Referee Test

Welcome to the Referee Test!

This 2020 online Referee Test is Phase I of the USA Pickleball Referee Training/Certification program. It tests your knowledge of the USA Pickleball/IFP Official Tournament Rulebook and the USA Pickleball officiating best practice procedures contained in the Referee Handbook and Line Judge Guide. 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 140+ questions. The questions are shuffled at the beginning of each test, so no two tests are exactly the same. In addition, new questions are frequently 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.

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

Good luck!

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1. (#24) (NEW in 2020)
Players may call faults on themselves or line calls to their disadvantage during or after the completion of a rally.

True

False

2. (#58)
Team A calls a time-out. Both teams lay their paddles on the court and proceed to their water bottles. After 20 seconds have elapsed, team A tells you they are ready to resume play. What should you do?

A. Call time-in and resume play because the team that calls the time-out can end it whenever desired

B. Check if Team B is ready to resume play; if so, call time-in and resume play

C. Tell Team A that time-outs are 1 minute and the entire 1 minute must pass before play can resume

D. Resume play when Team B is ready, but not beyond 1 minute

E. Both B and D are correct

3. (#91)
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.

True

False

4. (#28)
When a player intentionally throws her paddle and hits or injures any person, a technical warning will immediately be given to the offender.

True

False

5. (#63) (NEW in 2020)
In sanctioned play without a referee, a player is allowed to call service foot faults (as well as NVZ faults) on the opponent. If the opponent disagrees with the fault call, then a replay shall be called.

True

False

6. (#143)
Per the referee handbook, would a father be allowed to referee a match with his sons as players?

A. Never. You cannot referee a family member

B. Yes, but only if no other referees are available

C. Yes, if the sons were on opposite teams

D. Yes if the sons were playing in different skill brackets

7. (#64)
Per the Referee Handbook, when should you give players a 15-second notice before you call the score and apply the 10-second rule?

A. At the end of a medical time-out

B. Between games and when switching ends during a game

C. During a time-out

D. After assessing a technical warning or technical foul

E. All of the above

8. (#62)
If a player is accidentally injured during a rally, the referee should interrupt and stop the rally immediately.

True

False

9. (#29)
The Tournament Director of a USAPA sanctioned tournament does not need prior USAPA approval to impose a local rule or interpretation of any USAPA rule.

True

False

10. (#32)
Appeals to the referee regarding judgment calls (e.g., double bounce, double hits) will be decided by the referee. The referee may consult line judges or players to decide the outcome of the appeal.

True

False

11. (#83)
Line judge "Out" calls should be promptly signaled by voice and hand signals, regardless of how obvious they may seem.

True

False

12. (#105)
When an end switch occurs, the referee is permitted to remind players that no coaching is allowed.

True

False

13. (#116)
In a sanctioned tournament, refusal to wear the provided starting server form of identification will result in a:

A. Technical Warning being issued to the player

B. Technical Foul being issued to the player

C. Player being ejected from the tournament

D. Forfeiture of the match

14. (#59) (NEW in 2020)
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 making a call. Once they appeal to the referee, they lose the right to make any subsequent "in" or "out" call for that rally.

True

False

15. (#66)
You are refereeing a game when a player wearing glasses falls face down on the court. The player immediately gets up and you see that her glasses are broken and she has scratched her face and is bleeding. You should:

A. Immediately stop play and get medical help

B. Allow the player to immediately call for a medical time-out and replay the point when play resumes

C. Allow play to continue until the rally ends

D. Both A and B are correct

16. (#100)
During a rally, Player A hits a high lob that bounces in the opponent's non-volley zone (NVZ). After bouncing in the NVZ, the ball rebounds upward and strikes the horizontal bar on the temporary net system and interferes with the player's ability to make a play on the ball. The referee should call a "let" and proceed with a replay.

True

False

17. (#68)
A medical time-out can last up to how long?

A. 5 minutes

B. 1 minute, just like a normal time-out

C. 10 minutes

D. 15 minutes

18. (#41)
A player is hitting a two-handed stroke (where both hands are in contact with the paddle) when his right hand is hit by the ball below the wrist. The ball is still in play.

True

False

19. (#13) (New in 2020)
After a rally has ended, Team A does not make a line call and asks for Team B's assistance. One player on Team B says the ball was "in" and his partner says the ball was "out". Which of the following are true?

A. When Team A asked for Team B's help, Team A lost their right to make any further call for that rally

B. Team B's disagreement means they did not make a clear "in" or "out" call

C. The ball is considered "in" on Team A

D. All of the above

20. (#54) (NEW in 2020)
If a point is awarded to the serving team between games due to a technical foul, the starting server begins the serve from the left/odd side of the court with a score of 1-0-2.

True

False

21. (#25)
The receiver's partner may stand anywhere on or off their team's side of the court.

True

False

22. (#38)
A player mutters a curse word (heard by opponents) when they commit an unforced error. The referee should: (Choose the best answer)

A. Immediately issue a technical warning

B. Ignore the curse word

C. Issue a technical foul if the profanity was extremely excessive

D. Use their own judgment in applying one of the above

23. (#77)
A player may step on the non-volley zone line or enter the non-volley zone at any time except when that player is in the act of volleying the ball. There is no violation if your partner is standing in the non-volley zone. A player may enter the non-volley zone before or after returning a ball that bounced.

True

False

24. (#18) (NEW in 2020)
Any malfunction of a net system during play shall be considered a hinder.

True

False

25. (#128)
During the serve, the player must release the ball before paddle contact.

True

False

26. (#42)
The correct receiver is the only player who may return a served ball. If the incorrect receiver returns the ball, it is a point for the serving team.

True

False

27. (#21)
Any ball that cannot be called "out" must be presumed to be "in."

True

False

28. (#80)
A player may enter the non-volley zone at any time except when that player is volleying the ball.

True

False

29. (#11) (NEW in 2020)
To be considered legal, a serve must be made so that contact with the ball is not made above waist level (the navel), the arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head must not be higher than the server's wrist when it strikes the ball.

True

False

30. (#97)
If you fail to recognize an incorrect server or receiver, following the rally, if the line judge brings it to your attention, what should you do?

A. Thank the line judge; if you recognize the line judge is correct, call the violation immediately

B. Tell the line judge that it is now too late to correct the error since the rally is completed

C. Notate the error on the back of the scoresheet for later reference

31. (#52) (NEW in 2020)
After the score is called, if the serving team changes service courts causing the receiving team to be out of position, the receiving team shall be allowed time to reposition. The score will be re-called and a new 10-second count will begin.

True

False

32. (#95)
Midway through game 2, the partners swing their paddles at the ball at the same time and one player's finger gets hit by his partner's paddle and is injured. After a fifteen-minute medical time-out, the player still isn't able to grip his paddle and can't continue to play. The match will be forfeited and awarded to the opponent(s).

True

False

33. (#142)
A player steps into the non-volley zone with her right foot and then jumps to hit a volley. Only her right foot is required to reestablish outside the zone before her volley strike. The left foot is not required to touch outside the zone before the volley.

True

False

34. (#114)
After a rally has ended, the referee notices that a player deliberately steps on a ball and crushes it. A technical warning should be issued to the player.

True

False

35. (#103)
It is a fault if any player asks the referee to confirm the score after the score has been called and the server has started their service motion. (The referee called the score correctly)

True

False

36. (#140)
The Starting Server shall be required to wear a visible form of identification in sanctioned tournaments.

True

False

37. (#27) (NEW in 2020)
If you 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.

True

False

38. (#123)
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.

True

False

39. (#94) (NEW in 2020)
Tournament Director authorized hydration breaks were removed in 2020; although the referee may allow players to quickly hydrate as long as the flow of the game is not adversely impacted.

True

False

40. (#93)
You are refereeing a match when it appears a player may have twisted her ankle. She asks for a medical time-out. You should:

A. Start a 10 minute medical time-out

B. Since the player asked for a medical time out, you should request medical personnel

C. You should call medical personnel and/or the tournament director to assess the situation

D. Both A and B are correct

E. Both B and C are correct

41. (#118) (NEW in 2020)
After game 1, Team A receives a technical foul and a point is awarded to Team B. At the start of game 2, Team B is receiving serve. Team B's starting server's partner would receive serve from the right/even court with a score of "0-1-2".

True

False

42. (#31)
The referee is responsible for all decisions related to procedural and judgment calls during the match. If the players make a line call and there is a disputed line call, the players may request that the referee determine the outcome of the line call. If the referee cannot make a clear line call, the player's call stands. If doubles partners disagree (one says "in" and partner says "out") and appeal to the referee, if the referee cannot make a clear call, the ball will be declared "in".

True

False

43. (#130)
A wheelchair player may volley a ball in the non-volley zone if the smaller, front wheels only are touching the non-volley zone.

True

False

44. (#9)
If a served ball hits the net and lands on the non-volley zone line, it is considered a "Let" and a replay will be called.

True

False

45. (#67)
A player twists his ankle in game 1 of a best-of-three-games match and takes a medical time-out. He is ready to play after eight minutes, and play resumes. Later, in game three of the same match, he scrapes his knee and requests a second medical time-out. What should the referee do?

A. Deny the request since only one injury time-out is allowed per player per match

B. Allow him seven minutes of injury time since he has already used eight of her allowed fifteen minutes

C. Allow another medical time-out since this is a new game

D. Allow another medical time-out since this is a different injury from the previous one

46. (#127)
Team A hits a deep ball to Team B. After the ball bounces, player B1 calls "Out". Immediately after the "Out" call, player B2 yells "It's in!" and hits the ball back to Team A. Team A returns the ball and the rally continues.
Which of the following are true?

A. The ball was dead when B1 yelled Out after the bounce

B. The referee should stop play after the Out call

C. Team B created doubt with their opposing calls

D. The ball will be declared as having been IN because of doubt created by Team B

E. All of the above

47. (#90)
A player leaps above and across the corner of the non-volley zone to get closer to the net. While in the air, the player smashes a volley for a winning shot.

A. This is a fault because both feet must be planted outside the non-volley zone before a legal volley can be made

B. This is not a fault because the player did not touch the non-volley zone before or after volleying the ball

C. This is a fault because volleys can only be hit from behind the non-volley zone line

D. This is a fault because a player must have one foot on the ground when hitting a volley

48. (#23) (NEW in 2020)
A ball can be hit twice but only during an unintentional, continuous, single-direction stroke, by one player. If the stroke is not continuous, not single-direction, or the ball is struck by a second player, it is a fault.

True

False

49. (#110)
The referee calls the correct score. The server starts wiping her glasses and does not start her service motion. The server's partner asks, "Is she the correct server?"
The server's partner did not commit a fault by asking the referee about the correct server.

True

False

50. (#70)
A ball hit around the post strikes you (the referee) in the leg. Since it appears that it would have landed in bounds, what is the call?

A. Replay the point because you should have gotten out of the way

B. Declare a fault because the ball struck a permanent object (you)

C. Declare a hinder on yourself and replay because you are certain that the ball would have landed in

D. Replay the point since you were standing close to the post

51. (#22)(New in 2020)
When a player faults by hitting the ball into their own side of the net and the ball does not cross over the net, when does the fault occur?

A. When the ball first touches the net

B. When the ball hits the ground

C. When the ball bounces twice on the ground

52. (#98)
After an end switch, when the 60-second time limit has expired, the referee should:

A. Announce Time In and call the score to start the 10-second count

B. Announce Resume Play, call the score to start the 10-second count

C. Call the score to start the 10-second count

53. (#71)
A team calls a time-out, puts their paddles on the court and walk towards their water bottles. You glance at the scoresheet and confirm that they have no time-outs remaining (you had advised them of that earlier). What should you do?

A. Issue a technical warning for delay of game

B. Inform the team they have no time-outs left and promptly resume play

C. Issue a technical foul for delay of game

54. (#92)
Officiating decisions may be appealed to the Tournament Director. After appeal, decisions of the Tournament Director are final.

True

False

55. (#33) (NEW in 2020)
A player is allowed to reach under the net to play a ball that has bounced back over the net. Which of the following are true?

A. The ball must have crossed back over the plane of the net before the player can cross the plane

B. The player may not touch the net system or opponent's court while the ball is still in play

C. If the player does not touch the ball, the team that hit the ball wins the rally

D. All of the above

56. (#76)
A hinder is any element or occurrence outside of the player's control that adversely impacts play, such as a stray ball that enters the court or people who disrupt play by walking across the court or playing area.

True

False

57. (#87)
A hinder called by the referee, or a valid hinder called by a player, will result in a dead ball and a replay.

True

False

58. (#47)
If a player or team is out of time-outs and the referee determines that an equipment change or adjustment is necessary for fair and safe continuation of the match, the referee may:

A. Award an equipment time-out not to exceed 1 minute

B. Award an equipment time-out not to exceed 2 minutes

C. Award an equipment time-out not to exceed 15 minutes

D. Do nothing as the team is out of time-outs

59. (#113)
After the referee has called the score and the server has started their service motion, any player asking to confirm the score will have committed a fault.

True

False

60. (#2)
The event-provided starting server form of identification must be worn:

A. Where it is clearly visible to the referee and players

B. Only the wrist of the player

C. Anywhere the player desires

D. Only on the non-paddle hand of the player

61. (#4)
A serve landing on any service court line, except the non-volley zone line, should be considered in-play and must be returned by the receiving team.

True

False

62. (#126)
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.

True

False

63. (#120)
In games to 21, the change of ends will occur at:

A. 6 points

B. 11 points

C. 12 points

D. 15 points

64. (#138) (NEW in 2020)
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 that the ball was cracked

B. Issue a fault on the player

C. Issue a technical warning to the player

D. Issue a technical foul to the player

65. (#85)
As an aid to maintaining awareness of which team is serving, the clipboard should be held so the "clip" (clamp) end of the board is pointing toward the serving team when the score is recorded.

True

False

66. (#108)
The referee shall issue a technical warning if a player makes a threat, of any nature, to any person.

True. Threats dictate a Technical Warning

False. Threats automatically dictate a Technical Foul

67. (#17)
Once the game has begun, except during time-outs, any communication between a player and any person not on the court, if determined by the referee to be coaching, shall result in a technical warning to the offending player or team and a verbal warning to spectators. If the communication occurs a second time, it shall result in a technical foul and a point will be awarded to the opponent.

True

False

68. (#111)
If a line judge makes a line call, the referee may immediately overrule the call without an appeal from any player.

True

False

69. (#3) (NEW in 2020)
Any player may indicate "Not Ready" prior to the start of the score being called.

True

False

70. (#43)
If anything a player is wearing or carrying lands on the court, it becomes part of the court. Therefore:

A. If a ball in play hits the item on the court, the ball remains in play

B. If the item lands on the court of the opponent, it is a fault

C. If the item lands in the non-volley zone as a result of a volley, it is a fault

D. All of the above

71. (#86)
A player hits a sharp cross-court shot that bounces in the opponent's non-volley zone. The ball then travels beyond the court and hits a net post leg (a permanent object) before the opponents can make a play on the ball. Which statement is true?

A. This is a replay; same as hitting the horizontal bar after going over the net

B. This is a fault against the team that hit the ball

C. The team that hit the ball wins the rally

72. (#89)
Each team is allowed 3 time-outs in a game to 21.

True

False

73. (#122) (NEW in 2020)
After the score has been called, the server steps from the right court to the left court to serve the ball. The receiver raises their paddle giving a "Not Ready" signal and asks the referee to wait so they can reposition correctly. What should the referee do?

A. Call a fault on the receiver for the Not Ready signal after the score had been called

B. The referee should allow the receiving team time to adjust their position and recall the score and restart the 10-second count

C. Call a fault on the server for switching service courts after the score had been called

74. (#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. The receiving side wins the rally because the serve was not into the service area

B. The serving team wins the point

C. Play a let (serve over)

75. (#131)
A wheelchair server, from a stationary position, is allowed one push before striking the ball.

True

False

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Referee Test