Pickleball referee and line judge signals

Only a few signals are written into the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook: the line judge's "out" signal (19.C.1), the "blocked/blinded" signal (19.H), a player's "not ready" signals (6.A.1) and the rule that "out" calls and time-outs may be made by voice, hand signal or both (8.F, 21.A.2). How each signal looks, and when officials give it, is set out in the 2026 USA Pickleball Officiating Handbook (published February 2, 2026, edited February 9, 2026), mainly Section 8.G for line judges and Section 4 for referees. Line judges are generally used for gold medal matches and sometimes bronze medal matches (handbook Section 8). For self-officiated play see line calls.

Line judge signals at a glance

HB = 2026 Officiating Handbook section; other numbers are rulebook rules.

Line judges speak only for out balls and foot faults (8.G). The arm signal tells the referee an "out" came from a line judge, not a player or spectator (8.G.1.b). In doubt, a line judge treats the ball as in (8.F); a ball touching the line is in (8.F.2).

1. Out: call "Out" loudly and raise the arm toward the out-of-bounds side, holding it for several seconds (19.C.1, 8.G.1).
2. In (seen from the side): both arms forward, palms down, no voice, only at the end of a rally on a close ball (8.G.2).
3. View blocked: fingers of both hands just below the eyes (8.G.3, 19.H).
4. Raised hand: ready before play (8.E.4.g), or the foot-fault and end-of-rally attention signal (8.G.4, 8.G.5).
5. Double bounce: closed fist hits the open palm twice (8.G.5.b).
6. Ball touched a player: one hand slides back and forth across the other palm (8.G.5.c).

Where line judges stand

The Tournament Director decides how many line judges a match gets (8.C.1): six (one per baseline and per half sideline, recommended for major tournaments and prize-money events), four (each baseline and each full sideline) or two (baselines only, with the referee and a supporting referee calling the sidelines, which the handbook calls the least accurate option). Judges line up just inside their assigned line with a clear view down it (8.D.2) and look over a fence rather than through it when that is safe (8.D.3). With line judges on court, players call "out" only on their own end's service centerline, and their other line calls count only when they overrule an official in the opponent's favor (19.C.2, 19.C.3, 19.I).

Referee signals and calls, step by step

1. Getting ready (optional). While players move into position, the referee may raise a hand above the head to show the score call is coming (handbook 4.C).
2. Arm out with the score. As the first number is spoken, the referee extends an arm toward the net, preferably at shoulder height (it may be bent 90 degrees at the elbow), palm open and parallel to the net and the server, looking first at the receiver and then turning to the server (4.C).
3. Arm down on the last number. Lowering the arm completes the score call and starts the 10-second count for the serve (4.C). If something stops the call, the referee raises the arm to stop any action.
4. Stopping play. The referee holds up a hand, steps forward and announces the situation, such as "Stop play," "Fault" or "Ball on," then restarts by calling the score (4.E.2).
5. No in/out gestures. The referee makes no call or physical indication of in or out unless a player appeals (4.E.4).
6. End of the rally. The referee says "Point," "Second server" (or "Second serve") or "Side out" (4.F.1; Rules 17.D.3 to 17.D.5). For a fault other than a ball hit out or into the net, the fault comes first, for example "Foot fault, right foot, point" (4.F.1.c).

Rule 19.A.1 makes the referee responsible for service foot faults, short serves and non-volley zone faults; the handbook (8.G.4) lets baseline and sideline judges also call service foot faults and sideline foot faults on their assigned line. Every fault and who it is charged to is in the faults list.

Signals players give

Once the referee starts calling the score, "not ready" signals are ignored unless a hinder occurs or a player says "stop," "wait" or something similar (handbook 4.E.1). Time-outs called after the serve is hit are a fault (21.A.2.a).

What players should do

1. Out signal on a rally-ending shot: only rally-ending shots can be appealed (19.D). The referee may overrule any line call and must do so on clearly seeing the ball land in (19.F); overruling a line judge's "out" to "in" means a replay unless the side that benefits concedes the rally (19.F.2).
2. View blocked: the referee makes the call at once if they clearly saw the landing (19.H). If not, and the shot ended the rally or was appealed, the referee asks the other line judges; if nobody saw it clearly, the rally is replayed (8.G.3).
3. Raised hand after a rally: wait. The referee decides whether there was an infraction after consulting the line judge (8.G.5).
4. Do not argue with a line judge. The referee will not allow players or spectators to confront or interact with line judges (8.A.4); questions go to the referee.

Where sources differ

Pickleball Canada's 2023 Referee Handbook describes some signals differently. Its "in" signal points both hands, palms down, at the playing surface at a downward angle, and its view-blocked signal is both hands covering the eyes, where USA Pickleball uses arms outstretched forward and fingers just below the eyes. It also lists signals the 2026 USA Pickleball handbook does not describe: both hands clasped above the head for an incorrect server, receiver or position; both hands raised in a "V" for illegal coaching; and one arm raised vertically for other violations, all at the end of the rally, while USA Pickleball uses a single raised hand for other violations (8.G.5). USA Pickleball's online Line Judge Test includes true-or-false statements about the clasped-hands and "V" signals but does not publish the answers. The referee reviews the signals with the line judges before each match (8.E.4), so that briefing is what counts on the day.

Becoming an official

USA Pickleball's referee page says referees start as Verified Trainees and move through Level 1, Level 2 (which qualifies a referee to officiate medal matches at sanctioned tournaments) and Certified Referee. Passing the Line Judge Test is a prerequisite for applying for referee certification, and Certified Referee candidates need 100% on the Referee and Line Judge Tests. In most situations trained referees also serve as line judges (handbook 8.B). More on the governing body: USA Pickleball explained.

Checklist for a refereed match

• Know your "not ready" signals and use them before the referee starts the score call.
• Serve only after the referee's arm comes down; the 10-second count starts then.
• With line judges on court, call only your own service centerline.
• Watch the line judge's arm: out to the side is out, both arms forward palms down is in.
• Take questions to the referee, never to a line judge.