Law 23: 1st Referee

He stands on a referee's stand at one end of the net, on the side opposite the scorer.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.1 · recall

His eyes should be approximately 50 cm above the net.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.1 · recall

He directs the match and has authority over all officials and all team members.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.1 · recall

During the match his decisions are final, and he may overrule other officials who are mistaken.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.1 · recall

The 1st referee may decide any matter involving the game, including those not in the rules.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.3 · recall

He may even replace an official who is not performing his functions properly.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.1 · recall

From his stand he cannot see it at the right moment, though he may still overrule a mistaken call.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.1, 24.3.2.2; Casebook 2024 7.10 · applied

D is at the net post on the side opposite the scorer's table; A is the 2nd referee's side.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.1 · applied

The 1st referee directs everyone; the 2nd referee is his assistant with his own jurisdiction.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.1, 24.2.1 · recall

The 1st referee allows no discussion but must explain on request and authorise a reserved protest.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.4 · applied

He inspects the conditions of the playing area, the balls and other equipment.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.1.1 · recall

He performs the toss with the team captains.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.1.2 · recall

He controls the teams' warming-up.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.1.3 · recall

He is authorised to issue warnings and to sanction misconduct and delays.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.1, 23.3.2.2 · recall

He also controls the work of the ball retrievers and quick moppers.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.2 · recall

He is responsible for judging, before and during the match, whether equipment and conditions are fit.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.5 · recall

He checks and signs the score sheet.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.3 · recall

This is the toss, which the 1st referee carries out with the two team captains before the match.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 7.1, 23.3.1.2 · applied

Inspection, toss and warm-up come before the match, the score sheet after it.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3 · recall

2.43 m, about 50 cm above that, and at least 7 m.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 2.1.1, 23.1, 1.1 · applied

He decides the faults of the server and of the positions of the serving team, including the screen.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3 · recall

Faults in playing the ball are in the 1st referee's list.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3 · recall

He takes faults above the net and net contact primarily, not exclusively, on the attacker's side.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3 · recall

Such faults are listed twice, once for each referee.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3, 24.3.2.4 · recall

He decides those on his side of the court; the 2nd referee those on his.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3 · recall

The ball crossing the lower space completely is listed among his decisions.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.3.2.3 · recall

He permits no discussion, but explains to the game captain the rule his decision was based on.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 23.2.4 · recall

Net contact on the attacker's side is primarily the 1st referee's; the 2nd referee watches the blocker's side.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 11.3.1, 23.3.2.3 · applied

For a back-row attack fault both referees indicate it, each in his own sequence.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 13.3.3, 22.2.3.3 · applied

After his whistle he signals who serves, the fault and, if needed, the player.

Source: FIVB OVR 2025-2028, Rule 9.3.3, 22.2.3.1 · applied