I love to talk about tennis rules. And in this episode of Tennis Quick Tips, we're going to discuss one of my favorite rules – the rule on hindrances. Have you been hindered? Are you hindering other people? Listen in and learn everything you need to know to make sure you don't lose out on points if you get hindered and you don't make any dumb mistakes that result in you being the hinderer (that's a word, right?). You can listen to this episode by clicking on the media player above or by listening in with your favorite podcast app. You can also subscribe in iTunes by clicking on this link: tennisfixation.com/itunes.
SHOW NOTES:
Here are some quick notes on what's covered in this episode.
I get asked lots of questions about tennis rules. And I love to answer them because I know how important knowing the rules can be during your matches. It's hard enough to win in tennis so you don't want to inadvertently give away points just because you don't know the rules.
In this episode of Tennis Quick Tips, I tell you eveything you need to know about hindrances. ITF Rule 26 is the rule on hindrances and it says:
If a player is hindered in playing a point by a deliberate act of the opponent(s), the player shall win the point.
However, the point shall be replayed if a player is hindered in playing the point by either an unintentional act of the opponent(s), or something outside the player's own control (not including a permanent fixture).
To determine if and how this rule applies you need to know (1) was the player hindered, and (2) was the hindrance intentional or unintentional. I'll tell you how to determine those things and give you some great examples of the different types of hindrances.
I also talk about talking during a point which may, in some cases, be considered a hindrance. We'll put this in the context of Paragraphs 33 and 34 of the Code which state:
33. Claiming a hindrance. A player who claims a hindrance must stop play as soon as possible.
34. Taking when a ball is in play.
- Singles players should not talk during points.
- Talking between doubles partners when the ball is moving toward them is allowed.
- Doubles players should not talk when the ball is moving toward their opponent's court.
- When talking interferes with an opponent's ability to play a ball, it is a hindrance.
You'll also hear about some real world experiences I've had with hindrances – including the time I received a “warning” from my opponent because my hat blew off.
Have you had someone call a hindrance on you lately? How’d that go? Let me know about your hindrances and your other “weird” tennis rule questions!
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© Kim Selzman 2014-2020 All Rights Reserved
While playing doubles, my partner hit a solid cross court winner. Seeing this extreme angled shot, I was enticed to shout out yess! The opponent took one step towards the ball stopped, and called “hinderence” on me and took the point. He did not have a chance of returning it at all. Social weekend tennis. All friends, never called for any reason in ten years. Not a tourney or league.
I think your comment was probably a hindrance but its nice that you were all able to work it out. Yes, the issue of whether your opponent could get to the ball and make the return is important but I also think you have to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt – maybe, somehow, they might have been able to make a play on the ball. But your comment could have confused them and prevented them from even trying.
I think this answers a question that arose during a league doubles match last night- our opponent fell while going for a ball, and her partner returned it instead. However, since the fall was definitely a distraction- and her racket fell loudly to the court, we let her partner’s return ball pass us, and immediately stopped play and asked if she was all right. She was, and got up to resume play. We asked for a let, and they refused on the grounds that the ball had been fairly returned and we had not hit it back. We let them have that point and went on to win the match, but I think we had good grounds to have insisted a let be played, as her fall WAS an unintentional hindrance and we stopped play right away. Agreed?
Lynn Shiner
Totally agreed – even if something happens to one of your opponents on the other side of the net, it can be distracting to you. I think they definitely should have given you a let and replayed the point. You were nice to be concerned about her!