25 FIRST REFEREE

25.1 LOCATION
The first referee carries out his/her functions seated or standing on a referee’s stand
located at one end of the net. His/her view must be approximately 50 cm above the net
(Diagram 6).
25.2 AUTHORITY
25.2.1 The first referee directs the match from the start until the end. The first referee has
authority over all officials and team members.
During the match, the first referee’s decisions are final. He/she is authorized to overrule
the decisions of other officials, if he/she judges that the latter are mistaken.
The first referee may replace officials who are not performing their functions properly.
25.2.2 The first referee also supervises the work of the ball retrievers.
25.2.3 The first referee has the power to decide on any matters involving the game, including
those not provided for in the Rules.
25.2.4 The first referee shall not permit any discussion about his/her decisions. However, at
the request of a player, the first referee will give an explanation on the application or
interpretation of the rules upon which he/she has based his/her decision.
If the player disagrees with the explanation and formally protests, the 1st referee must
authorize the commencement of a Protest Protocol.
25.2.5 The first referee is responsible for determining before and during the match whether the
playing area and the conditions meet playing requirements.
25.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
25.3.1 Prior to the match, the first referee:
a) inspects the conditions of the playing area, the ball and other equipment,
b) performs the coin toss with the team captains,
Official Rules
24 Official Beach Volleyball Rules
c) controls the teams’ warming-up.
25.3.2 During the match, only the first referee is authorized:
a) to sanction misconduct and delays,
b) to decide upon:
• the faults of the server,
• the screen of the serving team,
• the faults in playing the ball,
• the faults above the net and at its upper part.
25.3.3 At the end of the match, he/she checks the scoresheet and signs it.