Drama on Court · Lesson 6

See It. Check It. Handle It. Release It.

“Are you sure?” isn’t really a question. It’s tennis code for: I think that ball was in. 😂

Try it on a real moment

Make the call

Pick a line-call moment from the lesson, or set up your own. Tap through the four steps and get the line to say.

The momentExample

Not really a question. It means: I think that was in.

Whose call?

See it.

Did I clearly see it? Not “probably.” Clearly.

Where you saw the ball land IN OUT OUR SIDE

Your recap

My call

The moment
The “Are you sure?”
Whose call
We’re calling it.
See it
Clearly out.
Check it
My partner sees it the same.
The call
Out.
If you hear “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I saw it out.”

On the drive home

Handle the call. Don’t carry the call.

Screenshot it. Read it before your next match.

The tool

The four steps

Four steps for every close ball, on either side of the net.

  1. 1

    See it.

    Did I clearly see it? Not “probably.” Clearly.

    • Clearly
    • Not sure
  2. 2

    Check it.

    Is my partner seeing it differently? Is this one call, or a pattern?

  3. 3

    Handle it.

    Say what you saw. Name a pattern: “We’re seeing quite a few of these differently.” Ask for help if you need it.

  4. 4

    Release it.

    The standard isn’t “I must make every call perfectly.” It’s “I’ll honestly call what I clearly see.” Write what you’ll tell yourself on the drive home.

Clearly saw it out

It’s out. Call it. Trust it.

Not sure

It’s in. Give her the benefit of the doubt.

Scripts

What to say

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I saw it out.”

When you’re not sure

“I didn’t see it clearly. It’s yours.”

Partner calls it out, you saw it in

“I saw that in. Their point.”

A pattern

“We’re seeing quite a few of these differently.”

It continues

“We’d like a line judge, please.”

Your reset

Clear the call.

Say it to yourself

If I see it, I trust it. If I’m not sure, it’s in.

Handle the call. Don’t carry the call.

Come back to your integrity instead of putting yourself on trial.

Remember this
  • Even pro line judges see in-balls as out. Most bad calls are eyeballs, not cheating.
  • If I see it, I trust it. If I’m not sure, it’s in.
  • One questionable call and a pattern are different. Address patterns early.
  • Don’t even the score. Her integrity doesn’t determine yours.
  • See it. Check it. Handle it. Release it.

Take it home

On the drive home

Answer these in the car, or text them to yourself.

  1. 1

    A call I’ve put myself on trial for.

  2. 2

    Did I clearly see it?