Train for Video Review: foot faults, bounces, calls

Why this matters now

Video Review is moving beyond line calls. In early September, tours and team events expanded video assistance for double bounces, touches, and hindrance on select courts. The US Open used courtside video on show courts for non line-call rulings. The Davis Cup confirmed availability for double-bounce and foul-shot checks in the Finals group stage.

Most junior and college events will not have full review this season. That is the point. Train now, so your calls, footwork, and scramble habits already match what the camera will see later.

I am a USPTA coach and a sport science nerd. When tech raises the standard, you can either hope the call goes your way or train to remove doubt. This guide gives you the camera angles, drills, tests, and a two-week microcycle to make your game Video Review ready.

Big idea: Make your decisions legible to a camera. Clear feet on serve. Clear bounces on scrambles. Clear words in live play.

What Video Review covers and what you should train

• Double bounces and foul shots: expanding now at top events. You must decide and keep playing while being ready to challenge.
• Touches and net contact: also covered at some events. Your racket, clothing, and body cannot contact the net during a live point.
• Hindrance: audible or visual interference can be ruled. Many cases are subjective. Clarity helps.
• Foot faults: not widely reviewed by video yet, but more events position cameras near baselines. Self-auditing now prevents future problems and avoids code violations today.

Field-ready camera setups players can run today

You do not need broadcast rigs. A phone and tripod are enough for useful slow motion.

Recommended angles

• Serve and foot faults: phone on a tripod, behind the server, aligned with the center hash, 1.1 to 1.3 m high. Frame from front foot to the ball at contact. Use 120 fps if available, 60 fps minimum.
• Double-bounce scrambles: phone on the side fence at the service line T. Aim across the bounce area at knee height to catch ball-ground contact. 120 fps preferred.
• Hindrance and net touches: phone at the net post facing down the net. Wide field of view. Audio on.

Setup details

• Use gridlines. Keep baseline or service line on a grid to judge foot placement and bounces.
• Stabilize with a cheap tripod or fence clamp. No hand-held.
• Light matters. Under indoor or night lights, lock exposure and focus.
• Tag clips. Use simple tags like FF for foot fault, DB for double bounce, H for hindrance. OffCourt players can log these tags and scores in the app to track compliance over time.

Cue: If the phone does not see the line and the ball at the same time, the clip is not evidence-grade.

Drill 1: Double-bounce scramble and challenge decisions

Goal: Improve last-ditch pickup skill, decision speed, and challenge discipline.

Technical keys

• First step: pivot and go. No extra split after you read the drop.
• Run pattern: low torso, lead arm forward, short steps into the last 2 meters.
• Pickup: open face, firm wrist, carve under the ball. Think squash flick if very late.
• Decision: if you are sub 50 percent sure it bounced twice, keep playing and be ready to ask for review. If you are 70 percent or more sure it was down, stop and concede.

Drill A: Live call plus challenge threshold

• Setup: Coach or partner at opposite baseline. You start on the baseline. Camera at side service line.
• Action: Coach plays a neutral ball, then a disguised short ball. Your job is to chase. Coach makes a loud live call of “up” or “down” at the exact bounce.
• Your rules:
  • If you hear “down,” you stop. If you are sure it was up, play a quick touch shot and immediately say “I will challenge.”
  • If you hear “up,” you must play on. If you believe it was down, you immediately say “I will challenge” after the shot.
• Sets and reps: 4 sets of 8 balls per side, 32 total. Rest 60 seconds per set.
• Scoring: 1 point for correct decision, 1 point for successful pickup shot that lands in a 2 m short zone.
• Goal: 40 points possible. Target 28 or more.

Drill B: Two-bounce deception circuit

• Setup: Coach feeds 50 percent true one-bounce and 50 percent clear two-bounce balls. Vary height and spin.
• Rules: You must commit to the shot or stop within 0.3 seconds of the bounce. Partner tracks your call as Up, Down, or Play-on.
• Sets and reps: 5 sets of 10 balls. Rest 90 seconds between sets.
• Cue: Head stays low. Eyes track the ball through the floor. No lunge-fall.

Simple test: Bounce truth vs your call

• Record 20 scramble attempts on side-view slow motion.
• On playback, label each as one bounce or two bounces.
• Your target: 85 percent decision accuracy and 70 percent successful playable pickups on legitimate one-bounce balls.

Coaching note

I teach a sprinter mindset here. Like a 100 m start, your first two steps decide the outcome. Train the first step every session. Do five pure first-step reps before each scramble set.

Drill 2: Foot fault self-audit with a phone and a 15-ball checklist

Even if your event does not use video on foot faults, umpires and opponents will watch your feet. Clean it up now.

Rules refresher

• You cannot touch the baseline or the court inside the baseline with any part of the foot before striking the ball.
• You cannot touch the extension of the center mark or singles sideline with either foot.
• Pinpoint servers must bring the back foot in without sliding onto the line.

Camera and court setup

• Place a chalk or tape line parallel to the baseline, 10 to 15 cm behind it. That is your safety buffer.
• Put a coin or dot on your typical front-foot set point.
• Camera behind you, on the center hash. Frame from mid-shin to ball contact.

15-ball Foot Fault Checklist

Perform on deuce side, then repeat on ad.

• Reps: 3 sets of 15 first serves per side.
• Rest: 90 seconds between sets.
• Targets:
  1. Toe never crosses the chalk buffer.
  2. Heel stays quiet. No roll forward before contact.
  3. Contact then step. The front foot leaves the ground only after you strike.
• Cues: Soft knee. Tall chest. Quiet toes.
• Variations: Platform stance in set 1, pinpoint in set 2, match stance in set 3.

Scoring and audit

• On video, count violations:
  • Line touch or break of the buffer line.
  • Foot drift onto center mark or singles sideline extension.
  • Early step where the front foot leaves before contact.
• Acceptable standard: 0 foot faults and 90 percent of serves with at least 5 cm visible green space between toe and baseline at contact.

Drill C: Constraint serve lane

• Place a resistance band flat on the court 10 cm behind the baseline. If your toe hits it, you feel it.
• Reps: 40 second serves targeting body. 20 deuce, 20 ad.
• Cue: Freeze for a one-count at the loaded position, then drive up.
• Rest: 2 minutes between sides.

Simple test: 30-serve clean sheet

• Record 30 first serves from each side. No foot faults. At least 27 with visible buffer. If you miss, repeat the set.

Troubleshooting

• Drifting forward: Move your toss 10 cm back and 5 cm left for right-handers. Cue a slower knee load.
• Pinpoint overshoot: Mark the back-foot target 15 cm behind the front foot. Make the back foot stop on the mark before you lift.

OffCourt tip: Use an OffCourt foot-fault tracker. Log attempts, violations, and stance notes. The trend line is what matters.

Drill 3: Hindrance-proof your communication

Hindrance is often preventable with clearer words and habits. Train your voice like a skill.

What creates avoidable hindrance

• Yelling “Out” before the ball lands.
• Saying “Mine” loudly on a ball your partner is hitting.
• Stopping play for a ball that is not on court.
• Grunting changes that distract an opponent.

Protocols to install

• Singles:
  • Replace “Out” with “Bounce” before the ball lands if you are letting it go.
  • If a ball rolls on, use “Let, ball” in a neutral tone and stop immediately.
• Doubles:
  • Use low-volume codes for partner calls. Example: “Me” at low volume for balls you take, “You” low and early for partner. No shouting at contact.
  • Pre-announce when you will poach on the next point. Remove surprise yelling.
• Service routines:
  • Two-count stillness before toss. If noise hits, catch the toss and reset with “Reset, please.” One clear phrase, not an apology string.

Drill D: Hindrance scrimmage with penalties

• Setup: Play half-court crosscourt singles or doubles. Partner or coach is the judge with a notepad.
• Rules: Judge flags any loud early call, any ambiguous call, or any late stop. Each flag is minus one point. Ball-on-court safety stops are neutral.
• Sets: 3 games to 7 points. Switch judge and hitter roles each set.
• Cue: Early, low, and clear. No last-second shouts.

Drill E: Noise overlay serving

• Setup: Coach plays crowd noise or claps randomly during your service motion.
• Protocol: If disrupted pre toss, step back. If disrupted during toss, catch calmly. If disrupted at trophy, commit and hit.
• Reps: 4 sets of 10 serves. 20 first serves, 20 seconds. Targets to deuce T and ad body.
• Goal: 36 of 40 serves hit to target boxes without protocol violations.

Simple test: Clean language audit

• Record a 15-minute practice set with audio.
• On playback, tally early “Out” calls and ambiguous partner calls.
• Target: Zero early “Out” calls. Less than 2 ambiguous calls. 100 percent correct let procedures.

Coaching cue: Your words are part of your technique. Decide the phrase before the point, not in the chaos.

Bench-to-baseline review decision routine

Use this 20-second routine after any disputed bounce or touch.

1. Breath: 4 in, 4 out. Head up.
2. Check confidence: Was I 70 percent or more sure? If yes and point ended against me, request review. If no, move on.
3. Score and context: Early game, deuce-point rules, or momentum swings raise review value.
4. Signal: Clear phrase to official or opponent. Example: “I request review for double bounce.” No added commentary.
5. Reset: Two-word focus cue. Example: “Spin high.” Walk to return or serve spot.

Practice this between points. It keeps emotions low and language clean. Like a marathoner checking splits at each mile, you will avoid panic when it matters.

Two-week microcycle to install Video Review habits

This plan fits college or high-performance juniors. Six on-court days per week. One full rest day. Total 90 to 120 minutes per session devoted to this theme, integrated into normal practice.

Week 1

• Day 1 Mon

  • Warm-up: 10 minutes movement and first step pops. 3 x 5 first-step sprints to the service line, walk back.
  • Drill 1A Double-bounce live call: 4 x 8 balls per side. Rest 60 s. Camera side view.
  • Serve audit: 2 x 15 first serves per side with buffer line. Video.
  • Hindrance protocols: 2 games to 7 with judge. Penalties tracked.
  • Notes: Log scores in OffCourt.

• Day 2 Tue

  • Warm-up: Toss rhythm and 2-count stillness. 2 x 10 dry runs.
  • Drill 1B Two-bounce deception: 5 x 10 balls. Rest 90 s. Camera side view.
  • Drill E Noise overlay serving: 4 x 10 serves, targets alternate.
  • Doubles call practice: 10 minutes of low-volume code calls during cooperative volleys.

• Day 3 Wed

  • Warm-up: Mini tennis with drop shots only, 8 minutes.
  • Scramble finisher: 3 x 6 balls full-court chase, must produce a playable flick.
  • Drill C Constraint serve lane: 40 second serves with band.
  • Short set: First to 4 games. Judge hindrance. Audio recording.

• Day 4 Thu

  • Active recovery: 45 minutes. Footwork ladders, low-intensity rally, mobility.
  • Video review: 30 minutes team session. Tag DB, FF, H clips. Identify one change per player.

• Day 5 Fri

  • Warm-up: 3 x 5 first-step sprints.
  • Double-bounce test set: Record 20 attempts. Score accuracy and pickups.
  • Serve test: 30-serve clean sheet per side.
  • Doubles: I-formation drills with call protocols, 20 points under a 20 s shot clock.

• Day 6 Sat

  • Match play: 2 short sets to 4. Enforce review routine after disputes.
  • Tidy-up: 10 minutes of pinpoint stance corrections.

• Day 7 Sun

  • Rest. Light walk or bike. Review notes.

Week 2

• Day 1 Mon

  • Warm-up: Visual tracking, 8 minutes.
  • Drill 1A with scoring stakes: Loser of each set does 10 push-ups. Pressure matters.
  • Serve audit: 3 x 15 first serves. Add variation to toss locations.
  • Hindrance scrimmage: 3 games to 11. Partner signals only. Judge records flags.

• Day 2 Tue

  • High-speed side-view filming: 15 scramble balls each side at 120 fps.
  • First-step isolated work: 5 x 5 reps from split to first step toward the net.
  • Noise overlay: 40 serves. Make 36 to targets with clean protocol.

• Day 3 Wed

  • Half-court play with drop-shot bias: 30 minutes. Every third ball must be a drop.
  • Doubles poach call rehearsal: 20 points. Server’s partner calls early, low, and clear.
  • Serve lane constraint: 40 second serves. 95 percent buffer compliance.

• Day 4 Thu

  • Active recovery and video review: 30 minutes analysis. OffCourt tags and trend charts.
  • Precision pickup drill: Coach feeds skidding slices. 4 x 6 balls. Measure bounce height at contact.

• Day 5 Fri

  • Full evaluation day:
    • Double-bounce 20-ball test.
    • Foot fault 30-serve per side test.
    • Hindrance 15-minute audio set audit.
  • Install one adjustment per category for next week.

• Day 6 Sat

  • Match simulation with review routine:
    • Singles: Set to 6 with two planned drop-shot patterns per game.
    • Doubles: 10-point breakers x 3. Poach calls and noise overlay on last breaker.

• Day 7 Sun

  • Rest. Write a short reflection. Note one automatic habit that now feels easy.

What good looks like on video

• Double-bounce scrambles: Your torso stays low. The racket tip is under the ball at pickup. Your decision and words happen within 0.3 seconds of the bounce.
• Foot faults: A consistent 5 to 15 cm buffer is visible at contact. No heel roll forward. Back foot lands without sliding onto the line.
• Hindrance protocols: Words are early, low volume, and consistent. No late shouts. Clean resets on noise.

Practical examples and use cases

• College dual match indoors. Opponent yells “Out” early on your deep ball. You keep playing, call “Play on,” win the point, and calmly request hindrance if needed. Your partner backs you because you trained the phrase.
• Junior final. A drop shot sits up. You sprint, carve a flick. Opponent claims two bounces. You say “I will challenge” with a steady voice. The camera shows clear one bounce. Point stands.
• Practice day. Your serve was flirting with the line. Two sessions of constraint-lane and a 10 cm toss adjustment remove the issue. Your buffer looks obvious on film. No more debates.

Common pitfalls and quick fixes

• You slow down near the ball on scrambles. Fix: Add 3 acceleration steps, then plant and flick. Think 400 m runner holding form into the final curve.
• You say “Out” early. Fix: Replace with “Bounce.” Set a penalty in practice for early calls.
• Your front foot creeps on second serves. Fix: Shorten your toss by 10 cm and cue “contact then step.” If needed, adopt platform stance for a week to re-groove.

Simple gear checklist

• Phone with 60 to 120 fps slow motion.
• Tripod or fence mount.
• Chalk or masking tape for buffer lines.
• Small cones for bounce zones.
• OffCourt tracking sheet for DB, FF, and H reps and scores.

Summary

Video Review is raising the standard on bounces, touches, and hindrance. Foot faults are under more scrutiny too. You can get ahead with a phone, clear drills, and disciplined language. Train the first step, not just the fancy flick. Build a visible buffer on serve. Script your words and stick to them. Use tests and a two-week plan to lock the habits.

On-court next steps

1. Set your phone at the side service line. Record 10 scramble reps today. Tag DB.
2. Tape a 10 cm buffer behind the baseline. Serve 30 balls per side and audit.
3. Pick two phrases for hindrance control. Practice them for 10 minutes of points.
4. Install the bench-to-baseline routine. Use it once in your next practice set.
5. Log scores in OffCourt. Schedule the Week 1 plan.

Final checklist

• Camera angles set for serve, side bounce, and net view.
• 10 to 15 cm foot buffer visible at contact on video.
• 85 percent decision accuracy on double-bounce test.
• Zero early “Out” calls. Clean let procedures.
• Review routine rehearsed and timed under 20 seconds.

Train for the calls the camera will confirm later. If your habits look clean on video now, you will play freer when review arrives at your court.