Referee Test

Welcome to the Referee Test!

This 2023 online Referee Test tests your knowledge of the USA Pickleball Official Tournament Rulebook, Casebook and the USA Pickleball officiating best practices and procedures contained in the 2023 Officiating Handbook. It is recommended that you study these training materials prior to taking the test. As a prerequisite for the Referee Certification program, you must achieve a passing score of 90% or better on this test.

The test consists of 75 questions with a 60-minute time limit. The 75 questions are drawn from a pool of 100+ questions. The questions are shuffled at the beginning of each test, so no two tests are exactly the same. In addition, new questions are periodically added.

Pick a time to take the quiz when you can complete all the questions without interruption because the test will automatically close after 60 minutes. The test will also close when you click the "Submit" button at the end of the test, so answer all questions before submitting.

Upon completion, your score will be displayed along with your answers and the correct answer for each question you answered incorrectly. You will also receive a follow-up email showing your test score. If you have a query about a particular question, please reference the question number (#000) in your email to TestAdmin@USAPickleball.org.

Good luck!

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(#87)
A player steps into the non-volley zone with her right foot and then jumps off the ground to hit a volley. Her right foot then lands outside the NVZ, but her left foot is still in the air when she volleys. This is a legal volley because only the foot that touches the NVZ is required to reestablish outside the zone before the volley strike.

A. True.

B. False.

(#49)
Players are responsible for line calls on their side of the net. If the opponents hit a ball close to a line, the player or team that is supposed to make the line call may appeal to the referee without first making a call. Once they appeal to the referee, they lose the right to make any subsequent "in" or "out" call for that rally.

A. True.

B. False.

(#155)
In a mini-singles match with a score of 5-2, what court should the server and receiver be playing respectively?

A. Server = even court. Receiver = odd court. (Straight across)

B. Server = even court. Receiver = even court. (Diagonally)

C. Server = odd court. Receiver = even court. (Straight across)

D. Server = odd court. Receiver = odd court. (Diagonally)

(#4)
After game 1 has ended, Team A changes their starting server (and form of identification) but does not inform the referee or the opponents of the change. At the start of game 2, Team A serves the ball to start the game with the player wearing the form of identification. Should a fault be called?

A. Yes. Team A MUST give a notification about the starting server change.

B. No. It is not a fault just because Team A did not give a notification.

(#143)
During scoresheet reconstruction, if a team’s last side out mark has been placed after a scoring box with an odd number, which player becomes the second server on that team’s next service rotation?

A. The banded player.

B. The non-banded player.

(#138)
Player A1 is serving at 5-9-1 from the left side of the court. During the rally, B2 lobs the ball and A1 hits it off the tip of his paddle high into the air. While the ball is in the air, A1 yells a loud profanity. The ball then bounces in Team B’s court with enough backspin to take it into the net for a point. The referee declares “Point, Technical Foul!” Assuming the match is not declared a forfeit due to penalties, what is the next score the referee should call, who would the server be, and from which side of the court would that serve come from?

A. 5-9-2, A2 serves from the left.

B. 6-9-1, A1 serves from the right.

C. 5-9-1, A1 serves from the left.

D. 6-9-2, A2 serves from the right.

(#68)
After the rally has ended, if a line judge shows the blocked signal, the referee may immediately make a call if they clearly saw the ball land. The referee may also canvass the remaining line judges to help make the call if they did not clearly see the ball land. The referee does not have to wait on a player's appeal to canvass the remaining line judges.

A. True.

B. False.

(#118)
In a match with line judges, what line(s) are the players responsible for calling on the serve?

A. No lines.

B. NVZ (short serves).

C. Baseline, sideline and centerline.

D. Centerline.

(#137)
A server uses a volley serve to start the rally. His left shoe slides forward and makes contact with the baseline the instant his paddle makes contact with the ball questionably at his waist. What is the ruling?

A. Re-serve due to the questionable height of the ball.

B. Re-serve due to the foot touching the baseline.

C. Fault for the foot touching the baseline.

D. Fault for the questionable height of the ball.

10.

(#48) (New in 2023).
If the referee or a player stops a rally to correctly identify a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed.

A. True.

B. False.

11.

(#75)
After game 1, Team A commits a technical foul. Team A will serve first for game 2 with a score of "0-1-2". Which player on Team B should receive serve?

A. Starting server ("Band") player.

B. Starting server's partner ("No-band") player.

12.

(#139)
Team A forfeits the first game of a best-of-three match to 11, but comes back to win the second game 11-7. In the third game, player A2 gets injured and requires a medical time-out with his team ahead 10-5. After the fifteen minute medical time-out, A2 cannot continue and must retire. How should the final scores be recorded?

A. 11-0, 7-11, 11-0

B. 11-0, 7-11, 5-10

C. 11-0, 7-11, 12-10

D. 11-0, 11-0

13.

(#92) New in 2023.
Who retains the right to require an apparel change when the apparel approximates the color of the tournament ball?

A. Any Player.

B. The Referee.

C. The Head Referee.

D. The Tournament Director.

E. All of the above.

14.

(#1)
If a served ball touches the net and then hits the receiver's partner, who is clearly standing outside of receiver's service area, what is the call?

A. Replay.

B. Fault on the server.

C. Serving team wins the point.

15.

(#121)
Team A arrives late and forfeits the first game in a 2 out of 3 to 11 match. Team A wins the next game. Should the teams switch ends at 6 points into game 3?

A. Yes.

B. No.

16.

(#129)
With respect to foot faults, the rules apply similarly regarding placement of the back wheels of a wheelchair as they do for placement of feet of a standing player.

A. True.

B. False.

17.

(#62)
Other than non-volley zone violations, faults may only be committed when the ball is live and in-play.

A. True.

B. False.

18.

(#17)
During the mid-game, end change time-out, coaching is allowed.

A. True.

B. False.

19.

(#133)
A hinder is defined as any physical actions by a player that are not common to the game that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent’s ability or concentration to hit the ball.

A. True.

B. False.

20.

(#94) New in 2023.
If the referee is uncertain whether a server has violated any of the 3 components for a legal volley serve, the referee may immediately stop play and order a re-serve.

A. True.

B. False.

21.

(#16)
When a time-out is called, the referee should advise all players to place their paddles on the court.

A. True.

B. False.

22.

(#26)
Any ball that cannot be called "out" must be presumed to be "in."

A. True.

B. False.

23.

(#63)
A referee shall call a fault if a player calls "time-out" after the service motion has started but before the serve occurs.

A. True.

B. False.

24.

(#67)
Players may overrule a referee's line call if it is to their own team's disadvantage.

A. True.

B. False.

25.

(#5)
In a match with line judges, if the officiating team cannot make a line call, a replay shall be called.

A. True.

B. False.

26.

(#44)
After the score is called, if the serving team changes service courts, the referee shall stop play and allow all players to reposition. If the server serves before the referee starts to re-call the score, a fault should not be called.

A. True.

B. False.

27.

(#140)
On the serve, the referee is not required to announce simultaneous faults on the serving team.

A. True.

B. False.

28.

(#64)
A player standing behind the non-volley zone line stretches low to return the ball before it bounces. After starting her swing, her paddle scrapes the NVZ court surface just before making contact with the ball. This is a fault because the paddle touched the non-volley zone during the swing.

A. True.

B. False.

29.

(#165) (New in 2023).
If the referee calls a player for a questionable serve that does not land in the correct service court, what is the appropriate action for the referee to take?

A. Call a fault since the ball landed out of bounds.

B. Call for a re-serve since that occurred first.

C. Call a referee error since the referee didn’t wait for the ball to land.

30.

(#97) New in 2023.
Which of the following would not result in a fault?

A. An incorrect score is called and before the return of serve a player stops play to challenge the score.

B. After the return of serve, a player stops play to have a wrong score call corrected.

C. A player stops play before the return of serve to challenge a correct score call.

31.

(#112) (New in 2023).
The server’s hand that releases the ball on the serve must be bare (except for a Band-Aid).

A. True.

B. False.

32.

(#53)
Players may overrule line calls to their own disadvantage. This includes the overrule of the opponent, line judges, and even their partner. This includes an overrule of a referee's clear "in" or "out" call.

A. True.

B. False.

33.

(#57)
After game 1, Team A receives a technical foul. Team B will start serving game 2 with a score of "1-0-2". The starting server for Team B should start the game serving from the left-hand court.

A. True.

B. False.

34.

(#125)
The top of the net should be 34” high in the center and 36” high - measured where?

A. At the sidelines.

B. At the net posts.

35.

(#56)
The rules allow for a "game forfeit" under certain conditions. In a 2-out-of-3 match, if a player takes a valid medical time-out and cannot continue play after the time limit has ended, a game forfeit shall be declared.

A. True.

B. False.

36.

(#79)
When doubles partners disagree on a line call, (one calls the ball "out" and the other calls the ball 'in") either player may appeal to the referee for a ruling. The appeal to the referee can be made AFTER both players have made their line calls.

A. True.

B. False.

37.

(#167) (New in 2023).
In a doubles match, Team A is ahead at 5-4-1 with Player A1 having served for 4 straight points. Player A2 serves for 2 more points to reach 7-4-2 before losing a rally. It should be side-out, but player A1 serves a second time and wins the next rally while no one recognized the error. The score is now 8-4-2 and player A1 serves again when the referee realizes Player A1 served twice. What is the correct ruling at this point?

A. All points served count, including the eighth point on Player A1’s second serve.

B. It is now side-out, with Team B serving at 4-8-1.

C. Team A loses their last point scored and the score is now 4-7-1 with Team B serving.

D. Both A and B.

38.

(#102)
If a paddle violation is identified after the match has started, the player or team forfeit all matches started and already played.

A. True.

B. False.

39.

(#37)
A player standing outside the non-volley zone (NVZ) volleys the ball, but begins to lose her balance. To prevent stepping into the NVZ, she jumps over the corner and into the out of bounds area, then touches a net post while the ball is still live. A fault should be called.

A. True.

B. False.

40.

(#29)
In a match with a referee, after a rally has completed, a player notices that the ball is cracked and steps on it and crushes it. What should the referee do if they saw this happen?

A. Remind players that the referee needs to verify the ball was cracked.

B. Issue a fault on the player.

C. Issue a verbal warning or technical warning to the player.

D. Issue a technical foul to the player.

41.

(#105)
At what point in time can a player/team withdraw from a match?

A. Prior to the Referee announcing time-in, 0-0.

B. Prior to the first serve.

C. Prior to tournament operations starting the bracket.

D. Answers A & C.

42.

(#71)
It is a fault if a player, while in the act of volleying, collides with their partner, and the momentum created as a result of the volley, causes the partner to enter into the non-volley zone.

A. True.

B. False.

43.

(#113)
In a doubles match a player hits a ball close to the opponent's sideline. After the ball bounces the opponent calls the ball "out" and the opponent's partner says "good shot". The referee is unable to make a call upon appeal. Which of the following statements is correct?

A, Doubt was created with the "good shot" call so the ball was in.

B. The "good shot" call is not a line call, so the "out" call stands.

C. Since the referee can't make a call, the rally should be replayed.

44.

(#58)
Your partner drops her paddle and it lands on the ground on the court but not in the non-volley zone. The opponents then hit a ball that hits the paddle lying on the ground. The ball bounces up high and you then hit the ball over the net to keep the rally going. This is legal because the dropped paddle is considered part of the court and play continues.

A. True.

B. False.

45.

(#6)
When a player commits a technical foul, one point shall always be deducted from the offending player's score.

A. True

B. False

46.

(#142)
During the pre-match briefing, Team A has won the toss and elected to serve. Which of the following options remains available for Team B?

A. Receive.

B. End.

C. Defer.

D. Both B and C.

47.

(#34)
At the beginning of the service motion, both feet must be behind the baseline and the imaginary extension of the baseline.

A. True.

B. False.

48.

(#124) (New in 2023).
Team B arrives at the court wearing yellow shirts, shorts and shoes. Team A comes to you saying Team B’s clothes are a distraction and asks that you make them change. What is your response?

A. No, that’s not my call.

B. That isn’t my call. I’ll call for the Tournament Director.

C. You ask Team B to change only their shirts.

49.

(#159)
The server’s partner (A2) lines up at the NVZ for the serve. A2 volleys the third shot in the rally for a winner. In a non-officiated match, can the receiving team enforce a fault against Team A since they violated the two-bounce rule?

A. Yes.

B. No.

50.

(#149)
In matches involving line judges, a line judge who shows two arms clasped together above the head indicates which signal?

A. Safety issue.

B. Coaching.

C. Player out of position or incorrect server/receiver.

51.

(#99) New in 2023.
The duration of an equipment time-out is:

A. 1-minute.

B. 2-minutes.

C. A reasonable duration.

52.

(#24)
If you do not make an initial line call and then ask your opponent's opinion if a ball was “in” or “out,” you must accept their opinion. Once you ask the opponent's opinion, you lose any right to make a subsequent "in" or "out" call for that rally.

A. True.

B. False.

53.

(#77)
When a player uses the Drop Serve, when the ball is released, there is no rule stating that the server's feet must be behind the baseline. Rules for feet placement are applied the instant the ball is struck to perform the serve.

A. True.

B. False.

54.

(#69)
The instant after the ball is served, the server is allowed to step on the baseline or court.

A. True.

B. False.

55.

(#136)
Examples of a distraction may include, but are not limited to, which of the following?

A. Making loud noises.

B. Stomping your feet.

C. Waving your paddle in a distracting manner.

D. Interfering with the opponent’s concentration or ability to hit the ball.

E. All of the above.

56.

(#61)
After the rally has ended, if a line judge shows the blocked signal, the referee may immediately make a call if they clearly saw the ball land. The referee must wait for a player appeal before the remaining line judges may be asked to make a call.

A. True.

B. False.

57.

(#128)
Because a player can become not ready up until the moment you begin calling the score, you should start your score call while looking at the receiver and move your eyes to the server as you call the score (in time to watch the service motion and foot placement).

A. True.

B. False.

58.

(#115) (New in 2023).
If the referee stops a rally and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed.

A. True.

B. False.

59.

(#110)
Who has the authority to remove a line judge?

A. The Referee, if based on the referee’s observation.

B. The Players, if all of the players and the referee agree.

C. The Tournament Director, if requested by all of the players and the referee does not agree.

D. All of the above.

60.

(#135)
Examples of a hinder include, but are not limited to, which of the following?

A. Stray balls on the court.

B. Flying insects.

C. Foreign material on the court.

D. Player and/or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impact play.

E. All of the above.

61.

(#163) (New in 2023).
After the referee has called the score and before the ball is served, one of the receivers says “wait, wait” and the receivers switch their positions without saying anything else. Nothing occurred that would constitute a hinder. What should the referee do?

A. Call a fault on the receivers for stopping play.

B. Stop play, allow the receivers to become ready and re-call the score.

C. Ignore the receivers and continue the 10-second count.

62.

(#40)
Per the rulebook, in doubles play when making a line call, which of the following phrases confirm that doubt exists?

A. Player says "out" and partner says "in".

B. Player says "out" and partner says "I'm not sure."

C. Player says "out" and partner says, "I don't know."

D. All of the above.

63.

(#45) (New in 2023).
The referee will confirm and correct, if necessary, that all players are in the correct position and the correct server has the ball before calling the score.

A. True.

B. False.

64.

(#90)
Referees may eject or expel players for egregious behavior if the behavior happens during the match.

A. True.

B. False.

65.

(#42)
Per the Officiating Handbook, when is a referee allowed to use "common sense" on judgments made during a match?

A. Never. Judgments should always be based on the rules alone.

B. Only to address situations not expressly covered by the rulebook or handbook.

C. For all judgment calls.

66.

(#52)
In a 2-out-of-3 match, the starting server will always begin the game serving from the right-hand court.

A. True.

B. False.

67.

(#74)
When a server uses the Drop Serve, the receiver may call for a replay if they did not see the release of the ball. The "call for a replay" must happen before the receiver returns the serve.

A. True.

B. False.

68.

(#150)
A tournament director may assess what penalty to a player or team who fails to comply with tournament or host facility rules while on the premises?

A. Match forfeit.

B. Expulsion.

C. Ejection.

D. None of the above.

69.

(#86)
An athletic player runs fast toward the net and jumps to hit a volley. The jumping player volleys a shot towards the opponent. The paddle flies out of the hitter's hand and eventually lands in the opponent's court. Before the paddle landed, the ball grazes the shoulder of the opponent. Assuming no distraction happened, the player who volleyed did not commit a fault.

A. True. The ball was dead before the paddle landed.

B. False. Landing in the opponent's court has no time limit attached.

70.

(#39)
A ball is hit at an angle, bounces in the court, and travels beyond the sidelines. The receiver manages to return the ball, hitting a low shot (below net level) around and outside the post into the opponent’s court. This is a legal hit and the ball remains in play.

A. True.

B. False.

71.

(#78)
Player A volleys a ball that hits the top of the net and then falls over and hits the horizontal bar. Just before the ball hits the horizontal bar, the opponent, Player Z, crosses the plane of the net. The referee should call a fault on Player Z since the crossing of the plane occurred before the ball hit the horizontal bar.

A. True.

B. False.

72.

(#50)
If a player makes an initial "out" line call and then (out of good sportsmanship) asks for the opponent's opinion, which of the following are true? (Assume no referee overrule)

A. Opponent's clear "out" call will stand.

B. Opponent's clear "in" call will stand.

C. If opponent can't make a clear call, the player's initial "out" call will stand.

D. All of the above.

73.

(#70)
In 2-out-of-3 matches, 3 technical warnings ("3 strikes") equates to a game forfeit. In a single game to 15, the game forfeit is the same as the match forfeit.

A. True.

B. False.

74.

(#141)
According to the referee handbook, arguing excessively with an official, player, or spectator can warrant which of the following?

A. Verbal warning.

B. Technical warning.

C. Technical foul.

D. Either A or B.

75.

(#32)
The definition of a verbal warning is: A referee’s warning of a behavioral violation. A single verbal warning may be issued to each team once per match.

A. True.

B. False.

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