What are the duties and powers of the 1st referee?

The 1st referee works from a referee's stand at one end of the net, opposite the scorer, with their eyes about 50 cm above the net (Rule 23).

Authority:

• directs the match from start to finish and has authority over the whole refereeing team and all team members;
• their decisions during the match are final. They may overrule other officials who are mistaken, and replace an official who isn't doing the job properly;
• controls the ball retrievers and moppers;
• decides any matter involving the game, including anything the rules don't cover;
• allows no discussion of decisions, but explains the rule behind a decision when the game captain asks;
• decides before and during the match whether the playing area, equipment and conditions are fit for play.

Before the match: inspects the playing area, balls and equipment, conducts the toss with the captains, and controls the warm-up.

During the match: gives warnings, sanctions misconduct and delays, and decides on:

• faults by the server and the positions of the serving team, including screening. From 2025, the serving team's players may stand anywhere within their own court at the service hit, but every player except the server must still be inside it;
• faults in playing the ball (catch, double contact, four hits);
• faults above the net, and net contact, mainly on the attacker's side;
• attack-hit faults by the libero and back-row players, and attacks above the net on a libero's overhand finger pass from the front zone;
• the ball completely crossing the space under the net;
• a completed block by back-row players, or an attempted block by the libero;
• the ball crossing outside the crossing space, or touching or passing outside the antenna, on their side.

After the match: checks and signs the score sheet.