Serving before or during the score call.

4.A.1. The entire score must be called before the ball is served. In officiated matches, the referee will call for a replay if the serve is made before or during the score call.  In unofficiated matches, the receivers may call for a replay before the return of serve if the ball is served before or during the score call.

4.A.1. The entire score must be called before the ball is served.

The rules are not explicit about the impact of serving the ball before or during the score call.  Since a service fault cannot be made before the ball is live, referees currently ask for a replay if the serve is made before they begin calling the score.  Referees call a fault if the server serves while the score is being called.

Although these actions are appropriate based on the rules, there is a common perception that theses actions are inconsistent, and that calling a fault is a 'gotcha' fault.   If we assume that the primary purpose of the rule is to ensure that the server has appropriately waited for player readiness and does not serve in a way that confuses the receiver, this change still adheres to that purpose.  Allowing for a replay in all situations removes the 'gotcha' fault and makes the results consistent, regardless of when the early serve occurs.

The rule does not require recreational or un-officiated players to force the replay, but does put a time limit on when it can be called for.  To be consistent with 4.K, I am suggesting that the time limit be the return of serve.

Early serves