Rules Q & A

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Question: Are we allowed to be coached or talk to our team mates in between sets?

Answer: Article II. H. of our current SCTL Rules states as follows:

"Coaching is not allowed during a match. Teammates, spectators, captains or coaches may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring, or the conduct of a match. If linesmen are requested for a match, they may advise on line calls when asked."

No, coaching is not allowed. You are allowed to talk to you teammates briefly between sets but not about anything to do with the your match.

Question: In Mixed Doubles, two matches were scheduled for our home site, which consists of 6 courts. We asked the opposing teams to stagger their matches since it was an error in scheduling. Is this correct and how should the point have been scored?

Answer: All mixed doubles teams are required to have four courts available for their matches. It is the responsibility of the home team to provide these four courts, either at your home site or at another site. If you are unable to provide the four courts, you default the lowest line or lines that do not have courts to play on at the scheduled starting time of the match.

Question: Our match was rained out after the exchange of scorecards. After scheduling the makeup lines of play, one of my players is unable to make up the match. Can I substitute another player for the absent player or do I have to forfeit?

Answer: Yes, you may substitute another player. As long as the line you are discussing did not actually start their match, you may change the lineup and put in another player.

SCTL Rules, Section V. Changing Lineups states:

"Lineups may be changed in the following situations:
1. If a match has not begun (before or after exchange of scorecards) and a rain delay occurs. This includes rescheduling of forfeited lines."

Question: What is the procedure for adding a player to a team?

Answer: Qualified players can be added, via the SCTL Website, up to and including the day prior to the first match in which the player participates. The player must be added at least 24 hours ahead of the first match. Payment may be either electronic or check. See SCTL Rule D.1.b.

Question: Adding a player that was on a roster at a higher level the previous season but played in no matches.

Answer: The Rules Chairperson had a request to allow a player to be added to a B1 team after the original roster had been sent in. This player had been on the roster of an A3 team the previous season. The player had played in no matches. This request was denied.

The December 2003 rules have been clarified and they state in order to be added to a team, "the player must have been on a roster in that Division for the player's last season in SCTL at or below the current level of the team the player is joining".

The SCTL does not provide linesmen or umpires for matches. If there is a conflict on the court because of line calls, a player may request line judges. In this case, the captain of each team will obtain a player or representative to be a line judge. These two line judges will stand at the net posts, one on each side of the court. They are to observe as play continues. They call no lines during play. If requested by one of the players they will then give their call. Unless there was a clear error, the player's line calls should not be overridden.

Answer: Rules of Tennis: "In a non-officiated match, the Receiver or the Receiver's partner, may call foot faults after all efforts (appeal to the Server) have failed and the foot faulting is so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the Receiver's side." (page 11, USTA Comment: In the interest of sportsmanship and fair play, foot faults should not be called unless it is interfering with your play on the court).

Question: The question was whether a let could be played if a spectator screamed while she was serving.

Answer: No matter how much the distraction from a spectator --whether a cell phone or loud noise, I can find no rule indicating a let. I believe the action must go on with no let. We see it constantly at the professional level. However, action should be taken after the point to request the spectator to refrain in the future.

Question: The question was whether a let could be played if a players cell phone rings in the middle of a point.

Answer: Friend at Court, Tennis Rules and Regulations: The player is not entitled to a let because the player caused the disturbance by bringing the phone to the Court. If this is not the first time that the phone has rung and if the opponent has requested that the player turn the phone off, then the opponent may claim the point based on a deliberate hindrance. (page 50, Case 18) If the phone ringing causes a hindrance, and no comments were made earlier in the match requesting that all cell phones be turned off, then the opponent may claim a let, provided the opponent does so immediately)

● Frequently misunderstood rule submitted by Rick Calton of Suntree Country Club

Question. If a player receiving serve calls the ball out and then realizes that the ball was actually good, what is the proper action?

Answer. Out calls corrected. If a player mistakenly calls a ball "out" and then realizes it was good, the point shall be replayed if the player returned the ball within the proper court. Nonetheless, if the player’s return of the ball results in a "weak sitter," the player should give the opponent the point. If the player failed to make the return, the opponent wins the point. If the mistake was made on the second serve, the server is entitled to two serves. (Taken from the The Code. Making Calls # 12.)