AboutEd Hines Expertise The Rules of Tennis primarily, including junior and collegiate application of the rules as well as recreational play. Please: NO questions about practice drills or ways to improve your game.
Experience Over 30 years playing the game, including USTA and ITA Officials' certification in junior, collegiate, and professional tennis.
Organizations USTA; Atlanta Professional Tennis Umpires Association
Awards and Honors ATP Linesman, Chair Official NCAA Regional Div I and Div III, Blue Gray Tournament Chair, SEC Championships, Southern Conf Championships, Atlantic Sun Conference, Several Junior National and Super National Jr. Tournaments, NCAA Womens Championship Finals, ASI and AT&T (qualifier final) Chair.
Expert: Ed Hines Date: 8/8/2007 Subject: Tennis Shouting / Taliking in doubles during play
Question Hi Ed,
I was wondering what is the rule for talking during doubles play? I completely understand that you can talk with your partner during play to discuss strategy or where to cover etc. especially when the ball is in the talker's side of the court. My question however is about talking when the ball is on the other side. Last night when we were playing doubles I noticed one of the players on the other side was yelling (watch out, oh no, back etc) at the second that I was going to make contact with the ball. Is this allowed? His intention was to distract my concentration (even though he would not admit to it). This usually happened when they had a miss hit which fell short or when it hit the net then came as a short ball or when they tried to lob me and came like a cream puff. After doing this over and over again it made me angry so I had to tell them not to talk when the ball was on our side of the court. Is this right? I'm trying to learn what the rule is on this issue. After the match ended, they brought this subject up by saying.. I can't tell my partner to go back etc? He made it sound like I was saying that you can't talk at all. In fact I'm completely ok when you talk to your partner when the ball is in their court to cover here and there. He made it seem like I was saying that they can't talk at all. He deviated from the real reason which was him shouting right before I was about to make contact with the ball. I need your advice.
Thanks,
Albert
Answer Albert,
You've got the situation and rules well in hand. There are many rules that deal with this, which fall under the category of hindrance. Paraphrased, any time a player creates a distraction (talking, etc), if done deliberately, it's hindrance and A LOSS OF POINT. If it's unintentional, the point is replayed (let's say the player got stung by a bee and yelled..."something").
Your particular situation is covered very generally under--and you have this correct--when the ball is moving toward you, you can pretty much say or communicate with you partner any way you like. Anyone who has watched professional or college (and some good junior) tennis will recognize this immediately. As a matter of fact, good doubles players communicate continuously. The flip side is--when the balls moving away from you, keep you mouth shut or at least be as quiet as possible.
Your situation w/ the lob is classic in club tennis. The ball is going to get crushed because it's short, etc. and the opponent yells at the top of his lungs: "Short, get back, watch out, etc!" You know the drill; it happens all the time. Technically, at that point, you don't even have to hit the overhead, you merely say "hindrance," and claim the point. Of course, if you play the ball, you can't later claim a hindrance if you miss the shot. The problem in all this is, how are you going to enforce this or convince the uneducated and poor-sportsmanship individuals in an un-officiated match?
If I were chairing your match, and it was clear that your opponent did it as a distraction, I would award you the point immediately, probably before you had a chance to hit the ball. If I wasn't sure it was intentional or an obvious distraction, I may say nothing or caution the player that if he does it again, it will be hindrance and a loss of point.
As practical matter, I've learned to put up w/ it my matches and sometime tell players not to talk during the point. I've never had anyone do it intentionally, but I know it happens all the time.
Good luck with his and tell this individual to learn the rules of the gentleman's game. Email back if this is not clear, and I hope you won.
Ed
