1. Line Judge Training for Officials
Line Judge Training for Officials
Roger L Thinnes

2. 2012 NFHS Points of Emphasis –
Statement on importance of Line Judges
Importance of Line Judges – The importance of line judges in the game of volleyball cannot be emphasized enough.  The fast pace and powerful play makes it extremely difficult for the referees to consistently and accurately observe all the hits landing in the proximity of the sidelines and end lines or a ball passing outside the net antennae or critical touches by a player(s) as a ball goes out of bounds.  The line judges must step up and assist with these calls for the referees.  However, because it is customary in many matches to use individuals other than officials for line judges, the burden of quality in officiating in the line judge position rests with the schools.  Advanced and proper training is paramount to the quality of the line judges and their ability to carry out their responsibilities and the total quality of the officiated match.  With every end of rally resulting in a point, the match will be shortchanged for the players if the line judges are not properly trained and expected to meet their responsibilities.
The NFHS is acknowledging athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster than in the past. The modern game has evolved into a quicker and more powerful game. As a result, the need for additional help with line calls and touches has become more necessity than luxury.
However, not all State Associations mandate the use of line judges for regular season matches. Some key reasons include:
Expenses
Lack of training
Lack of skill
Lack of attention
Age old fear of “partisanship”
It is the home school’s responsibility for full training of line judges. But, officials can do a lot in just a few minutes of review before the match. This training session will highlight several of those key points.

3. 2012 NFHS Points of Emphasis –
Statement on importance of Line Judges
Importance of Line Judges – The importance of line judges in the game of volleyball cannot be emphasized enough.  The fast pace and powerful play makes it extremely difficult for the referees to consistently and accurately observe all the hits landing in the proximity of the sidelines and end lines or a ball passing outside the net antennae or critical touches by a player(s) as a ball goes out of bounds.  The line judges must step up and assist with these calls for the referees.  However, because it is customary in many matches to use individuals other than officials for line judges, the burden of quality in officiating in the line judge position rests with the schools.  Advanced and proper training is paramount to the quality of the line judges and their ability to carry out their responsibilities and the total quality of the officiated match.  With every end of rally resulting in a point, the match will be shortchanged for the players if the line judges are not properly trained and expected to meet their responsibilities.
The NFHS is acknowledging athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster than in the past. The modern game has evolved into a quicker and more powerful game. As a result, the need for additional help with line calls and touches has become more necessity than luxury.
However, not all State Associations mandate the use of line judges for regular season matches. Some key reasons include:
Expenses
Lack of training
Lack of skill
Lack of attention
Age old fear of “partisanship”
It is the home school’s responsibility for full training of line judges. But, officials can do a lot in just a few minutes of review before the match. This training session will highlight several of those key points.

4. YOU! (still) Make the call.
The use of line judges does not mean every call must be taken. The R1 still has the final determination of the result of the rally. The line judges, along with the R2, only provide INFORMATION as to what they saw.
The R1 takes the information provided and uses her/his view of the rally and makes the final determination.
The use of line judges are there to assist the official(s) on plays where their view may be limited or blocked. An extra set of eyes from a different angle is often the information needed to determine the result of a rally.
The R1 always has the final determination of the result of the rally.
Keep the line judges active and INVOLVED.
Even on simple calls , especially early in the match, LOOK at each line judge before signaling the result. REMEMBER, the sequence is:
Whistle
LOOK at line judges, LOOK at R2
Make a decision
Signal which team SERVES next (New for 2013)
Signal terminal result of the rally (Fault)
ALWAYS look at the line judges before making a call. This will help avoid the late “touch” call on an out ball.
Make certain to discuss with the Line Judges in the pre-game which scenarios the R1 may use different signals (Touch vs Out) than the line judge, or how to handle an overrule.
Protect your team!
Be aware of bench “chatter” directed at L3 (Line judge nearest team bench on R2’s right). Intervene when necessary.

5. 2012 Rules changes included specifications for Line Judge flags
2012 Rules changes included specifications for Line Judge flags. Flags should be solid red in color and approximately 12 inches by 12 inches to 16 inches by 16 inches.
Point out that recent rule changes now define the size and color of line judge flags

6. Line Judge responsibilities & signals…
Ball IN
Ball OUT
Ball contacts player – TOUCH
Ball hits or goes outside antenna
Service Foot Fault
Eliminated in 2012 – Line judges are no longer responsible for signaling players who are touching the floor outside the playing court at the time of service.

7. Using Flags Not Using Flags
Ball IN…
The ball touches any part of the lines or the court within the lines on a team’s playing side.
Using Flags Not Using Flags
The keys to the line judge signals are THREE LEVELS.
LOW – IN
MID – TOUCH
HIGH – OUT
In addition to the actual Signal, the height of the signal helps the R1 see the signal of both line judges in their peripheral vision. This helps the R1get an early feel for the decision. REMEMBER: The R1 must still LOOK at each line judge BEFORE signaling which team serves next.
Ball IN…
Any ball that touches the court LINES is considered IN. An easy way to remember is: LEATHER touches LINE equal IN. This is good for all line judges.
NOTE: The SHADOW of the ball does not count. Remember the key: LEATHER touches LINE equal IN.
Line judge signals courtesy of Federation Internationale de Volleyball and USA Volleyball
Line judge signals published NFHS Volleyball Rules p. 57

8. Using Flags Not Using Flags
Ball OUT…
A ball coming from a team that passes between the antennas that does not contact any of the opponents and either lands completely outside of the court lines on the opponents side, or contacts the ceiling, walls, or other obstructions on the opponents side.
Using Flags Not Using Flags
The keys to the line judge signals are THREE LEVELS.
LOW – IN
MID – TOUCH
HIGH – OUT
The OUT signal is the HIGH signal. When using the flag, the arm should be raised straight in line with the side of the body, the elbow and wrist should not bend (which causes a “droopy” flag). The top of the flag should point toward the ceiling.
HINT: When gripping the flag, extend the index finger on the shaft. When the ball lands out, simply point the finger to the ceiling.
Ball OUT…
Use the OUT signal any time
the ball crosses the net between the antennas and lands UNTOUCHED completely outside the boundary lines,
a team hits the ball into the net and the ball rebounds and lands completely outside the boundary lines,
a team hits the ball and the ball hits the pole, net cable outside the antenna, the referee stand, or the ceiling after the 3rd team contact.
Line judge signals courtesy of Federation Internationale de Volleyball and USA Volleyball
Line judge signals published NFHS Volleyball Rules p. 57

9. Using Flags Not Using Flags
Ball TOUCHED…
Any ball last contacted by a team that either lands completely outside of the court lines on the THEIR side of the court, or contacts the ceiling, walls, or other obstructions on the THEIR side of the court is signaled with a touch.
Using Flags Not Using Flags
The keys to the line judge signals are THREE LEVELS.
LOW – IN
MID – TOUCH
HIGH – OUT
The TOUCH is a MID height signal. With the flag, the touch signal is done just below the chin. The shaft should be vertical in the middle of the body. The top hand and arm should be horizontal at shoulder level. The Line judge should have unobstructed eye contact with the R1.
When not using flags, the vertical arm and the horizontal arm should form a *window* framing the LJ’s head so that the LJ has unobstructed eye contact with the R1.
On certain plays, the Line Judge may need to follow the touch signal by pointing to the team that touched the ball last. In the diagram, the Line Judge will signal the team on the FAR side of the net by pointing with the open hand (the one currently on top of the flag) and would signal the team on the NEAR side of the net by pointing with the flag to the near court.
Line judge signals courtesy of Federation Internationale de Volleyball and USA Volleyball
Line judge signals published NFHS Volleyball Rules p. 57

10. Using Flags Not Using Flags
Ball HITS OR GOES OUTSIDE ANTENNA…
Any ball that hits the antenna, passes over its upward extension, or completely crosses the centerline extended outside of the antennas.
Using Flags Not Using Flags
This signal is best made with the flag because it more clearly communicates the nature of the fault to the R1.
For example, a ball that passes over the antenna and lands on the opponents line.
Using the flag and waving it above the head indicates to the R1 the fault is with the antenna.
Using hands only, signaling “OUT” when the ball lands “IN” may be confusing to the R1 and may necessitate a conference with the LJ to clarify the fault occurred when the ball passed directly over the antenna.
Wave the flag and point toward the antenna
Line judge signals courtesy of Federation Internationale de Volleyball and USA Volleyball
Line judge signals published NFHS Volleyball Rules p. 57

11. Using Flags Not Using Flags
Server FOOT FAULT…
The server contacts the end line, the playing court, or the free space outside the sideline or sideline extended just prior to contacting the ball for serve. With limited space, a server may begin her/his run up outside of the sideline extended and legally contact the ball within the service zone.
Using Flags Not Using Flags
Wave the flag and point to service area using index finger
Point out that the Line Judge should be pointing to the end line/service area.
Since this is a line violation by a person, the signal uses the finger.
A ball down uses the open hand to point,
A player line violation uses the finger to point.
Line judge signals courtesy of Federation Internationale de Volleyball and USA Volleyball
Line judge signals published NFHS Volleyball Rules p. 57