Volleying.
By David Kjeldsen

Foot faults
PTN.com received many, many notes regarding the article on foot faults. Below is just a sampling of the comments received.

“During the introduction to your opponents prior to the warm-up, there should be A League Rule that requires all players to acknowledge that the Foot Fault Rule #11 will be enforced during League competition. Therefore, it is no longer optional and it requires all players to protect the field of teams against a "foot-faulting" player.” Dean Trautmann

“It seems the "dreaded double F-word" is a dilemma throughout the game…. I just sent a note (along with your article) to our Head Racquets Pro and Committee Chairman to encourage them to get us all thinking about this (in clinics, practice and leagues) and to be very vocal in their encouragement in getting us to call it when we see it in our intra-club and/or inter-club matches.” Joe Murphy

“You should start by one warning then loss of point each time, then during the first year the 2% would be foot faulting and 98% would be fine. And I completely agree with enforcing the no jumping or running or walking into the service motion. And the rule should further state that the call is made by the receiver's partner and is not negotiable.” Randy Singer

“Footfaulters are cheaters if they want to correct all they have to do is move behind the base line by the amount of their foot fault. It seems that every footfaulter always foot faults not some of the time but always. If they wanted to stop all they need is an adjusted starting point for their serve. It 's seems to me the double dipper at the cocktail party who takes a bite off his chip and then reloads in the dip is most likely to be a footfaulter….” Gene

“Jumping is not Walking or Running." John Stoffel

“…The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations (part 2, section 24) says that ‘…compliance with the foot fault rule is very much a function of a player’s personal honor system.’ While not the official rule book of paddle, I think this code applies to us all…” Chris Falvey

“Wish this could be changed to the both feet on the ground behind the base line, and PRINTED REALLY BIG and put up at all courts. Maybe then people wouldn't feel so bad about calling it?” Diane Hoffman

“Amen to calling foot faults. Rules are rules. Give a warning at the first instance, or, better yet, make mention in warm ups that you’ll call foot faults. Risk the bruised feelings and call foot faults. Foot faulting is cheating, and the cheaters already know who they are.” James G. Reichert

“Regarding footfaults: I honestly don’t mind the very minor infractions that many people commit because they don’t really affect the outcome of points. But those whose footfaults are egregious and provide a real advantage to the server ought to be called on it. Of course I am a wimp and have only called someone on it once, but my thought process was interesting. I was playing a league match and one of my opponents, a notorious footfaulter, was foot faulting to the degree that I could not attack his weak serve. We lost the first set. I thought to myself, this guy thinks I’m a real jerk and won’t challenge him regarding his obvious footfaults. He’s taking advantage of my good nature to achieve his own ends. He was basically disrespecting me. I walked over to him after the set and told him I was going to call footfaults as we resumed play. Of course he looked at me and said, “Do I foot fault?” More disrespect. I called footfaults the first couple of points and he got the message. Of course we won easily after that. Instead of being frustrated by his abuse of the rules and fuming inside at the unfair advantage he was taking of us and my unwillingness to call him on it, I could walk off, winning or losing, with my self respect. It was very satisfying. I’ve never played him again, but always wondered how he would serve if I did.” Dan Galves

“I’m not confused. Call it! I do. The advantage gained by a foot fault is just plain wrong. The first volley is the most difficult shot to execute, if players are allowed to FF then where is the emphasis on first volley skill development. The server then takes away any chance of executing a return that is a challenge to the server. Serves are bigger and harder than ever with the advancement of paddle technology. Why does the server need an even greater advantage? I say work on you first volley instead of the jump serve and ways to cheat I say play the game on the court not in each other’s heads.” Carole Schnug

“…All teaching pros should be encouraged to emphasize ‘no foot faulting’ when teaching, running clinics, organizing teams, at within-club tournaments, even going so far as to stopping play when foot faulting is seen…” Alan Goldman

I’m Confused: Platform or Paddle
“Thought you might find this story interesting & disturbing all at the same time.

“I belong to a swim & tennis club in Boulder, Co. The original PUD (planned unit development) originated back in 1976, which showed the future installation of 4 ‘paddle’ courts. Members recently voted on adding one more platform court to the existing platform court we installed 4 years ago. After receiving a building permit from the city back in May 08, the neighbors got the ear of the city and said they needed to shut down/revoke our building permit because we were attempting to install a platform court and the PUD called for a ‘paddle’ court which their ‘internet’ research showed it is played on sand or concrete like tennis.

“The neighbors don't like the idea because they believe the noise will disturb their peaceful neighborhood, they got the building permit revoked based on this technicality. Someone from the APTA wrote a letter to us which we got to the city stating that platform and paddle are used synonymously, but didn't help!!!

“So, yes, based on your “I’m Confused” article, I suggest we do call our sport platform, and rid the use of the word paddle!!!” Curt Corrigan

My Serve – Premier Cup
“The Premier Cup is a great idea by the APTA. I wish they would sponsor a women’s version so we could see the top girl’s teams play.” Elizabeth Golden

“The ‘Super Bowl’ of platform? The Super Bowl is always sold out. Based on the event photos, I don’t think the 15 spectators were ever in jeopardy of losing their front row seats.” Doug Valente

what do you think? let me know! info@platformtennisnews.com

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