Volleyball Hand Signals: Referee Signals and Beach Block Signs
The volleyball hand signals referees use for in, out, touch, double contact, four hits, net and more, plus the block signals beach players show behind their back.
Volleyball is fast, and referees communicate with hand signals so players, coaches and scorekeepers know exactly what was called. Learn these and you'll never wonder why a point went the other way.
This guide covers the official FIVB referee signals and the block signs beach volleyball players flash behind their backs.
How a call is shown
After the whistle, the referee shows three things in order: which team serves next (arm extended toward that side), the nature of the fault, and, if needed, the player at fault.
Common referee signals
| Call | Signal |
|---|---|
| Ball in | Arm and fingers pointing to the floor on the side where the ball landed |
| Ball out | Both forearms raised vertically, hands open, palms facing the body |
| Touched (block-out) | Brush the fingertips of one hand with the palm of the other, held vertically |
| Four hits | Four fingers raised and spread |
| Double contact | Two fingers raised and spread |
| Catch / held ball | Slowly lift the forearm, palm facing up |
| Net touch | Touch the top of the net with the hand on the side of the fault |
| Reaching beyond the net | Hand placed above the net, palm facing down |
| Center line fault | Point to the center line |
| Positional or rotation fault | Circular motion with the index finger |
| Delay in service | Raise eight fingers, spread |
| Timeout | One palm over the fingers of the other hand held vertically, forming a T |
| Substitution | Circular motion of the forearms around each other |
| End of set or match | Forearms crossed in front of the chest, hands open |
| Double fault, replay | Both thumbs raised vertically |
Line judge flags
- Flag down: ball in.
- Flag up: ball out.
- Flag up, palm on top: ball touched.
- Flag waved overhead, pointing at the antenna or line: ball out over the antenna, or foot fault on the serve.
Beach volleyball block signals
Before each serve, the player at the net shows signals behind their back so their partner knows what the block will do. The left hand covers the attacker on the left, the right hand the attacker on the right.
- One finger: block the line.
- Two fingers: block the angle (cross-court).
- Closed fist: no block; drop back to defend.
- Open hand: block the ball (read and react).
- Flashing (open and close): a serving signal, usually "serve that player".
Scoring a match? Volleyball Scoreboard: Keeper keeps the score, the serve and each team's rotation on screen, so you can watch the referee's signals instead of counting.