[tennisbiz] Re: Service Toss

Hi Phil,

As much as it is annoying to the receiver, I would disagree that the server
be penalized for a poor toss. I don't agree either that all poor tosses are
due to nerves. Haven't you ever just made a poor toss at times purely
because your rhythm was off? I know I have and it wasn't because I was
nervous. As you mentioned, the serve is the only shot in the game the player
has 100% control over from start to finish...and this includes the toss, so
because of this...they should control what toss is playable and what is not.

If it becomes excessive (and I'm not suggesting what that number would be 10,
15, 20 times?) maybe there could be a "cut off" or "minimum poor toss" rule.
However, this can run into too many complications. Does a player catch the
toss because it's a poor toss or because there is a distraction in the crowd?
Does this become another "stat" to be recorded by the umpires?, etc.

It might be best handled as a time issue rather than a "toss" issue. If the
player is within the time allowed than it's not any type of infraction. If
the poor tosses and "do overs" put the player outside the time allotted,
maybe then an infraction can be invoked.

I believe poor tosses are as much a part of the game as bad weather, unruly
fans and poor line calls. It's something the RECEIVER should be handling
well to stay mentally tough.

Any thoughts from others?

David Breslow
Performance Success Strategies
847.681.1698
web: www.psstrategies.com
 
Received on Wed Sep 04 2002 - 12:08:35 CDT