Why the 20 second rule fails and a way to fix it.

[Magnetite]

The problem is the fourth and fifth sets, where they are spilling their guts out, and both of them need a minute to recover.

In first couple of sets however, it can be ridiculous.

 

[Magnetite]

Maybe 20 seconds first set, 25 second set, 30 third set and so forth?

 

[fednad]

One more reason to go back to wooden rackets, no ?

We should go back to wooden rackets of 70's and the skirts (or were they frocks) of 70's.
Long live 70's - my free hippy spirit is soaring high.....
dum maro dum........

 

[fednad]

Again, this logic depends upon the fact that time between points is supposed to be longer. The reason the rule is 20 seconds isn't because the game is supposed to let you catch your breath. Tennis is supposed to be a contest of endurance and fitness as well as skill. You're not SUPPOSED to be be able to be perfectly fine by your next point no matter how much running you do.

The reason the rule exists is so that people can't waste time and then serve whenever the hell the want. This way, you can't, as the server, mess around for half an hour and then while your returner starts to nod off, bloop an underhand serve and win a free point.

Trying to say, "the game is more intense, therefore we need longer time" is a gross misinterpretation of the reason for the rule. Players should learn to manage their energy within the confines of the 20 seconds of stoppage time allowed.

Well said and valid points. That is definitely another way of looking at it.
But, you see, counter examples are being given of basketball's timer - that is a team game and you get to catch your breadth.
Another example is of badminton. That is an individual sport and certainly taxing but the whole match runs maximum for a length of an hour or so on average.
Tennis, I believe, needs some variation in this rule.

 

[ninman]

Here's an interesting set of stats. The average time taken per point by each of the top 8 ranked players in AO12:

http://www.606v2.com/t22359-2012-australian-open-time-taken-per-point-played-for-the-top-8-men

Those stats are interesting but the numbers are too high. You have to take off the time between change overs to get the true average time taken per point.

 

[woodrow1029]

I guess nearly everyone speeding on the highway makes the law a problem. :roll:

Bad comparison.

 

[woodrow1029]

And the speed limits do evolve over time. And in some states, like California you are encouraged to drive at the flow of traffic, which may be over the speed limit, as long as conditions are safe for the speed.

 

[woodrow1029]

Finally, if they decided to start cracking down on speeding, fine. I drive 70 in a 65. I won't have a problem driving 5 mph slower. I'm not in that much of a hurry.

But it's still a completely different type of situation.

 

[Sentinel]

Well said and valid points. That is definitely another way of looking at it.
But, you see, counter examples are being given of basketball's timer - that is a team game and you get to catch your breadth.
Another example is of badminton. That is an individual sport and certainly taxing but the whole match runs maximum for a length of an hour or so on average.
Tennis, I believe, needs some variation in this rule.

Badminton should consider itself blessed Ralph doesn't play it.

 

[Sentinel]

The simple solution to both time wasting and shrieking is a combination shot clock/decibel meter that goes off like a foghorn behind the player and scares the bejesus out of him/her if they waste time or shriek too loud.

Lol
Might i suggest attaching electrodes and transmitting a shock in both cases. The higher the shriek the higher the voltage. Same for exceeding time.

 

[fednad]

Badminton should consider itself blessed Ralph doesn't play it.

You are right. Otherwise, badminton matches too would go over 3 hours.
No smashes and only back court exchanges would be the norm.

 

[ChanceEncounter]

Well said and valid points. That is definitely another way of looking at it.
But, you see, counter examples are being given of basketball's timer - that is a team game and you get to catch your breadth.
Another example is of badminton. That is an individual sport and certainly taxing but the whole match runs maximum for a length of an hour or so on average.
Tennis, I believe, needs some variation in this rule.

I'm not sure how basketball allows anyone to 'catch their breath'. The possession is turned over as soon as a basket is scored. The other team will then have 5 seconds to in bounds, which is needed in case the other team chooses to press. Any attempt to delay inbounding would be treated as a delay of game technical.

Basketball has timeouts, but these are intended to give the coach some time to talk to his players, calm them down, draw up plays, etc, and not specifically so players can be rested.

You have to understand that most of these 'time' rules are not so players have enough time to be rested and fit. That's the prerogative of the player to get themselves in shape. These time rules are there so players don't abuse them and make things go too slowly. We don't have a shot clock so people don't have to run as much; we have a shot clock so people don't hold the ball for 5 minutes and not let the other team touch it.

 

[volleygirl]

I guess nearly everyone speeding on the highway makes the law a problem. :roll:

Nice one Drak

 

[dafinch]

But it would just be treated as a hindrance (let the first time and loss of point each time afterwards), so you wouldn't see anything more than loss of the current point for it.

If it were only a point, that could be enough, as you are no doubt aware, some points are more important than others. But there's no reason they couldn't do the escalating deal, as well.

 

[dafinch]

Bad comparison.

Then I'm guessing you think that because numerous players get coached illegally, they should just do away with the rule?

 

[mtommer]

But since they can't play with common sense, they get the shot clock.

Common sense? The rule breakers are intent on pushing the limit. Common sense gets relegated to the background where winning is involved.