Tennis line calling for kids: who calls in or out?

The short answer

In standard tennis rules, players call the lines themselves unless officials are present. The player on the side of the net where the ball lands is the one who makes the call. If a ball is out, the player says "out" clearly and promptly; if a player is not sure, the ball is treated as good.

Who makes the call

At most beginner and youth matches there is no umpire and no line judge. Each player is responsible for calls on their own side of the net, because they have the best view of where the ball landed. That is why honesty matters so much in tennis: the whole system depends on players being fair.

In doubles, either partner can make a call, and if partners disagree, the usual practice is to give the opponents the benefit of the doubt. Some leagues use roving officials or have different rules, so ask what your event does.

What counts as in

A ball is in if any part of it touches the line. Because tennis balls are fuzzy and squash a little when they hit the court, a ball that looks like it missed by a hair may actually have caught the line. Common-sense rules follow from that.

• A ball touching any part of a line is good.
• A ball that lands completely outside the line is out.
• A ball that is not clearly out is treated as good. Players should not call a ball out unless they are sure.
• For the layout of the lines, including how singles and doubles differ, see court lines and roles.

How to make a call

Good line calling has three habits: quick, loud and clear.

1. Decide fast. Make the call immediately, while the ball is still in the air or right after it lands. A call that comes late can be ignored.
2. Say it loudly. A clear "out" is better than a mumble. Many players also point a finger up or hold a hand out to signal the ball was out.
3. Stay quiet on good balls. You generally need not say anything when a ball is in. Play simply continues.

Close calls and the benefit of the doubt

The best advice for young players is simple: when in doubt, the ball is good. That rule keeps matches friendly and removes most disputes. If you honestly could not see the ball, you should play it as in. Do not guess out.

If a player realizes they made a mistake, they can correct it by saying so. A common courtesy in standard etiquette is to give the point to the opponent when a player discovers they wrongly called a ball out. On clay courts, the ball mark can help settle a disagreement, as explained below.

Special situations to know

• Let on a serve: if the serve touches the net and still lands in the correct service box, it is a let and the server serves again.
• Serve out or fault: a serve that lands outside the service box is a fault. Two faults in a row is a double fault and loses the point.
• Foot fault: a server who steps on or over the baseline before hitting the serve commits a foot fault. In standard rules this is a fault. Because players serve without an official, calling a foot fault by an opponent is usually left to officials or to clear cases.
• Net touches: a player who touches the net with the body or racquet while the ball is in play loses the point.
• Ball hits you: if a ball hits a player before it bounces, the player who was hit loses the point.

Rules such as the ones above are explained from the start in tennis rules for beginners.

Marks and surfaces

On a clay court, the ball leaves a mark in the surface. Players can walk over and look at the mark to settle a disagreement. On hard courts there is no mark, so a call depends on what the player saw. Because of that, practice judging balls in practice sessions, and have your child call lines at practice so they get comfortable.

How to teach line calling to kids

• Practice at home or at the court by having your child call balls in or out during hitting drills.
• Remind them that calling fairly is part of being a good opponent.
• Praise honesty, even when it costs a point.
• Let a coach or official handle serious disagreements instead of stepping in yourself.

Parents should stay on the sidelines. Calling balls from the fence is not part of the rules in most settings and can embarrass your child.

What to ask your league

• Will there be officials or roving umpires, or do players call their own lines?
• Is there a process for a disputed call?
• Are there rules for handling foot faults or time between points?

A short practice game for calling lines

Line calling is a skill, and it improves with practice. At a casual session, have one player hit slow, easy balls while the other stands at the side of the court and calls each one in or out, then switch roles. Ask the caller to say the call out loud right away and to point to the spot where the ball landed. Over time children learn to watch the ball all the way to the ground instead of only looking at the racquet. You can try the same idea at home with chalk lines, as described in tennis practice at home for beginners.

Handling a disagreement calmly

Even honest players sometimes see a ball differently. If your child and an opponent disagree, the best approach is to stay polite, say what you saw, and agree on a fair result. In standard etiquette, a point in doubt can be replayed, and a player who honestly cannot tell should give the benefit of the doubt to the opponent. If the disagreement keeps happening, a player can quietly ask for a roving official or a coach to help, where the event allows it. Teach children that shouting or accusing the other player never helps. A calm voice and a handshake at the end of the match matter far more than any single point.

Sources and further reading

1. Friend at Court: Handbook of Rules and Regulations USTA
2. Junior Sportsmanship USTA Southern California
3. Net-iquette for Parents, Coaches, and Spectators Attending Tennis Tournaments USTA Missouri Valley

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Frequently asked questions

Who makes line calls in a tennis match without an umpire?

Each player calls balls landing on their own side of the net. In doubles, either partner can make the call.

Is a ball that touches the line in or out?

In. A ball is good if any part of it touches the line.

What if I am not sure whether the ball was out?

Play it as good. When in doubt, the benefit goes to the opponent.

Can parents make line calls?

Generally no. Players make the calls unless the event uses officials. Parents should stay on the sidelines.

What is a let in tennis?

A let on a serve is when the ball touches the net and lands in the correct service box. The serve is replayed.