Rule 5 Server And Receiver The Players example essay topic

all info from web 1913 An international conference is held between 12 nations in Paris, and, from this, the International Lawn Tennis Federation (as it is first known) evolves. March, 1923 The Annual General Meeting in Paris draws up the official ILTF Rules of Tennis which are implemented from 1 January, 1924. The United States joins the ILTF, making the organisation truly international. 1977 The ILTF drops the word 'lawn' to take on its present name, the International Tennis Federation. 1988 After diligent work by ITF President, Philippe Chat rier, and General Secretary, David Gray, tennis becomes a full medal sport at the Olympic Games in Seoul. 1996 The ITF grows to incorporate 196 National Tennis Association Members including 126 Full Members and 70 Associate Members - a far cry from the original number of 12 founding nations.

The Rules of Tennis [These rules to conform to the USTA's 1995 Rules of Tennis.] Index Explanatory Note The Singles Game Rule 1 - The Court Rule 2 - Permanent Fixtures Rule 3 - The Ball Rule 4 - The Racket Rule 5 - Server and Receiver Rule 6 - Choice of Ends and Service Rule 7 - The Service Rule 8 - Foot Fault Rule 9 - Delivery of Service Rule 10 - Service Fault Rule 11 - Second Service Rule 12 - When to Serve Rule 13 - The Let Rule 14 - The 'Let' in Service Rule 15 - Order of Service Rule 16 - When Players Change Ends Rule 17 - The Ball in Play Rule 18 - Server Wins Point Rule 19 - Receiver Wins Point Rule 20 - Player Loses Point Rule 21 - Player Hinders Opponent Rule 22 - Ball Falls on Line Rule 23 - Ball Touches Permanent Fixtures Rule 24 - A Good Return Rule 25 - Hindrance of a Player Rule 26 - Score in a Game Rule 27 - Score in a Set Rule 28 - Maximum Number of Sets Rule 29 - Role of Court Officials Rule 30 - Continuous Play and Rest Periods Rule 31 - Coaching Rule 32 - Changing Balls The Doubles Game Rule 33 Rule 34 - The Doubles Court Rule 35 - Order of Service in Doubles Rule 36 - Order of Receiving in Doubles Rule 37 - Service Out of Turn in Doubles Rule 38 - Error in Order of Receiving in Doubles Rule 39 - Service Fault in Doubles Rule 40 - Playing the Ball in Doubles Appendix I - Regulations for Making Tests Specified in Rule 3 Appendix II - Rules of Wheelchair Tennis Appendix - Tie-Breaks and No-Ad Scoring Explanatory Note The following Rules and Cases and Decisions are the official Code of the InternationalTennisFederation, of which the United States Tennis Association is a member. USTA Comments have the same weight and force in USTA tournaments as do ITF Cases and Decisions. When a match is played without officials, USTA Regulation I.M. shall apply in any situation not covered by the rules. The Code shall apply in any situation not covered by USTA Regulation I.M. Except where otherwise stated, every reference in these Rules to the masculine includes the feminine gender. Amendments to the USTA Comments may be made in accordance with Article V of the USTA Regulations provided such amendments are not inconsistent with the Rules of Tennis ofthe International Tennis Federation. The Singles Game RULE 1 The Court The court shall be a rectangle 78 feet (23.77 m.) long and 27 feet (8.23 m.) wide.

[USTA Comment: See Rule 34 for a doubles court.] It shall be divided across the middle by a net suspended from a cord or metal cable of of one-third of an inch (0.8 cm. ), the ends of which shall be attached to, or passover, the tops of two posts, which shall be not more than 6 inches (15 cm.) square or 6 inches (15 cm.) in diameter. These posts shall not be higher than 1 inch (2.5 cm.) above the top of the net cord. Thecenters of the posts shall be 3 feet (0.914 m.) outside the court on each side and the height of the posts shall be such that the top of the cord or metal cable shall be 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m.) above the ground. When a combined doubles (see Rule 34) and singles court with a doubles net is used for singles, the net must be supported to a height of 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m.) by means of two posts, called 'singles sticks', which shall be not more than 3 inches (7.5 cm.) square or 3 inches (7.5 cm.) in diameter. Thecenters of the singles sticks shall be 3 feet (0.914 m.) outside the singles court on each side.

The net shall be extended fully so that it fills completely the space between the two posts and shall be of sufficiently small mesh to prevent the ball passing through. The height of the net shall be 3 feet (0.914 m.) at the center, where it shall be held down taut by a strap not more than 2 inches (5 cm.) wide and completely white in colour. There shall be a band covering the cord or metal cable and the top of the net of not less than 2 inches (5 cm.) nor more than 2.5 inches (6.3 cm.) in depth on each side and completely white in colour. [USTA Comment: An approved method for obtaining proper net tautness is: Loosen. Tighten the net cord until it is approximately 40 inches above the ground, being careful not the net. Tighten the center strap until the center of the net is 36 inches above the ground.

These measurements should always be made before the first match of the day.] There shall be no advertisement on the net, strap, band or singles sticks. The lines bounding the ends and sides of the Court shall respectively be called the base-lines and the side-lines. On each side of the net, at a distance of 21 feet (6.40 m.) from it and parallel with it, shall be drawn the service-lines. The space on each side of the net between the service-line -lines shall be divided into two equal parts called the service-courts by the center service-line which must be 2 inches (5 cm.) in width, drawn half-way between, and parallel with, the side-lines.

Each base-line shall be bisected by an imaginary continuation of the center service-line to line 4 inches (lock.) in length and 2 inches (5 cm.) in width called the center mark drawn inside the Court, at right angles to and in contact with such base-lines. All other lines shall be not less than 1 inch (2.5 cm.) nor more than 2 inches (5 cm.) in width, except the base-line, which may be 4 inches (10 cm.) in width, and all measurements shall be made to the outside of the lines. All lines shall be of uniform colour. If advertising or any other material is placed at the back of the court, it may not contain white, or yellow. A light colour may only be used if this does not interfere with the vision of the players.

If advertisements are placed on the chairs of the Linesmen sitting at the back of the court, they may not contain white, or yellow. ITF Note 1: In the case of the Davis Cup or other Official Championships of theInternationalTennis Federation, there shall be a space behind each base-line of not less than 21 feet (6.4 m. ), and at the sides of not less than 12 feet (3.66 m. ). The chairs of the linesmen may be placed at the back of the court within the 21 feet or at the side of the court within the 12 feet, provided they into that area more than 3 feet (. 914 m). ITF Note 2: In the case of the stadium courts in the Davis Cup World Group and theFederationCup Main Draw there should be space behind each baseline of not less than 27 feet (8.23 m) and at the sides of not less than 15 feet (4.57 m).

ITF Note 3: At club or recreation level, the space behind each baseline should be not less than 18 feet (5.5 m) and at the sides not less than 10 feet (3.05 m). RULE 2 Permanent Fixtures The permanent fixtures of the Court shall include not only the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap and band, but also, where there are any such, the back and side stops, the stands, fixed or movable seats and chairs round the Court, and their occupants, all other fixtures around and above the Court, and the Umpire, Net-cord Judge, Foot-fault Judge, Linesmen and Ball Boys when in their respective places. ITF Note: For the purpose of this Rule, the word 'Umpire' comprehends the Umpire, to a seat on the Court, and all those persons designated to assist the Umpire in the conduct of match. RULE 3 The Ball The ball shall have a uniform outer surface and shall be white or yellow in colour. Ift here are any seams, they shall be stitch less. The ball shall be more than two and a half inches (6.35 cm.) and less than two and five-eighths inches (6.67 cm.) in diameter, and more than two ounces (56.7 grams) and less than two and one-sixteenth ounces (58.5 grams) in weight.

The ball shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (135 cm.) and less than 58 inches (147 cm.) when dropped 100 inches (254 cm.) upon a concrete base. The ball shall have a forward deformation of more than. 220 of an inch (. 56 cm.) and less than.

290 of an inch (. 74 cm.) and a return deformation of more than. 315 of an inch (. 80 cm.) and less than.

425 of an inch (1.08 cm.) at 18 lb. (8.165 kg.) load. The two deformation figures shall bethe averages of three individual readings along three axes of the ball and no two individual readings shall differ by more than. 030 of an inch (. 08 cm.) in each case.

For play above 4,000 feet (1219 m) in altitude above sea level, two additional types of ball may be used. The first type is identical to those described above except that the bound shall before than 48 inches (121.92 cm) and less than 53 inches (135 cm) and the ball shall have an internal pressure that is greater than the external pressure. This type of tennis ball is commonly known as a pressurized ball. The second type is identical to those described above except that they shall have a bound of more than 53 inches (135 cm) and less than 58 inches (147 cm) and shall have an internal pressure that is approximately equal to the external pressure and have been acclimatized for 60 days or more at the altitude of the specific tournament. This type of tennis ball is commonly known as a zero-pressure or non-pressurized ball. All tests for bound, size and deformation shall be made in accordance with the Regulations in the Appendix hereto.

RULE 4 The Racket Rackets failing to comply with the following specifications are not approved for play under the Rules of Tennis: (a) The hitting surface of the rachel shall be flat and consist of a pattern of crossed a frame and alternately interlaced or bonded where they cross; and the stringing pattern shall be generally uniform, and in particular not less dense in the center than in any other area. The strings shall be free of attached objects and protrusions other than those utilized solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration and which are reasonable in size and placement. (b) The frame of the racket shall not exceed 32 inches (81.28 cm.) in overall length, including the handle and 12.5 inches (31.75 cm.) in overall width. The strung surface shall not exceed 15.5 inches (39.37 cm.) in overall length, and 11.5 inches (29.21 cm.) in overall width. (c) The frame, including the handle, shall be free of attached objects and devices other than those utilized solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration, or to distribute weight. Any objects and devices must be reasonable in size and placement for such purposes. (d) The frame, including the handle and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible to change materially the shape of the racket, or to change the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, during the playing of a point. The International Tennis Federation shall rule on the question of whether any racket with the above specifications or is otherwise approved, or not approved, for play. Such ruling may be undertaken on its own initiative, or upon application by any party with a bona fide interest therein, including any player, equipment manufacturer or National Association.

Such rulings and applications shall be made in accordance with the applicable Review and Hearing Procedures of the International Tennis Federation, copies of which may be obtained from the office of the Secretary. Case 1. Can there be more than one set of strings on the hitting surface of a racket? Decision. No. The rule clearly mentions a pattern, and not patterns, of crossed strings.

Case 2. Is the stringing pattern of a racket considered to be generally uniform and flat if the strings are on more than one plane? Decision. No.

Case 3. Can a vibration dampening device be placed on the strings of a racket and if so here can it be placed? Decision. Yes; but such devices may only be placed outside the pattern of crossed strings. RULE 5 Server and Receiver The players shall stand on opposite sides of the net; the player who first delivers the ball shall be called the Server, and the other the Receiver. Case 1.

Does a player, attempting stroke, lose the point if he crosses an imaginary line of the net, (a) before striking the ball, (b) after striking the ball? Decision. He does not lose the point in either case by crossing the imaginary line and provided he does not enter the lines bounding his opponents Court (Rule 20 (e) ) In regard to hindrance, his opponent my ask for the decision of the Umpire under Rules 21 and 25. Case 2.

The Server claims that the Receiver must stand within the lines bounding his Court. Is this necessary? Decision. No.

The Receiver my stand wherever he pleases on his own side of the net. RULE 6 Choice of Ends and Service The choice of ends and the right to be Server or Receiver in the first game shall be decided by toss. The player winning the toss may choose or require his opponent to choose: (a) The right to be Server or Receiver, in which case the other player shall choose the end; or (b) The end, in which case the other player shall choose the right to be Server orR. [USTA Comment: The toss shall be made before the warm-up. Choices should be the toss and are irrevocable, except that if the match is postponed or suspended before the start of the match.] RULE 7 The Service The service shall be delivered in the following manner. Immediately before commencing to serve, the Server shall stand with both feet at rest behind (i.e. further from the net than) the base-line, and within the imaginary continuations of the center-mark and side-line.

The Server shall then project the ball by hand into the air in any direction and before it hits the ground strike it with his racket, and the delivery shall be deemed to have been completed at the moment of the impact of the racket and the ball. Player with the use of only one arm may utilize his racket for the projection. [USTA Comment: The service begins when the Server takes a ready position (i. e., both feet at rest behind the baseline) and ends when his racket makes contact with the ball or when he misses the ball in attempting to serve it.] [USTA Comment: There is no restriction regarding the kind of service which may be used; that is, the player may use an underhand or overhand service at his discretion.] Case 1. May the Server in a singles game take his stand behind the portion of the base-line between the side-lines of the Singles Court and the Doubles Court?

Decision. No. [USTA Comment: The server may stand anywhere in back of the baseline between of the center mark and the singles sideline.] Case 2. If a player, when serving, throws up two or more balls instead of one, does he lose that service? Decision.

No. A let should be called, but if the Umpire regards the action as deliberate he may take action under Rule 21. [USTA Comment: There is no restriction regarding the kind of service which may be used; that is, the player may use an underhand or overhand service at his discretion.] RULE 8 Foot Fault (a) The Server shall throughout the delivery of the service: (i) Not change his position by walking or running. The Server shall not by slight movements of the feet which do not materially affect the location originally taken up by him, be deemed 'to change his position by walking or running'. (ii) Not touch, with either foot, any area other than that behind the base-line within of the center mark and side-lines. (b) The word 'foot' means the extremity of the leg below the ankle.

[USTA Comment: This rule covers the most decisive stroke in the game, and there is its not being obeyed by players and enforced by officials. No official has the right to instruct any umpire to disregard violations of it. In a non-officiated match, the Receiver, or his partner, may call foot faults after all efforts (appeal to the server, request for an umpire, etc.) have failed and the foot faulting is so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the Receiver's side. It is improper for any official to warn a player that he is in danger of having a foot fault called on him. On the other hand if a player in all sincerity, asks for an explanation of how he foot faulted, either the Line Umpire or the Chair Umpire should give him that information.] RULE 9 Delivery of Service (a) In delivering the service, the Server shall stand alternately behind the right and leftCourtsbeginning from the right in every game. If service from a wrong half of the Court occurs and is undetected, all play resulting from such wrong service or services shall stand, but the inaccuracy of station shall be corrected immediately it is discovered. (b) The ball served shall pass over the net and hit the ground within the Service Court which is diagonally opposite, or upon any line bounding such Court, before the Receiver returns it.

RULE 10 Service Fault The Service is a fault: (a) If the Server commits any breach of Rules 7, 8 or 9 (b); (b) If he misses the ball in attempting to strike it; (c) If the ball served touches a permanent fixture (other than the net, strap or band) before it hits the ground. Case 1. After throwing a ball up preparatory to serving the Server decides not to strike a tit and catches it instead. Is it a fault? Decision. No.

[USTA Comment: As long as the Server makes no attempt to strike the ball it is immaterial whether he catches it in his hand or on his racket or lets it drop to the ground.] Case 2. In serving in a singles game played on a Doubles Court with doubles posts and singles sticks the ball hits a singles stick and then hits the ground within the lines of the correct Service Court. Is this fault or a let? Decision. In serving it is a fault because the singles stick the doubles post and that portion of the net or band between them are permanent fixtures. (Rules 2 and 10 and note to Rule 24.

). [USTA Comment: The significant point governing Case 2 is that the part of the net and band outside the singles sticks is not part of the net over which this singles match is being played. Thus such a serve is a fault under the provisions of Article (c) above... By the same token this would be a fault also if it were a singles game played with permanent posts in the singles position. See Case 1 under Rule 24 for difference between 'service' and 'good return' with respect to a ball's hitting a net post.] RULE 11 Second Service After a fault (if it is the first fault) the Server shall serve again from behind the same half of the Court from which he served that fault, unless the service was from the wrong half, when, in accordance with Rule 9, the Server shall be entitled to one service only from behind the other half.

Case 1. A player serves from a wrong Court. He loses the point and then claims it was of his wrong station. Decision. The point stands as played and the next service should be from the to the score. Case 2.

The point score being 15 all the Server by mistake serves from the left-hand Court. He wins the point. He then serves again from the right-hand Court delivering a fault. This mistake in station is then discovered. Is he entitled to the previous point? From which Court should he next serve?

Decision. The previous point stands. The next service should be from the left-hand Court the score being 30/15 and the Server has served one fault. RULE 12 When To Serve The Server shall not serve until the Receiver is ready.

If the latter attempts to return the service, he shall be deemed ready. If, however, the Receiver signifies that he is not ready, he may not claim a fault because the ball does not hit the ground within the limits fixed for the service. [USTA Comment: The Server must wait until the Receiver is ready for the second service as well as the first, and if the Receiver claims to be not ready and does not make any effort to return a service, the Server's claim for the point may not be honored even though the service was good. However, the Receiver, having indicated he is ready, may not become unready unless some place. RULE 13 The Let In all cases where a let has to be called under the rules, or to provide for an interruption to play, it shall have the following interpretations: (a) When called solely in respect of a service that one service only shall be replayed. (b) When called under any other circumstance, the point shall be replayed. Case 1.

A service is interrupted by some cause outside those defined in Rule 14. Should the service only be replayed? Decision. No the whole point must be replayed. [USTA Comment: If the interruption occurs during delivery of the second service, the Server gets two serves. Example: On a second service a linesman calls 'fault' and immediately corrects it, the Receiver meanwhile having let the ball go by.

The Server is entitled to two serves, on this ground: The corrected call means that the Server has put the ball into play with a good service, and once the ball is in play and a let is called, the point must be replayed. Note, however, that if the serve is an unmistakable ace - that is, the Umpire is sure that the erroneous call had no part in the Receiver's inability to play the ball - the point should be declared for the Server. If a delay between first and second serves is caused by the Receiver, by an official or by an outside interference the whole point shall be replayed; if the delay is caused by the Server, the Server has one serve to come. A spectator's outcry (of 'out', 'fault' or other) is not a valid basis for replay of a point, but action should be taken to prevent a recurrence.] Case 2. If a ball in play becomes broken, should a let be called?

Decision. Yes. [USTA Comment: A ball shall be regarded as having become 'broken' if, in the opinion of the Chair Umpire, it is found to have lost compression to the point of being unfit for further play, or unfit for any reason, and it is clear the defective ball was the one in play.] RULE 14 The 'Let' in Service The service is a let: (a) If the ball served touches the net, strap or band, and is otherwise good, or, after touching the net, strap or band, touches the Receiver or anything which he wears or carries before hitting the ground. (b) If a service or a fault is delivered when the Receiver is not ready (see Rule 12). In case of a let, that particular service shall not count, and the Server shall serve again, but a service let does not annul a previous fault. RULE 15 Order of Service At the end of the first game the Receiver shall become Server, and the Server Receiver; and so on alternately in all the subsequent games of a match. If a player serves out of turn, the player who ought to have served shall serve as soon as the mistake is discovered, but all points scored before such discovery shall be reckoned.

If a game shall have been completed before such discovery, the order of service remains as altered. A fault served before such discovery shall not be reckoned. RULE 16 When Players Change Ends The players shall change ends at the end of the first, third and every subsequent alternate game of each set, and at the end of each set unless the total number of games in such set is even, in which case the change is not made until the end of the first game of the next set. If a mistake is made and the correct sequence is not followed the players must take up their correct station as soon as the discovery is made and follow their original sequence. RULE 17 The Ball in PlayA ball is in play from the moment at which it is delivered in service. Unless a fault or a let is called it remains in play until the point is decided.

[USTA Comment: A point is not decided simply when, or because, a good shot has clearly passed a player, or when an apparently bad shot passes over a baseline or sideline. An outgoing ball is still definitely in play until it actually strikes the ground, backstop or a permanent fixture (other than the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band), or a player. The same applies to a good ball, bounding after it has landed in the proper court. A ball that becomes imbedded in the nets out of play.] [USTA Comment: When a ball is hit into the net and the player on the other side, thinking the ball is coming over, strikes at it and hits the next he loses the point if his touching the net occurs while the ball is still in play.] Case 1. A player fails to make a good return.

No call is made and the ball remains in play. May his opponent later claim the point after the rally has ended? Decision. No. The point may not be claimed if the players continue to play after he error has been made, provided the opponent was not hindered. [USTA Comment: An out call on A's shot to B's court must be made before B's shot out of play or has been hit by A. See Case 3 under Rule 29 regarding this situation in an umpired match.] RULE 18 Server Wins Point The Server wins the point: (a) If the ball served, not being a let under Rule 14, touches the Receiver or anything which he wears or carries, before it hits the ground; (b) If the Receiver otherwise loses the point as provided by Rule 20.

RULE 19 Receiver Wins Point The Receiver wins the point: (a) If the Server serves two consecutive faults; (b) If the Server otherwise loses the point as provided by Rule 20. RULE 20 Player Loses Point player loses the point if: (a) He fails, before the ball in play has hit the ground twice consecutively, to return it directly over the net (except as provided in Rule 24 (a) or (c) ); or (b) He returns the ball in play so that it hits the ground, a permanent fixture, or other object, outside any of the lines which bound his opponent's Court (except as provided in Rule 24 (a) or (c) ); or [USTA Comment: A ball hitting a scoring device or other object attached to a net post results in loss of point to the striker.] (c) He volleys the ball and fails to make a good return even when standing outside the Court; or (d) In playing the ball he deliberately carries or catches it on his racket or deliberately touches it with his racket more than once; or [USTA Comment: Only when there is a definite 'second push ' by the player does his shot become illegal, with consequent loss of point. The word 'deliberately' is the key word in this rule. Two hits occurring in the course of a single continuous swing are not deemed a double hit.] (e) He or his racket (in his hand or otherwise) or anything which he wears or carries touches the net, posts, singles sticks, cord or metal cable, strap or band, or the ground within his opponent's Court at any time while the ball is in play; or [USTA Comment: Touching a pipe support that runs across the court at the bottom of the net is interpreted as touching the net; See USTA Comment under Rule 23 for a ball which hits a pipe support.] (f) He volleys the ball before it has passed the net; or (g) The ball in play touches him or anything that he wears or carries, except his racket in his hand or hands; or [USTA Comment: This loss of point occurs regardless of whether the player is inside or outside the bounds of his court when the ball touches him. ].