In USTA league tennis, it is certainly against the rules to foot fault. However, it is an area of the game that players tend to give each other some leeway, if they even pay any attention to it at all.

The time to call it is when it’s blatantly obvious and repetitive. Typically, this is rare in singles play. The vantage point is just not there to be sure. In doubles though, if a player is consistently stepping way over the line when serving, and it’s flagrantly obvious, here’s what I recommend:

1. Warn His/Her Partner

Generally, the player’s own partner is the best one to deliver the news to the server. Just make a quick, polite comment like “Your partner is stepping on the line when serving, I haven’t called it yet but you should probably mention it”. If this is too wishy washy for you (or you’re playing singles), move on to #2.

2. Warn The Server

After the server finishes the game (or point for extremely obvious foot faulting), let the server know they are foot faulting. Usually, this is enough to make them aware of the problem and fix it.

3. Warn Them Again

If they still foot faul, it’s time to increase the pressure a tad. Warn them that you will have to call them on a foot fault the next time you see it happen. They aren’t going to like this but hey, rules are rules and you’ve given them more than enough polite warnings. If they STILL foot fault, move on to #4.

4. Call The Foot Faults

Each time you see it, call it. At this point you’ve done all you can and have been more than fair. If they complain, you can say you’ve warned them. If this is an official USTA event/match, you can request a line judge to come watch for the foot faults as well.

More Information

Read #24 of the USTA’s “THE CODE: The Players’ Guide for Unofficiated Matches” for more information on foot faulting in USTA League play.

All the ball needs to do is touch the line. Even if most of the ball is outside the line, it’s in. Along with this rule comes tennis etiquette. If it’s too close to call, and in most cases it is, the ball should be played. It’s only out if it is clearly outside and not touching the line should it be called out to end the point.

Look at the picture below. If you were playing doubles, which of these three balls (A, B, and C) would you call out?

If you answered:

A – You’d be wrong. This ball clearly landed on the line.
B – You’d be wrong. This ball caught the edge of the line; it’s in.
C – You’d be wrong, and a cheater. You should not be allowed to play tennis and should be fined/imprisoned.

If you said “none”, congratulations! You are capable of understanding a basic rule of tennis! Pat yourself on your back and rub your tummy.

If a ball sticks in the fence before it bounces, it's out.

The USTA, the ATP and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour ATP announced in 2006 that electronic line calling technology, along with a player challenge system, will become part of professional tennis in North America.

The 2006 US Open will be the first Grand Slam to introduce instant replay technology and player challenges. The NASDAQ-100 Open will begin in Miami will be the first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and ATP event to utilize the technology and on-court challenges.

There it is: instant-replay will be used in pro tennis.I’m not usually one to buy into press releases so completely but I applaud this move by the USTA. I truly believe this will, actually, add an exciting new element to the sport of tennis. Well, the replays have been there for TV viewers for some time. But the player challenge system is what seals the deal.

The on-court player challenge system for review of line calls will be as follows:
Each player will receive two challenges per set to review line calls.
If the player is correct with a challenge, then the player retains the same number of challenges.
If the player is incorrect with a challenge, then one of the challenges is lost.
During a tie-break game in any set, each player will receive one additional challenge.
Challenges may not be carried over from one set to another.

So now during a match, if a player truly feels they got screwed on a line call, they can challenge it. And the results of the challenge will be displayed in real time at event monitors and over TV broadcasts.

This instant-replay system sounds so much better than the NFL system. It will actually matter! Anyone remember the 2006 Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers? They called for an instant replay review of a “touchdown” by the Steelers’ QB that took several minutes only to have the head Ref overrule the replay official thus making it irrelevant. Lame. In tennis it will be fast and meaningful.

A player will be able to challenge and if they are correct about the line call the point is overturned and they get to keep their challenges. But if they are wrong they lose one of their challenges. This will clean up the calls while still preventing abuse/overuse.

It was exciting to see this in action for the first time at the NASDAQ-100. So are the players, here’s a few of their reactions:

James Blake
“The ball’s moving so fast these days that sometimes it’s impossible for anyone to see, even a trained official. With instant replay we can take advantage of technology and eliminate human error. Having just a few challenges will make it both fun and dramatic for fans at the same time.”

Jim Courier
“Yet another terrific step forward for tennis, something that will benefit players and spectators and bring more intrigue into the game. Based on my experience in the booth with this technology, we’ll all be surprised at how good the linesmen’s eyes are compared to the players.”

Cliff Drysdale
“This would add another dimension for the viewer and the spectator at a tournament. Tennis is singular in the number of close calls you have in a match. Every time the ball hits the ground there is a question, with so many balls landing close to the lines.”

Amelie Mauresmo
“For players out there giving it our all, it’s great to know that we now have the ability to use technology that will make the game more accurate and better than ever, and more exciting for the fans.”

John McEnroe
“If anyone’s been listening to my commentary the past year then they know I’m in favor of using replay. I think it will make tennis more interesting.”

Patrick McEnroe
“We have this idea in tennis that if we try something new that we are going against the history of the game and against tradition. Whatever sport or business you are in, it is important to keep moving.

Andy Roddick
“On top of just getting the calls right time after time, which will be nice, it’ll add another aspect for TV viewers. If a player has two challenges per set, it will add drama and excitement. This will add to tennis and take out a lot of human error.”

Maria Sharapova
“As a player, I want to know that line calls are as accurate as technology will allow. In that sense, today’s announcement is great news for all players.”

Since the first use, it’s been tweaked here and there but is largely a success. Now, how can we find something else to send players into McEnroe-inspired temper tantrums?