Understanding referee hand signals is crucial for all players in the UPA Bangalore community. These signals help maintain clarity and communication during matches.
Here are the key hand signals used by referees:
- Out: The referee raises one arm horizontally to indicate that the ball is out of bounds.
- In: The referee points towards the court with one finger to signal that the ball is in play.
- Fault: The referee raises both arms above their head and crosses them to indicate a fault has occurred.
- Let Serve: The referee holds one hand up with an open palm to signify a let serve, meaning the serve must be replayed.
- Game Point: The referee raises one arm with a fist to indicate that a game point has been reached.
Familiarizing yourself with these signals will enhance your understanding of the game and improve your experience on the court. As part of the UPA Bangalore community, we encourage all players to learn and respect these essential communication tools.
Line Judges, Verbal Calls and Signal Etiquette on Court
Signals only work when everyone knows who is making them and when. In officiated matches the referee usually stands at the net post and handles service faults, kitchen (non-volley zone) violations and scoring, while line judges, where used, watch specific lines and report whether a ball landed in or out. In most casual games and many local tournaments there are no line judges at all, and players make their own line calls on their side of the court. Knowing how these roles divide up helps you read a signal correctly instead of guessing.
Pair the gesture with the voice
Officials rarely rely on a hand signal alone. A clear verbal call such as "out" or "fault" usually comes with or just before the gesture, so players at the far baseline who cannot see the arm still hear the decision. If you are calling your own lines, copy this habit: say the call loudly and promptly, and add a simple gesture so your opponents and your partner understand it straight away. A late or quiet call often leads to disputes, and in self-officiated play a call that is not made promptly is generally treated as in.
Practical habits for players
- Give the benefit of the doubt. If you are not sure a ball was out, treat it as in. This is the spirit of the rules and keeps games friendly.
- Wait for the server's score call. In doubles the server announces the three-number score before serving; do not start your motion while it is still being called.
- Ask politely. If you missed a signal, stop and ask the referee rather than continuing play on an assumption.
- Check the rulebook for your event. Officiating procedures and signals can vary between organisers and rule updates, so review the current official rules before a tournament.
Practising these habits in social sessions makes the step up to refereed play far less stressful. If you are preparing for competitive matches, our leagues and events pages are good places to find out where you can play in a structured setting around Bengaluru.
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