Receiver's partner standing in service box

Robert F

Hall of Fame
Goofing off when playing dubs with my daughters, on the first point receiving, me and my partner would both stand in the deuce side. My daughters said you can't do that. I explained technically we can stand wherever we want just as long as the same person returns the ball when served to the deuce side and the other person returns from the ad side.

This also reminds me of my buddy who will imagine he is Fed and stand 2 feet from the service line when returning. SABR in action.
Similar if a dubs team takes the I-formation in rec dubs. People get all confused.

It's amazing how little things can get in your head and distract you. But often it screws up everyone's rhythm even the person in the non-traditional position.
 

mpnv1990

Semi-Pro
Goofing off when playing dubs with my daughters, on the first point receiving, me and my partner would both stand in the deuce side. My daughters said you can't do that. I explained technically we can stand wherever we want just as long as the same person returns the ball when served to the deuce side and the other person returns from the ad side.

This also reminds me of my buddy who will imagine he is Fed and stand 2 feet from the service line when returning. SABR in action.
Similar if a dubs team takes the I-formation in rec dubs. People get all confused.

It's amazing how little things can get in your head and distract you. But often it screws up everyone's rhythm even the person in the non-traditional position.
I practice against somebody in doubles who will stand outside the doubles alley when returning. It takes me about three service games to adjust. Even going for spin serves down the middle, it goes long to begin with.
 

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
You could simply read the rules, but instead you throw out idiotic misinformation.


19. SERVICE FAULT
The service is a fault if
...
c. The ball served touches a permanent fixture, singles stick or net post before
it hits the ground; or
d. The ball served touches the server or server’s partner, or anything the server
or server’s partner is wearing or carrying

That covers both of your silly hypotheticals.
First - get sense of humor please.

Second - I know the rule, I was just pointing it out in a way that was not demeaning and haughty, unlike your words like "idiotic misinformation" and "silly"..... but I will stay off your lawn.

Third - Crazy things happen in tennis all the time. Touching the net outside the singles sticks during the point in a singles match, etc.

Fourth - The statements I made were actually correct, imho. except the part where I said right after, and I quote, "j/k". This is internet shorthand for "just kidding".
 

PRS

Professional
If they're playing like that, they become a target, at least for me. If I think I can hit them with a fast serve, I will do so deliberately early on and hope they then move. If I'm not confident I can hit them (or at least scare them), then I try to block it out and serve normal. But first chance I get on an easy volley, I'm tagging them. Normally I try not to hit my opponents or I go for their feet, but if they're trying to play mind games like that, deliberately putting themselves in a dangerous spot on court, it's open season on them until they stop.
 
Similar if a dubs team takes the I-formation in rec dubs. People get all confused.
This stuff is great in rec doubles. Just a little bit of different positioning throws off the returner so much.

And it's not even because of bush league stuff like just waving your hands as a distraction, this is making the returner change their targets and that gives so many free points.
 

Moon Shooter

Hall of Fame
Im assuming there is a rule that if the ball touches the returning partner's racquet off the serve then the receiving team loses the point. So lets say the serve bounces in the service box deflects off the returner's partner's racquet and then the returner returns the ball over the net. Or the returners partner uses her racquet to return the serve. I would think there is a rule making it clear either would be a point for the serving team.
 

Roforot

Hall of Fame
Im assuming there is a rule that if the ball touches the returning partner's racquet off the serve then the receiving team loses the point. So lets say the serve bounces in the service box deflects off the returner's partner's racquet and then the returner returns the ball over the net. Or the returners partner uses her racquet to return the serve. I would think there is a rule making it clear either would be a point for the serving team.
yes, but technically on the very first point of the set, the returner is not defined; so either player could strike the ball. From then on though that person would have to return the Deuce serves. It's a cheap party trick but it may get some laughs. The other "trick" is if you have 3 balls, you say, "I don't need all 3" and hit one over for them to catch and then claim the point. I saw this in a pro/amateur exhibition and it was much funnier than it sounds on paper.
 

PRS

Professional
yes, but technically on the very first point of the set, the returner is not defined; so either player could strike the ball.
In friendly matches when neither of us had a side preference, I used to have is both line up to return, and whoever actually got the return got that side for the set, haha. Only caveat is that the server does have a right to know who is returning, so if they ask, you have to tell them who is returning from that side.
The other "trick" is if you have 3 balls, you say, "I don't need all 3" and hit one over for them to catch and then claim the point. I saw this in a pro/amateur exhibition and it was much funnier than it sounds on paper.
Also a caveat here. If you say that, most people are no longer "ready" to return serve, and you can't serve to a returner who is not "ready" without it being considered a fault. In a friendly match, go for it, but in a serious match, I wouldn't allow it.
 

cks

Hall of Fame
but technically on the very first point of the set, the returner is not defined; so either player could strike the ball.
Here is the rule on this from Friend at Court.

USTA Comment 15.1: On the first point of a set, may a doubles team position both players on the deuce side of the court? Yes, but the server is entitled to know which member of the receiving team is going to receive the first point of a set.
 
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