Signals and useful terms
FIVB · 2025–2028Reading common decisions and distinguishing a substitution from a Libero replacement.
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Rule 30 and diagrams — Reading the decisionDefinitions — Similar words, different proceduresRule 30 and diagrams — Reading the decision
Referees hold the official signal briefly; when one hand is used, it corresponds to the team responsible for the fault or request. A downward point means ball in; upright forearms with open hands mean out. Raised 2 fingers indicate double contact and 4 fingers indicate four team hits. Both thumbs up mean a double fault and replay. A line judge points the flag down for in, raises it vertically for out and touches its top with the free hand for a touched ball. Waving above the head while pointing identifies a crossing-space, outside-object or foot fault. Crossed arms indicate that judgment was impossible.
Definitions — Similar words, different procedures
A substitution exchanges regular players; a replacement brings a Libero on or off, including a Libero-for-Libero exchange. Re-designation appoints a new Libero when the available one cannot continue, subject to the eligibility limits. An interval is the time between sets, not the mid-set change in the deciding set. A team’s first hit includes service reception, receiving an opponent’s attack, or playing a rebound from either team’s block. The crossing space is above the net between the antennae and their extensions; the lower space lies beneath the net. An outside object can be lighting, a net post, the referee’s chair or a person obstructing the ball, but antennae belong to the net.
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