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. (#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

2. (#37)
In the referee's pre-match briefing with the players, the referee will inspect paddles. Specific items to check include:

A. Unusually rough surface

B. Manufacturer Name and Model Number/Name

C. Obvious post manufacturing modifications

D. All of the above

3. (#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

4. (#115)
When a time-out has been called, a referee should NOT request players to place their paddles of the ground. This is considered coaching.

True

False

5. (#137)
When a player/team receives their first technical warning, it shall not result in a loss of rally or point awarded and shall be accompanied by a brief explanation of the reason for the warning. Also, the called technical warning shall have no effect on service change or side out.

True

False

6. (#50) (NEW in 2020)
The definition of "Live Ball/In Play" is - The point in time when the referee starts to call the score.

True

False

7. (#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

8. (#75)
You (the referee) notice the server is in the wrong position, but has not yet served. You should:

A. Bring the situation to the attention of the server and have the serving team get in the right position

B. Wait until the serve has occurred, then call a service fault

C. Call the score with your normal cadence

D. Both B and C are correct

9. (#129)
The 2nd bounce for a wheelchair player can be outside the court boundaries.

True.

False.

10. (#134)
When a rally is over, a player may appeal an opponent's line call to the referee until what point in time?

A. Before the next serve occurs

B. Before the complete score is called to start the next rally

C. Before the server starts their service motion

D. After the next serve occurs, but before the return of serve

11. (#80)
A player may enter the non-volley zone at any time except when that player is volleying the ball.

True

False

12. (#135)
The referee should not call an incorrect server, incorrect position, or incorrect receiver fault, until after the ball is struck by the offending player.

True

False

13. (#62)
If a player is accidentally injured during a rally, the referee should interrupt and stop the rally immediately.

True

False

14. (#49)
In a high-profile singles gold medal match, the referee determines the receiver should be ready and calls the score to begin the 10-second count. The server asks the referee to repeat the score, which she does. The referee continues counting. The server fails to serve before the 10 seconds expires. What is the call?

A. Call a 10-second violation

B. Since this is a medal match, overlook the failure to serve and give them additional time to serve

C. To avoid calling a 10-second violation, repeat the score and begin your count again

D. Call a delay of game violation and issue a technical warning

15. (#88) (NEW in 2020)
The Service Motion is defined as "The movement of the server's arm to serve the ball. The service motion may consist of a forward swing only or be a combination backswing and continuing forward swing.

True

False

16. (#48)
The act of volleying the ball includes the swing, the follow-through, and the momentum from the action. If the paddle touches the non-volley zone during the swing, it is a fault regardless of whether the touch occurred before or after contacting the ball.

True

False

17. (#51)
When the referee calls the score, the 10-second count begins. If the server asks if they are the correct server, the referee should recall the score and begin a new 10-second count.

True

False

18. (#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

19. (#131)
A wheelchair server, from a stationary position, is allowed one push before striking the ball.

True

False

20. (#82)
A player wishing to signify an appeal during a rally may do so by raising her paddle or non-paddle hand above her head.

True. Players may appeal at any time during a rally

False. Player appeals during a rally are not valid

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

True

False

22. (#96) (NEW in 2020)
Technical warnings and technical fouls may be assessed any time during a match while the players are at the court.

True

False

23. (#12) (NEW in 2020)
At the time the ball is struck, the server's feet may not touch the court or outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or the centerline and both feet must be on the playing surface or ground behind the baseline.

True

False

24. (#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

25. (#26)
If a player receives 3 technical warnings during a match, the referee shall impose a forfeiture of the match.

True

False

26. (#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

27. (#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

28. (#35)
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.

A. This is a legal hit and the ball remains in play

B. The ball traveled outside the post so is not a valid hit

C. The ball traveled below the height of the net and is not a valid hit

D. Both B and C above

29. (#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

30. (#21)
Any ball that cannot be called "out" must be presumed to be "in."

True

False

31. (#7)
A player using objectionable or demeaning language directed at another person shall incur a technical warning or a technical foul, depending upon the severity. Once a technical warning has been issued, the second offense will result in a technical foul.

True

False

32. (#136)
The serve is defined as: The initial strike of the ball to start the rally.

True

False

33. (#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

34. (#14)
When time-out is called the referee should:

A. State the score and move to center court

B. Advise both teams when 15 seconds remain and return to the referee position

C. Mark the score in the appropriate time-out box on the scoresheet

D. Advise players to place paddles on the court

E. Answers A, B and C are correct

35. (#15) (NEW in 2020)
The net posts (including connected wheels, net post legs, arms, or other support construction) are positioned out of bounds. If a ball strikes the net post it is a fault and a dead ball is declared. This does not include the net, the net cable, or rope between the net posts.

True

False

36. (#56)
A player's shoe comes off during a rally. At end of the rally, the player hurries to put their shoe back on while the partner and the opponents wait patiently. The player should be required to use a time-out.

True

False

37. (#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

38. (#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

39. (#79) (NEW in 2020)
Players wishing to give "Not Ready" signals shall use one of the following: 1) Raise their paddle above their head, 2) Raise their non-paddle hand above their head and 3) , , ,?

A. Turn their back completely to the net

B. Turn their back completely to the server

40. (#30) (NEW in 2020)
After a rally has concluded, a player/team may appeal to the referee that the opponents committed a distraction. If in the judgement of the referee the distraction contributed to the loss of the rally, a fault shall be called against the offending player/team.

True

False

41. (#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

42. (#73)
After the score is called by the referee, the server is required to wait for the receiver to be ready.

True

False

43. (#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

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. (#55)
Line judge responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

A. On the assigned line, signalling every Out ball by loudly yelling Out and with an arm outstretched to the side

B. Calling service foot faults

C. Loudly yelling In when a questionable ball is in, but near the line

D. When their view is blocked, covering their eyes to indicate they could not see the ball land

E. Answers A, B and D are correct

F. All of the above

47. (#124)
At the start of a match, the serving team shall choose a ball. To prevent possible injuries or potential hinder or fault issues, the referee should remove all other balls from the playing area.

True

False

48. (#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

49. (#141)
An athletic player runs fast toward the net and jumps to hit a volley on his side of the net. The jumping player goes over the net after hitting the ball and lands in the opponent's court. If the ball was dead before the jumping player landed in the opponent's court, which statement is true?

A. No fault if the ball was dead before he landed

B. Always a fault when touching the court of the opponent

50. (#140)
The Starting Server shall be required to wear a visible form of identification in sanctioned tournaments.

True

False

51. (#57)
Player A volleys a ball from just behind the non-volley zone line. During the follow through, their paddle strikes their partner’s shoulder, causing the partner to fall into the non-volley zone. This is a fault.

True

False

52. (#101) (NEW in 2020)
After game 1, Team B receives a technical foul and a point is awarded to Team A. At the start of game 2, the starting server for Team A would begin serving the game from the left/odd court with a starting score of "1-0-2"

True

False

53. (#20)
A team may use one or both of its time-outs to delay the start of a match until the absent partner arrives.

True

False

54. (#132)
Which of the following is true about a distraction during play.

A. The referee may immediately call a distraction fault during the rally

B. After the rally has ended, players may appeal to the referee about a possible opponent distraction

C. A fault, not a technical warning/foul, is issued for a distraction penalty

D. All the above

55. (#112)
After the score has been called, the referee may use a subtle hand motion to indicate each second of the 10-second count.

True

False

56. (#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

57. (#125)
The moment the ball is struck to be served, the server is allowed to step on the imaginary extension line of the sideline, or the imaginary extension line of the centerline, as long as they are not touching an area "outside" or "beyond" the imaginary extension lines.

True

False

58. (#109)
If a player has been issued a technical foul for intentionally throwing their paddle, a subsequent technical warning issued for profanity will result in a match forfeiture.

True

False

59. (#10) (NEW in 2020)
The 2019 Rule 4.M.3, which stated it was a fault if the server missed the ball when trying to hit it, has been removed from the 2020 rulebook.

True

False

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

True

False

61. (#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

62. (#84)
A technical warning will always result in a loss of rally or point.

True

False

63. (#133)
The words "continuous, single-direction stroke" are written and applied to which of the following rules:

A. Double Hits

B. Illegal Carry Faults

C. Both Double Hits and Illegal Carry Faults

64. (#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

65. (#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)

66. (#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

67. (#74) (NEW in 2020)
After the start of the score being called, a "Not Ready" signal will be ignored. This means a player showing a Not Ready signal after the score has started to be called, will neither be honored nor punished.

True

False

68. (#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

69. (#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

70. (#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

71. (#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

72. (#5) (NEW in 2020)
After game 1 has ended, Team A changes their starting server but does not change the form of identification (band) and does not inform the referee or the opponents. At the start of game 2, Team A is set to receive serve with the incorrect receiver. When should the referee call a fault?

A. Never because it is not defined in the rules

B. After the referee starts game 2 by calling the score

C. After the server serves the ball

D. After the offending receiver returns the serve

73. (#53)
You call the score and the server serves. The ball lands cleanly in the service court, but the receiver catches it and questions the score you called. You look at the scoresheet and realize the receiver is correct -- you called an incorrect score. The server argues that their team should be awarded a point because the receiver failed to return the ball. What do you do?

A. Award a point to the serving team because the receiver did not return the ball

B. Call a fault against the receiver because they caught the ball

C. Declare a replay due to referee error

74. (#25)
The receiver's partner may stand anywhere on or off their team's side of the court.

True

False

75. (#69)
Technical fouls can be awarded in between games of a match.

True

False

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Referee Test