I foot faulted on purpose - Was this right?

[LTT]

We are having a community tournament and I got a little frustrated with the umpires not calling foot faults on on some of the players. It was especially frustrating as there were no calls on some of the better players. I felt they especially could be more careful. The tournament was held over several weekends.

I first mentioned it to the event coordinator on a match day about a month ago. Then on a subsequent match day, I had my digital camera, and started taking photos. The foot faults were pretty clear, the right foot stepping solidly on the line or past it before the ball was hit. Anyway, somewhat jokingly I showed the photos to the event coordinator and some of the refs. They just kinda said, ah huh, yah, but there was no change. On the most recent match day, I watched another match, it was a close game and maybe calling foot faults would have made some difference. Anyway, it was frustrating and so I thought I would tease the officials and better players a little.

My serve is pretty good and most of the participants know this. So I started my match by significantly stepping over the line with my left foot, and then even took an additional step over with my right and then hit the serve. I faulted and then double faulted, but there was no foot-fault call either. After the first couple serves my team was going, what's happening?, and the other team also noticed. Finally on my third serve, at love-30, the ref called my foot fault. I said, "really, how can that be?" I then kept foot faulting, fortunately or unfortunately, I then double faulted the game away. I hadn't really planned on double-faulting, but I really wasn't used to serving with all those steps!

I didn't argue the calls or make any fuss about my double faults. This particular opponent didn't foot fault and I made no other comments. I felt my point had been made. I played the rest of the match, serving quite well and won 6-4.

My questions are：
1.) Could I have been penalized for unsportsmanlike behavior?

2.) It was split about half half between my teammates and friends on opinions about what I did. Half said I was basically rude and it wasn't the right way to go about doing things. The other half thought it was a hoot. What's your take on what I did?

3.) It's a small community tournament, and I'm sure word will get around, do you think it will change the other players behavior?

4.) If in my next match the other player foot faults, I watched his previous matches and he does about 70% of the time on first serves, do I a) ignore it and play my game, b) mention it to the umpire and probably get myself more worked up than the other player, or c) catch the ball and just say foot fault. And let the ref decide what to score it.

btw, in our community tournament the refs call shots, not the players.

I'm really curious to hear others opinions on this. Thanks!

 

[dizneeland]

If it's that obvious, I would call the fault. If there's any bellyaching and they think you are being too picky, then on your serve you should step all the way up to the service line to take your serves.

 

[Zets147]

1. if you kept foot faulting until he called it then you stopped. no, that shouldn't be unsportsmanlike behavior.

2. If they acted like they didn't care for the rules (foot faulting) then I think you did ok.

3. I dunno if it will change other players behavior.

4. I'd mention it to the umpire if the foot fault is clearly seen.

I really don't like foot faulters that much either. Who would?
Especially the ones who has a good serve, but they foot fault a lot. I saw a ton of that at the tournaments I played in. Pretty sad.

 

[LTT]

Here's a photo from some of the foot faulters

Here's an example,

I will be playing the player in the photo this coming weekend.

 

[LTT]

Here's a photo from some of the foot faulters

Here's an example,

I will be playing the player in the photo this coming weekend, he's the top seed in the tourni.

 

[LTT]

Why do you think I was being a jerk?

When I decided to do the foot faulting, it was kind of spur of the moment. I just wanted to make a point, and maybe raise the level of professionalism for the tournament. To be honest, the top seeds are also kinda cocky, and the foot faulting seemed to put things over the top for me.

Anyway, after my match I was pretty surprised that some of my friends and teammates were really critical of me. One friend is friends with some of the tournament organizers, and another person used to have one of the players as a coach. So I think they were being a bit protective of their friends and relationships.

But still, I was surprised at some of the criticism. It wasn't like I distracted my opponent during their serve. I mean in effect I penalized myself, and gave up a game.

I'd like to hear some of the opinions from the people voting "You're being a jerk" in the poll. I really am trying to be open minded about this, as at the time, it seemed like a pretty good thing to do!

 

[Andres]

Why is he wearing a cap indoors?

 

[WBF]

How ridiculous (the foot faulting pic). Bring the pic to the ref, ask that they watch for and call foot faults in the match.

I found your response mildly amusing, a bit immature, but in that situation I probably would have done something similar. How hard is it not to foot fault?

 

[QuietDaze]

Why is he wearing a cap indoors?

LOL

I said you were being a jerk but my answer is probably somewhere in between. I don't think you were a jerk per se but it seemed a bit overboard. I wouldn't give up even a point on principle. What if you lost? Then you've cut off your nose to spite your face. Why couldn't you call the foot faults for your matches and not worry about what other people were doing. When you play the guy in the pics - call him on it. If you were on my team I would be critical of you giving up games to prove your point not because you were upset that the rules weren't being followed.

 

[harleywilson]

I voted no but to call you a jerk is not the words I would use. I always take the high road (even to my detriment at times). So I wouldn't do it but I don't have a problem with you doing it

 

[Zets147]

just take that picture and press? it onto a shirt. you know, one of those shirts with a picture on the front lol

 

[JW10S]

I don't know enough about your community to really comment but I can relate a story you may be able to relate to. I was playing in the first round of a small open doubles tournament years ago. We were playing at a huge public facility and were put on the court farthest away from the tournament desk. One of our opponents was blatently foot faulting. My partner said to him 'Look, you're foot faulting on every serve. I don't want to have to walk all the way back to the TD to get an umpire so just back up a little'. The next time the guy served he continued to foot fault. So when it came time for my partner to serve he took the ball, walked all the way up to the net and stammed the ball down into the service box and bounced it over the head of our opponent, then called out '15-love!'--it was priceless. Our opponents were a little dumbstruck and asked 'What was that?' My partner answered 'If you're going to foot fault so am I!' The next point he took 2 more balls and again proceeded to start to walk toward the net. Our opponents then said 'Ok, OK, we get it'. The next time our opponent served he stood well back of the baseline and did not foot fault.

So, if you really want to make a statement you may want to try walking all the way up to the net and slamming the ball down into the court--it is no more cheating than the guy in your photo.

 

[gbeast]

You're right. That is priceless! I had a friend playing in a match and the opponent was foot faulting almost a foot inside the line. He did every serve almost. His serve was very strong when he faulted and was beating my friend easily on serve. A ref WARNED! him about foot faulting THREE TIMES! She left and every time she came back he stopped foot faulting but his serve suffered badly. He started foot faulting again and it was obvious but the ref didnt call them until the next set which my friend won in tie break and she only called one but it was enough. He won the match something-6, tiebreak(which he won), 6-something. (close wasnt it?)

 

[Topaz]

Wow...that's a huge foot fault! Take that photo to the tourny director, as others have suggested. And, if he does it in your match, call them yourself. You aren't being a jerk or annoying, merely insisting that your opponent follow the rules. I've seen people get so upset when they get called on foot faults, but IMO a person should not get upset when it is being pointed out to them that they are cheating.

Good luck in the tourny!

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

just take that picture and press? it onto a shirt. you know, one of those shirts with a picture on the front lol

Awesome idea!

 

[Ethan]

LOL thats a nice picture of the cheater haha, but who took that and shouldn't u hav at lease censored his face LMAO.

 

[WBF]

I find it amazing that he hasn't even begun the swing...

And also... How on earth do you end up in a stance like that???? His right foot is forward? That's just incredibly awkward when I see what it feels like myself. Eww.

 

[fgzhu88]

you were not being a jerk, but I probably wouldn't have done what you did. I would've just caught the ball on my opponent serve instead of parodying it on my own serve (even then I would've done a normal 2nd serve to prevent double faulting)

 

[PimpMyGame]

LOL thats a nice picture of the cheater haha, but who took that and shouldn't u hav at lease censored his face LMAO.

A bit harsh to call him a cheater, I was warned about foot faulting in a school tourney many many years ago. Probably doing something similar to this guy but once I got the warning I was careful to stay behind the line. I definitely wasn't cheating deliberately though.

You could get a nice bit of gamesmanship in here lol. Just supply the photo to the tournament referee the day before and insist that this is regulated properly. The officials will probably take your opponent to one side and have a little chat just before the final and this might put him off.

 

[rosenstar]

I think you were being a jerk.

First of all, if it's a "community" tournament, It's just for fun. It's not a USTA tournament and there's no prize money (correct me if I'm wrong)

second of all, do the other player know they're doing it? This goes along with the question regarding the level of play. I'm sure no one's doing it on purpose, much less aware that they do it. (again, correct me if I'm wrong)

Third of all, although stepping that couple inches beyong the line is not allowed, do you really think it gives your opponent that much of an advatage? It's not like it's going to add 10 or 20 mph to his serve.

Finally, I cannot believe you're taking pictures of foot faults. that's just weird. If I saw you doing this at a communtity tournament, actually, any tournament, I'd just think you're crazy. I mean, seriously, who does that?

So, yes, I think youj're being a complete ****** bag and taking the fun out of a tournament that was create just to have fun.


for the next time you play a foot-faulter, tell the ref before you start playing. I don't believe players are allowed to call foot-faults on opponents. You can surely argue with the ref though.

No offense, but from this story you sound like the guy who cares wayyyy too much about tennis. I mean seriously, where are you going with this? You think you're going pro? You play college ball or anything? are you USTA ranked? My impression is that everyone was just trying to have fun, and you ruined it and made yourself look stupid. I'm guessing those guys who thought it was "a hoot" were laughing at you, not with you.

But thats just what I think... I could be completely wrong, and if I am, then tell me. If there's anything I'm missing, tell me.

 

[LTT]

Lazy players at the top

A few remarks on questions people had.

I took the photo, I have several of the top two seeds doing the little two-step. Actually I think they learned from the same academy and doing this crossover step with the right foot puts them in trouble with the line.

I don't think the players are intentionally foot-faulted to gain an advantage, I think they've just gotten sloppy and everyone is too intimated to say anything to them as they are the top seeds.

I think the judges have a hard time calling the foot faults because these guys serve fast and the judge is looking at the service line. Plus the refs are lazy!

Why should I censor out the guy's face? Just cause I caught him in the act?!

I LOVE the t-shirt idea!

It's pretty interesting that the vote on the poll is like split 50-50.

Thanks everyone for your comments and keep commenting, I feel both vindicated and maybe also wiser in general. I'll probably be more patient the next time around, but maybe have a NO-FOOT FAULTING t-shirt ready in my bag.

 

[LTT]

Having fun

Hi Rosenstar,

I would agree with you in general, but let me explain more of the circumstances. It is a 'community tournament' as I said, and the tournament is played in a team format. Each team has a singles, men's doubles, over-40 men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. I play the singles usually.

There is some prize money, just token amounts, some percent of the entry fees we pay. There is a local tennis club that sponsors the match and provides the officials. The officials call balls.

I was taking photos of my team players before I started taking the photos of the players double faulting, actually just the top three men's singles seeds foot fault so significantly. I started to pay attention to the other players and actually most people maybe have a toe or so on the line, that doesn't bother me at all.

I actually showed the photo to the guy in the picture. He said it was a good photo and we joked about it. Later a gal on his team asked if I got shots of her foot faulting and I jokingly replied no of course not, she was too pretty to foot fault. That was on a previous match day. I did the foot faulting thing on a subsequent match, after noticing it with the #2 seed, AND after having mentioned it to the tournament coordinator.

But here's the other side of the story, almost all the participants are REALLY serious about calling lines and are extremely tough on the ref calling shots. I am generally much more relaxed and am very generous with calls. I figure if they hit a pretty good shot, and I couldn't get to it or hit it well, then no biggie if it is a cm in or out. In other words, people are realllly sticklers about all the other rules of tennis. Note that the officials enforce the rest time to the second.

Also my team gets extremely competitive, I mean one gal cried after losing a very close doubles game. The other teams are pretty much the same, everyone gets pretty worked up. It's supposed to be just for fun and exercise, but let's just say there are some over-zealous tennis mom and dad personalities in most of the participants.

So that's why the foot faulting got to me. If we're going to play right, if we're all going to be competitive, then why are we letting such significant foot-faulting by the top seeds. These guys are all tennis instructors.

And yah, the guy in the photo does hit faults. I play him this weekend, do you seriously want me to let him footfault, well then shouldn't I just also let balls that are close be called in, why don't I start my serve with my foot past the line, it doesn't matter right? What's the point on rules anyway.

I get your point about having fun though, and I was upset myself afterwards when some of my teammates got upset over it. That's probably why I'm posting here seeking more opinions.

I think after reading through the comments, I'm still kinda happy I did it. But I guess like the saying goes, "All things in life have consequences!"

 

[rosenstar]

There is some prize money, just token amounts, some percent of the entry fees we pay.

That does change the circumstances...

Also my team gets extremely competitive, I mean one gal cried after losing a very close doubles game.

That's pathetic

let's just say there are some over-zealous tennis mom and dad personalities in most of the participants.

That's gotta be my least favorite thing about tennis.

I kinda understand where your coming from... You're frustrated because you have to put up these other people who are complete *******s but disobey the rules themselves. I had a feeling that would be the case. unfortunately, and it is very unfortunate, that is part of tennis, or almost any individual sport for that matter.

 

[Sean Dugan]

In an officiated match, obvious foot faults should be called. That is particularly true after one side has complained to the official about the other players foot faults.

As far as your response....a bit overboard since you ended up losing the game; against self interest.

You were a bit too subtle though. I think if you really wanted to make a point, you should have walked up to the service line and served from there. Then when you were called for a foot fault comment to the offical "Gee, based on what has transpired thus far, I assumed you weren't calling any foot faults."

I did that once in an informal match against a major foot faulter with a big serve. (He was consistently a foot or more inside the line with his right foot.) The other guy got the point. After a warning, I started calling foot faults which unnerved him a bit.

Also, you have to realize that most foot faulters arent doing it intentionally. Their service motion is so muscle memorized that foot faulting is second nature. The only cure I'm aware of is setting up a foot behind the service line when you begin your motion. I do that myself because I have a tendency to foot fault if I don't.

Anyway, don't obsess about it (you clearly are). Complain and if the officials don't call it let it go and figure you can get away with minor foot faulting as well. Focus more on your retuirn of serve. Making him eat his serve is one way to make it all a moot point.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

We all know what a foot fault is. But, I have a different view toward foot faults.

If a player doesn't serve well, then I simply want them to keep doing what they are doing even if both feet are inside the baseline.

If a player has a good serve, but isn't a serve and volleyer, and isn't attacking the net, then I don't consider their stepping on the line or inside it to be an advantage of any weight or measure.

I only get concerned by big serve and volleyers, who are good at what they do, and who step WAY inside the service line (mostly because they toss way inside the service court) while they are running in to the net.

Those guys I warn, and then call them on it. They know who they are, they know what they are doing.

 

[kevhen]

You went over the line by going way over the line. Most don't realize they are footfaulting. Just tell them. I was told after my last doubles match that my left toe was touching the line. I pivot my left foot so I start back a couple inches but will move back another one now.

I wasn't hitting big serves in doubles and wasn't serve and volleying very much so I don't think I even gained an advantage but it made my opponent's wife mad. He wasn't upset about it.

 

[r2473]

We all know what a foot fault is. But, I have a different view toward foot faults.

If a player doesn't serve well, then I simply want them to keep doing what they are doing even if both feet are inside the baseline.

If a player has a good serve, but isn't a serve and volleyer, and isn't attacking the net, then I don't consider their stepping on the line or inside it to be an advantage of any weight or measure.
I only get concerned by big serve and volleyers, who are good at what they do, and who step WAY inside the service line (mostly because they toss way inside the service court) while they are running in to the net.

Those guys I warn, and then call them on it. They know who they are, they know what they are doing.

Very sensible in my view.

I would disagree with the bolded portion in some cases. Tall players who are good servers can get a competitive advantage from foot faulting. Still, I doubt I would do much about it.

 

[nyc]

In my honest opinion, your behaviour is a little too uptight for me, especially if you go on about it for two days. I would probably think twice about inviting you to a BBQ if I met someone like that at a community tournament.

But I do understand that there's different strokes for different folks, or however that saying goes. I understand that you felt compelled to do something about it.

 

[mjcn121789]

Good Job....i would have done the same thing

 

[LuckyR]

You are not being a jerk. The proof is that they had refs. It doesn't matter if it is the US Open, a USTA tournament or a pickup match: FFing is cheating. It is no different than calling an in-ball, out. True, it may be unintentional cheating, but it is still cheating, and people who do it are cheaters.

If there were no refs then you should tell the other player that he is FFing yadda yadda yadda, we all know the drill. But in a situation with refs, it is their duty to correct cheating and they did not. They are the jerks, you're not.

 

[New Kid On the Block]

Thats ridiculous. you are not that the US OPEN guy....

 

[pmata814]

At first I was surprised when I saw the poll results showing so many people voting you a "jerk" and in disagree with you calling foot faults. But then I realized...in all the torunaments I've played...I've encountered maybe 2 opponents who did not foot-fault. So it's logical to think that the majority reading this post are foot-faulters themselves; so, it makes sense now.

I try really hard to not foot-fault because I'm really big on rules and fair play but I also never complain to my opponents about foot-faults. I do think that f-faulting helps the server when he serves with some pace, regardless of wether he s&V's or not. By stepping that much on the line (as in the picture) I feel he makes contact with the ball a good extra ft. inside the baseline. That extra foot in terms of reaction time, on the return, is a huge difference IMHO.

 

[Fumus]

Foot faulting is such a dumb rule.

 

[LTT]

Hi pmata814,

Yah, the poll results were surprising to me too. It does reflect the same percentages in opinions amongst my friends too though.

Maybe one reason is that serving is usually weak for most players, and it seems people are just too intimidated by big servers to call them on the foot faults.

My problem is really not with the particular player in the photo, (it's hard to notice one's own foot footfaulting if it has become a habit) but more the officiating. In talking to the tournament director, he was actually able to mimic exactly this player's service motion and foot faulting. He said he's mentioned it to that player, but has never pushed his umpires to enforce it with that player. Then he went on and on with other excuses.

I find it fascinating that they then go on to enforce very strictly other silly rules like the changeover time limits, guys hitting the net on volleys, and heck they even try to call balls that are near lines. I'm all for "just about" and friendly play. ;p

I figure I'll let it go the next time the tournament comes around, but when playing these players I'll just start my serve with my foot on the line. I figure nobody will bother me, at least not over half of the players here.

 

[New Kid On the Block]

At first I was surprised when I saw the poll results showing so many people voting you a "jerk" and in disagree with you calling foot faults. But then I realized...in all the torunaments I've played...I've encountered maybe 2 opponents who did not foot-fault. So it's logical to think that the majority reading this post are foot-faulters themselves; so, it makes sense now.

I try really hard to not foot-fault because I'm really big on rules and fair play but I also never complain to my opponents about foot-faults. I do think that f-faulting helps the server when he serves with some pace, regardless of wether he s&V's or not. By stepping that much on the line (as in the picture) I feel he makes contact with the ball a good extra ft. inside the baseline. That extra foot in terms of reaction time, on the return, is a huge difference IMHO.

Most players are big on the rules, and you can make a point without getting a digital camera or standing a yard in on the court to make a fool of the ref. That is not the way to go about it.
The Romans have Voted!!!! You are a Jerk!!!!

 

[ssjkyle31]

I heard in the 3.5 sectional in SOCAL alot of the teams called foot faults. Which IMHO was OK. I wouldn't consider you a jerk just someone knowledgable on the rules of tennis. That is the reason you have USTA Referees at these tourneys.

 

[blakealltheway]

You attempted to make your point peacefully and without major confrontation, and nobody listened. You did the only thing that would fix the problem.....Good for you.

 

[EricW]

The only reason anyone shoudl think you were being a jerk is because it's insulting to the opponent, you wanna make a point, and feel it's fine, because you'll still win having gave up a game...

Imagine if a guy played left handed against you for a game in some tournament then switched back, because he thinks you're not even worth trying his hardest possible to beat you..

 

[New Kid On the Block]

that is not how you make a point, you bring the referee over and stop the game, and talk it out at the net, that will get your point across, not serving a ball from teh service line, to make the other team and the ref look bad.

 

[Mingo]

I don't like that you were reacting against an innocent opponent. Would it be right to make a deliberate bad line call on this opponent, just because you had seen others do it in other matches? At the time of the match your opponent does not know if you are a cheater, using gamesmanship, a whiner or if you have some other problems. Your stand on principle was probably lost on your opponent.

 

[slewisoh]

It sounds like you don't like confrontation...

Clearly, you wanted someone else to handle this problem for you, but you didn't even do that well. If you were serious about the issue, why did you "jokingly" point out the footfaults to referees? I would not have taken you very seriously either.

Perhaps I missed it somewhere, but I did not see any action on your part to communicate your concern with your opponent. Confrontation doesn't have to be rude or adversarial. Adults talk to one another to work out issues and if that fails they may choose to seek assistance from someone with more authority.

What you did was childish and baffling. It's a wonder your opponents reacted as politely as they did. And taking all of those photos - can you say stalker?:shock:

 

[Automatix]

Well I honestly can't clearly say if you did the right thing... I think you should talk to the umpire about it... an example should be made if all other possibilities were unsuccessful... I understand touching the line with your toes on this level of tournament but the guy at the photo is just too much!
I say rules are rules... like in table tennis, try to play a guy who serves from his palm, what I mean is tt rules say that you need to throw the ping pong up and when I played some crappy tournaments some held the ball while hitting it during the serve and it was irritating, however when I talked about it with the organizer he said that it is indeed breaking the rules of the game and each serve like this is a point for the opponent... that's how it should be done!