RULES GURU
We’d Like to Hear From You!
Submit your questions to
[email protected].
By Christine Barksdale, USAPA Managing Director of Athletic Competition
While I was in the correct position, I
actually wasn’t the correct server. I
know that once a wrong server has
been identified it's only the most recent
point that’s lost, but it wasn't our fault.
How should this have been handled?
Q: Dear Guru,
My partner and I were serving, and we
asked the referee if I was the correct
server and what the score was. Based
on the score, we went to the correct
positions, and the referee confirmed I
was the correct server. We proceeded
to get two more points when the
referee realized he was mistaken.
Q: Dear Guru,
Under the new rules for a changeover
on a game to 11, 15, or 21, Rule
5.b.6 states that we have 60 seconds
to switch ends. Are we allowed to talk
to each other during this minute, or is
it a violation to talk to one another or
a coach during this time?
A: During a changeover, you are
permitted to take a hydration break
A: You are correct. According to Rule
4.B.11., only the most recent point
would be lost. However, since this was
a referee error, and there is no specific
rule pertaining to this situation, the
proper procedure would be to admit
referee error, identify the correct server
and retain all points earned during this
time. Players should not be penalized
for a referee error.
and to converse with your partner.
However, Rule 11.N. Coaching states,
during play, except from their partner,
players may only receive coaching
during time-outs and between games.
Even though the 1-minute change-over
is equal in time to a 1-minute timeout,
it is not considered a timeout and,
therefore, coaching is not allowed.
Q: Dear Guru,
We recently had a situation
I didn’t think was handled
properly. The receiving team
was out of position. The server
served the ball, which hit the
net and fell into the kitchen
for a service fault. The referee
awarded the point to the serving
team because the receiving
team was out of position. The
receiving team argued that they
did not hit a return shot, but the
referee said it didn't matter.
Who is right?
A: The receiving team receives
a fault when the wrong player
hits the return of serve. Since
the serve never reached the
receiver before it was a fault, it
would be a fault on the serving
team, resulting in either a
second serve or a side out.
The referee should not inform
the receiving team they’re out
of position as they may remain
so on either their next return of
serve or serve, at which time
they would incur the penalty.
MARCH/APRIL 2018 |
MAGAZINE
19