Rule 3.6 Line judges

There should be a line judge, positioned at the most advantageous viewpoints, for each of the side lines, the short line and the long line.

Line judge duties shall be to call “out” the balls that hit the floor or the wall off the court and to call faults on their respective lines as they occur. The short line judge may call skip balls, backswing hinders and two bounce returns at the discretion of the referee. If a line judge is uncertain, he/she should abstain from making a call. The referee may substitute his/her decision on a call.

Line judges also 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 line judges 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/her view was blocked, is arm extended with an open hand and palm down. Line judges shall not signal until the referee acknowledges the appeal and asks for a ruling.

If all four line judges abstain from giving an opinion, the referee’s call stands. Otherwise the call shall follow the opinion of the majority of participating officials (four line judges and one referee.) Disregarding those who abstain, if the majority of the officials agree with the call, the call shall stand. If a majority disagree with the call, the call must be reversed. If there is a tie, the referee may let the call stand, reverse the call or call for a replay.