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How to Line Judge a Volleyball Match

You stand at a back corner with a flag and call whether the ball is in or out on your two lines. Your world is small on purpose — just one sideline and one end line — and the first referee is always watching your flag, so you're never deciding alone.

Level
A little practice
Time
Whole match, about 90 minutes
Where you stand
Back corner, 3-5 ft off it
You judge
Your two lines only
Your tool
A flag
In / Out
Flag down / flag up

Quick start

  1. 1

    Check in with the R1 first

    Find the first referee (the R1, up on the elevated stand) before the match. They'll set your exact corner and any special instructions. When in doubt during play, look to the R1.

  2. 2

    Take your corner

    Stand about 3 to 5 feet off your back corner so you can sight down both your lines — one sideline and one end line — at a flat angle.

  3. 3

    Wait for the floor

    Don't signal until the ball actually touches the floor. Early flags are how mistakes happen. See it land, then call it.

  4. 4

    In is down, out is up

    Ball lands on or inside your line: point the flag straight down. Ball lands outside: raise the flag vertical. Hold it crisp until the R1 sees you.

  5. 5

    Stay neutral

    No cheering, no reacting to a great dig or kill. You're a calm, steady signal — the officials and both benches need to trust your flag.

Watch first

Watch: volleyball line judge flag signals explainedSearch results stay live — pick a recent clip that demonstrates in, out, touch, and antenna signals.

Line judging looks intimidating from the bleachers, but the job is deliberately narrow: you only ever judge the two lines nearest your corner. Everything else on the court belongs to the other line judge or the referees. You watch your sideline and your end line, wait for the ball to hit the floor, and give one clean signal. The first referee on the stand is always reading your flag and makes the final call — you're a trusted second set of eyes, not the lone decision-maker.

  1. 1

    Ball lands IN

    On or inside your line — point the flag straight down toward the floor.

  2. 2

    Ball lands OUT

    Outside your line — raise the flag straight up, vertical.

  3. 3

    Ball was TOUCHED

    If a player touched it before it went out, raise the flag and brush the top of it with your open palm.

  4. 4

    Antenna / outside violation

    If the ball crosses the net outside the antenna on your side, wave the flag overhead and then point at the antenna.

  5. 5

    Hold for the R1

    Keep each signal crisp and held until the first referee acknowledges it, then reset to ready.

In bounds
Flag pointed down
Out of bounds
Flag raised vertical
Touch
Raise flag + tap top with palm
Antenna violation
Wave flag, then point at antenna
  • Checked in with the R1 and confirmed your corner
  • Flag in hand and you know the four signals
  • You can sight down both your lines from 3-5 ft off the corner
  • Eyes adjusted during warmups
  • Neutral and ready — you'll wait for the floor, then call it

More resources

USA Volleyball — Officials Hand Signals (Indoor)

Official animated hand and flag signals from the national governing body.

Sources: NFHS Volleyball Line Judge Signals; USA Volleyball Officials Hand Signals (Indoor)