What would you have done?

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Today we were playing the first round of local playoffs. My court had lost and my partner and I were watching the 3rd dubs play next to us. Our team was ahead on this court and one of the players on the other team was struggling, in particular with the serve return.

One of this player's friends, not on the team, yells to the player ... curtis you gotta move your feet ... happy feet curtis, happy feet.

Well, after the next point was over, I said to the guy quietly ... "dude, that is coaching and you cant do that". He flips out ... curses, calls me an *** and that he should be allowed to coach since he is not on the team. The guy left in a huff .....

Well, the rule is he cannot coach, and we were instructed prior to the match this was not allowed ... however would you have said anything, or just let it go?

 

[surfsb]

You did well to remind the guy even though he blew up at you and was wrong about how he can coach not being on the team.

In that instance I believe it's a warning (followed again by point penalty??) but I guess the question is what if he stayed and kept coaching, especially if there isn't an official present?

 

[JLyon]

Today we were playing the first round of local playoffs. My court had lost and my partner and I were watching the 3rd dubs play next to us. Our team was ahead on this court and one of the players on the other team was struggling, in particular with the serve return.

One of this player's friends, not on the team, yells to the player ... curtis you gotta move your feet ... happy feet curtis, happy feet.

Well, after the next point was over, I said to the guy quietly ... "dude, that is coaching and you cant do that". He flips out ... curses, calls me an *** and that he should be allowed to coach since he is not on the team. The guy left in a huff .....

Well, the rule is he cannot coach, and we were instructed prior to the match this was not allowed ... however would you have said anything, or just let it go?

seems a little anal on your part, its not like he told him to hit to his opponents FH or come to the net more, he was trying to pump him up. Plus he is not even on the team for crying out loud. Chill out some, relax and have fun.

 

[USERNAME]

seems a little anal on your part, its not like he told him to hit to his opponents FH or come to the net more, he was trying to pump him up. Plus he is not even on the team for crying out loud. Chill out some, relax and have fun.

Thats total bull, the OP has every right to inform the person that coaching is not allowed. Telling a person to move their feet is coaching. I would have done the same as the OP.

 

[thejuice]

Thats total bull, the OP has every right to inform the person that coaching is not allowed. Telling a person to move their feet is coaching. I would have done the same as the OP.

This may end up being a touchy thread because I think you and the OP are both anal. I agree with JLyon that you need to relax, drink some prune juice and let that sh*t go. "Move your feet" from a spectator is no more serious than "keep your head in the game" or "try not to double fault". What the difference between fans yelling these things in tennis versus a caddy telling his golfer "don't bogey" or "swing away"? Coaching is also illegal in golf but there is nothing wrong with a caddy or even a swing coach stating the obvious.

You and the OP remind me of the guys that would play pickup basketball that would call backcourt, illegal screen or illegal defense. At the end of the day is it REALLY that serious?

 

[JoelDali]

See my signature.

 

[ferb55]

Agree with Jlyon. To approach a perfect stranger and explain a rule to him in a rec tennis league is laughable. Also agree....it really isn't even coaching. What if he had said "Cmon Curtis dig deeper" Same reaction from you? How about cheering....wouldn't Curtis feel some motivation from hearing his friends clap? This would also be illegal to you?

Not to judge you or be personal, but "guys like you" suck the fun out of league tennis.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

seems a little anal on your part, its not like he told him to hit to his opponents FH or come to the net more, he was trying to pump him up. Plus he is not even on the team for crying out loud. Chill out some, relax and have fun.

This would be the first time anyone called my ANAL ... I will take it as a badge of honor.

Agree with Jlyon. To approach a perfect stranger and explain a rule to him in a rec tennis league is laughable. Also agree....it really isn't even coaching. What if he had said "Cmon Curtis dig deeper" Same reaction from you? How about cheering....wouldn't Curtis feel some motivation from hearing his friends clap? This would also be illegal to you? .

Actually, I know this guy and all the guys on that team well. We play recreationally together and have had many beers after hitting at the courts. I said it quietly and half jokingly thinking it was no big deal .... until he flipped out that is.

Not to judge you or be personal, but "guys like you" suck the fun out of league tennis.

Guys like me? .... How is this not judging or being personal.

However, it does occur to me that in a tight match, against my friends, for a chance to go to sectionals I may have done something I should not have ... hence the question on TT.

 

[amarone]

Also agree....it really isn't even coaching.

It is clearly coaching.

30. COACHING
Coaching is considered to be communication, advice or instruction of any kind, audible or visible, to a player.

 

[amarone]

What the difference between fans yelling these things in tennis versus a caddy telling his golfer "don't bogey" or "swing away"?

The main difference is that it is against the rules in tennis and not in golf.

Coaching is also illegal in golf

No it is not. A player may not ask for advice except from his caddy or partner or partner's caddy nor offer advice to another player.

There is nothing prohibiting anyone else offering unsolicited advice.

At the end of the day is it REALLY that serious?

That is for each to determine. You are advocating ignoring a rule; I don't agree. This was a competitive match. Which other rules do you think should not be followed? No, this is not an invitation to turn this into yet another foot-faulting thread.

 

[tennis tom]

...I said to the guy quietly ... "dude, that is coaching and you cant do that". He flips out ... curses, calls me an *** and that he should be allowed to coach since he is not on the team. The guy left in a huff .....

You're right, those are the rules and the dude who flipped out should have quietly said "I'm sorry, thank you for educating me on them." He was the a-hole for making a scene and name calling. He has a narcissistic personality and it all has to be about him. He said to you what he's probably been wanting, to but afraid of, saying to his wife.

What I like about the Senior Tournament scene, is that it is one of the few refuges, in these rah-rah times, where you can find some peace, quiet and respect for the participants. You may hear some polite applause but little else, few bozos and yahoos.

 

[rainman007]

seems a little anal on your part, its not like he told him to hit to his opponents FH or come to the net more, he was trying to pump him up. Plus he is not even on the team for crying out loud. Chill out some, relax and have fun.

I agree with JLYON on this one..
you are probably not an anal person i dont know you but from this one incident to me you come off that way..
also when its 100 degrees and if i heard someone from the audience tell me to move my feet i might would hand them the racket and go sit in the shade and watch so that doesn't make me just do a 180 because i hear someone say move your feet LOL.if it did i'd tell my wife to say straighten your arm get an ace before every serve so i could always hold serve. besides competitve tennis players most of the time realize whats going on.. i tell myself move my feet all the time when i can tell i'm not getting my footwork into my shot..

 

[atatu]

This may end up being a touchy thread because I think you and the OP are both anal. I agree with JLyon that you need to relax, drink some prune juice and let that sh*t go. "Move your feet" from a spectator is no more serious than "keep your head in the game" or "try not to double fault". What the difference between fans yelling these things in tennis versus a caddy telling his golfer "don't bogey" or "swing away"? Coaching is also illegal in golf but there is nothing wrong with a caddy or even a swing coach stating the obvious.

You and the OP remind me of the guys that would play pickup basketball that would call backcourt, illegal screen or illegal defense. At the end of the day is it REALLY that serious?

I agree...and I don't like guys who call 3 seconds in hoops.

 

[goober]

\
You and the OP remind me of the guys that would play pickup basketball that would call backcourt, illegal screen or illegal defense. At the end of the day is it REALLY that serious?

off a tangent but...

I don't think there is such a thing as illegal defenses in pickup basketball. I am not sure if I have ever seen it outside of Pro basketball.

Back court violations I have seen called regularly in full court pickup games. I am not sure if I have ever seen anybody complain about a call though.

 

[West Coast Ace]

At least he didn't turn into a Walter Moment (Big Lebowski) and result in a handgun being pulled.

I think you both overreacted. Telling someone to move their feet is like reminding a dog to chase cats, rabbits, squirrels. I can't believe that could turn a match around. And he should have handled your criticism a little better. Unless the official told everyone they had to warn all friends of the 'no coaching' rule, how would he know?

 

[120mphBodyServe]

I am recommending laxatives. NOW.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

After reflecting and thinking about what was said here on TT ... I decided that although I was technically correct, the issue was minor enough to where I should have avoided an uncomfortable situation where I play socially. I am going to see this guy again and again .... and I decided being right was not as important as being friendly.

So today in the finals of our district prior to the match I searched him out and explained that I wished I had not said anything .... he said it was cool and that he knows now he was wrong.

Problem solved .... the world is right again.

And we won our state championships so our team is off to sectionals. A good day karma wise ....

 

[120mphBodyServe]

After reflecting and thinking about what was said here on TT ... I decided that although I was technically correct, the issue was minor enough to where I should have avoided an uncomfortable situation where I play socially. I am going to see this guy again and again .... and I decided being right was not as important as being friendly.

So today in the finals of our district prior to the match I searched him out and explained that I wished I had not said anything .... he said it was cool and that he knows now he was wrong.

Problem solved .... the world is right again.

And we won our state championships so our team is off to sectionals. A good day karma wise ....

But... but...
YOU FORGOT YOUR LAXATIVES!!!!

 

[jonnythan]

I think what the OP did was perfectly fine.

The reaction he got was completely out of line.

 

[kendall22]

I think you should have just said he was a dou che bag for saying happy feet, happy curtis, and he would have fled in a second.

 

[aceX]

In the end you said something reasonable and the other guy flipped out. To me being relaxed and reasonable is better than flipping out and letting emotions take hold of you.

 

[tennis tom]

After reflecting and thinking about what was said here on TT ... I decided that although I was technically correct, the issue was minor enough to where I should have avoided an uncomfortable situation where I play socially. I am going to see this guy again and again .... and I decided being right was not as important as being friendly.

So today in the finals of our district prior to the match I searched him out and explained that I wished I had not said anything .... he said it was cool and that he knows now he was wrong.

Problem solved .... the world is right again.

And we won our state championships so our team is off to sectionals. A good day karma wise ....

Congratulations on both scores! That's how real athletes settle their issues, face to face, putting them behind them.

 

[goober]

After reflecting and thinking about what was said here on TT ... I decided that although I was technically correct, the issue was minor enough to where I should have avoided an uncomfortable situation where I play socially. I am going to see this guy again and again .... and I decided being right was not as important as being friendly.

So today in the finals of our district prior to the match I searched him out and explained that I wished I had not said anything .... he said it was cool and that he knows now he was wrong.

Problem solved .... the world is right again.

And we won our state championships so our team is off to sectionals. A good day karma wise ....

Good move +1

 

[thejuice]

off a tangent but...

I don't think there is such a thing as illegal defenses in pickup basketball. I am not sure if I have ever seen it outside of Pro basketball.

Back court violations I have seen called regularly in full court pickup games. I am not sure if I have ever seen anybody complain about a call though.

Goober, I know there is no such thing as illegal defense in pickup ball. It was an example. The point is that there are people that go overboard with some rules that aren't that serious in every situation. Someone else mentioned how rules are supposed to be followed so I typically ask those same people if they go just one mile over the speed limit regularly.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Today we were playing the first round of local playoffs. My court had lost and my partner and I were watching the 3rd dubs play next to us. Our team was ahead on this court and one of the players on the other team was struggling, in particular with the serve return.

One of this player's friends, not on the team, yells to the player ... curtis you gotta move your feet ... happy feet curtis, happy feet.

Well, after the next point was over, I said to the guy quietly ... "dude, that is coaching and you cant do that". He flips out ... curses, calls me an *** and that he should be allowed to coach since he is not on the team. The guy left in a huff .....

Well, the rule is he cannot coach, and we were instructed prior to the match this was not allowed ... however would you have said anything, or just let it go?

If I told someone to stop coaching and he said that to me, I would have burried my racquet in his forehead!

 

[Xisbum]

Maybe if you had phrased your comment a bit differently..."You know, some USTA officials might consider that coaching and could penalize your friend and cost him the game/match. Just sayin."

 

[bcart1991]

During league play, I might have overlooked it. During playoffs, I say something.

 

[JoelDali]

Curtis is a pusher.

 

[gmatheis]

seems a little anal on your part, its not like he told him to hit to his opponents FH or come to the net more, he was trying to pump him up. Plus he is not even on the team for crying out loud. Chill out some, relax and have fun.

Do you not know how important footwork is in tennis? If the guy was sitting flat footed waiting for the serve that was most definitely coaching!

If he wanted to pump him up he could have simply said something like "come on man, you can do it".

 

[Ken Honecker]

The whole no coaching in tennis snuck up on me last year when my daughters joined their High School team. I am big rec ball player and am used to yelling stuff from the sidelines in football, softball, and volleyball I really had to work to keep from shouting stuff to my girls like I had been doing in our practices.

Honestly at the lower levels I find it a very silly rule when you might have people lining up wrong or serving to the wrong court. Heck I watched one game where the returners kept switching every point so the other team was serving to the same person every time and neither team noticed anything wrong. That one I had to point out to the coach. But lets face it with one coach for 4-8 courts they really aren't adding much on game day.

 

[tennis tom]

Heck I watched one game where the returners kept switching every point so the other team was serving to the same person every time and neither team noticed anything wrong.

That's a good one, I've got to try that! Along with their bad eyes on the line calls, I doubt they would notice.