Official Pickleball Line Judge Test

Welcome to the Line Judge Test!

This new 2020 40-question review is a tool for pickleball line judges and referees to test their knowledge of the USA Pickleball line judge best practices contained in the USA Pickleball/IFP Line Judge Guide. Passing the Line Judge Test is a prerequisite to applying for USA Pickleball Referee Certification. Answers to all questions can be found in the USAPA/IFP Line Judge Guide or USA Pickleball/IFP Rulebook.

Pick a time to take the test when you can complete all the questions without interruption because the test will automatically close after 30 minutes. The test will also close when you click the “Submit” button at the end of the test, so answer all questions before submitting the test.

Upon completion, your score will be displayed. Since line judging plays such an important role in officiating, 90 percent is a passing score.

You can take the test as often as you like. So, if you do not obtain a passing score, re-read the Line Judge Guide and re-take the test. Each time you will receive a follow-up email containing your test score.

Being a line judge is an easy way to give back to the sport you love!

Note: If a test question has a "NEW in 2020" notation, this refers to either a new rule being added, or that an existing rule was revised

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1. (#7)
Encouraging a player to win the next point is acceptable behavior when line judging.

True

False

2. (#20)
The referee has the right and authority to make any service foot fault call or line call (if appealed or if the line judge's view was blocked), whether it was or was not also made by a line judge.

True

False

3. (#11)
At the beginning of each game and after time-outs and other breaks in the game, line judges should be in position and ready to resume play without the referee having to get their attention.

True

False

4. (#15)
A delayed line call can raise suspicion of a line judge’s credibility.

True

False

5. (#29)
It is okay to stand and applaud a good shot by either team when you are line judging.

True

False

6. (#27)
When six line judges are used, the sideline judges are responsible for making line calls on their side of the net. However, each should watch the entire length of the sideline – baseline to baseline – in case the view of the sideline judge on the opposite end is blocked.

True

False

7. (#4)
As a line judge, when you cannot clearly see if a ball lands “in” or “out,” you should:

A. Make the call to the best of your ability, even though you are not certain

B. Listen for the nearest player or spectator to make the call and then go with whatever he says

C. Place your hands over your eyes to signal to the referee that your view was blocked

D. Both A and B are correct

8. (#37)
Line judges should not officiate matches when the following are playing:

A. Close friends

B. Double’s partners

C. Relatives

D. All of the above

9. (#36)
Line judges may solicit opinions from players to determine a call.

True

False

10. (#2)
An “out” call should be communicated verbally and with a hand signal.

True

False

11. (#32)
A line judge should only focus on the edge of her assigned line. They should ignore all other action on the court.

True

False

12. (#23)
For each ball that lands out of bounds, the line judge for that designated line should:

Loudly call the ball out

Immediately call the ball out

Immediately signal with an arm outstretched in the out-of-bounds direction

All of the above

13. (#19)
During the serve, a foot fault occurs when:

A. At least one foot is in contact with the baseline and/or court surface when the paddle contacts the ball

B. At least one foot is in contact with the playing surface on the opposite side of the imaginary extension of the centerline when the paddle contacts the ball

C. At least one foot is in contact with the playing surface outside the imaginary extension of the sideline when the paddle contacts the ball

D. All of the above

14. (#33)
At the end of a match, line judges should not leave their posts until released by the referee.

True

False

15. (#16)
The baseline judge, along with the referee, can call service foot faults and make line calls for the assigned baseline.

True

False

16. (#35)
If a line judge is challenged by a player, she should:

Consult other line judges for their opinions

Confidently re-state her call

Show the blocked signal

17. (#21)(NEW in 2020)
A player may overrule a line judge's call if it is to their own team's disadvantage.

True

False

18. (#17)
If the bottom of the ball touches your assigned line, the ball is considered "in."

True

False

19. (#31)
Line judges are allowed to check their mobile devices throughout the match as long as the phone does not ring.

True

False

20. (#6) (NEW in 2020)
A player/team may overrule a line judge's call if it is to their own disadvantage.

True

False

21. (#13)
The proper “in” signal is:

An arm outstretched inward in the direction of the court surface

Both arms outstretched inward in the direction of the court surface with the palms facing up

Both arms outstretched forward and downward with the palms facing down

One arm pointing up and outward away from the court surface

22. (#5)
As a player serves the ball, his foot contacts the baseline at the same time his paddle contacts the ball. This is a foot fault and the line judge should loudly call "foot fault."

True

False

23. (#38)
During a time-out, line judges are allowed to leave the court for a restroom break.

True

False

24. (#14)
The tournament director shall determine the number of line judges for each match.

True

False

25. (#12)
It is okay to carry on a conversation with the person seated next to you, as long as it doesn’t distract you from your line judging duties.

True

False

26. (#24)
Overruled line calls are rare if the line judge is following the standards and procedures. But, if an overrule occurs, you should forget it and continue to make calls as you see them.

True

False

27. (#30)
If a ball is obviously out, you still are expected to call “out” and give the "out" hand signal.

True

False

28. (#39)
During time-outs, line judges are allowed to quickly check their cell phones.

True

False

29. (#22)
Players have the option to appeal a line judge’s call to the referee.

True

False

30. (#10)
A line judge should be positioned where she:

A. Has an unobstructed view down the assigned line

B. Can look through a fence rather than over it

C. Can hold open the flap to see through an opening in the windscreen

D. Both B and C are correct

31. (#1)
If a line judge notices an incorrect server or a player serving from the wrong court, when the rally is completed, the line judge should:

Immediately yell to the referee that the server is in the wrong court

Quietly get the server's attention and advise him to move to the right court

Raise his/her hand to get the attention of the referee and inform him/her of what was observed

32. (#28)
Sideline judges should watch for non-volley zone (NVZ) sideline violations when a player steps around or through the NVZ to volley a ball. The referee has responsibility for the call, but may seek the opinion of a line judge.

True

False

33. (#8)
As soon as your spouse qualifies for the Gold Medal match, you should volunteer to be one of the line judges.

True

False

34. (#40)
Line judges are an integral part of the officiating team.

True

False

35. (#26)
Balls that land “in” routinely do not necessitate a call. However, if the ball landed close to the line and the referee and/or player(s) cast a questioning glance in the line judge's direction, the line judge should respond firmly with an “in” hand signal.

True

False

36. (#9)
If a ball bounces close to the line, but the ball is not “out,” the line judge should without hesitation loudly call “in.”

True

False

37. (#34)
If requested by the referee, line judges can assist the referee with the following calls:

A. Double bounces

B. Balls touching a player

C. Non-volley zone violations

D. All of the Above

38. (#3)
The referee can never overrule a call made by a line judge.

True

False

39. (#25)
Depending on the circumstances, the referee has the authority to direct a line judge to sit or stand on one side of the court or the other.

True

False

40. (#18)
The sideline judge is responsible for making sideline calls on the assigned sideline and service foot faults associated with the imaginary extension of that sideline.

True

False

You have come to the end of the Line Judge Test. If you would like to return to any questions to review your answers, please use the “Previous” buttons at the bottom of each page. If you are ready to submit the test, please click the “Submit” button below.

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Line Judge Test

Line Judge Test