# Rule 3.5 Line Judges (USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990, historical)

> **Historical rulebook: not the current rules.** The current rules are here: https://handball.theperfectship.com/rules/four-wall/

USHA rules text used with permission of the U.S. Handball Association (ushandball.org); credit: U.S. Handball Association. Source: https://www.ushandball.org/

## A. Linesmen

If possible, two linesmen will be used in all matches, positioned at the most advantageous viewpoints. A linesman's opinion is based on his agreement or disagreement with the referee's call. If a linesman is uncertain, he should abstain from expressing an opinion.

## B. Duties and responsibilities

Linesmen are designated to help decide appealed calls. In the event of an appeal, and after a very brief explanation of the appeal by the referee, the linesmen must indicate their opinions of the referee's call. The signal to show agreement with the referee is arm extended with thumb up, disagreement is shown by thumb pointing down. The signal to show no opinion or that the line judge is unsure or his view was blocked is arm extended with an open hand and palm down. Line judges should not signal until the referee acknowledges the appeal and asks for a ruling.

## C. Result of response

If both line judges signal no opinion, the referee's call stands. If both line judges disagree with the referee, the referee must reverse his ruling. If only one line judge disagrees with the referee's call, the referee may let the call stand, reverse his call or call for a replay.

## Mentioned here

- [Referee](https://handball.theperfectship.com/match-referee.md)
- [Line judge](https://handball.theperfectship.com/line-judge.md)
- [Replay](https://handball.theperfectship.com/replay.md)
- [Appeal](https://handball.theperfectship.com/appeal.md)
- [Point](https://handball.theperfectship.com/point.md)

How this rule changed: [wording in every rulebook](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/clause-history/code-fourwall-american/3-6.md)

## Relationships

- Referee relates to Line judge: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Referee relates to Replay: mentioned together in 5 sub-rules.
- Referee relates to Appeal: mentioned together in 3 sub-rules.
- Referee relates to Point: mentioned together in 9 sub-rules.
- Replay relates to Point: mentioned together in 4 sub-rules.
- Appeal relates to Point: mentioned together in 2 sub-rules.

Rulebook: [USHA Four-Wall Rules, 20 June 1990](https://handball.theperfectship.com/rulebooks/usha-fourwall-1990-06-20.md)

Source: The Official United States Handball Association Handball Rules With Interpretations and One-Wall and Three-Wall Addendum Revised 1991 (Wayback capture 19980519203944 of cohandball.com). USHA rules text, used with the USHA's written permission (letter not yet filed).