A Referee's Basic Duties
* Assure fairness during the games. * Keep the score and call the score before each serve, watching all players so you can make the call as soon as possible, keep the game moving.* Report the final score to the scoring and scheduling table. * Call foot faults in the non-volley zone. * Call foot & service faults by the server.
Before play starts explain what your responsibilities are.
“My name is:____________. I am the Referee for this match. We are following USAPA rules. My primary responsibilities are to call foot faults in the non-volley zone, service line faults, keep and call the score, and to report the results to the scoring/scheduling table. I do not make line calls but either side may ask for verification of a ball called out of play, I will render an opinion if I CLEARLY see where the ball touched down. If I do render an opinion it cannot be challenged by either side."
Establish who will serve first and how the games will procede
1. “I have written a number 1 or 2 on the back of the score sheet to determine who serves and who receives. I want you (pick a person) to choose a number. If you choose correctly, you can choose to receive, serve, or the court side. Your opponent(s) chooses from the remaining option.” (Follow the instructions you’ve just given)
2. “This game will be played to 11 points (or 15 or 21 points). You must win by 2 points. We are playing best 2 out of 3 games (or 1 game to 15 or 1 game to 21 points). Please do not serve until I have called out the score. If you do, play will be stopped and you will be warned.”
3. "Once a serve is made a replay can only be made because of interference, such as a Ball-in-Court, or because of a Referee error.
4. “Prior to the second game starting, you are allowed a two minute break period. We will rotate court sides and begin the next game. The team serving in the first game will receive. If a third game is necessary, you will rotate again and begin the third game. The third game will be interrupted when any team/player achieves 6 points (8 for 15 point games or 11 for 21 point games) and we will then rotate court sides for the final time. I will remind you when to do that.”
5. “In the event an errant ball from another court is hit onto this court, play will be suspended immediately and the point replayed.” Any player or the Referee may call a 'Ball in Court' due to the errant ball. Play stops and the point is played over."
6. "You are allowed 5 minutes to warm up before we begin. Two one minute “time outs” may be called by each side during each game." (See Rules 11.A & 11.D)
7. "Each of you is responsible for making sure you are the correct server before you serve. If the ball is served by the wrong team member or from the wrong court, it is a fault. That serve is lost and the correct second server serves from the correct service position. If the fault was by the second server, then it is a side out." (Rules 5.B.6.)
8. “Are there any questions?”
9. Begin the warm up period. Manage your court to the standards outlined.
10. Before the first serve starts the game remind the players to wait for you to call out the score before serving.
During the Games
Always remember that you are a Referee, not a spectator. It's very easy to get involved with the action and forget your responsibilities as a Referee.
Below is the Official USAPA score sheet which covers scoring for best of 3 games to 11, 1 game to 15 or 1 game to 21 points. Notice that the lower part is upside down. One team or player is covered by each half of the form. Event Directors provide the form to Referees with one of the categories circled, the players' names and event (Men's Singles, Women's singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, etc.) Also shown is the Referee's name and the court number the games are being played on. When the games are finished the form (after verification by the players) is returned to the Event Director for posting.
The Teams or players are upside down from one another to aid the Referee in keeping track of the flow of the games. Notice that there are 2 time-outs allowed for each team/player and a space is provided to indicate the first server for each team/player. (The same team player does not have to start all games)
Below the form are additional items that Referees need to keep track of.
All Referees should know where a copy of the Official USAPA rules are available and where to find the Referee Leader in case there is a question he can't answer.
When the players are unknown to the Referee he should make a note (usually above the players' name) indicating how to identify each player. This could be a shirt or hat color or anything else that's convenient. Many tournament directors have their Referees give the first server on each team a colored arm/leg band to wear during the games. This helps in making sure that players are in the correct courts.
Although the form indicates that sides are switched at certain scores during the games, most Referees, as a reminder, draw a dark vertical line before the point number where the switch is made .
Many Referees make notes on the reverse side of the form to indicate any special notes or items that don't affect the score. These might be for rules questions, player behavior, etc.
Most Referees use a system to keep track of first & second serves. Many hold the clipboard with one finger on top during the first serve and two fingers on top during the second serve.
Most Referees stand on the serving side of the net to remind them which side is serving. It is also helpful to stand as near the sideline as practical so you have a direct "down the line" look at sideline shots. Never step into the court area to call the score.
Many tournaments use multiple Referees and lines judges, particularly for medal rounds. Refer to "Refereeing Medal rounds" for variations relating to those procedures.
When a time-out is called most good Referees ask all players to lay their paddles down in their respective court before leaving . The server places the ball below his paddle to indicate where the serve starts when play is resumed.
Referees must be sure that all serves are made by the correct player and from the correct court. This is facilitated by indicating the "First Server". The Team/Players' score will always be an even number when this person is in the right hand court.
Other Notes:
1) Upon completion of your match, confirm the score and the winners with the players and then escort them off the court. Report the results to the scoring table.
2) It's imparitive that you are very familiar with the score sheet and it's use before you referee any match. Always have the players verify the final scores before leaving the court.
3) If the match is a single game to 15 the rotation of court sides is after 8 points. If the game is to 21 points the rotation is after 11 points.
4) Either side may ask for verification of a ball being called out of play, you may render an opinion if you CLEARLY see where the ball lands. If you do not clearly see where the ball lands the receiving side's call can not be changed. (See Rules 6.D.10, 14.G, 14.I & 14.I.1)
5) Be a Referee, not a spectator. You must keep your mind on your duties. If you're watching the ball go back and forth, how can you possibly see a foot fault? Keep concentrating on the Referee's responsibilities at the beginning of this article.