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: 9/1/2007 Subject: shuffling feet - hindrance??
Question QUESTION: I hit a shot to my opponent’s court and I approach the net and shuffle my feet louder than normal. I’m definitely not stomping my feet, but I want the opponent to know I’m coming in to put pressure on them. Is this legal? I thought some intimidation was legal and not every noise can be ruled a hindrance.
ANSWER: Richard,
I'd have to see it/hear it to know for sure, but if you're making the noise to distract (intimidate?) your opponent, then it is deliberate hindrance and loss of point if your opponent claims it.
Your use of intimidation is unique--never heard that one before. It might be a fine line here since players are used to the shuffle of feet. But even if so, what's your intent? You answered it yourself. If I were chairing or watching your match, I'd view it as a distraction if it was that much louder and clearly done for distraction/hindrance purposes. (You could waive your hands at the net and not make any noise but that would be clear hindrance.)
Plus, there's no need--any player can tell when you're coming in and doesn't need your feet to telegraph it.
I hope you see where I'm going here. Email back if you'd like to clarify or discuss further. Besides, you never mentioned how your opponent felt about it.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you, as a follow-up:
The use of "intimidation" ,I guess, is laughable. Ok, so I hit the shot to the base line and shuffle-scuff my feet as I charge in on a shot the opponent wouldn't expect to me coming in behind.I kind of "snuck in " but want him to know I came in unexpectedly to put pressure on him to let him know he better hit a passing shot.
Can he call hindrance just because I use a play like this, when in fact he missed the shot because there was just more pressure on him to hit a better passing shot.
Answer Absolutely not, Richard. No hindrance. I wasn't trying to say you can't make your presence known; it just seemed from your initial question that you were going out of your way to make extra noise so as to disrupt your opponent. This and anything with similar intent is one form of intentional hindrance. In other words, it's bad sportsmanship.
But your sneaking in or surprising your opponent with out without foot shuffling is perfectly fine. Even if you're flat-footed and make extra noise, there would be no grounds for hindrance under your scenario.
Hope this helps and good luck.
