Top Spin 3 Rule Update - Returning Serves

[Rob ITST]

Because there has been some confusion over what is considered "returning from inside the baseline", we have made a change to the wording of the rule.

The rule now reads:

With immediate effect, you must stand behind the baseline while returning serves - and your return of serve must not result in your character stepping on, or inside the baseline.

This should clear up any issues about when the rule is being broken. If your swing animation causes you to step on the line or inside the court, then you will need to make an adjustment for that.

[ANILTJE]

Merci beaucoup.

[djarvik]

Good one. thanks.

[kyuuji]

I didn't really understand, I return far from the line (so I really go back ) and my returns goes very long. Can I ?

[Amazing Matheja]

I didn't really understand, I return far from the line (so I really go back ) and my returns goes very long. Can I ?

Du moment que tu finis pas SUR la igne de fond...Tu fais ce que tu veux au retour sauf etre SUR la ligne de fond (avant,pendant et apres la phase de service...)
Did i clear it up for ya?

[kyuuji]

Ya, I was not sure. Thanks

[Coolhand Texas]

Good rule because i know sometimes it is really tough to tell. This should make evrything simpler.

[jayl0ve]

I never even pay attention unless they are just obviously way inside the baseline.

[GOA MASTER MDMA]

a new rule about returning . but extreme linedancing is forward allowed ???

however ,thats a step in the right way

[beltic caldy]

nice one the clarification!

i actually think there should be a minimum gap the person has to stand behind the baseline. i've played some people in the past who are practically on top of the baseline and, miracle of miracles, get a ridiculous amount of risk-returns in. there's also the psychological element - you end up asking 'are they on the line or just v v v close to it?' and getting distracted - focusing more on being an umpire/line-judge than a competitor.


how do you intend to deal with infringements Rob? And what constitutes infringement? One instance of 'line-stepping', or repeated, or, as I've had in the past too, a single set where the opponent stands right on top of the line? There's also the issue of proof - short of video-footage, is it not one person's word against the other's, coupled with people's record?

so how to report, how to deal with (at the time) and how to prove - or what action to be taken?

[jayl0ve]

Well in real life tennis it is ideal to stand as close to the baseline as possible/comfortable when returning serve. The closer you are, the more time you take away from the server, you give him less angles, you can use more of the server's pace, etc etc...SOOO, it kind of makes sense that risk returns are maybe a bit easier when attempted close to the baseline. However, your chances of a successful risk return seem to go up EXPONENTIALLY once you actually clearly cross the baseline.

Summary: I think the new 'clarification' is kind of nit-picking, but I also have no problem with it because it doesn't affect me in the least bit.

[Rob ITST]

how do you intend to deal with infringements Rob? And what constitutes infringement? One instance of 'line-stepping', or repeated, or, as I've had in the past too, a single set where the opponent stands right on top of the line?

If they step on the line, they broke the rules. You just have to use your judgment and be reasonable. If it happens once, I wouldn't let it bother me - unless it was on break point or another key point. Just ask yourself if you really believe it affected the outcome of the match - either way, it's probably best to report it to the host.

There's also the issue of proof - short of video-footage, is it not one person's word against the other's, coupled with people's record?

so how to report, how to deal with (at the time) and how to prove - or what action to be taken?

Just like anything else, we have to rely a great deal on players' honesty. Even the score of the match is based on that. If someone break this, or any other rule, just report it to the host and leave it in their hands. We keep a record of every complaint - cheaters usually cheat more than once, and it doesn't take long for a pattern to emerge.

[Apathetically]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

It's the noobs who stand borderline.

[Apathetically]

Because there has been some confusion over what is considered "returning from inside the baseline", we have made a change to the wording of the rule.

The rule now reads:

With immediate effect, you must stand behind the baseline while returning serves - and your return of serve must not result in your character stepping on, or inside the baseline.

This should clear up any issues about when the rule is being broken. If your swing animation causes you to step on the line or inside the court, then you will need to make an adjustment for that.

By the way, there is NO adjustment, you just stand clearly further back. I wonder how many matches would have been different had people decided to just do what they want and ignore rules would be?

[coke4]

Im presuming if someone steps over the line after the ball has left the racquet its still against the rules yes?