Officiating - Part 4

Articles In This Section:

· Officiating - Part 1

· Officiating - Part 2

· Officiating - Part 3

· Officiating - Part 4

· Officiating - Part 5

· Officiating - Part 6

· Officiating - Part 7

· Officiating - Part 8

· Officiating - Part 9

· Officiating - Part 10

During the course of a tournament, it is possible that an official or player may question an official's ability due to a decision that was or was not rendered. It is considered sound professional ethics for officials not to discuss one another's decisions openly. If an official has a question about another's decision or call, it is good practice to speak to the official involved when he is alone to secure his interpretation, or to consult the chairman of the officials.

As mentioned in the "Marks of a Good Official," all officials should use the official hand signals. It is important that they be executed in a deliberate manner and held long enough so that the scorer, the players, and the spectators know the infraction of the rule. The signals which should be executed by the referee are as follows:

1. Point. Raise arm in a vertical position with forefinger pointed upward. Use right arm for the team on your right and left arm for the team on your left.

2. Side Out. Swing arm in horizontal position with palm up toward end of court. Use right arm for team on your right; left arm for team on your left. Circling the hand helps to give a clearer picture of a change of serve. A point or side out should be indicated by the opposite hand immediately following each infraction of the rules.

3. Time-out. Form a T with the fingers of one hand touching the middle of the palm of the other hand and then point to team requesting time out.

4. Technical Foul. Cross forearms at shoulder height (right hand on left elbow and left hand on right elbow).

5. Over the Net. Place the hand (palm down) over the top cable of the net so that the position of the fingers indicates the foul. If a player on the team on your right fouled, use your right hand; if a player on the left team fouled, use your left hand. Then point with the other hand to the person who fouled.

6. Touching the Net. Hold mesh of net near the top with one hand and point to the player who committed the foul with the other.

7. Crossing Center Line. The same as #5, only place the hand (palm up) under the top cable of the net.

8. Foot Fault on Service. First point to server and then to your own foot.

9. Double Hit. Hold up two fingers.

10. Four Hits. Hold up four fingers.

11. Double Foul. Cross both hands over the net, forming an X.

12. Thrown Ball. Demonstrate twice with arm and hand a downward, sweeping motion of a throw on the side where foul occurred.

13. Held Ball. Hold both hands forward with arms flexed and palms facing each other. Move arms slightly in an upward and downward motion.

14. Lifted Ball. Raise both hands (palm up) slowly upward.

15. Substitution. Make a big letter S and point to team wishing it.

16. Official's Time-out. Make a letter T as before in timeout and point to serf.

17. Linesman's Signals