Law 18: Foot Fault

Test 1Foot faultsTake a test

1. Changing position by walking or running is a foot fault; small adjustments are not.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · recall

2. Neither foot may touch the baseline or the court during the motion.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · recall

3. Jumping into the serve is legal.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 2 · recall

4. In singles the extension of the singles sideline is the outer limit.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1 · recall

5. In doubles the limit moves out to the doubles sideline's extension.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1 · recall

6. The imaginary extension of the centre mark may not be touched.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · applied

7. A foot fault makes the serve a fault wherever the ball lands.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · applied

8. The foot fault makes the first serve a fault, so a second serve follows.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · applied

9. Only the second is allowed in singles; the others are foot faults.

   Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1 · applied

10. Touching the baseline is a foot fault; jumping and, in doubles, standing behind the alley are allowed.

    Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 · applied