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Whitney Kraft, Director of Tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, is here to answer your questions on the game of tennis in his column on USTA.com called “Whit’s Tennis Tips". Whether you're looking for that perfect racquet, having a dispute over scoring a match, or just looking to improve your game, all you have to do is ask Whit.
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To: AskWhit@usta.com
Subject: Coman Tiebreak
I play USTA doubles in the Southern California District, the scoring is suposed to go that if sets are split then a coman tiebreak is to be used in lieu of a third set.
Every time the coman tiebreak comes up in play, everyone on the court always seems to be confused and it ends up taking just as long as playing a regular third set would for us to finally decide how the tiebreak should be played.
Could you please explain to me the official rules of the Coman Tiebreak please? Also, Who starts off serving, the previous player who just served to end the previous set or the next player in the rotation; I always thought that the purpose of the Coleman tiebreak was to keep servers on the same side that they were serving in the previous sets.
Thank You.
Ryan J.
To: Ryan
Subject: RE: Coleman Tiebreak
Hi Ryan,
The Coman rules are essentially the same, server rotation sequence is the same as during the set and the tiebreak represents a new game (#13), not a continuation of the six-all game (#12). The difference occurs after the first point, when teams change end of courts, which is then repeated every four points.
My suggestion is to practice playing Coman breakers regularly, not just to be efficient, but you want to master competing under this match critical situation where you are not afforded the opportunity to work into a normal game serve/return rhythm...being confused and playing well are generally not a congruous situation.
Best of luck,
Whitney
To: AskWhit
Subject: weight transfer
Hi Whit,
Do you have any suggestions to help me with getting my weight tranferred properly on both my forehand and backhand. I seem to not always transfer my weight properly and it is frustrating. It doenst appear to be a fatigue issue as I have a lot of stamina. It just seems to be a disconnect between my mind and body...lol. I just need to get my weight transfer to be automatic rather than always having to remind myself about it. Any suggestions to help would be appreciated.
Thanks and have a good day!
Roger
To: Roger
Subject: RE: weight transfer
Hi Roger,
The first place to check is your timing, as being late will always inhibit weight transfer. Second place, and a possible cause of the first place is technique; beginning with how you prepare (early unit turn). Third place is your hitting stance/ball positioning alignment (can you move forward). All places: your teaching pro is the way to go!
Regards,
Whitney
To: AskWhit
Subject: Foot Faults
Foot faults... Is this a rule anymore?
I play at 3.0-3.5 level but have observed many (unofficiated) matches at the 4.0 level and above where these transgressions seem blatant and never called. How does one diplomatically address your opponents blatant foot faults and what is the penalty?
Chris T.
To: chris
Subject: RE: Foot Faults
Hi Chris and thanks for your question.
In a non-officiated match, the receiver or the receiver’s partner may call foot faults after all efforts (warning the server and attempting to locate an official) have failed and the foot faulting is so flagrant as to be clearly perceptible from the receiver’s side. The penalty is simply a service fault per incidence. One reason foot-faults are rarely called at club level play is that it typically does not influence the outcome of a point unless extreme…well into court, serve/volley play, or; a lesser known type of foot-fault as serving beyond the sidelines/service center mark, or the “running jump serve” (volleyball style).
Regards,
Whitney