Disagreement Over a NVZ Infraction in a Non-Officiated Match — What’s the Call?

Who Has the Authority to Call Faults on the Opponents?

This is a scenario that frequently sparks confusion about who has the authority to call faults on whom in non-officiated, sanctioned play.  Can your opponents call you (and it be subsequently enforced) for non-volley zone infractions?  What about service foot faults?  Double bounces?  Illegal serves?  Illegal contact above the wrist?  Distractions?  What does your opponent across the net have the authority to call and enforce if there is disagreement?

Opponents have the Authority to Call and Enforce 2 Infractions without “Agreement” from the “Offending” Team

Rule #13.D.1.b in the Official Tournament Rulebook specifies the only two “infractions” that are enforceable by one team only — NVZ infractions and service foot faults.  So, in this hypothetical scenario, because the call was made on a NVZ infraction, you can, indeed, make the call and enforce the fault — even if both of your opponents “swear” that their foot was not on the kitchen line.

For all other calls (including double bounces, illegal serves, illegal contact, distractions, etc.), at least one of the players from the “offending” team must “admit” the fault. If both players from the “offending” team deny the infraction, the fault from the [supposed] infraction is not enforceable.

Shown below is an excerpt from the 2019 Official Tournament Rulebook.

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