Q
A
&
with the
RULES GURU
By Bob Unetich
USAPA-Certified Referee
We’d Like to Hear From You!
Send your questions to
[email protected].
Q: Dear Guru,
We were playing outdoors and a shot was lobbed
short with a lot of backspin and it bounced in the
kitchen and back over the net and in without the
opponent touching the ball. Whose point is it?
Q: Dear Guru,
If I’m unable to hit a volley outside of the
NVZ because the referee was in my way, is it
reasonable to request a replay?
A: If you try this shot, often called an ERNE,
it doesn’t matter if you’ve hit a wall or any other
“object” off the court, including a referee, and
no replay is in order. If the ball hits a referee, it’s
a dead ball and a fault on the player who struck
the ball. If you’re a player who often attempts an
ERNE or an around-the-post shot (an ATP), it’s
not unreasonable for you to ask the referee to be
aware that you may be using the space alongside
the court where the referee is positioned.
Q: Dear Guru,
Can I use an old paddle that no longer has
a readable manufacturer's name or model
number?
3 Brand
3 Model N
ame
or Numbe
r
20
A: The rules in section 2.E.7
specifically call for a “clearly
marked brand and model
name or model number on
the paddle.” A paddle missing
these two details should not
be used in tournament play.
A: Great question! This happens more often than
players realize, and the rules are clear. Of course,
knowing the rules doesn’t make you an expert in
playing the shot. Just a few days ago, I faced the exact
situation, and couldn’t get to the net in time to reach
over and hit the ball, but that’s what you’re permitted to
do under Rule 11.I.1 in the 2019 Rule Book. Normally
a player can’t cross the plane of the net (see 11.I) until
after striking a ball. However, Rule 11.I.1 identifies
an “Exception” in the case when a “ball bounces into
a player’s non-volley zone with enough
backspin as to cause it to return
over the net.” In that case,
“a player may reach over
or around the net to hit
the ball, but may not
touch the net system
or the opponent’s
court.”
I’ve seen this
done numerous
times as a referee
and it’s exciting to
watch. If a player
doesn’t manage to
hit the ball, it’s a point
for the striking player, as
explained in Rule 11.L.4. •
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