1. The INs and OUTs of Line Judging
By: Ray Vergara
and
Tracy LeVine

2. Where Do I Begin?
Read up on Line Judge (LJ) mechanics and techniques/Watch LJs work matches
Ask assignor for LJ opportunities
Volunteer at a school
Practices/scrimmages/matches
Change your perspective from being a ref to a LJ
Court and ball flight look different from LJ corners than from R1 and R2 positions

3. Line Judge Responsibilities

4. Prior to Match Arrive 30 minutes before match start time
Introduce yourself to R1, R2, other LJ, and table personnel
Have a pre-match with LJ partner
Make sure both LJs on same page
Topics to discuss will be covered
Both LJs should be present at captains’ meeting
Ask R1 if he/she would like to have a pre-match talk and if he/she will be designating the LJ1 and LJ2 roles

5. Prior to Match (continued)
Confer with the R1 if he/she has specific preferences regarding LJ duties
Examples:
LJ base position when server is in close proximity
What is R1’s expectation if LJ didn’t see a touch
Coordinate with LJ partner timing of when both LJs will take positions to warm up eyes (during hitting lines)

6. Prior to Match (continued)
LJ1 will accompany R1 across the court, check R1’s antenna, and shake hands with R1 before going to pre-match position 10’ beyond end line.
LJ2 will check R2’s antenna and shake hands with R2 before going to pre-match/pre-set position 10’ beyond end line.
While standing in pre-match location, hold rolled-up flag down along leg (on side of flag hand)
After R2 administers ball to the server
LJs walk to their base positions (at corners)

7. R1 Stand
LJ1
LJ1 R1
R2 LJ2
LJ2
Bench
Scorer's Table
Bench

8. During the Match
Responsible for his/her respective “L” (entire end-line and sideline)
LJ shouldn’t make a call if ball lands within close proximity to LJ partner’s “L” (unless it’s where both L’s intersect)
R1 Stand
LJ1
LJ2
Bench
Scorer's Table
Bench

9. During the Match (continued)
LJs are responsible for the following calls:
Service line faults
Antenna faults
Lines (In/Out)
Touch
No judgement/Did not see

10. “In” Flag Signal Flag down towards the CENTER OF THE COURT
With a 45 degree angle

11. “Out” Flag Signal Flag straight up
Extend arm straight up with elbow near ear

12. “Touch” Flag Signal Flag straight up about 4” in front of body
Below chin
Other hand on top
Elbows out

13. “Antenna” Flag Signal
Wave flag with arm straight up, and point to the appropriate antenna where net tape intersects antenna

14. Scenarios of Antenna Faults
Ball:
Touches antenna
Touches net straps/cables, poles, referee stand
Travels around the outside of an antenna
Travels over antenna
(How would one indicate which team committed fault?)

15. Wave flag with arm straight up, and point to the service line
Service Line Faults

16. No Judgement/Did Not See
Cross arms in front of you with flag
Discuss with R1 if they prefer this signal or a simple shake of the head
Avoid this call when possible

17. Remember - SALT S – Service Line Fault A – Antenna Violation L – Lines
T – Touches

18. During Each Rally
LJs should have a comfortable athletic stance straddling their corners
At the beginning of each rally
LJ on server’s side turns body at the waist and head towards the server
If the server is within LJ’s third of court:
Default to 1 of 2 positions: 1) Stand at a minimum of arm’s/flag’s- length distance from sideline or 2) Stand behind the server along sideline and return to corner after service is executed

19. During Each Rally (continued)
Anticipate the play
Get eyes to line where ball is heading before it lands
Move when necessary (without giving up your line)
You must see the play develop, especially the end result
Be Decisive
Quick signal recognition and clearly communicate call to R1

20. Executing Each Signal From an athletic position:
Make a STRONG, DECISIVE signal
Snap flag and sell the call confidently
Must make eye contact with R1
Posture yourself straight up
Preceding actions will build confidence of R1 in LJs’ calls

21. LJ1 To Square or Not to Square?
LJ1 should 1st sell the call, immediately give R1 eye contact, and then square up to the R1 (finish smoothly standing upright with feet together)
(In most cases, LJ2 is already facing the R1 (squared up) due to base position)

22. Time Outs As soon as time out (T.O.) is administered by R2
Line judge retrieves ball from the serving side
Do not retrieve if there are ball shaggers
First, LJ2 proceeds down his/her end-line
When LJ2 reaches sideline of LJ1, both walk towards each other
Stop at the nearest attack line/sideline intersection
Stand tall, facing the scorer’s table
Both LJs hold flag in same manner (in front/back)

23. Step 2
LJ1
R1 Stand
Step 1
LJ2
Bench
Scorer's Table
Bench

24. Time Outs (continued) Timing when LJs return to their corners:
At the LJ2’s cue,
15 seconds before the clock expires, OR
When teams leave their T.O. huddles

25. End-of-Set Procedures

26. After Each Set Retrieve volleyball LJs follow T.O. protocol
Go to respective attack line/sideline intersection
WAIT for teams to finish switching sides
Walk together along respective attack lines to scorer’s table (before a deciding set – WAIT until R1 signals for teams to change sides or remain)
LJ1 asks R1 if he/she needs a drink

27. R1 Stand
Step 3
Bench
Scorer's Table
Bench

28. Between Sets Both LJs sit in designated area
By 1:00-min. mark, LJs return to pre-set location 10’ behind end line (between sets, go around court)
After R2 completes line up check, LJs return to base positions

29. LJ1
R1 Stand
LJ2
Bench
Scorer's Table
Bench

30. End of Match After match point is awarded:
LJs go to respective attack line/sideline intersection
Wait for teams to finish shaking hands
Walk simultaneously with R1 along respective attack lines to scorer’s table
WAIT for all officials before leaving gym
DEBRIEF in a private area

31. On-Court Demonstration

32. Questions?

33. Thank you!