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 USAPA line judge best practices contained in the USAPA/IFP Line Judge Guide. Passing the Line Judge Test is a prerequisite to applying for USAPA Referee Certification. Answers to all questions can be found in the USAPA/IFP Line Judge Guide or USAPA/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. (#30)
If a ball is obviously out, you still are expected to call “out” and give the "out" hand signal.
2. (#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.
3. (#37)
Line judges should not officiate matches when the following are playing:
4. (#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:
5. (#4)
As a line judge, when you cannot clearly see if a ball lands “in” or “out,” you should:
6. (#40)
Line judges are an integral part of the officiating team.
7. (#17)
If the bottom of the ball touches your assigned line, the ball is considered "in."
8. (#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.
9. (#7)
Encouraging a player to win the next point is acceptable behavior when line judging.
10. (#15)
A delayed line call can raise suspicion of a line judge’s credibility.
11. (#33)
At the end of a match, line judges should not leave their posts until released by the referee.
12. (#22)
Players have the option to appeal a line judge’s call to the referee.
13. (#8)
As soon as your spouse qualifies for the Gold Medal match, you should volunteer to be one of the line judges.
14. (#13)
The proper “in” signal is:
15. (#6) (NEW in 2020)
A player/team may overrule a line judge's call if it is to their own disadvantage.
16. (#39)
During time-outs, line judges are allowed to quickly check their cell phones.
17. (#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.
18. (#29)
It is okay to stand and applaud a good shot by either team when you are line judging.
19. (#16)
The baseline judge, along with the referee, can call service foot faults and make line calls for the assigned baseline.
20. (#31)
Line judges are allowed to check their mobile devices throughout the match as long as the phone does not ring.
21. (#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.
22. (#3)
The referee can never overrule a call made by a line judge.
23. (#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.
24. (#35)
If a line judge is challenged by a player, she should:
25. (#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.
26. (#38)
During a time-out, line judges are allowed to leave the court for a restroom break.
27. (#10)
A line judge should be positioned where she:
28. (#19)
During the serve, a foot fault occurs when:
29. (#32)
A line judge should only focus on the edge of her assigned line. They should ignore all other action on the court.
30. (#21)(NEW in 2020)
A player may overrule a line judge's call if it is to their own team's disadvantage.
31. (#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.
32. (#36)
Line judges may solicit opinions from players to determine a call.
33. (#14)
The tournament director shall determine the number of line judges for each match.
34. (#2)
An “out” call should be communicated verbally and with a hand signal.
35. (#34)
If requested by the referee, line judges can assist the referee with the following calls:
36. (#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."
37. (#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.
38. (#9)
If a ball bounces close to the line, but the ball is not “out,” the line judge should without hesitation loudly call “in.”
39. (#23)
For each ball that lands out of bounds, the line judge for that designated line should:
40. (#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.

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