JACKIE BOHANNON
Guest Writer
news@lbknews.com
If both opponents are at the net, what are my best shot options?
Down the middle solves the riddle! With both opponents at the net you have two perfect shot choices depending on your positioning on the court. Number one is to go down the middle. Down the middle can cause confusion about who is going to take the ball. I would suggest hitting a drive down the middle if you are inside the baseline. Try to also hit the shot low so if they reach the shot it is at their feet. The next shot I would suggest is a lob. If you are behind the baseline and not in a position to try a passing shot or drive the ball down the middle I would lob. Other shots like angles can help open up the court, but down the middle and lobs are high percentage choices.
When serving, what sort of serve is most likely to elicit a return to my partner at the net?
From an offensive standpoint serving out wide or into the body. From a defensive standpoint your partner should always be ready to be attacked on a second serve.
When at the net, if my partner goes back to retrieve a lob, do I move back also?
When your partner is in trouble I would retreat to the service line, and then based on your partner’s shot either recover back to the net to resume an offensive position, or scurry to the baseline for defensive. I would only back up completely if your partner hits a shot so short that your opponent has an overhead at you. Furthermore, ideally your partner should take the lob out of the air, perhaps as a scissor kick overhead. Ideally try not to let the ball bounce. Once you let the ball bounce you are now defensive.
While hitting a volley at the net, my racquet crosses over, but does not touch the net … is my shot still legal?
Yes! As long as you or your racquet do not touch the net, and as long as you make contact with the ball on your side of the net it is legal. You can follow through onto your opponent’s side.
When receiving a 1st serve — and the serve is obviously out — is it appropriate to hit the ball back to the server?
No. If the receiver has ample time to receive the serve they should let the ball rest behind them on the fence, or they should catch it and put it in their pocket. Only when the serve comes extremely fast or is very close and the receiver has to return it because it was a reaction would this be appropriate and even in that circumstance you should do your best to return it right back to the server. The most appropriate thing to do when possible is to catch the out ball so there is no delay of game.
Should one ignore foot faults by the opposing server?
No. However, without the presence of an umpire it is extremely difficult to call a foot fault on an opponent from across the court. Therefore I find the best strategy is to politely bring it up to my opponent that I believe they are foot faulting and suggest that they watch the foot fault. In recreational tennis this usually rectifies the situation, as often the opponent has no idea they are committing this error. It is extremely difficult to enforce a foot fault without an umpire present.
Is an underhand serve “off limits”?
No, an underhand serve is not off-limits. You can serve overhand or underhand as long as the ball does not bounce before you hit it. Sometimes when you watch the pros you will see that they do an underhand trick serve. This is perfectly legal as long as the other serving rules apply. You cannot let the ball bounce, and you have to make sure that you’re standing in a legal position
When is alerting your partner to a shot in doubles interference?
You should not be speaking once you have hit your shot. Interference would be when your opponent is going to hit an overhead and you’re yelling back up back up or watch out. In practicality your partner should see that you’ve hit a week shot and start moving back on their own. You should not have to tell them. However you can talk whenever you are receiving the ball and the ball is on your side of the net. Once you’ve made contact you should try not to say anything else, especially once your opponent is going to hit a shot you cannot say anything.
Jackie Bohannon is the Director of Tennis at the Bird Key Yacht Club.
