What signals do I give the referees during a set?
Rule- USA
- USA Volleyball
- Club volleyball
- 16 and under
- Juniors
- 2025-27 rules
- Scorekeepers
| Situation | Signal |
|---|---|
| Ready to continue (after a substitution, timeout, etc.) | Make eye contact with the 2nd referee and raise both hands, palms forward |
| Either team's next point would end the set | Index finger on the front of your shoulder on the side of the team with set point. Repeat only if a different set-point situation occurs |
| End of the set or match | Cross your forearms in front of your chest, palms toward your body |
| Timeout taken | Visually signal the number of timeouts each team has taken |
Deciding set with a court change: tell the 2nd referee when either team's next point would cause the court change (point 8 in a set to 15, or 13 in a 25-point playoff set), and again when it's scored. Then check that the scoreboard has been switched.
You also use the buzzer or sound device to acknowledge and announce substitution requests and to flag irregularities, such as an out-of-order request.
Added 21 Oct 2026