Rules Q & A
Question: Can the receiver of the serve be awarded a “stroke” when receiving the serve?
Answer: Yes. After the serve, the server must make every effort to clear, so that when the ball rebounds from the front wall, the opponent has fair view of the ball from the front wall; unobstructed direct access to the ball; the space to make a reasonable swing at the ball; and the freedom to strike the ball to any part of the entire front wall. A “let” or “stroke” occurs when the player does not provide the opponent with all of these requirements.
Question: Can a player jump over the ball after striking it?
Answer: Yes. As long as the ball, on the return from the wall does not touch the player, the ball is still in play. The opponent must make the effort, and be in a position to call a let, to be granted a stroke.
Question: What is the ruling on a player consistently calling a let because of a “turn around”?
Answer: A player has the option of waiting to hit the ball, and to make the shot of their choice without interference from their opponent. The same requirements must be available as in Q1. In the case of a “turn around” though, only a “let” is granted. As noted by some members, it is frustrating when the opponent continually puts himself in a position of having to “turn around”. Unfortunately, it is their option, and the server (striker) may have to adjust their serve (return). *Important to note that the player “turning around” must have a shot to be able to be granted a “let”. For example, a perfect nick at the back would not allow for a let, since the striker would not have been able to make a shot even though there was a “turn around”.
Question: Can the receiver of a serve, strike the ball before it crosses the front line of the receiver’s box?
Answer: Yes. Once the ball has rebounded off the front wall, the receiver can strike it in the air (called a volley) even if it is before the white line of the opposite quarter-court (receiver’s box). *This could be disadvantageous for the receiver because it could not yet been determined if the serve would have been good.
Question: Can a player make a play with two hands on their racquet?
Answer: Yes. There is no rule that stipulates that the player can only use one hand. *it should be noted, though, that there is a higher chance of a “double hit” or “carrying the ball” when making a two-handed return.
Question: How much time, or how many hits should a player take during warm-ups?
Answer: The warm up should be for a maximum of five minutes; two and a half minutes per side. Players must have equal opportunities to strike the ball. A player retaining control of the ball for an unreasonable time is warming up unfairly and Rule 15 (conduct) of the Singles rules should be applied. *At our last clinic, it was recommended that three to four hits per player is sufficient before hitting over to their opponent. The warm-up is for warming up the ball and the player, and not for practicing shots.
