# Law 18: Foot Fault (ITF Rules of Tennis)

Tennis · Law 18: Foot Fault · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/laws/law-18-foot-fault/)

What the server's feet may and may not do during the service motion: no walking or running, no touching the baseline or the court, and staying between the extensions of the centre mark and the sideline.

## 18.181 Foot Fault

Moving, touching the lines and the court, the imaginary extensions, and the singles and doubles cases.

### Test 1: Foot faults

- Changing position by walking or running is a foot fault; small adjustments are not. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18)
- Neither foot may touch the baseline or the court during the motion. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18)
- Jumping into the serve is legal. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 2)
- In singles the extension of the singles sideline is the outer limit. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1)
- In doubles the limit moves out to the doubles sideline's extension. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1)
- The imaginary extension of the centre mark may not be touched. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18)
- A foot fault makes the serve a fault wherever the ball lands. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18)
- The foot fault makes the first serve a fault, so a second serve follows. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18)
- Only the second is allowed in singles; the others are foot faults. (Source: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18, Case 1)
- 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)

Sources: ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, Rule 18 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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