Volleying.
By PTN Readers

Court Abuse

I completely agree with you on the court abuse issue. As a platform tennis court builder, I see more and more abuse of the courts. I am getting calls consistently about dents (big ones) in the screens and paint chipped off the courts. I have also seen a rise in dents put in the playing surface from players hitting the deck with their paddle. This behavior is unacceptable at most if not all clubs. Many of the clubs where we maintain the courts have started making the person responsible pay for the repairs to the court. These repairs can range from $125 to tighten a "bowed" wire to a few hundred to replace the screen and repair dents in the court surface. There is a big difference between "use" and "abuse." When a player realizes the cost of repairs and has to foot the bill for the repairs, they seem to get the point real quick.
David Dodge, President, Premier Platform Tennis
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Depending upon the severity of the damage ban the player from equivalent or higher tournaments for a period of time.
Bob Hastings
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Any unsportsmanlike behavior should result in a penalty. During a tournament the call should be made by an official and should result in suspension of future tournament play. Platform tennis is much like golf in that it is largely self regulated. Peer pressure dictates how golf etiquette is enforced. If you were playing golf with someone who stamped his foot on the putting surface or threw his club down on the green wouldn't you immediately call him on it? The same should hold for paddle players. Poor sportsmanship should not be tolerated by anyone, regardless of their talent.
Marquerite Quinn
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I am appalled that such behavior exists. The example for young players is inexcusable. My husband and I were certified as teaching pros many years ago. I taught for 30 years and I never saw this kind of crude, self-centered behavior. I think there should be an immediate loss of point for the first infraction, loss of game for the second and loss of match for further gross misbehavior. This kind of action needs to be stopped right away before it spreads. There is no place for it in paddle tennis.
Gail Moskow
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Nice article. And it is an issue that must be addressed due to the damage it makes to the court itself. Most players, who are not taught how to play the game are playing the game of tennis and get frustrated easily. They have to be told how the game is played. 80% in the air really frustrates tennis players. And they screw a shot up and bang the screens. I have seen it myself.

Education, education, education is the only way. Show them what the court is about and how it is made to play the "game". MOST good players know how to play, and would not do this sort of thing. You always have a few, who have to be told of the damage they do.
Jim McGovern, PPTA
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Showing your emotions on the court is one thing but abusing your paddle on the screens or the deck should not be tolerated on any level. We were all taught, as youngsters, the importance of sportsmanship. I'm sure we wouldn't want our children behaving in that manner! That behavior should result in a some sort of a penalty. Perhaps a loss of point & if it happens again maybe the game. We are all competitors & nobody enjoys seeing a person throwing a tantrum on the court. Remember we are the ones who should be setting good examples.
Marie
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I think anyone damaging a court in an irresponsible manor should be fined, with payment going to the host club to repair the damage. This language should be included in any admission paperwork for the tournament and even for league play.
Todd Gillis
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So simple: They are no longer allowed to play in tournaments. No One is bigger than the game. A 1 year ban will end the abuse immediately.
Name withheld by request
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I'm with you. I don't know why any club would want to invite a player over to abuse their property during a tournament. If you asked the guy who threw the tantrum if he'd like someone to come over to his house and throw a racket through his drywall, do you think he'd say yes? Of course, not. I understand how you can become upset during a big competition, but this is a game played by people who know better, people who spend a lot of time around clubs and people who belong to clubs. It's inexcusable. The best way to deal with it is simply to tell the individual thanks, but no thanks, don't come back. That might create some change and stop the stupidity.

I'm a hack at paddle, I've played in some league play, and I haven't played tournament paddle, but I play a lot of competitive amateur golf in the exact same settings and I can tell you that it's not tolerated. Clubs aren't willing to host tournaments if they feel the players aren't going to respect their golf course.
Thanks for the article.
Jim Whitley
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With respect to the bad behavior displayed by the aforementioned players--why isn't there a penalty system like there is in professional Tennis?   There could be loss of points/games/monetary fines.   Bad sportsmanship and displays of temper should not be tolerated. Name withheld by request.
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We have a saying for court/screen abuse: “Treat the screen like you would the green” It is not tolerated on the golf course and it should not be on the paddle court.
 John Gibson

Footfaults

Foot faulting is so widespread it has come to be accepted. A couple of simple ideas might help.

1. In informal or local play, ask every player to take the responsibility after the game to mention it softly to the faulter. That way it does not affect the immediate outcome.

2. In formal play, establish a rule such as that the first call results in a full replay of the point, rather than a loss of point. Then any available persons who could call the faults be asked to do so. If no one is available a second call would result in a loss of point. Thereafter, additional calls have greater concern, such as postponement of the match until a judge is available.

Name withheld by request.

Warm-ups

Since nobody I have mentioned this to thinks this a good idea - it must be - because a 100% majority has to be wrong!
OK - the idea. BOTH teams start the warm up at the base line!! It's supposed to be a WARM UP, right? Tennis players have it figured out - the best way to limber up your muscles is by swinging at the ball, not blocking it. Nine or ten hits and one team goes to the net. Since nobody else but me likes this idea, I simply start every warm up by walking to the base line.
Bill Ballard

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

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