How To Call Foot Faults

Scott — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:51:30 +0000

Calling foot faults is tough at the amateur level. First of all, it’s difficult to see completely clearly that an opponent is certainly foot-faulting. In doubles, it’s slightly easier to watch for, but still difficult to call.

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.

Line Calls

Scott — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:42:18 +0000

Other than foot-faulting, the number one rule problem in amateur/recreational tennis is line-calling. Of course there will always be bad line calls on purpose and otherwise, but there’s an even more fundamental problem among tennis players (mostly at the 3.0-3.5 level). They just don’t get that if the ball touches the line, it’s good.

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.