Q
A
&
with the
RULES GURU
By Christine Barksdale
USAPA Managing Director of Athletic Competition
Q: Dear Guru,
I hope this is a rare occasion and
does not really need to be addressed.
During a recent singles match, I
attempted to hit the ball during my
serve but completely missed. How
embarrassing! Is that considered a
side out or do I get another chance?
In golf, if your intention was to hit the
ball and you missed it, it is considered
a stroke.
A: While it may seem rare to
completely miss the ball during the
service motion, it does happen! It
occurs so often that 4.M.3 specifically
addresses this situation. Much like
golf’s rule, if the server misses the
ball when trying to hit it, it is a fault. In
your singles example, it would also be
a side out.
advice
coaching?
“ go team ”
”
“ use your lob
“ nice shot ”
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Q: Dear Guru,
I was playing in a match without referees.
My opponent called the score “5-7” when
they were really up 7-5. I raised my paddle
to stop the point. My opponent did not
notice and served the ball. I caught it, telling
him that the score called was incorrect. He
proceeded to tell me that he called “7-5” and
that they were taking this point since I caught
the ball. They said a returner cannot become
“unready.” Is this true?
A: While it is true that a player cannot
become unready (Rule 4.C.2.), the player was not committing
a fault by catching the ball before returning it to correct
the score IF the score was called incorrectly (Rule 4.K.1.).
However, in a match without a referee it is the server’s word
against the receiver’s word. Without a referee present or other
valid way to prove how the score was called, refer to Rule
4.E.3., “A receiver who attempts to return a serve shall be
considered to have been ready, whether or not contact with
the ball was made.” Since no effort was made, and as a show
of good sportsmanship, replaying the point is an appropriate
solution. If, however, the receiver had returned the ball then
decided to stop play, that would be a fault and a point issued to
the server (Rule 4.K.3.).
Q: Dear Guru,
I was at a tournament cheering on a friend. At one point, I yelled
to her, “Feet, feet, move your feet,” to encourage her, as she was
very fatigued. The opposing team said, “That’s coaching.” When
does encouragement become coaching? Would my comment be
considered coaching?
A: Great question and, yes, sometimes it can be tricky to know
what would constitute coaching. Giving advice, like “Move your feet,”
“Use your lob,” “Call a time-out,” would be considered coaching.
Encouragement is more like cheering, e.g., “Nice shot,” “Way to go,”
“Go team,” etc. See Rule 11.N. for details. •
JULY/AUGUST 2018 |
MAGAZINE
23