Coaching Tip - April 2021

    Foot Faults
    The Rules that some of us don’t know

    Foot Faults while Serving is reasonably common at Club level in the Senior and Junior competitions as well as within our Social Tennis groups.
    There are still a few Foot faults on display from time to time at the professional level.

    Many players are unaware of the tennis rules in regard to Foot Faults and there can be confrontations between opposing players/teams because of consistent foot faults.
    I thought I would outline the areas of concern re Foot faults so that players can hopefully eliminate this problem from their tennis game.

    The Serve is invalid if you
    • Walk or run while Serving
    Small movements are allowed as long as the feet are outside the court

    • Touch or cross the baseline with either foot before Serving the ball
    Start from a step behind the baseline if this is a problem

    • Touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the sideline with either foot
    Serve from behind the baseline as marked for Singles or doubles court

    • Touch or cross the imaginary extension of the centre mark with either foot or your body
    Move your Serving position so that you are about a metre from the centre mark or the ‘T’

    The key is to make these small adjustments to your serving position before starting your Serving process.

    Get your Coach to help you with this important change.

    You will also need to practice the tips above during your hitting and organised practice sessions so that Foot Faults are eliminated from your Tennis game.

    I hope that the above tips will help you improve your Serve with no Foot Faults so that you can take your game to the next level.

    Try not to confuse yourself by thinking too much.
    Keep it Simple. Relax and let it happen

    Let me know if you can think of any other options to help you achieve a more consistent and effective physical and mental game.

    Tennis the game of a lifetime

    Contact me by Email if you have any comments or helpful Tennis hints.
    Let me know the things that work for you.

    Coach Steve
    Website www.stevejamestennis.com