THE RULES GURU
The
Rules Guru
RULES Q AND A
You can submit your questions to [email protected]
for consideration in an upcoming column.
BY CHRISTINE BARKSDALE, USAPA MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
Q: Dear Rules Guru,
In a recent tournament match we had a line judge
make a couple of close calls that went against our
opponent. One of our opponents wanted the line
judge to be replaced. The referee said no, and gave
the team a warning. Was this correct?
A: IFP Rule 14.L Removal of a Referee or Line Judge
states, “A referee or line judge may be removed when
both players in singles or both teams in doubles agree
to the removal, or at the discretion of the Tournament
Director. In the event that the removal of a referee or
line judge is requested by only one player or team and
not agreed to by the other player or team, then the
Tournament Director may accept or reject the request.” In
your scenario, since only one player requested the removal
of the line judge, the referee was correct to deny the
request. Without knowing all the details, the warning may
have been issued if the player who requested the removal
continued to argue with the referee. The proper thing to do
would have been to calmly ask the referee if he/she could
overrule the line judge, or to speak to the Tournament
Director to address the concern.
Keep in mind that most referees and line judges are non-
paid volunteers who are doing their very best to help the
players have a fun and fair game.
24
Q: Dear Rules Guru,
I was playing a match in a tournament when my
opponent caught the ball during the rally and said
the ball was cracked. The referee let her toss the ball
out and replay the point with a new ball. Was this
acceptable?
A: No, the player who caught the ball during the rally
and stopped play would have committed a fault according
to IFP Rule 12.D. Other Rules: Broken or Cracked Ball,
which states, “Play continues until the end of the rally. If,
in the judgment of the referee, a broken or cracked ball
affected the outcome of the rally, the referee shall call a
replay.” In this instance, the rally was not continued and
the player was not allowed to stop play.
Q: Dear Rules Guru,
Can a player question an out call made by one
member of the opposition when the other member
is silent? The other player was in a better position to
make the call.
A: According to IFP Rule 6.D.5: “No player should
question an opponent’s call unless asked (except that
any player may appeal a call to the referee in an officiated
match). A player should ask the opponent if the opponent
was in a better position to see the call. An opponent’s
opinion, if requested, shall be accepted. The opinion of a
player looking down the line is more likely to be accurate
than one looking across the line.”
In your example, yes, you may ask the opponent’s
partner if he/she clearly saw the ball. In doing so, that
player’s response must be accepted. If the partner did not
see the ball, then the call made by his/her partner stands.
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