foot fault
noun
: an infraction of the service rules (as in tennis, racquetball, or volleyball) that results from illegal placement of the server's feet
footfault
ˈfu̇t-ˌfȯlt 
intransitive verb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web That’s a sharp contrast to FedEx’s bruising guidance cut just over a month ago, which the company blamed on a weakening global economy, and analysts blamed on idiosyncratic foot faults. 
Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2019 She was not bothered that a small foot fault caused her to lose points in the waltz. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2019 Economic weakness plays a role here, but there are also signs of operational foot faults. Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2019 Newsletter Sign-up For Williams, the transformation from smooth victory to unprecedented defeat began when she was called for a foot fault on the first serve of her first match point. Tom Perrotta, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2019 But with Barsemian serving, he was called for a rare foot fault to give the Indians back the lead, 24-23. Jeff Tully, latimes.com, 7 Apr. 2018 Serena was assessed a point penalty which ended the match (the foot fault had brought on match point for Clijsters) and started a wave of controversy for which Serena has still never taken full responsibility. Chris Chase, For The Win, 9 Mar. 2018 Serena was assessed a point penalty which ended the match (the foot fault had brought on match point for Clijsters) and started a wave of controversy for which Serena has still never taken full responsibility. Chris Chase, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2018 Newsletter Sign-up For Williams, the transformation from smooth victory to unprecedented defeat began when she was called for a foot fault on the first serve of her first match point. Tom Perrotta, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2019 See More
Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2019 She was not bothered that a small foot fault caused her to lose points in the waltz. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2019 Economic weakness plays a role here, but there are also signs of operational foot faults. Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2019 Newsletter Sign-up For Williams, the transformation from smooth victory to unprecedented defeat began when she was called for a foot fault on the first serve of her first match point. Tom Perrotta, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2019 But with Barsemian serving, he was called for a rare foot fault to give the Indians back the lead, 24-23. Jeff Tully, latimes.com, 7 Apr. 2018 Serena was assessed a point penalty which ended the match (the foot fault had brought on match point for Clijsters) and started a wave of controversy for which Serena has still never taken full responsibility. Chris Chase, For The Win, 9 Mar. 2018 Serena was assessed a point penalty which ended the match (the foot fault had brought on match point for Clijsters) and started a wave of controversy for which Serena has still never taken full responsibility. Chris Chase, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2018 Newsletter Sign-up For Williams, the transformation from smooth victory to unprecedented defeat began when she was called for a foot fault on the first serve of her first match point. Tom Perrotta, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined above