APTA Board again struggles to address foot-faults

In the continuing struggle to contend with the foot-fault violation, and possibly clarify the foot-fault rule, the APTA Board again considered the matter.

The discussion focused on two questions: (1) What could be done to control/reduce the incidence of foot-faulting among players? and (2) Should there be any change or changes in the foot-fault rules?

It was decided that, starting with the 1995 season, all National Championships should have a foot-fault judge in all matches from the quarterfinals on, unless there was a chair umpire. While it was recognized by the APTA that this would be a difficult chore for both the committee and the appointee, it was felt that it can and should be done in order to further curb the incidence of foot-faulting.

With regard to the second question, the discussion focused on the current wording of the foot-fault rule (Rule II) in the Rules Book. The rule states that the server, throughout the delivery of the service. may not “change position by walking or running,” but the rule goes on to state that the server is not deemed to be walking or running as a result of “slight movements of the feet which do not materially affect the location originally taken by the server.” In focusing on what is a “slight movement,” the Board considered changing the rule to be more specific, but decided to defer this decision and think further about it during the season.

The APTA had also received suggestions that the rule specify that the forward foot must maintain its original position, thus disallowing any movement, although “pivoting” of the forward foot would be allowed. It was deemed that such a regulation would be even more difficult to enforce than the current violation of simply stepping on the line, so the Board also deferred consideration of this suggestion.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Winter 1995