahead and smacked the ball legally on his own side of the net, it would probably be the opponent's responsibility to stay out of his way. Hope you won the point anyway.

Again, read both the rules and the code this weekend. Knowledge is power!

 

[ChopShot]

If I remember correctly, there is nothing wrong with contacting the ball on the opponents side of the net, so long as you do not contact the net itself. I believe Nadal did it during the IW semi-final, and won the point.

 

[autumn_leaf]

^^ agree with what fuzz said. a lot of people still don't know that your not allowed to reach over vs when you're allowed to reach over (follow through and if the ball bounces back over the net with a lot of slice).

i don't think it would be a hinderance in this case if he just took up position really close to the net unless they were waving their hands around or such. i would've just smacked the ball right at them and hopefully they'll learn not to do that again, if they're really good at volleying though i would say it's good positioning since they only have to angle their racquet to deflect the shot.

 

[NolemurraY]

If I remember correctly, there is nothing wrong with contacting the ball on the opponents side of the net, so long as you do not contact the net itself. I believe Nadal did it during the IW semi-final, and won the point.

That is correct, aslong as the ball has bounced on your side of the net first (which it seemed like it hadn't in their doubles match)

 

[autumn_leaf]

If I remember correctly, there is nothing wrong with contacting the ball on the opponents side of the net, so long as you do not contact the net itself. I believe Nadal did it during the IW semi-final, and won the point.

this rule has been uncommonly occuring in past tournaments this year. the rule is that if the ball bounces on your side of the court and then bounces back to your opponent's side due to tremendous backspin (or any other way that allows to jump back over the net) the player can reach over the net. there was a lot of commotion about it too during one of roddick's matches earlier this year.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

My doubles partner and I played our first doubles match in a meet yesterday on our high school's JV team, visiting another high school about an hour away from home. We had a good match against our opponents, but it really annoyed me when one of them would constantly make contact with the ball very close to or across the net. If it's a close call, should I call a foul? What is the correct procedure for calling a foul for reaching across the net?

There was another situation later in the match where the server on the other team hit a baseline groundstroke. He didn't get a lot of power on the ball, so it was going to be very close as to if the ball would go across the net. Once it did go across the net (only several inches across), the returner on my team was preparing to hit a volley. However, the server's partner on their team was holding his racket way to close to the net, but wasn't crossing it. He seemed to be so close to the net, as if preparing to hit the ball before we could for some odd reason. Because the server's partner was so close, my partner was faced with two choices: (1) hit a volley and risk injuring the server's partner and/or damaging his racket or (2) not hit a volley in order to avoid any injuries for the server's partner. He chose to do #2. Technically, should this have been our point even though the server's partner didn't cross the net?

1) Their call to make, not yours.

2) Just f*cking hit the ball. If they get messed up, then say it's totally their fault and that you could've called a hindrance on them for it, but you decided to be nice and play the point out. They can't physically do anything that's meant to purposely distract you or affect your ability to play the ball/continue the point. For example, if they lob volley you, and grab you from their side of the net so you can't run back, free point for you. They can't block you from following through on your shot, so if you do hit them, call a hindrance. But please don't try to be a ****** and abuse this rule...

 

[FightMeAtTheNet]

Bumping an old thread to ask a related question.

Does anyone know the rule for possible hindrance if I'm right at the net and hit a drop slice that then travels back on my side of the court after the bounce, and I choose to take a split step position right between the oncoming opponent and the ball? Do I have a right to stand anywhere on my side of the court even if my intention is to purely prevent him from reaching over my side of the net? Similarly, can I swing my racquet to deflect his racquet from reaching the ball while he's broken the plane of the net?

Curious to know the answer as my friends and I often try to troll each other (legally) on the courts.

 

[esgee48]

Depends on if they have a legitimate play on the ball that bounced back. If they can't reach it, then no hindrance. If they can reach it, but you are standing there, it is a hindrance because you are not a permanent structure. Even if you did this inadvertently, you cannot hinder them from hitting the ball, provided they really have a play on it.

 

[Curious]

If I remember correctly, there is nothing wrong with contacting the ball on the opponents side of the net, so long as you do not contact the net itself. I believe Nadal did it during the IW semi-final, and won the point.

Djokovic did that in a grand slam match and lost the point and said to the umpire that he didn't know there was such a rule!

 

[Rattler]

It's a foul shot or foul stroke that is the call

 

[Rattler]

I'm a high school coach and this issue of breaking the plane of the net to hit a ball, as well as who makes the call, is nothing new. According to the rules and the code (read them this weekend in case you haven't), you have to make the call against yourself in the same way you'd own up to lightly "ticking" the ball with your racquet, your clothing, hair, etc. In an unofficiated match, all you can do is ask an opponent if they hit the ball on your side of the net and simply take them at their word.

Don't ever let a coach or a spectator chime in on this. The match must be managed by the players unless maybe a roaming official is present.

If an opponent blatantly reaches over the net to hit a ball and doesn't make a call against himself, simply stop play, have a civilized discussion about it (not everyone is hip to this rule), and get your coach to lend a hand if you need a consultation. No big deal. Don't get snippy or anything, just respect your opponents and let them know that you want to clarify the rules.

Here's the problem: a player can make contact on their side of the net and legally break the plane when they follow through, but that can often look as though the player reached over the net to hit the ball. Just keep this in mind when the issue comes up again.

Don't know what to say in terms of that other problem you had, especially since I didn't see it, but the opponent may have been guilty of hinderance with the position that he took up so close to your partner. If your partner went ahead and smacked the ball legally on his own side of the net, it would probably be the opponent's responsibility to stay out of his way. Hope you won the point anyway.

Again, read both the rules and the code this weekend. Knowledge is power!

Coach players are responsible for making calls on their side of the net when making their own calls. This includes a foul shot (hitting the ball before it crosses the net). I grant you that this is a difficult call and not one without a lot of controversy, but to have someone chronically foul shot and be responsible for making that call against themselves (because as you know it is a loss of point) is senseless.

You are correct about the touch of a ball, or touching the net...that call is on the honor system in non-officiated matches. As well as the contact being on the proper side of the net and the follow-thru breaking the plane. Also I like your advice about not getting snippy or cross with your opponent.

And this by the way is from a 15 year tennis umpire..now retired.