Officiating Procedures

Welcome to the Officiating Procedures Test!

This online Officiating Procedures quiz tests your knowledge of the USA Pickleball Officiating Handbook. It is recommended that you study the Handbook prior to taking the quiz.

The quiz 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 quiz, so no two quizzes 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 quiz will automatically close after 60 minutes. The quiz will also close when you click the "Submit" button at the end of the quiz, 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 type of test and the question number (#000) in your email to TestAdmin@USAPickleball.org.

Good luck!

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(#34)
At what point should the referee re-call an absent player?

A. When the referee arrives at the court.

B. Half way through the warm-up period.

C. At the conclusion of the warm-up period.

(#66)
When the receiving team requests a time out, rotate the scoresheet to record the time out in the appropriate box.

A. True.

B. False.

(#151) (New in 2024)
During a standard time-out the referee should always retrieve the ball to prevent its loss or damage.

A. True.

B. False.

(#128)
When simultaneous violations occur, call all violations and assess the penalty for the most severe penalty only.

A. True.

B. False.

(#74)
What is NOT a reason for moving to the center of the court between games?

A. To alert spectators that the match is still in progress.

B. To alert players that the match is still in progress.

C. To avoid unnecessary interaction with players and spectators.

D. To allow for a better camera shot of the players.

(#144)
Striking or throwing a dead ball in frustration or anger that results in property damage or a person being hit will result in a match forfeit.

A. True.

B. False.

(#36)
In a game to 21, the end-change mark should be positioned under which point?

A. The 6.

B. The 8.

C. The 11.

(#89)
After the ball is hit to make the serve, any player that stops play to ask a question regarding their own team's correct server, correct receiver or correct position will have committed a fault.

A. True.

B. False.

(#112)
An attempted around the post shot that travels between the net post and the net is a fault on the player attempting the ATP.

A. True.

B. False.

10.

(#11)
The player who starts serving for their team at the beginning of the game is referred to as?

A. The starting server.

B. The first server.

C. The even player.

D. The odd player.

11.

(#78)
The appropriate script for the mid-game end change is "Point. Time out. Change ends. [Score]. One minute."

A. True.

B. False.

12.

(#21)
It is the referee's responsibility to know the specific number of minutes set by the Tournament Director for warm-up time.

A. True.

B. False.

13.

(#125)
If any player stops play to make an appeal for a double bounce (triple bounce for a wheelchair player), you may ask the alleged offending player whether a violation occurred, giving the player an opportunity to make an honor call against themselves.

A. True.

B. False.

14.

(#30)
Anything affixed to the paddle face must comply with which of the following?

A. Within 1" of the edge.

B. Within 1/2" of the paddle handle.

C. Within 1/2" of the edge.

15.

(#55)
The server is required to notify the referee if they change from the volley serve to the drop serve or vice-versa.

A. True.

B. False.

16.

(#51)
Which of the following is not a valid "not ready" signal?

A. Raising the paddle above the head.

B. Engaging in a conversation with their partner.

C. Raising the non-paddle hand above the head.

D. Completely turning the back to the net.

17.

(#119)
Which of the following is not valid for a match retirement?

A. The retiring team retains their points scored during the match.

B. The retiring team will retain any game wins earned during the match.

C. The team may retire from a match, but continue to play subsequent matches in the bracket.

D. The retiring team's opponent will win any game not completed with a one-point margin.

18.

(#149) (New in 2024)
Optional annotations on the scoresheet to indicate the end a team is starting on include:

A. An "L" or "R".

B. Directional arrows.

C. Either A or B.

19.

(#77)
In the third game of a 2 out of 3 match, if the first game was forfeited due to a late arrival, no end change occurs.

A. True.

B. False.

20.

(#93)
If a player calls a time-out after the server hits the ball to make the serve it is a fault on the player that called the time-out.

A. True.

B. False.

21.

(#47)
Play should begin when specified by the Tournament Director or no later than 10 minutes after the match is called.

A. True.

B. False.

22.

(#104)
A player volleying a ball is subject to a NVZ violation until the momentum associated with the volley no longer exists, except if the ball becomes dead first.

A. True.

B. False.

23.

(#96)
A drop serve does not have to comply with the three service motion components required for a volley serve.

A. True.

B. False.

24.

(#48)
The established procedure to end the 15-second timed period and start play is "time in".

A. True.

B. False.

25.

(#134)
If a player makes threats against you, another player or a spectator, issue a technical foul.

A.True.

B. False.

26.

(#53)
At game point the referee should announce "possible game point".

A. True.

B. False.

27.

(#135)
The referee is empowered to issue verbal warnings, technical warnings, technical fouls, a game forfeit, or a match forfeit. The Tournament Director may issue a match forfeit, and only the Tournament Director may eject or expel a player.

A. True.

B. False.

28.

(#84)
When the incorrect receiver returns the serve, when should the referee call a fault?

A. When the player serves the ball.

B. Never.

C. When the receiver returns the ball.

D. At the conclusion of the rally.

29.

(#153) (New in 2024)
Which example script would be correct to inform players of remaining time-outs?

A. "Receivers, one time-out remaining. Servers, two time-outs."

B. "Receivers, one time-out remaining. Servers, two time-outs remaining."

C. "Receivers, one time-out. Servers, two time-outs."

30.

(#156) (New in 2024)
After the conclusion of a match, the referee should initial the scoresheet if the winning players choose not to after they confirm the results.

A. True.

B. False.

31.

(#152) (New in 2024)
If a player leaves the immediate playing area with their paddle and you are unsure whether the player changed paddles, the paddle should be re-inspected before play resumes.

A. True.

B. False.

32.

(#97)
It is a fault by the server if the release of the ball to execute a serve is not visible to the referee.

A. True.

B. False.

33.

(#109)
Call a fault if a player hits the ball before it completely crosses the net.

A. True.

B. False.

34.

(#2)
Examples of the scripts for a definitive call on a line call appeal are "The ball was in." or "The ball was out."

A. True.

B. False.

35.

(#15)
The Tournament Director may authorize the use of a chair by the referee if required for medical reasons and as space allows.

A. True.

B. False.

36.

(#150) (New in 2024)
For singles games, side out marks to document the end of consecutive points earned during that service possession are required.

A. True.

B. False.

37.

(160) (New in 2024)
If the referee overrules a line judge's "out" call, a replay should ensue unless the team favored by the overrule concedes the rally.

A. True.

B. False.

38.

(#106)
A player volleying a ball, that makes contact with their partner while the partner is in contact with the NVZ, will have committed a fault. The same is true if the volleying player knocks their partner into the NVZ immediately after or during their volley.

A. True.

B. False.

39.

(#81)
The appropriate announcement at the end of a match is "Point. Game. Match. [Score]. [Last names]."

A. True.

B. False.

40.

(#98)
If a serve hits the net and then lands anywhere in the correct service court the referee should announce "Let. Re-serve."

A. True.

B. False.

41.

(#79)
The server number should be written above or below the name of the server at the mid-game end change.

A. True.

B. False.

42.

(#12)
The player who starts serving for their team after a side out is referred to as?

A. The starting server.

B. The first server.

C. The even player.

D. The odd player.

43.

(#25)
It's ok for referees to stand back-to-back on adjoining courts to call their respective matches regardless of the distinction in their voice.

A. True.

B. False.

44.

(#155) (New in 2024)
During an end change time-out the referee should always retrieve the ball to prevent its loss or damage.

A. True.

B. False.

45.

(#116)
If a player retires after a medical time-out, the referee should notify the Tournament Director so the appropriate forms can be completed and filed.

A. True.

B. False.

46.

(#99)
If the serve bounces in the receiver's NVZ (including on the NVZ line), call a service fault against the serving team for a short serve.

A. True.

B. False.

47.

(#115)
A player that has had forceful contact to the head with a hard object (court, paddle, net post) may resume play once the referee has been verbally advised by on-site medical personnel.

A. True.

B. False.

48.

(#6)
During the pre-match briefing the referee should ask the players if they have any questions and inform them of the remaining time for warmup.

A. True.

B. False.

49.

(#23)
In a match with line judges, it is preferable that the referee stand on the side opposite the two baseline judges.

A. True.

B. False.

50.

(#71)
The between game time-out script is "Point. Game. [Score]. [Last names]. Time-out. Change ends. Two minutes."

A. True.

B. False.

51.

(#33)
If the Tournament Director provides the line calling responsibilities, including appeal procedures, to the players in advance, this can be omitted from the referee's pre-match briefing.

A. True.

B. False.

52.

(#38)
Which of the following would not be an appropriate action applied to the scoresheet when "side-out" is called?

A. Mark the side-out with a vertical line.

B. Rotate the clip board with the clamp pointing toward the serving team.

C. Place the numbered server clip over the new first server's name with the number "1" facing up.

D. Put the server number under the player's name that last served.

53.

(#32)
The double elimination gold medal match procedure for the tiebreaker match is not part of the pre-match briefing.

A. True.

B. False.

54.

(#63)
Players may not call a standard time-out between games.

A. True.

B. False.

55.

(#129)
If the referee calls the wrong score, they should immediately hold up their hand, step forward to stop play, announce "Ref error." and replay the rally.

A. True.

B. False.

56.

(#52)
Which of the following is the proper announcement of the score to start a game?

A. "Zero, zero, start".

B. "Zero, zero, second server".

C. "Zero, zero, two".

D. "Oh, oh, two".

57.

(#5)
The pre-match briefing should include the question "Is your paddle on the USA Pickleball approved paddle list?"

A.True.

B. False.

58.

(#87)
Before the serve, if a player asks a generic question, such as "Am I good?", the referee should respond to all conditions (Correct server or receiver. Correct position.) for that team.

A. True.

B. False.

59.

(#57)
A served ball must land beyond the NVZ line in the correct service court to be legal.

A. True.

B. False.

60.

(#127)
If the referee does not immediately call a distraction fault and play continues, it is most likely that, in the judgement of the referee, the action did not interfere with the opponent's ability or concentration to hit the ball.

A. True.

B. False.

61.

(#138)
All player appeals will be directed to the Lead Referee. If the Lead Referee cannot make a decisive call, the Lead Referee will then solicit the opinion of the Second Referee.

A. True.

B. False.

62.

(#10)
Player A1 volleys a ball near the NVZ and starts to teeter at the line as a result of the volley. Player B1, on the other side of the net, then volleys the ball, loses his balance and steps into the NVZ. Player A1 ultimately loses his balance and steps into the NVZ after Player B1 had stepped into the NVZ. What should the referee call?

A. Fault on Player A1.

B. Fault on Player B1.

63.

(#102)
For a wheelchair player, the casters are allowed to contact the NVZ at any time. All fault rules related to contact with the NVZ only apply to the rear wheels of the wheelchair.

A. True.

B. False.

64.

(#41)
For a singles match, mark all points with the forward slash (/).

A. True.

B. False.

65.

(#140)
During the pre-match briefing for a match using the dual referee option, the Lead Referee will explain to the players the role of the Second Referee and advise the players that all questions and appeals should be directed to the Lead Referee.

A. True.

B. False.

66.

(#19)
Scoresheets have been standardized by USAP and the USA Pickleball scoresheet is required in sanctioned tournaments.

A. True.

B. False.

67.

(#101)
Apparel changes required by the Tournament Director are handled as a referee time-out.

A. True.

B. False.

68.

(#91)
If the server hits the ball before the referee starts to call the score it is a fault on the server.

A. True.

B. False.

69.

(#45)
During singles play the server's correct position is determined by the server's score (i.e., even or odd) and the receiver should mirror the server's position diagonally to return the serve.

A. True.

B. False.

70.

(#110)
If a player's foot or anything a player is wearing or carrying extends under the net and onto the opponent's court at any time while the ball is live, call a fault.

A. True.

B. False.

71.

(#24)
If there are spectators, it is preferable to stand facing the majority of spectators so they can best hear you unless you are using a microphone. However, placement to see line judges takes priority.

A. True.

B. False.

72.

(#126)
If any player makes an appeal about a ball hitting a player, you may ask the alleged offending player whether a violation occurred, giving the player an opportunity to make an honor call against themselves.

A. True.

B. False.

73.

(#35)
An optional best practice includes adding a "L" or "R" to the "X" to designate which end a team is serving from.

A. True.

B. False.

74.

(159) (New in 2024)
Players can use standard time-outs to extend their recovery time after a medical time-out has expired.

A. True.

B. False.

75.

(#122)
Players are required to make a line call before they can appeal to the referee to make the call.

A. True.

B. False.

You have come to the end of the Officiating Procedures 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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