Hindrance

26. Deliberate and unintentional hindrance

A player hindered during a point by an opponent’s deliberate act wins the point.

Replay the point if the hindrance is an unintentional act of an opponent or something outside the affected player’s control. A permanent fixture is not included in that outside-control exception.

Cases 1–4. When a replay is or is not justified

• An unintentional double hit is not a hindrance; Rule 24(f) addresses deliberate repeated contact.
• A player who stops because they believe the opponent was being hindered loses the point. That belief is not grounds for claiming hindrance.
• If the live ball hits a bird flying over the court, replay the point.
• A ball or other object that was already on the player’s side of the net when the point started does not give that player a hindrance claim if it later gets in the way.

Case 5. Doubles partner positions

The server’s partner and receiver’s partner may stand anywhere on their own side of the net, inside or outside the court. If their conduct creates hindrance for an opponent, apply the hindrance rule.