Last Updated on March 25, 2021 by
If you’ve ever watched a volleyball game, we are very sure there is some point in the game where a stoppage and point was awarded, leaving you somewhat awkward and confused. Funny enough, you might want to turn to the referee for clarification only to see him make a variety of hand signals which will even get you more confuse.
You can only rely on your personal deduction skills to figure out what’s going on if you’re not watching with an informed commentator. Luckily, these deduction skill is not difficult to understand and we are hopeful that by the end of this guide, you will be familiar with each of these ref signals. Let’s check out some of these ref signals on our exhaustive list of all official hand signals. Do well to drop some questions in the comment box if you don’t understand any terms.
Here’s our extensive list of three ref signals used by referees during volleyball games. There are more, but for now, we’re going to talk briefly about five common signals.
1. Illegal Alignment/ Improper Server
As a team, you must start each rally in a specific rotation in the game of volleyball, meaning you must stand in the appropriate order on the court. When the other team is serving and a point is awarded to your team, you must rotate one position in a clockwise direction. A team will be awarded a point if its opponent stood in the wrong location at the time of making serves, or probably if a wrong person serves the ball. When you see a referee straightening his arm at a 45-degree angle towards the floor on the side of the team at fault, it means he’s awarding a point. To show exactly what happened, a small circular motion would be made by the referee to indicate that a rotation area has occurred.
2. Line Violation
It is illegal to step over or on the baseline during the serve when serving in volleyball. The two lines that form each end of the volleyball court is the baseline. The line judges are the officials normally assigned to the side and baselines. When a player steps over or on the line when serving, and he or she was caught by the line judge or even referee, the official would immediately point down at the offending line to indicate a player has violated the baseline.
3. Net Foul Or Net Serve
Net foul or net serve is regarded as one of the most popular rules in the game of volleyball, although it is sometimes misconstrued. You’re allowed to touch the net provided that you will not through that, interrupt the run of play or the rally. Having said that, there’s almost no way you’d touch the net without interrupting the run of play. In case you don’t know, the net and antenna are included in a net violation. In case a total fault happens the referee would get the hand of theirs on the side where the net fault occurred and put their hand carefully on the web to show the fault.
4. Delay Warning/Penalty
When referees want to go give a delay warning to a team, they will hold their hand against the opposite wrist on the side being sanctioned. However, ref signal for a delayed penalty happens when the referee shows a yellow card against the opposite wrist on the side being sanctioned.
5. Substitution
For a substitution, the referee rotates his forearms with hands closed in a circular motion to call in the substitutes.
The Table Below Contains A Brief Explanation About Two Common Ref Signals.
| Common Ref Signals | Brief Explanation |
| Line Violations | It’s unlawful to step over and on the baseline throughout the provide when serving in volleyball. |
| Illegal Alignment | You must rotate one position in a clockwise direction when the other team is serving and a point is awarded to your team. |
What Happens When A Player Steps Over Or On The Line When Serving?
You’ll see the official immediately pointing down at the offending line to indicate a player has violated the baseline.
What Are The Referee Hand Signals In Volleyball?
1. Authorization for service. The most used signal by the first referee is the beckon for serve.
2. Ball in
3. Ball Touched
4. Ball out
5. Catch
6. Loss of Rally. Referees extend the arm to the side that won the rally
7. Double contact (hand signals Volleyball)
8. Line Fault (Hand Signals Volleyball)
What Does It Mean When The Ref Holds Up Two Fingers In Volleyball?
This means that a player has contacted the ball more than once, meaning the block does not count. The server is now asked to serve by the official.
Some People Talk About Down Reffing In Volleyball, What Does It Mean?
Discreetly signal four hits, double connections, back row blocks, or even back row attacks. The second referee must view the team getting the services as well as call-out rotation faults that arise.
Why Is It That Hand Signals Are Important In Playing Volleyball?
Several hand signals are used by referees during a volleyball game. The hand signals are provided by the referee that initially indicates the fault after which indicates which team has received the point. A place is suggested by a single finger on the edge of the court to show the winner of the rally.
Final Words – Closing Thoughts!
We hope that you’re already acquainted with each one of these ref signals. We’ve come to the end of this informative article. We hope you were able to find resources in your quest to know the volleyball ref signals. Please do not hesitate to contact us for questions or comments. Thanks!
