| Rule Submission Title | Prevent "Nasty Nelson" serve to be used on match point |
|---|---|
| USAP Board Vote | Disapproved |
| USAP Board Vote Reason | For the same reason as disapproval of #2214. Additionally, making this a replay only on match point is inconsistent. The consequences should be the same whenever this occurs. |
| Existing Rule # | 7.H. |
| Proposed Rule Change | 7.H. After the serve, the ball contacts a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, except the paddle or player's hand(s) in contact with the paddle and below the wrist. If the player is in the process of changing hands with both hands on the paddle or is attempting a two-handed stroke and either hand is hit below the wrist, as long as a player's hand is in contact with the paddle, the ball is still in play. The fault is on the player who was hit by the ball. 7.H.1. Exception: If match point is served and a member of the receiving team is hit by the serve before it bounces, whether the hit was intentionally made or not, then a replay shall be called for match point. |
| Original Rule Text | 7.H. After the serve, the ball contacts a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying, except the paddle or player's hand(s) in contact with the paddle and below the wrist. If the player is in the process of changing hands with both hands on the paddle or is attempting a two-handed stroke and either hand is hit below the wrist, as long as a player's hand is in contact with the paddle, the ball is still in play. The fault is on the player who was hit by the ball. |
| Reasoning Behind Suggested Change | The use of the "Nasty Nelson" serve to win match point is a weapon that is becoming more and more prevalent as the sport increases in popularity and as serves become faster and more powerful. To be consistent with another rule, specifically Rule 13.G.2.g. which specifies that "...hitting a ball that is not in play with negligent disregard of the consequences which inadvertently hits a person" would result in a Technical Foul, this also should not be allowed while the ball is in play and should result in a Technical Foul as well. A "Nasty Nelson" is hit without regard for any injury it might cause the player being hit. While it is recognized that a number of unpleasant and irreversible injuries could result from any sport, hitting another player with negligent disregard of the consequences is the height of unsportsmanlike behavior, whether the ball is in play or not. If the Nasty Nelson is not to be completely eliminated, at least do away with it on match point! Match point should be played and won by use of skill and good judgment. Making it a replay will discourage the use of the "Nasty Nelson" as a means of winning a match with "negligent disregard of the consequences" by hitting a person (player). I respectfully submit this. |
| Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies | It is match point and the server dishes out a "Nasty Nelson" to end the game and win the match. However, the resulting hit (a) hits the player in the eye, causing irreparable damage to that eye; or (b) hits the player in the nose which breaks the nose and causes permanent disfigurement; or (c) hits the player in the mouth causing permanent disfigurement or loss of teeth; etc., etc. |
| Rule Book Year | 2026 |
| Rule Change ID | 2350 |
| Date Created | May 26, 2025 |
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