1. 1

2. ILLEGAL ALIGNMENT / IMPROPER SERVICE /
SERVER:
Make a slow circular motion with arm and hand outstretched on the side of the violating team, palm down; then indicate the player(s) involved.
At the moment the ball is contacted for the serve, there is:
Overlapping by adjacent players other than the server.
Positioning of any player other than the server outside the boundaries of the playing area.
An improper server.
A libero replacement takes place after the whistle/signal for serve.
An illegal libero replacement is discovered in the set.
An illegal substitute is discovered in the set.
Failure to submit an accurate lineup.
Late submission of roster.
PENALTY: Point
ILLEGAL ALIGNMENT / IMPROPER SERVICE /
INACCURATE LINEUP 2

3. Indicate the line where violation occurred by extending arm and pointing toward the line with the index finger.
Server, at the moment of contact, steps on the end line or the floor outside the lines marking the width of the service area.
A player, while the ball is in play, touches the floor completely across the center line without part of hand/hands or foot/feet remaining on or above the center line or
A player contacts the floor across the center line with any part of thebody other than the hand/hands or foot/feet.
PENALTY: Point
2. LINE VIOLATION 3

4. Slowly lift one arm and hand with the palm up on the side of the violating team, then hold the signal momentarily about chest high.
Ball visibly comes to rest, or involves prolonged contact with the player.
Server having more than one re-serve or illegal service during one team’s term of service.
PENALTY: Point
3. ILLEGAL HIT 4

5. Raise the hand on server’s side to a vertical position to head height with fingers spread, palm forward.
A serve which is not contacted within five seconds after the first referee’s signal to serve.
PENALTY: Point
4. DELAY OF SERVICE 5

6. Pass forearm, palm down, over the net, originating from the side of the net where the fault occurred.
A player illegally contacts a ball which is completely on the opponent’s side of the net.
Contact with an opponent over the top of the net.
PENALTY: Point
5. OVER-THE-NET FAULT 6

7. Hold the arm outstretched on the side of the violating team with open hand, fingers together and palm toward the net, but not touching the net.
Note: Second referee moves to the offending team’s side of the net, maintains position back from the court, extends the arm on the offending team’s side of the net, without touching the net. The second referee does not repeat the signal for a net serve violation.
Illegally touching net, net cables or net antenna.
Interference with an opponent’s effort to play the ball under or through the net.
Served ball touches net and does not go over or passes under the net.
Served ball hits a teammate.
• First referee and second referee signal number of offending player for net foul and use informal hand signals for number.
***note: see how to signal players numbers at the end of this document***
PENALTY: Point
6. NET FOUL or NET SERVE 7

8. Arm on attacker’s side of the net is extended parallel to the floor at chest level, palm down. Then make one slight horizontal sweeping motion when, in the judgement of the first referee, it is needed to indicate a legal back row attacker.
Note: This signal is to be used only by the first referee and only when necessary to discern whether the play is legal.
7. LEGAL BACK-ROW ATTACK 8

9. Raise hand on the side of the offending team with palm forward, head high and move forearm forward and downward.
A receiving player attacks served ball which is completely above the top of the net and it completely crosses the net or is contacted by an opponent.
A back-row player returns a ball which is completely above the top of the net while positioned on or in front of the attack line or its out-of-bounds extension or is in the air, having left the floor on or in front of the attack line or its out-of-bounds extension.
• Any player completes an attack involving a set by the libero using finger action, while positioned on or in front of the attack line and the attacker contacts the ball that is completely above the height of the net. The illegal attack is credited to the libero.
The libero completes an attack that is completely above the height of the net from anywhere on the court.
PENALTY: Point
8. ILLEGAL ATTACK 9

10. 9. ILLEGAL BLOCK/SCREENING
Raise both hands to head height, palms forward.
A back row player participates in a block.
A player participates in a block of serve.
In the judgment of the first referee, the receiving player’s view of the contact of the serve and/or the path of the served ball was obstructed by the serving team.
• Libero blocks or attempts to block.
PENALTY: Point
by the serving team. 10

11. 10. BALL TOUCHED
The hand on the side of the offending team is held beside the head with palm facing the head, then brush upward across the fingertips one time with the other hand, palm forward.
Used to indicate a touch off a block or a team’s first, second, or third contact with the ball landing out of bounds on that team’s side of the net.
Balls that contact a blocker(s) before landing out of bounds on the blocking side of the net,
May be used by the first referee to clarify a touch as opposed to a fourth contact, as play continues.
PENALTY: Point 11

12. 11. FOUR HITS
The hand and arm on the side of the offending team is held head high, palm forward, showing four (4) fingers.
Anytime a team has more than three hits before the ball is returned over the net.
Used when the same player makes both 3rd and 4th team contacts.
PENALTY: Point 12

13. 12. DOUBLE HIT
The hand and arm on the side of the offending team is held head high, palm forward, showing two (2) fingers.
Illegal multiple or successive contacts.
PENALTY: Point 13

14. 13. BALL LANDS INBOUNDS
Outstretched open hand, with fingers together pointing toward the center line of the attack area between the center line and attack line, palm facing the net.
The ball lands on the court, the end line or a sideline, and no violation occurs.
The ball passes completely under the net (other than a serve)
PENALTY: Point 14

15. There has been confusion as to what is the proper signal to use when a ball passes completely under the net, other than a serve, and lands on the opponent’s court.
Signal 13, Ball Lands Inbounds is the correct signal.
It is used when the ball lands on the floor in the court or on the end line, sideline and no violation occurs.
It is used if the ball passes completely under the net, other than on a serve.
It may help to remember, that only a player can commit a line violation so trying to signal line violation for the ball passing under the net is incorrect. 15 15

16. 14. OUT-OF-BOUNDS / ANTENNA VIOLATION
Raise both hands head high, fingers together, palms toward face, elbows bent.
The ball is ruled out of bounds after completely crossing the net.
The ball crosses the center line extended or breaks the plane of a nonplayable area beyond the legal reach of a player,
• A blocked ball returns to attacker’s side and lands out of bounds.
The ball goes into the net and lands out of bounds on the attacker’s side.
The ball hits the net on or outside the antenna, cables, net supports or referee’s platform.
The ball travels over or outside the antenna.
A ball contacts a vertical backboard or its supports, and in the opinion of the first referee, the ball would not have remained in play had the backboard not been there.
PENALTY: Point 16

17. 15. BEGIN SERVICE
Extend the arm at shoulder height on the serving team’s side of the net with the hand perpendicular to floor, then whistle to begin the serve and move the extended hand and arm in a sweeping motion to the opposite shoulder.
note: First referee MUST sound the whistle, THEN give the visible signal for the serve. 17

18. 16. SUBSTITUTION
Two short whistles, rotate open hands at shoulder height two times.
Used by coach to request substitution.
Used by both referees to recognize a substitution request. 18

19. 17. AUTORIZATION TO ENTER
Second referee extends the arm (palm forward) on the side that requested the substitution and makes a forward motion waist high, open palm toward the respective court. 19

20. 18. POINT
Indicate point by extending the arm in the direction of the team that will serve next, palm perpendicular to the floor.
A point is awarded when the an opponent violates a rule.
Unnecessary Delay awarded and team has used its two time-outs.
Red card or disqualification.
Request for a third time-out. 20

21. 19. REPLAY/RE-SERVE
Both hands formed into fists, thumbs up and held at shoulder high in front of body.
Serving again without awarding point or rotation of service.
When a replay occurs because of a double foul during a live ball, each team’s foul shall be signaled prior to the replay signal.
Serving unintentionally before first referee’s whistle/signal to serve.
In the referee’s judgment, play is disrupted. 21

22. 20. ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION
Hold arm on the side of offending team with open hand, fingers together, above head height. Rotate twice with elbow bent and then indicate the court of the offending team. This signal shall be followed by the unnecessary delay signal when attempting to enter the set and illegal alignment when substitute is in the set, Signal No. 1.
Illegal substitution.
Note: Includes the re-entry or attempted re-entry of a substitute as a 19th substitution
PENALTY: Unnecessary delay charged to offending team. 22

23. 21. TIME-OUT
Two short whistle, place the palm of one hand horizontally over the hand on the side requesting the time-out, forming a “T”, then:
For team time-out, indicate the court of team requesting the time-out by extending the vertical arm towards that court.
Used by a coach or team captain to request a time-out.
Used by referees to indicate a team is charged with a time-out.
For referee’s time-out, tap top of shoulders once with both hands.
Used by referees to indicate a referee’s time-out or an injury time-out. 23

24. This mechanics change for time-out is merely formalizing what many officials have been doing for years. The mechanics of the time-out signal allows fans, players and coaches to tell in one look which team is requesting the time-out.
It also provides consistency from one referee to another by administering the signal in the same manner. 24 24

25. 22. *UNNECESSARY DELAY*
With arm on side of the offending bent across the chest, hand just below chin, place palm of opposite hand, while holding card, against the wrist. The extend the bent arm toward the floor on the offending team’s side and drop the other arm, with card, to the side of official’s body.
- Unnecessary delay now consist of an administrative yellow card warning for the first delay an administrative red card for subsequent delay(s) in the same set, resulting in a loss of rally point. Cards do not carry over from set to set.
**The head coach is not required to remain seated for an administrative card issued for an unnecessary delay. The assessment of administrative cards is different than the assessment of penalty cards issued for unsporting conduct.**
PENALTY: Warning or Point/Loss of Rally 25

26. 23. END OF SET/MATCH
Upon receiving verification from the second referee, the first referee whistle to signal the set is completed by signaling arms crossed in front of the body, chest level with hands open, fingers together, palms toward chest; then extend arms outward with open hands facing toward the team bench, and players are then released to their benches. 26

27. 24. CHANGE OF COURTS
Raise forearms, move right arm in front of the body and left arm in back of the body with hands open. Used after non-deciding sets to direct teams to change courts (or after the coin toss prior to the final set if a change of courts is required). 27

28. Signals Rule 5-2-1b
It is not necessary for the first referee to duplicate the second referee’s indication of the nature of the fault.
This is a duplication in signaling and can be eliminated.
Clarification in Rule 5-2-1b and the Officials Manual that there is no need for the first referee to mirror the second referee’s signal for the violation if the fault is whistled by the second referee. 28

29. Court Protocol Rule 5-3-4d
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The coin toss before the deciding set will now be conducted at the officials table and always by the second referee.
The mechanics are as follows:
The R1 calls for the captains.
R1 directs the captains to the officials table.
R1 then releases teams to the team benches.
Prior to the deciding set, the first referee signals the captains to meet with the second referee in front of the officials’ table for the coin toss.
CALL CAPTAINS
DIRECT CAPTAINS
TO TABLE
RELEASE TEAMS
TO BENCHES

30. Court Protocol Rule 5-3-4d
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The second referee shall conduct the coin toss for the deciding set at the officials table.
The home team calls the toss.
The winner of the toss shall choose serve/receive or the playing area.
The loser of the toss shall then be given the remaining choice.
Following completion of the coin toss the R2 signals to the R1 the result of coin toss as to who is serving and if teams need to change benches and confirms results with the official scorer.
Second referee conducts the coin toss in front of the officials’ table, then signals to the first referee which team is serving and if teams need to change benches.

31. HOW TO USE LINE JUDGE SIGNALS LINE JUDGE SIGNALS USING FLAGS
The flags should be solid red in color and of a recommended size of approximately 12 inches by 12 inches to approximately 16 inches by 16 inches. The flag and hand grip should be securely affixed to the pole.
Ball “In”
Ball “Out” After Contact with a Player
1. Ball “Out”
2. Obtain R1’s Attention
1. Ball Outside or Touching the Antenna
2. Service Line Fault
Impossible to Judge 31

32. INFORMAL OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS:
As mentioned in the prematch section of the manual, informal hand signals
used to enhance the match may be used for communication by the second referee (R2) to the first referee (R1). Such additional signals might be:
1. Set/Match Point: Place the index finger flat against the shoulder closest to the team that has set point (R1 nods head to acknowledge seeing the R2’s signal.)
2. Four Hits: Discreetly give four-hit signal in front of chest.
3. Identifying Possible Back-Row Player Violation: Discreetly show back-row attacker or back-row blocker signal in front of chest.
4. Position of Setter Prior to Serve: Second referee uses discreet signal with his/her hand on each leg, midsection or chest to identify position (front row or back row) of each team’s setter. Use of and type of signal may be decided in prematch discussion between the referees. Examples are:
• 2 fingers = back-row setter
• 1 finger = front row setter
• Little finger = back-row setter
• Thumb = front row setter
• Discreet back row attack signal in middle of chest
**These are not used on every rally, only when needed for improved communication.** 32

33. INFORMAL OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS, continued
5. Illegal Hit:: The second referee is to assist the first referee in calling illegal hits by use of discreet signals in front of the chest. Only when the second referee is certain the first referee’s view of the play is blocked does the second referee blow the whistle to call a ball handling violation.
6. Ready to Play: The second referee signals ready to play to the first referee after an R2 interruption (injury, substitution, time-out or scorekeeping clarification) by extending the arm, open hand perpendicular to the floor with the outside hand on the receiving team's side. The R2 should be in position on the receiving team's side, whistle in mouth, when the Ready to Play signal is given.
7. Net Foul/Center Line Violations: Second referee signals violation, then signals number to first referee with right hand as base hand –
Nos. 0-9: right or right/left combination;
No. 10: right hand closed fist;
Nos : right fist then digits successively;
Nos. 20 or more: first digit with right hand and second digit with right or both hands if necessary.
Both R2, then R1 signal offender’s number, then both signal “point”. 33

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