| Ace |
An unreturnable service hit beyond reach of Receiver's paddle. |
| Band |
The strip of canvas attached to the top of the net. (2,8,11,16,20) |
| Base Line |
The horizontal line at each end of the court that defines the length of the basic court
(50'). (1,5,6,7,16,28) |
| Bucket |
That area between the restraint line and the net into which players may not advance
until the Receiver's paddle strikes the ball. Where the Restraint Rule is authorized.
(35) |
| Bucket Judge |
That linesman whose duty is to judge and call out violations of the Restraint Rule.
(Where Restraint Rule is authorized.) |
| Center Line |
The longitudinal line dividing the court and defining the service courts.
(1,5,6,7) |
| Fault |
A served ball that breaches the service rules. (8,9,11,13,15,16) |
| Game |
The unit of scoring higher than point. (7,12,22-26,29-32,37) |
| Ground Stroke |
A ball that is stroked after having hit the ground (excepting a half volley). |
| Half-Volley |
A stroke hit just as a ball is leaving the ground. |
| In Play |
A ball is "in play" from the moment that it is delivered in service until the point has
been decided. (13,16) |
| Let |
A served ball that touches the net and yet goes into the proper court. Also any stroke
that does not count and is played over. (9-11,20,35,37) |
| Linesman |
That official whose duty it is to judge and alert the umpire on balls landing outside
the playing court. |
| Match |
The sum total score of all points and sets resulting in a win or loss between two
players or teams. (25) |
| Net |
The netting across the middle of the court. (1,2,7,8,11,16,19,20,30) |
| Net Cord Ball |
A ball in play that touches the net and yet goes into the proper court on any stroke
other than a serve. (A served ball in a similar situation is called a "let ball".)
|
| Not Up |
The call when a player misses reaching a ball before it touches down a second time,
often informally called "two bounces" or "double bounce". Also applies to balls hit
near the ground that go from paddle to ground then over the net. (16) |
| Permanent Fixtures |
The Umpire, linesmen, and spectators and their chairs or stands, net, posts, back and
side stops, and any other objects situated around the court. (2,8,16,19,21) |
| Point |
The lowest unit of scoring. (7,12,14-17,19-22,31,33-35,37) |
| Post |
One of the uprights supporting the net. (1,2,16,19,20) |
| Rally |
The act of stroking the ball sevaral times before the point ends. |
Tournament Director
Or Designate |
That official who:
| (a) |
Shall appoint umpires and linesmen, assign courts and decide starting times. |
| (b) |
Decides points of law (but not a question of fact) which the umpire cannot decide
- or which may be appealed to him/her by the umpire. |
| (c) |
Decides whether a match shall be postponed because of weather conditions - rain,
darkness, winds, etc. Note: The umpire suspends play, the "TD" orders a
postponement. |
| (d) |
Has authority to default a player for failure to appear on time. |
|
| Restraint |
The philosophy of the game which holds players away from the net until a rally has had
an opportunity to develop. (16,30,35) The tournament committee for each respective
tournament shall determine whether or not the Restraint (Bucket) Rule will govern.
|
| Restraint Line |
A line 12' from the net and horizontally across the court, beyond which (toward net)
players may not advance until a prescribed point in a rally. (1,35) (Where authorized)
|
| Serve |
The act of putting the ball in play. (4-9,11-16,20,29-33,35-37) |
| Service Line |
The line to which the serve is hit. The serve is hit from behind the
base line. (1,7) |
| Set |
The unit of scoring higher than game. (23-25,28-30,37) |
| Side Line |
The longitudinal line at each side of the court that defines the outside width of
the playing surface (20'0"). (1,5-7) |
| Step |
A motion of the feet during walking or running which is measured from the time a foot
leaves the ground until it touches the ground at the completion of a stride. (6)
|
| Tie-Breaker |
The scoring system which limits the extent of play thereby reducing the number of
games played in order to win a set. (23,24,37) |
| Toss |
To spin or throw a paddle in the air, or toss a coin for choice of service or court.
(4,37) |
| Tournament |
An official tournament played according to the USPTA "Rules of Play". When it is
declared an "open" tournament, professionals may compete. |
| Umpire |
That official generally in charge of a match who:
| (a) |
Introduces players, keeps and calls out score at each point, game, set, and match.
|
| (b) |
Checks net height. |
| (c) |
Repeats "out" or "fault" calls of linesmen. |
| (d) |
Sees that players change sides, receive, and/or serve as specified in Rules.
|
| (e) |
Sees that play is continuous within the Rules. |
| (f) |
Suspends play when weather or other conditions make this advisable. (Subject to
confirmation by Referee). |
| (g) |
Supervises spin for choice of serve or court. |
| (h) |
Calls the players to "action". (17,27,28,35,37) |
|
| Volley |
A stroke made by hitting or attempting to hit a ball before it has touched the ground.
(16,20) |