SCENARIO ONE
In a men's ITA doubles match team A hits a ball that might be going long. Team B prepares to hit the ball but their coach shouts, "Let it go!" and they move away and let the ball go out.
Here is the rule:
offer advice to the player. Coaches shall not in any way distract or
annoy the opposing player. If a coach in any way interferes with play or
distracts an opposing player at any time, he shall receive a direct
warning from the Referee or Umpire. For any subsequent violation, his
player, on the court where the violation occurred, shall be assessed a
point penalty. Penalties for coaching are not treated as part of the ITA
Point Penalty System, and they do not accumulate.
Question: Do you call a hindrance and award the point to team A, give the coach a warning, or do nothing?
SCENARIO TWO
In Federer's loss to Nadal at the Australian Open, he complained to the chair umpire about Nadal's grunting. Everyone is aware of the loud shrieking coming from Azarenka and Sharapova and it has even entered into the collegiate ranks.
Here is the rule:
loudly that play on nearby courts is affected? The official may treat loud
grunting as a hindrance. If the official concludes that the grunting affected the
outcome of the point on the court where the grunting occurred, the official
shall order that the point be replayed. The official shall advise the player that
subsequent loud grunting that affects the outcome of a point will be treated as
an intentional hindrance and will result in loss of the point. An official should
not order a point replayed on an adjacent court even if the grunting may have
affected the outcome of a point on that court.
What would you do at the pro level? At the collegiate level? At the USTA level? Should there be a difference in how you deal with the problem?
7 comments:
We need to ask Jane Goodall what her ruling is on the first scenario since she is the self-appointed ITA Rules goddess. Can't wait to hear her response.
I would issue a coaches code of conduct warning to make sure a coach doesn't interfere with play again. Under the existing ITA rules, there is no policy for awarding a hindrance for a coaches actions. The first occurrence is a direct warning, followed by loss of point for a subsequent infraction.
Unless or until the ITF supports proper enforcement of this rule at the pro level it will be extremely difficult to apply and enforce. The main violators of this rule will have to be publicly coded. I have no doubt they can play well without the noise.
ITS A LOOK AT ME WORLD!
Warn the Coach - then take action
All three circus's need to be treated the same - INCLUDING PRO's! If we start with the SUPERSTARS - who knows what might happen - maybe some positive outcomes... DARN IT THIS IS NOT COMPLICATED - WHY DO WE MAKE IT THAT WAY???
BACO!
I saw a kid in a high school tournament - SINGING!
Is that anymore a distraction than the horrible grunting that goes on EVERYWHERE?
The COACH and the MOTHER said that the little Pirate (10th grader) was told by her coach that it would "RELAX" her and to sing softly... OMG!
The other player did not notice! BUT I DID, and it was just weird... what do you do?
I feel like the Coaches and the Parents need to step up and control these behaviors - NOT US! Winning at all cost is it that IMPORTANT?
Opera Ump
First, a coach giving instruction to any player (even his own) during a point results in "hindrance, loss of point". Even if that didn't exist a coach can't tell his player to bounce it and call it out, b/c the onus is on the player to make all calls. Is there any scenario that you would actually let the coach make a line call for his player, even if it is submitted to the official by the player?
Its always a delight to hear from Baco.
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