In what order do the referees signal a fault, and how are out balls signalled?

Question

Accepted Answer

From the 2026-27 Referee Guidelines and Instructions, rule 30 (Official Hand Signals):

Sequence

First referee: whistle to end the rally or fault, indicate the side to serve next, indicate the nature of the fault, then the player at fault if necessary. The second referee walks to the side of the team to receive next and follows the first referee's signals. (At FIVB, U SPORTS and CCAA matches the second referee does not take part in this signalling, but still walks to the receiving side and keeps eye contact.)
Second referee (net fault, illegal back-row block, etc.): whistle, indicate the nature of the fault, indicate the player at fault if necessary, pause, then follow the first referee's signal for the side to serve. The second referee shows the signal on the side where the fault was committed, stopping and facing the court rather than signalling while walking.
If both referees whistle at the same moment for different things, each shows the nature of the fault, but only the first referee shows the double fault signal and the team to serve next.
A serve made before the whistle is entirely the first referee's job: replay and team to serve.
End of set is signalled by the first referee.
Referees must whistle quickly and with certainty, must not signal a fault because players or the public urge it, and if they realize they have erred should correct it immediately.

Out and touched balls

A ball landing directly out after an attack or block by the opposing team: "ball out".
A ball from an attack hit that crosses the net and lands outside the court, but was touched by a blocker or other defending player: only "ball touched".
A ball that is out on a team's own side after its first, second or third hit: "ball touched".
A ball smashed into the top of the net that lands out on the attacker's side without touching the block: "out", then indicate the attacking player. If it touched the block first, show "ball out" and indicate the blocker or blockers.
A spiked ball that goes out because it hits the coach in the free zone or another person not in play: "out".
If a team's ball does not cross the net after the third hit and the same or another player touches it again, the fault is four hits.

Source: Volleyball Canada 2026-27 Referee Guidelines and Instructions, rule 30.