Serve question about feet positioning

[ionutzakis]

When I serve, am I allowed to have the left feet past the imaginary middle service line at the beginning of the motion, and as the ball is in the air I get both feet in my half of the court before I struck the ball?

Or I need to start even the rocking motion with both feet in my part of the court?

 

[BravoRed691]

When I serve, am I allowed to have the left feet past the imaginary middle service line at the beginning of the motion, and as the ball is in the air I get both feet in my half of the court before I struck the ball?

Or I need to start even the rocking motion with both feet in my part of the court?

Im not 100% positive i know what you mean but if you're asking if you can cross the center mark at the baseline (extended from the center service line) then...not you can't. Like you said, you have to stay completely on the side you are serving from...

Br

 

[ionutzakis]

when exactly are you supposed to have both feet on your side of the court? when you release the ball from your hand?

 

[BravoRed691]

when exactly are you supposed to have both feet on your side of the court? when you release the ball from your hand?

Hopefully someone who knows the details better than i can answer your question as well but...i think its whenever you start your service motion. So it could be even before the ball leaves your hand.
Br

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Excerpts from the USTA Rules of Tennis:

Rule 16. THE SERVICE
Immediately before starting the service motion, the server shall stand at
rest with both feet behind (i.e. further from the net than) the baseline and
within the imaginary extensions of the centre mark and the sideline
... The service motion is completed at the moment that the player’s racket hits or misses the ball.

Rule 18. FOOT FAULT
During the service motion, the server shall not:

a. Change position by walking or running, although slight movements of the feet are permitted; or
b. Touch the baseline or the court with either foot; or
c. Touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the sideline with either foot; or
d. Touch the imaginary extension of the centre mark with either foot.

If the server breaks this rule it is a “Foot Fault”.

========================================================

If you read the rules carefully, you will see that you are not permitted to touch the center mark (or an imaginary extension of that mark) until the ball is contacted (or missed). However, if you are up in the air and cross that center line before contact, I believe that a foot fault has not occurred.
.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

It is also interesting to note that the rules do not say that the ball contact has to be behind the baseline or within the extension of the center mark (or sideline). I play with a couple of guys that come very close to foot faulting across the center mark, but usually do not commit the fault. Sometimes, however, the ball contact is "on the wrong side" of the center mark. To my knowledge, this is still a valid serve (altho' somewhat annoying).

 

[ionutzakis]

so I cannot start the rocking motion with the left foot on the other half of the court? I'm using pinpoint stance, which means I'll momentarily have the left foot on the other courts and as I prepare to throw the ball it comes on the correct half of the court.

 

[fuzz nation]

You got it. Start your rocking motion with both feet on your side of the center mark. Someone got called on this rule (at the US Open?) and I didn't know what the heck had happened until the TV gang went back and analyzed it.

 

[Leoboomanu]

Immediately before starting the service motion, the server shall stand at
rest with both feet behind (i.e. further from the net than) the baseline and
within the imaginary extensions of the centre mark and the sideline

So, ionotzakis, you are foot faulting... Be sure your backfoot does not cross the midline as you start your motion... even though you'll be moving it in afterwards on your pinpoint stance serve...

Interesting to note (BLUE TEXT), that in doubles you can serve even wider (ad court serve), because of the wider doubles sideline... Good to know... Very Good to know... Thanks SYS AN! Next thing is how to serve even more wildly... hehehe