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FROM THE CHAIR By Ira Moss, USTA Offi cial
AREA REPORTS
[ Continued from page 7 ]
Eastern Washington
By Frank Cruz-Aedo
Exploring a “grey area” of tennis offi ciating
A
t a recent high school tennis event, a player and his coach asked me
about body movement during a doubles match, specifi cally movement
by the partner of the player returning serve. Apparently, they had experienced
a player moving around, jumping in and out of the serving box just
before and even during the server’s motion. Th e inquiring coach and player
felt that this was being done in an attempt to disrupt the server, hoping for
double faults or at least a less eff ective serve.
I explained that this is a “grey area” of tennis offi ciating. According to
principle No. 34 in Th e Code: Th e Player’s Guide for Matches When Offi cials
are Not Present, “A player may feint with the body while the ball is in play. A
player may change position at any time even as the server is tossing the ball.”
However, the principle goes on to say, “Any movement or any sound that is
made solely to distract an opponent, including but not limited to waving the
arms or racquet or stamping the feet, is not allowed.”
Th is verbiage creates a paradox for players and offi cials. Players may move
at any time but not solely to create a distraction. If an offi cial is present, he
or she needs to make an assessment as to the intention of the player moving
about. In most cases the situation is not as obvious as a player jumping
up and down and waving their arms. Attempts to read a player’s mind and
interpret intentions are bound to result in arguments. In a match played
without offi cials, the opportunity for arguments and poor sportsmanship
increase exponentially.
Coaches prep for HS season
Last year, boys’ tennis at Central Valley High School and Mt. Spokane High School welcomed new
coaches Brian Kreider and Don Story, respectively. I had the pleasure of working with both of them
briefl y as an assistant coach and saw fi rst-hand the way they inspired the players they coached.
I had the opportunity to interview Coach Kreider recently. The following is a look into the mind of
a coach entering his sophomore season with the Central Valley High School (CVHS) Boys’ Tennis team.
Tennis Times: Coach Kreider, welcome to your second season coaching tennis at CVHS! The
boys are lucky to have you back. What are you excited for this coming spring season?
Coach Kreider: Last year we saw a big breakthrough with our program. As a coach it was fun to
watch the attitude change in the team over the course of the season. The team began to believe in
their abilities and bought into the new system. I am very excited about our depth for the upcoming
season. We are returning our Nos. 1-3 singles players and two of the top three doubles teams. Our team
fi nished second in districts (best in school history) and hopes to improve upon that this next season.
TT: Did any members of your team play tournaments over the summer? How did they do?
CK: Peter Ho and Zach Juhre played extensively over the summer. Ho has been competing in
tournament play. Juhre improved his ranking greatly over the course of the summer and has really
improved his game. He will help us out a lot at the No. 2 singles slot. We look to be pretty tough with
our singles lineup. I probably have seven guys that could step in and help out there.
TT: What kind of satisfaction do you get from being a high school coach?
CK: This is my eleventh year of coaching. Ten of those years have been spent as a head coach for
both girls’ and boys’ varsity tennis teams. I spent nine years in Port Angeles, Wash., and the last two
years at CVHS. I am obviously biased but I believe tennis kids are the best. If I am going to spend time
away from my family, I want to be on the court with my team. I greatly value the relationships I have
ffostered
with my players and consider them part of my family.
TT: Do you have any new ideas, drills or coaching tactics
ffor
your team? Who will be your assistant coach this season?
CK: I am extremely lucky to have CVHS alum Dayne Kuhlmann
aas
my assistant. He does a great job with the JV squad and played
a
huge part in our turnaround last year. We couldn’t have had the
ssuccess
we did without him on staff. This year I will integrate a
mmental
training aspect to our program. We made such great gains
la last year but I am hoping to take our program to the next level. I
[ Continued on page 15 ]
Coach Kreider helps
guide one of his
player’s during a
changeover.
The Central Valley High
School Boys’ Tennis team
makes it a priority to
bond with each other off
court.
Unfortunately, there is not one clear-cut standard to go on in cases
like this. In all USTA events, the server’s partner may stand anywhere on
the court including inside the serving box if they so choose. Th erefore,
it cannot be assumed that moving in and out of the box is solely for the
purpose of distraction. As is stated in principle No. 1 of Th e Code, “Tennis
is a game that requires cooperation and
courtesy from all participants.” Without it,
the game stops being fun and even a victory
can become less satisfying.
With another collegiate tennis season fast
approaching, it is worth noting an exception
to the principle stated above. During Intercollegiate
Tennis Association (ITA) events,
“Th e receiver’s partner may not stand in
the receiver’s service box before or during
the serve.” �
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www.pnw.usta.com � WINTER 2009/10 TENNIS TIMES
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