Q
A
&
with the
RULES GURU
By Bob Unetich
USAPA-Certified Referee
Q: Dear Guru,
In a non-officiated
tournament match,
a ball was served
to us without the
serving team calling
the score. Should we
have called this a fault
or asked for a replay?
A: Rule 4.M/4.M.10 clearly states that it’s a fault
for a server to begin “the service motion before the
entire score is called.” There would be no reason
for a replay in this case and, if your opponents
disagree with you, it would warrant asking for a
referee or the tournament director to enforce
this rule.
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Q: Dear Guru,
Some players tend
to swear after a bad
shot. Don’t the rules
call for a referee to
penalize a player
who uses profanity?
A: Referees can impose a Technical Warning or
Technical Foul, under Section 13.G, for unsportsmanlike
conduct, but there are conditions stated in the rules.
Under the reasons for Technical Warnings, Rule 13.G.2.a
refers to “excessive profanity used for any reason,” and
this rule goes on to say “the referee will determine the
severity of any violation.” Under the rules for Technical
Fouls, Rule 13.G.4.b refers to “extremely excessive
profanity.” Therefore, it is a referee’s judgment call
to decide if profanity is “excessive,” “extreme” or
objectionable enough to warrant a Technical Warning or
Technical Foul.
Q: Dear Guru,
Playing doubles, my partner and I were just outside the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ).
We both went to strike a volley. My paddle was the only one to touch the ball but
as my paddle struck the ball, my partner’s paddle hit the back of my paddle. His
momentum subsequently took him into the NVZ, but only after the shot was
completed and we were no longer in contact. I never entered the NVZ. Did this
represent an NVZ violation?
A: The NVZ rules, in Section 9 of the Rule Book, are unique since they use
the term “momentum.” Rule 9.B in particular declares it a fault if, “in the act
of volleying the ball,” a player or anything contacting the player (including your paddle
contacting your partner’s paddle) touches the NVZ. To make this even clearer, Rule 9.B.1 goes on
to define “the act of volleying the ball” to include “the momentum from the action.”
In your example, you mention completing the shot, but you should also know that Rule 9.C.1 goes on to state that
it’s a fault “even if the ball is declared dead.” This means that your team did commit a fault, even if your shot hit an
opponent or bounced twice on the ground.
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