Offensive behaviour

Published: 05 Apr 2005 - 17:13 by rippa rit

Updated: 15 Aug 2006 - 15:46

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Offensive behaviour on court is not to be tolerated and is something that is within the control of the Referee. Under the terms of Rule 17 there are guidelines to assist the Referee hand out penalties to such players.

Conduct on Court - Rule 17 If the Referee considers that a player's behaviour is disruptive, intimidating or offensive to the opponent, an official or spectator, or could in any other way bring the game into disrepute, the player has to be penalised. Offences include:

audible or visible obscenities

verbal or physical abuse

dissent

abuse of racket, ball or court

coaching - other than during the interval between games

significant or deliberate physical contact

excessive racket swing

unfair warm up

late back on court

dangerous play or action

wasting time

The Referee has the discretion to award any Conduct on Court penalty depending on the seriousness of the offence.

The first penalty imposed by the Referee for a particular offence may be at any level to suit the seriousness of the offence.

However, any other penalty for the same type of offence for the same player , should not be less severe than the previous penalty for that offence.

So several warnings or several strokes for the same type of offence may be awarded if the Referee does not believe that the offence warrants stronger penalties.

Note: As a Referee, and as a mate of the players, the problem seems to go beyond the rules, where clearly the Referee does have enough power to control the behaviour of the players on court. I leave the rest for you to work out!