2010 - 2011 Rule Changes

FRITZ ODENBACH, RULES COMMITTEE CHAIR
OCTOBER 18, 2010

As the 2010-11 season begins, the APTA Rules Committee would like to announce the most recent rule changes so that all players are up to date.

Rule Change

Rule 18(j) under “LOSS OF POINT,”  has been amended to read:
“A player strikes a ball which lands in the court, then rebounds off the backscreen or corner, and lands back on the striker’s side of the net (in or out of bounds) without being touched by an opponent.”

Previously the ball had to land inside the lines on the striker’s side of the net to be a loss of point.

The change was made primarily for safety reasons. The new rule should eliminate some dangerous shots (hitting players on purpose) and potential injuries (moving fast while looking up at the ball, and running into a screen or net post). We also believe the old rule was not in the true Spirit of Platform Tennis and its great history.

Please note that this rule only applies to balls which strike the back screen or corner first (after landing in the court). It does not apply to balls which strike the side screen first and then rebound back across the net (a Uihlein shot which is extremely tough but not impossible). It does not apply to balls which rebound then hit the net but do not cross back over it.

Etiquette Addition

Under ”The Etiquette of Platform Tennis” we added a section about distractions. It reads:
“XII. INTENTIONAL DISTRACTIONS
Players should not intentionally distract their opponents. Any talking or sudden movements made before or while the server begins his/her service motion, which has been deemed to be done solely to distract the server, violates the spirit of sportsmanship. This includes, but is not limited to talking, making loud noises, waving arms or paddles, dancing or jumping, or stomping of feet.”
 
 After receiving numerous complaints over the past 2 years about players and their gamesmanship to distract their opponents, we decided to add this Etiquette guideline to state the obvious distractions that all players should be aware of.

The purpose of this Etiquette guide (which is not a rule) is to promote good sportsmanship, integrity, and respect, in the true spirit of Platform Tennis.

Equipment Standards

The last item is that the Rules Committee will continue to enforce Rule 3 which states that all Platform Tennis paddles and balls must be APTA approved. With all the changes in both Balls and Paddles, our Rules Committee will continue to do it’s best to enforce this rule so that everyone is on an equal playing ground.

Please contact me Paddleny9@aol.com  or Ann ann.sheedy@platformtennis.org  with any questions or concerns on APTA Rules. Thanks, have a great season, and please, please watch your foot faults.