Rule 3.4 Referee

Before each match begins, it shall be the duty of the referee to:

1) Playability. Check on adequacy of preparation of the handball court with respect to playability.

2) Equipment. Check on availability and suitability of all materials necessary for the match, such as handballs, towels, scorecards, pencils and a timepiece.

3) Assisting officials. Check readiness of and provide instructions to assisting officials.

4) Court hinders. Explain court hinders, if any, to players (See Rule 4.7A1).

5) Inspect gloves, uniforms and eye protection. Remind players to have an adequate supply of extra gloves and shirts. Inspect compliance of gloves and hands with rules. Remind players that failure to wear eye protection properly will result in a technical, and a second violation in a forfeit.

6) Start game. Introduce players, toss coin to determine order of serve and signal start of game.

7) Time. Be present 15 minutes before match time.

8) Two-minute warning. Give a two-minute warning before the match and before each game.

9) Scoring. Announce the score before each rally (See Rule 3.7).

The referee will be positioned behind the receiving side and shall make all decisions with regard to the rules and the referee has the authority to change his call. Where line judges are used, the referee shall announce all final judgments. In the absence of line judges, if both players in singles or three out of four in a doubles match disagree with a call made by the referee, the referee should consider reversing his call.

1) Spectators. The referee shall have jurisdiction over the spectators, as well as the players, while the match is in progress (See Rule 5.6). A ball that hits an official or spectator before hitting the wall shall be judged as if it had hit an opponent (See Rule 4.7A2). If a "non-seated" spectator or official interferes with a player in his attempt to play a ball, it is a hinder. In the interest of safety, when sufficient playing area cannot be provided, the referee may call a dead-ball hinder for interference that prevents a player from having a fair chance to see or return the ball (See Rule 4.7A7).

Any decision involving a rules interpretation may be protested before the next serve. It will then be resolved by the chief of referees or tournament director. Judgment hinder calls may not be protested. If the player's protest is upheld, the proper ruling will be made. If the player's protest is not upheld, the player shall be charged with a time-out. If the player is out of time-outs, he will be charged with a technical.

A match may be forfeited by the referee when:

1) Flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct. Player refuses to abide by the referee's decision or engages in flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct.

2) Three technicals. Side receives three technicals in a match.

3) Leaving the court. Player leaves the court at a time not allowed by these rules without permission of the referee.

4) Failure to report.

a) No show. Player for a singles match, or any team for a doubles match, fails to report to play.

b) Late start penalty. If a player is not ready to play (or resume play) on time, the opponent shall be awarded one point. The opponent will then be awarded one additional point for each full minute of delay of game up to 10 minutes. The match shall then be forfeited. This applies to the start of the match, between-game time-outs, time-outs during a game and glove-change time-outs. Players should stay within earshot of the referee to help prevent the delay-of-game penalty. It is the obligation of the players to be ready to resume play on time even if the referee fails to give time warnings. If the matches are on, or ahead of, schedule, the players must be in the court warming up at least 10 minutes before the assigned match time to assure a prompt start. If running behind, the players must be dressed and ready to enter the court for a maximum 10 minute, on-court warm up. If a player shows up less than 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time, his warm-up time will be reduced accordingly. The tournament chairman may permit a longer delay if circumstances warrant.

A player or team may be forfeited by the tournament director or official in charge for failure to comply with the tournament or host facility's rules while on the tournament premises, for failure to referee, or for any other improper conduct on the tournament premises.

The referee shall rule on all matters not covered in the USHA Official Rules. However, the referee may be overruled by the chief of referees or tournament director, who shall have final authority.