Unless you can watch with an informed commentator you may have to rely on your own deduction skills to work out exactly what is going on.įortunately the hand signals aren’t too hard to get to grips with and hopefully by the end of this article you will know exactly what each of them mean. Remember, multiple contacts are illegal during a teams first attempt, provided they are done by a single playing action.If you have ever watched volleyball I’m sure there has been a stoppage and point awarded that has left you feeling somewhat confused.Īs you turn to the referee to look for clarification you may just see a variety of hand signals which only adds to the confusion. Signal slightly to the side and above the head. It's the arm on the side of the net where the fault occurred. Not in front of the body, but out to the side so everyone can see.ĭouble Contact ( Hand Signals Volleyball) When you signal multiple contacts, raise your arm with the first two fingers extended. Keep the hand away from the shoulder and outside the body line. Start at waist height and raise to shoulder level. Slightly cup the hand with fingers together. The centerline signal is identical for a ball crossing under the net.Ĭatch When the ball is caught or thrown, signal by extending your arm slightly toward the court at waist height with hand open and palm up. Use the same signal for a player that's off the court at service contact. When a player is at fault, indicate the player at fault with an open hand. The same signal is used when a player commits a line violation of any kind. There is no sweeping motion of the arm hand or finger. Use the arm on the side of the team that committed the fault and the signal should be stationary. Line Fault ( Hand Signals Volleyball) When the ball passes completely beneath the net between the two net posts, you signal by extending your arm and pointing with the index finger to the middle of the line. Brush the finger tips once with fingers of opposite hand.

Put your arm at 90 degrees on the side of the team that touched the ball. Your signal should not look like a touchdown signal.īall Touched This signal indicates the ball was touched by the player on the side the ball went out of bounds. You should easily be able to see your referee partner, the court and the benches beside you. Your arms should be a comfortable distance apart to allow you an unobstructed view. Hands are open with palms facing behind you. The forearms are perpendicular to the floor with elbows kept at a 90 degree angle.

Next, gather information if necessary to determine whether the ball was 'in', 'out' or 'touched'.īall Out (Hand Signals Volleyball) When the ball goes out of bounds without being touched by the defender or the ball hits the antennae or crosses the net outside the antennae, you signal by raising both arms while keeping the upper arms parallel the floor. Remember, blow the whistle the instant the ball contacts the floor. The thumb should be next to the index finger without space between the fingers. Point near the intersection of the attack line and sideline. The arm should be 45 degrees away from the body. Signal by extending the arm with hand open toward the court. This signal is used by the first referee and repeated by the second referee to indicate which team won the rally.īall In When the ball lands in the court within the boundary lines, this ball is indicated 'in'. The arm should be parallel to the floor with the hand open and palm facing forward. The arm should be straight out from the shoulder. Loss of Rally Extend the arm on the side of the team that won the rally.

Referee hand signals in volleyball