Ref questions
Rule check
Page 1 of 1. 99 questions in this topic.
Study material drawn from the USHA rulebooks and referee guide — verify against the current official rulebook before certification.
Question 1. The receiver may stand anywhere behind the short/receiving line to return the serve. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
The receiver plays from behind the receiving line.
Question 2. A player may switch the hand he hits with during a rally. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
Handball allows either hand — you may use both.
Question 3. A player may strike the ball with his forearm or fist. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
The ball must be struck with the hand/fingers, not the forearm, fist, or wrist.
Question 4. A player may carry or "sling" the ball on the glove. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
A carry/double-hit is illegal — the rally is lost.
Question 5. A served ball that hits the front wall and then the server is an out serve. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
A serve striking the serving side is an out.
Question 6. The server may bounce the ball more than once before striking the serve. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
The server may take a normal drop/bounce; the 10-second clock still applies.
Question 7. A point can be scored by the receiving side on a normal rally. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
In side-out scoring only the serving side scores; the receiver earns the serve.
Question 8. A timeout may be called after the referee announces "second serve". (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
No timeout after the score or "second serve" is announced.
Question 9. A serve that hits two side walls after the front wall before the floor is legal. (3/4-wall)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
That is a three-wall serve — a fault.
Question 10. A serve that touches the ceiling after the front wall is legal. (3/4-wall)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
A ceiling serve is a fault.
Question 11. A serve may legally hit one side wall after the front wall before the floor. (3/4-wall)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
Front wall + one side wall before the floor is legal.
Question 12. In one-wall, a serve landing outside the side line is good. (one-wall)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Outside the side line is a fault/out serve.
Question 13. Profanity ("the F word") during a match is a technical. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
It draws a technical.
Question 14. Avoidable hinders are called only after a warning. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Avoidable hinders carry no warning.
Question 15. The referee re-calls the score after a fault serve. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Do not re-call after a fault — only "second serve".
Question 16. The referee re-calls the score after a hinder. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
Re-call the score after a hinder or timeout.
Question 17. Cramps qualify a player for an injury timeout. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Cramps are not injuries.
Question 18. Eye protection is optional for adult players. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Approved eyewear is required.
Question 19. A player may wear a wet glove as long as it does not affect the ball. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Gloves must be kept dry and changed if wet.
Question 20. Three technicals in a match forfeit the match. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
Three technicals = forfeit.
Question 21. A judgment hinder call may be appealed to the linesmen in a refereed match. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Illegal / incorrect
Judgment calls are not appealable.
Question 22. A served ball that bounces in the court then goes over the back wall is legal. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
It bounced first — legal.
Question 23. The server must wait for the receiver to be ready before serving. (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
The receiver gets up to 10 seconds to be ready.
Question 24. A "crotch" ball into the front-wall/floor junction that rolls out wins the rally. (3/4-wall)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
A roll-out off the crotch is good — a kill.
Question 25. Hitting your own partner with your shot in doubles is a hinder (replay). (both)
- A Legal / correct
- B Illegal / incorrect
Answer
Answer: Legal / correct
It is treated as a dead-ball hinder if it would have gone up.
Question 26. The ball may be struck with one or two hands. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Either or both hands are legal.
Question 27. A fist or wrist strike is a legal hit. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
The ball must be hit with the hand/fingers, not the fist or wrist.
Question 28. The same player may hit the ball twice in one motion. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
A double-hit / carry loses the rally.
Question 29. A player may hit the ball after it has bounced twice. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
It must be returned before the second bounce.
Question 30. A return must reach the front wall before touching the floor. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Otherwise it is a skip — rally lost.
Question 31. The server may serve before the receiver is ready. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
The receiver gets up to 10 seconds to be ready.
Question 32. The score is re-called after every fault. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Only "second serve" is announced after a fault.
Question 33. The score is re-called after a timeout. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Re-call after a timeout or hinder.
Question 34. A served ball that strikes the server’s own partner is an out serve. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
A serve hitting the serving side is an out.
Question 35. The receiver may volley (return on the fly) a legal serve. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
The receiver may take it on the fly behind the receiving line.
Question 36. The receiver may contact the serve in front of the receiving line. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
That is a point for the server.
Question 37. A timeout is one minute long. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Each timeout is one minute.
Question 38. A player may call a timeout after the score is announced. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
No timeout after the score or "second serve".
Question 39. A technical warning deducts a point. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Only a technical FOUL deducts a point.
Question 40. Cramps qualify for an injury timeout. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Cramps are not injuries.
Question 41. Approved eye protection is mandatory. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Eyewear is required.
Question 42. Gloves must be worn and kept dry. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Gloves are required and must be dry/unaltered.
Question 43. Tape or rubber bands on the glove palm are legal. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
No foreign substances on the palm.
Question 44. The referee’s judgment calls (hinder/avoidable) can be appealed. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Judgment calls are not appealable.
Question 45. On anything the rules do not cover, the referee has final authority. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
The referee decides uncovered situations.
Question 46. Only the serving side can score a point. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Side-out scoring: only the server scores.
Question 47. A game is to 21 and a tiebreak to 11. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Standard USHA scoring.
Question 48. A match is best two of three games. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Best of three.
Question 49. Five minutes are allowed between games. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Five minutes between games.
Question 50. An equipment change allows two minutes. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Two minutes for equipment.
Question 51. Cumulative injury time is capped at 15 minutes. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
15-minute cumulative cap.
Question 52. A broken ball replays the previous rally with a new ball. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Replay with a new ball.
Question 53. A reasonable safety hold-up is a replay (dead-ball hinder). (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Safety hold-ups replay.
Question 54. An avoidable hinder requires a warning first. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
No warning for avoidable hinders.
Question 55. A serve hitting the front wall then one side wall before the floor is legal. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
One side wall is fine.
Question 56. A serve hitting the front wall then two side walls before the floor is legal. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Three-wall serve = fault.
Question 57. A serve that touches the ceiling after the front wall is a fault. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Ceiling serve fault.
Question 58. A serve carrying to the back wall on the fly is a fault. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Long serve.
Question 59. A serve that bounces in the court then hits the back wall is legal. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
It bounced first.
Question 60. The four-wall short line is 20 ft from the front wall. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Midcourt at 20 ft.
Question 61. The four-wall service zone is 5 ft deep. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Short line to service line = 5 ft.
Question 62. A four-wall court is 20 ft wide, 40 ft long, 20 ft high. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Standard dimensions.
Question 63. A one-wall court is 20 ft wide and 34 ft long. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
20 × 34.
Question 64. The one-wall playing wall is 20 ft wide and 16 ft high. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
20 × 16 wall.
Question 65. The one-wall short line is 16 ft from the wall. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Short line at 16 ft.
Question 66. In one-wall a serve landing outside the side line is good. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Out — a fault serve.
Question 67. In one-wall there is no ceiling or back-wall serve fault. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
No ceiling/back wall in one-wall.
Question 68. A "crotch" roll-out at the front wall/floor is a winner if it rolls out. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
A roll-out kill is good.
Question 69. When unsure on a kill with no linesmen, call a replay. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Replay when genuinely unsure.
Question 70. The referee should position to share the receiver’s view when judging a screen. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Line up with the receiver to judge screens.
Question 71. When in doubt on whether a serve screened the receiver, call a screen. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
When unsure, call the screen.
Question 72. The referee should talk to players as much as possible during a match. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Be almost invisible — minimal talk.
Question 73. The referee keeps the official score, and the scoreboard is secondary. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
The referee’s count is official.
Question 74. A "let" / replay results in the same server serving again. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
A replay re-serves with no change.
Question 75. A point is awarded to the receiver on a server’s avoidable hinder. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Server’s avoidable hinder = side-out, not a receiver point.
Question 76. The first server of the match in singles is decided by a coin toss/lag. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Toss decides serve/receive choice.
Question 77. The winner of the toss must choose to serve. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
They may choose serve OR receive.
Question 78. In game two, the choice of serve/receive goes to the other player/team. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Game two choice flips.
Question 79. A ball that breaks during a rally voids that rally (replay with a new ball). (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Broken ball = replay.
Question 80. A player may leave the court during a game without permission. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Leaving without permission can forfeit the match.
Question 81. A spectator interfering with play causes a replay. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Outside interference = replay (court hinder).
Question 82. A served ball that hits the line is treated as good (in). (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
A ball touching the line is good.
Question 83. The server must start with both feet, including the heel, fully behind the back edge of the service zone. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
The server serves from WITHIN the service zone (not behind it).
Question 84. A player may play the ball off the back wall to make a return in four-wall. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Back-wall play is legal in four-wall.
Question 85. There is no back-wall play in one-wall. (3/4-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
One-wall has only the front wall.
Question 86. The non-serving player(s) may stand anywhere that does not interfere before the serve. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Receivers must be behind the receiving line; doubles partner stays in the box.
Question 87. A wrong-handed (illegal) hit such as using the body counts as a good return. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
Only a legal hand strike returns the ball.
Question 88. A "fault" and an "out serve" are the same thing. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
A fault needs two to lose serve; an out serve loses it immediately.
Question 89. After a side-out, the previous receiver becomes the server. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Serve passes on a side-out.
Question 90. A timeout that exceeds one minute may draw a technical if play does not resume. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Delay beyond the allotted time is penalized.
Question 91. A player may request a re-call of the score before serving if unsure. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
The server may ask the referee to re-state the score.
Question 92. The referee announces "side-out" then the new server’s score before the next serve. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Call side-out, then the new score.
Question 93. An "ace" is a legal serve the receiver fails to return. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
An unreturned legal serve is an ace (a point).
Question 94. Intentionally delaying to disrupt the opponent is a technical. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Stalling/delay can draw a technical.
Question 95. A player’s loose, distracting clothing can be ordered changed. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
The referee may require non-distracting attire.
Question 96. In doubles both partners must wear eyewear. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Eyewear applies to all players.
Question 97. A "crotch" serve into the front-wall/floor line is automatically a fault. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: False / illegal
If it caroms up legally it can be good; if it skips, it is short/out.
Question 98. A returned ball may hit the side wall(s) and ceiling before the front wall in four-wall. (both)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
During a rally any wall/ceiling order is fine as long as it reaches the front wall before bouncing.
Question 99. In one-wall, a return must hit the wall before the second bounce on the floor. (one-wall)
- A True / legal
- B False / illegal
Answer
Answer: True / legal
Same two-bounce rule applies.