Who are the officials in a volleyball match?
I · Intermediate · Time-outs, substitutions, cards and officials · 8 of 8A match has a first referee on a stand at one end of the net, a second referee on the floor at the other end, a scorer, and two or four line judges with flags. The first referee's decisions are final. Only the game captain may speak to the referees.
How it works
| Official | Where | Main duties |
|---|---|---|
| First referee | On a stand, eyes about 50 cm above the net | Directs the match; whistles for each serve; decides faults in playing the ball; may overrule the others; gives sanctions |
| Second referee | On the floor by the opposite post | Net and centre-line faults; positions of the receiving team; time-outs and substitutions; checks line-ups |
| Scorer | At the table | Keeps the score sheet; controls the service order |
| Line judges | At the corners | Signal with flags: ball in or out, touches, antenna faults, the server's foot faults |
| Challenge referee | In a booth, where video challenge is used | Runs the challenge process and reports the result to the first referee |
- Only the first and second referees may blow a whistle.
- After the whistle they show by hand signal the team to serve, the fault and, if needed, the player.
- Participants must accept decisions without dispute. The game captain may ask for an explanation of how a rule was applied, and may reserve the right to record a protest on the score sheet after the match.
- Video challenge: at FIVB, world and official competitions that use the system, a challenge referee is compulsory. How many challenges a team has and what may be challenged are in separate FIVB regulations.
Tricky cases
Can a coach or player argue a call?
No. Only the game captain may speak to the referees, and only to ask for an explanation.
Can the first referee overrule a line judge?
Yes. The first referee may overrule any other member of the refereeing team who is mistaken.
How many video challenges does a team get?
That is not in the rules of the game. It is set in FIVB's challenge regulations and by each competition.
Why the rule exists
No one person can watch the net, the lines, the feet and the ball's contact at once. Each official has a part of the picture, and one of them has the last word.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB rules | As above | V 22 to 29; V 5.1.2; V 20.1.2 |
| Video challenge procedure | Separate FIVB regulations | Not covered |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 5.1.2, 20.1.2 and 22 to 29. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).