Ball Hits a Player (Rule)
Also known as: ball hits a player, ball hits the player, ball hits your body, ball hit my body, serve hits the receiver, serve hits my partner, catch the ball before it bounces, catching a ball that is going out, hits me, hit me, hits you
If the ball hits you, or anything you are wearing or carrying other than your racquet, before it bounces, you lose the point. That holds even if you are standing outside the court and the ball was clearly going out. Catching a ball in play before it bounces also loses the point. On the serve, if the ball hits the receiver or the receiver's partner before it lands. The server wins the point unless it was a let.
ITF Rule 24(i) says a player loses the point if the ball in play touches the player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, except the racquet. It does not matter where you are standing. A ball that is clearly going long still counts against you if it hits you before it bounces.
Catching the ball works the same way. Rule 24, Case 8, covers a player standing outside the court who hits or catches the ball before it bounces and claims it was going out. That player loses the point. The safe habit is to let balls that are going out fly past and bounce.
The racquet is the exception, as long as you are holding it. A ball that hits the racquet in your hand is a shot, and if it goes over the net into the court, play goes on. If the ball touches a racquet you are not holding, such as one you threw, you lose the point (Rule 24(j)).
On the serve, a ball that hits the receiver or the receiver's partner before it bounces is the server's point, unless it is a let (Rule 24, Case 7). If the serve hits the server's own partner, it is a fault (Rule 19(d)).
Tips by skill level
If a ball looks like it is going out, move out of the way and let it bounce. You lose the point only if it touches you first.
At the net, hold your racquet up in front of your body. It protects you and turns balls hit at you into volleys instead of lost points.
Example
Standing behind the baseline, Mia reaches out and catches a lob she is sure is going long. Her opponent claims the point, and under the rules he is right. Next time Mia lets it bounce, and it lands a foot out.
Why it matters
This rule comes up often in club play, especially with deep lobs and hard volleys at the body. Knowing it settles arguments and stops you giving away points you would have won.
Common mistakes
- Catching a ball that is going out before it bounces
- Thinking you win the point if the ball was going out when it hit you
- Forgetting that a serve hitting your own partner is a fault
- Throwing the racquet at a ball you cannot reach
Frequently asked questions
If the ball hits me and was going out, whose point is it?
It is your opponent's point. Under ITF Rule 24, if a ball in play touches you or anything you are wearing before it bounces, you lose the point, wherever you are standing.
Can I catch the ball if it is going out?
No. Catching a ball in play before it bounces loses you the point, even if you are outside the court and it was clearly going out. Let it bounce.
What happens if the serve hits the receiver?
If the serve hits the receiver or the receiver's partner before it bounces, the server wins the point, unless it is a let.
What happens if my serve hits my partner?
It is a fault. A served ball that touches the server or the server's partner counts as a service fault.
Sources
Related terms
- Touching the Net (Rule)You lose the point if you, your racquet or anything you are wearing or carrying touches the net. The posts or your opponent's court while the ball is in play. Contact after the ball is dead, such as after a second bounce or once it has landed out, is fine. Your racquet may follow through over the net after you hit the ball on your side. You may not reach across to play a ball before it has come over.
- Ball on the Line (Line Rule)A ball that touches any part of a line is in. Under ITF Rule 12, the line counts as part of the court it marks. In matches without officials, The Code says a ball is good unless you clearly see space between where it landed and the line.
- Line Calls Without Officials (The Code)In matches without officials, each player calls the balls on their own side of the net, and any doubt goes to the opponent. Calls must be prompt and clear, out loud or with a hand signal. If an opponent makes a pattern of bad calls, The Code says you may contact an official.
- Let (Serve Rule)A let is called when a serve clips the net cord and still lands in the correct service box. The point is then replayed with no penalty to the server.
- Net Player in DoublesWhen your partner serves, start about halfway between the net and the service line, near the middle of your service box. Shift with the ball, cover your alley when it comes down your side and poach weak crosscourt balls you can reach. When your partner returns, start near the service line and move forward once the return gets past the opposing net player.
Related guides & benchmarks
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