Here's the situation, playing doubles. I'm on the left side of the court in the service box. My partner is on the right side of the court around the receiving line. My partner just hit a DTL shot. Other team is returning. Guy hits a 3 wall boast from the back right corner. It's coming right at me and my natural reaction is to get out of the way (it would have hit me in the chest/shoulder area so no chance of injury) so I contort myself to miss the ball. Ball barely makes the front wall for their point.

So my question is, am I required to get out of the path of a ball like that coming right at me? Now I'm not talking about reaching out or intentionally hitting the ball, but I don't have to dive out of the way or anything right? I could just stand there and let it hit me right?

So my question is, am I required to get out of the path of a ball like that coming right at me? Now I'm not talking about reaching out or intentionally hitting the ball, but I don't have to dive out of the way or anything right? I could just stand there and let it hit me right?

Nope you are not required to get out of the way and you are able to stand there. I HATE guys that do 3 wall boast shots in doubles its just plain dangerous especially when I step up to cover a shot and they hit the friggin thing at my HEAD! I have had more than a couple words with guys that only want to hit that shot all the time. So let me get this straight you want me to go to the back corner and duck down so you can hit all shots in front of you.... correct? :lol:

If they are good at hitting the shot take it away from them as its not a given shot.

dbarry14 wrote:

Here's the situation, playing doubles. I'm on the left side of the court in the service box. My partner is on the right side of the court around the receiving line. My partner just hit a DTL shot. Other team is returning. Guy hits a 3 wall boast from the back right corner. It's coming right at me and my natural reaction is to get out of the way (it would have hit me in the chest/shoulder area so no chance of injury) so I contort myself to miss the ball. Ball barely makes the front wall for their point.

So my question is, am I required to get out of the path of a ball like that coming right at me? Now I'm not talking about reaching out or intentionally hitting the ball, but I don't have to dive out of the way or anything right? I could just stand there and let it hit me right?

The rules only require the non-hitting team to allow a direct path of the ball to the front wall for a Straight-in (or Down the Line) Pass Shot, or a Cross Court Pass Shot to the far back corner.

If a hitter attempts any type of Pinch Shot (hits side wall first) that is NOT part of a Straight-in Pass Shot or Cross Court Pass Shot, and the ball HITS the non-hitting team, it will only result in a REPLAY HINDER if there was a “chance” for the ball to have a successful return. A Penalty Hinder only occurs when the non-hitter prevents the hitter from getting to the ball, taking a full swing, or blocking the path of a straight-in or cross court pass shot. See the PDF file link below for 8 examples.


Picture 1) Typical Serve and Return

Picture 1 shows the server (S1) and receiver (R1) just before a serve. After a serve was hit to the right back corner, the server moves into center court (S1-S3) and the receiver moves to return the ball (R1-R3).


Picture 2) Required Ball Path to Front Wall

Picture 2 illustrates the required return ball path to the front wall for the hitter (1). The GREEN paths represent the Straight-in (DTL Down the Line) pass shot blocked by non-hitter (2A) and a Cross Court Pass Shot (CCP) blocked by non-hitter (2B). The non-hitting team can position anywhere that doesn't prevent the hitter from getting to the ball, taking a full swing, or having a return pass shot as mentioned.

http://webracquetball.com/images/hinders/Top%20View%20PDF%208%20Forehand%20Back%20Court%20Pass%20Shots%201.pdf
See the PDF file above (print out if needed) for what positions ARE Penalty Hinders, from 8 possible hitters positions.


Question for dbarry:
Why on earth would you stand in the Service Box, unless you were “stuck” there from the last shot? That position is too close to the side wall, and too close to the front wall.

Why on earth would you stand in the Service Box, unless you were “stuck” there from the last shot? That position is too close to the side wall, and too close to the front wall.

Actually I was in the service zone, not the service box. I used the wrong term. And I was up there to cover the pinch/splat shot which this guy had been hitting all night.

I know only the CC and straight in shot have to be given, but I guess my real question is that if I were to put up my hands to protect myself or just let the ball hit me, I can't be called for a penalty hinder can I? As long as I don't make an attempt to reach out or purposely run into the ball's path, I should be okay I think.

dbarry14

Actually I was in the service zone, not the service box. I used the wrong term. And I was up there to cover the pinch/splat shot which this guy had been hitting all night.

I know only the CC and straight in shot have to be given, but I guess my real question is that if I were to put up my hands to protect myself or just let the ball hit me, I can't be called for a penalty hinder can I? As long as I don't make an attempt to reach out or purposely run into the ball's path, I should be okay I think.

You can do what you want regarding that shot. If he hits you with it I'd have some choice swear words prepared as well. Definitely a jerk move to go for that boast when people are standing there.

dbarry14

Here's the situation, playing doubles. I'm on the left side of the court in the service box. My partner is on the right side of the court around the receiving line. My partner just hit a DTL shot. Other team is returning. Guy hits a 3 wall boast from the back right corner. It's coming right at me and my natural reaction is to get out of the way (it would have hit me in the chest/shoulder area so no chance of injury) so I contort myself to miss the ball. Ball barely makes the front wall for their point.

So my question is, am I required to get out of the path of a ball like that coming right at me? Now I'm not talking about reaching out or intentionally hitting the ball, but I don't have to dive out of the way or anything right? I could just stand there and let it hit me right?

As everyone said, you don't have to move. The hitter has no excuse, you're there in plain sight in front of him before he takes his shot option. If he hits you, it's his fault.

Saying that, it's okay for a player to take that boast shot in doubles, but beware: The opponent on his side has to be playing back clear of the ball path or the boast shooter has to have the ability to shoot the ball overhand over the head of his opponent.

If you try the boast and you clock an opponent, you deserve the outrage you get . . . as the posts in this thread show.

Jordan

Why on earth would you stand in the Service Box, unless you were “stuck” there from the last shot? That position is too close to the side wall, and too close to the front wall.

geez, Jordan . . . in real life players get trapped into bad court position all the time. it's what I live for.

Jordan

J, a request from a big fan of your work. Please add the 1'x1' grid to side walls and ceiling. Drawing it, teh math might get messy in perspective, but it will be representitive of the view point. A 1'x1' grid, to snap to (drawing.) Or, in the court, hit to!

For example: Take the above attached graphics. In this scenerio, side or cieling don't come into play. But, your ball trajectory looks a little low. Snapping to grid might make the graphic look more 3-D?

Anyway's, keep up the good work!

Thx

Bill wrote:

J, a request from a big fan of your work. Please add the 1'x1' grid to side walls and ceiling. Drawing it, teh math might get messy in perspective, but it will be representitive of the view point. A 1'x1' grid, to snap to (drawing.) Or, in the court, hit to!

For example: Take the above attached graphics. In this scenerio, side or cieling don't come into play. But, your ball trajectory looks a little low. Snapping to grid might make the graphic look more 3-D?

Anyway's, keep up the good work!

Thx

Thanks for being a fan! I understand the frustration with not having the “grids” on the side walls or ceiling. I tried that, but it looked awful.

But Wait! There's More!

You may have noticed I haven't dished out as many graphics as I once did. I am working on a new design procedure that will incorporate the answers to many questions and end many arguments. Yes, it will illustrate the ball contacting all surfaces, at exact locations.

You will just have to wait. I have all the “parts” and have tested most of the equipment and applications, except for some special custom-made equipment. It's a combination of hi-tech and low tech, and will be a tedious process once finished.

And yes, it will be a major part of the new website.

BTW: No, I am not waiting for my “leg” muscles to increase in size. I will wear “sweat pants” to hide my skinny legs. I did get a hair-cut, so I may not need to wear any hats. And I know what size “shirt logos” will show up the best. Still testing clothing colors and lighting. Got to test some new video equipment on Halloween (night-club, non-racquetball) which works great, and may try it out tonight at the Glass Court Turkey Tournament in Lombard, IL.