FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Referee Seminar – Beach

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Refereeing Guidelines and Specific Regulations Key Points for 2025

FIVB Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission

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2025 Internal Decisions

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Reinforcement of application of key Rules

Following up on the identification of critical areas, despite the progress achieved in the recent seasons, we shall keep emphasizing key rule application aspects, with emphasis to:

• strict application of the 12 sec rule;

- criteria for assessment of ball handling (with emphasis to catches at setting overhand with fingers);

• discipline management.

This is due highlighted at the relevant refereeing related documents and forums, i.e.: 2025 Refereeing Guidelines and Instructions, Referee Coaches' annual Seminar, tournament’s referee clinics, the FIVB Referee e-learning platform, etc.

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Pace of the Game

Strict application of the 12 sec rule

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – increase control of tempo
• by, reducing game delays
• and, saving time where possible

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• Actions
• Strictly implement the 12 second rule
• Strictly enforce set interval, Time Out and TTO timings
• Strictly apply the rule for service as written in the text (player does not need to be in the service zone at the 1st referee’s whistle).
• Eliminate prolonged discussions with team captains
• Apply the delay warning / sanctions scale.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

12-second rule between rallies

 Specifically, this pertains to reinstating the 12-second rule between rallies, returning to the original procedures followed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The key points are as follows:

1. Immediate Side Change: Players must cross directly under the net from their position on the court without delay. Exceptions apply only in specific cases where switching around the poles is quicker or if a force majeure event or previously certified injury, prevents direct crossing.
2. Use of Towels for Sunglasses Cleaning: Players may access the towel hanging on the rope connected to the pole on each side of the court only if necessary and without causing delays. However, towels will not be assigned to specific teams on either side.
1. To clarify, these updates are not rule changes but a return to pre-pandemic procedures, ensuring a faster side-switch process, efficient sunglasses cleaning, and preventing deliberate game slowdown tactics.

Follow up in 2025

• Implementation of the service rule in relation to
• the use of the, Four-Ball system
• and, the job of the 1^st Referee

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Four-Ball system

• There are 4 balls in operation, one in each corner of the playing area.
• The ball retriever closest to the point in the court where the player going to serve will step out of the court, shall give the ball into the hands of the server as soon as he/she leaves the court.
• It is not necessary for the server to be in the service zone for him/ her to receive the ball.
• It is not necessary for the server to be in the service zone when the 1st referee whistles for service – but common sense must prevail and the teams must be ready.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Implementation of the service rule in relation to
• the use of the, Four-Ball system
• and, the job of the 1^st Referee

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1st Referee’s criteria

• If the server moves to the service zone immediately after the end of the rally, and the time between the end of the previous rally and the whistle for the next service will not take more than 12 sec, then the referee may consent to the player’s eventual routine for service preparation if this is part of the 12 sec between the rallies.
• However, if the server initiates any prior routine (i.e. wiping glasses, talking to partner, fixing lines, etc.) before starts walking to the service zone, then the referee must make sure that the server accepts the ball as soon as he/ she gets close to the service zone. Refusing the ball or ignoring the ball retriever in such cases, shall be sanctioned as a DELAY.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Criteria for assessing ball-handling

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – criteria for assessing ball handling
• referees must NOT decide the match through whistling disputable faults; the PLAYERS actions should decide the result of the match!
• give opportunities for the players to play and entertain.

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• Actions
• Referees must be 100% certain that a fault has been made and is understood by everyone.
• Judge the hard driven ball defensive actions so that grey areas are not whistled.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Criteria for assessing overhand finger action
• There may be consecutive contacts, provided it is one attempt to play the ball when it is the first contact by a team. The exception to this is the overhand finger (setting) action.
• Overhand with fingers refers to a setting type of action, where the ball is accommodated through the elasticity of the fingers before being released and projected upwards (meeting the ball, not absorbing it).
• During the reception, the ball must be played cleanly if using an overhand technique – but may be played freely when reacting to a hard driven ball.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Specific assessment of setting overhand – expectations
• Since the 2021-22 season, the stricter assessment of setting using the overhand with fingers technique has been one of the main highlights, aiming at reinstating the appropriate implementation of the Official Beach rules.
• Despite all progress, this is an ongoing aspect that requires systematic attention by referee coaches and referees.
• The target is, to diminish the impact of the following scenarios which lead to an eventual catch while the hands are in contact with the ball:
• down and up contact,
• hold and release,
• redirect.

(these actions basically "absorb" the ball instead of meeting it).

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Follow up in 2025

• Specific assessment of setting overhand – where we are

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• In line with the above, the message to be passed along, including the follow up process by the Referee Coaches to the referees, should be as follows:
• the objective of our efforts is to call the obvious catches. When in doubt (when in borderline), DO NOT CALL.
• for players to set within this borderline, we insist that referees first advise them verbally in order to, as much as possible prevent having to make calls at the decisive moments of the set/game. When a player sets at the borderline, referees HAVE to do something (either call when players go below acceptable criteria, or speak to them before that). Otherwise, players will trust they are OK and get encouraged to play such kind of game. Then what happens? Referees are trapped at the decisive moments of the set/game for the cases where players would eventually need and so risk higher ball control.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Specific assessment of setting overhand – where we are

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• while we need to get rid of the obvious catches, we should not get involved by interfering with the various techniques used by the different players. Referees have to learn how to read the excessive length contacts within each of the various techniques used by the different players.
• referee’s mind set when evaluating the setting, should be:
• take the players/game without any prejudgment;
• be confident and referee from their own heads (not the Referee Coach’s head);
• have a positive approach;
• be conservative and call the ones that stand out for the length of the contact.
• which means, CALL THE OBVIOUS.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Specific assessment of setting overhand – where we are
• For what concerns the DOUBLES at setting overhand with fingers, the assumption is that this is an area totally under control.
• However, just in case, we may need to readdress this subject under the following principles:
• no ball handling calls should be based on the spin of the ball. The referee must identify a clear difference in the time contact by the player’s hands with the ball. 
• even so, only the clear and obvious doubles must be called, not the ones at the borderline

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• Both the above aspects: “how to enforce the correct criteria for assessing eventual catches and double at setting overhand”, need to be addressed at every tournament so that the correct criteria is consistently implemented by all referees at a given tournament, and also across the Beach Pro Tour.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Criteria for assessing hard driven ball
• In defensive action of a HARD DRIVEN ATTACK, the ball contact can be extended momentarily overhand with the fingers (if you like – a catch).
• A CATCH is when the ball does not rebound from the contact point – i.e. the accommodation phase lasts longer.
• Gator hits and other actions which are not “overhand with fingers” should be permitted freely provided there is no obvious CATCH involved.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Criteria for assessing hard driven ball – summary

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• Exception: For hard driven attack (Rule 9.2.2.1.) give extra leeway.

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• Referees must be 100% sure before they blow the whistle for a fault.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Discipline managment

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Follow up in 2025

• Object – control of discipline
• visible incorrect behaviour is not the image we seek!

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• Actions
• Enforce rule 5.1.2 “Captain”.
• Refrain from any discussions with the non captain
• Apply strictly the misconduct rules, 19 and 20
• Apply the misconduct scale.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

On-court referee’s relation with the athletes

• We strongly encourage the referees to conduct the game with authority i.e.: preventing excessive questioning by athletes leading to disruption of the pace, etc., yet refrain from authoritarianism.
• Authority is linked to leadership, posture, command; It aims to lead game participants to perceive and respect the rules code, judging their legitimacy and advancing in the establishment of the greater good.
• Authoritarianism, on the contrary, it is the imposition of something by force.
• Remember the referee stays in the background, but at the same time acts to promote the game in the best light, and in this way the game is attractive to a wider audience. We want the game to be popular. Making an attractive show is the way to do that.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Rule changes for 2025-2028

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

RULE 12.5 – SCREENING

9/3/20XX

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2025 Rule

To ADD:

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12.5.3 Any player of the serving team is forbidden to raise hands above the head during service, until the ball has passed beyond the net.

The 1^st referee is permitted to caution (advise) a team through the game captain, if he/ she suspects that it is deliberately screening.

2024 Rule

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12.5.1 A player of the serving team must not prevent the opponent, through individual screening, from seeing the service hit AND the flight path of the ball.

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12.5.2 A player of the serving team makes a screen by waving arms, jumping or moving sideways during the execution of the service, in order that both the service hit and the flight path of the ball are hidden until the ball reaches the vertical plane of the net. Should either be visible to the receiving team this is not a screen.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Reason for adjustment at the Beach rule

• Harmonization with Volleyball

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• Despite fair play as far as “screening” has not presented an issue in the Beach Volleyball game.

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• Hence the attempt through modifying the Official Rules and reinforcing instructions in the Refereeing Guidelines to prevent this behaviour and reinforce fairness in the game.

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Rationale

Even though “Screening” is not an issue in the Beach game, still the 1st referee should pay attention to screening during the execution of the service when a player of the serving team, waving arms, jumping or moving sideways, prevent their opponent from seeing the server and flight path of the ball until the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net.

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If the served ball can be seen clearly throughout its path, until it crosses the net to the opponent, it cannot be considered as a screen.

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Therefore, when a player is standing with hands above head height (they may, however, protect their heads for safety reasons but must not raise their hands above the head), the referee can indicate this to the serving team, by blowing his/her whistle, if they do not do so, the 1st referee MUST CALL THE SCREEN after the service.

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Instruction at the Guidelines

Point 12

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6. The first referee should pay attention to screening during the execution of the service, and caution (advise) a team through the game captain, if he/ she suspects that it is deliberately screening.

RULE 10.1 – BALL CROSSING THE NET �

9/3/20XX

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10.1.2

The ball, coming from the first hit of the team, that has crossed the net plane to the opponent's free zone totally or partly through the external space, may be played back, within the team hits, provided that:

10.1.2.1

the ball, when played back, crosses the net plane totally or partly through the external space on the same side of the court – if not, it becomes ball out. The opponent team may not prevent such action.

10.1.2.2

the ball, sent to the opponent's free zone totally or partly through the external space, which has come from the second or third hit of the team, cannot be played back and will be judged as ball OUT the moment it crosses the net plane.

10.1.3

The ball that is heading towards the opponent’s court through the lower space is in play until the moment it has completely crossed the vertical plane of the net.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

RULE 10.1 – IMPACT IN OTHER RULES

9/3/20XX

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Rule 8.4 BALL “OUT”

8.4.4 crosses the vertical plane of the net either partially or totally outside the crossing space during service or during the second or the third hit of the team (exception: Rule 10.1.2).

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Rule 22 1^ST REFEREE

22.3.2.3 e) the served ball and the 2nd hit passing over or outside the antenna on his/ her side of the court.

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Rule 23 2ND REFEREE

23.3.2.7 the served ball and the 2nd hit passing over or outside the antenna on his/ her side of the court.

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Rule 28 LINE JUDGES

28.2.1.3 the ball touching the antenna, the served ball and the 2nd hit of the team crossing the net outside the crossing space, etc.;

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DIAGRAMS

D4a BALL CROSSING THE VERTICAL PLANE OF THE NET TO THE OPPONENT COURT

D4b BALL CROSSING THE VERTICAL PLANE OF THE NET TO THE OPPONENT FREE ZONE

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Reason for the rule change

• Until now, when a ball was sent to the opponent free zone, the 1st referee had to wait until the ball was finally out of play before whistling the end of the rally – even if there was no chance for the ball to be played through the crossing space.
• This made little sense.
• So, the modification to the wording of this rules is designed to allow a common-sense approach by the 1st referee to whistle earlier in the rally and speed up the game.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Rationale

Clarification of Rules 10.1.2, 10.1.2.1, 10.1.2.2, 10.1.3)

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Instruction at the Guidelines

Point 10

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1. The Rule 10.1.2 gives the right to play the ball from the opponent team’s free zone as long as it crosses the vertical plane of the net either partially or totally outside the crossing space during the first hit of the team, except for the service. The SECOND REFEREE and the LINEJUDGES must understand this rule well! During the match, they must recognize practically and make the appropriate movement to give space to the player who will replay the ball to his/her court! If the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net, within the crossing space, to the opponent's free zone and it is touched by the player attempting to return this ball back, the REFEREES must whistle the fault at the moment of the contact and show "out". If the ball crosses the vertical plane of the net either partially or totally outside the crossing space during service, or during the second or the third hit of the team, the REFEREE on the side of the fault must whistle.

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Rule adjustments for 2025-2028

(fixing previous editions’ text issues)

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Rule 11.1 REACHING BEYOND THE NET �

11.1.2 During an attack hit, a player is permitted to pass his/her hand beyond the net, provided that the initial contact has been made within his/her own playing space, and the ball is not caught or thrown.

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Impact in Rule 9.1.2.3

If simultaneous hits by two opponents over the net lead to an extended contact with the ball, even if the contact is completed above the opponent court, play continues.

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9/3/20XX

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Rationale

Fixing previous editions’ text issues)

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Instruction at the Guidelines

Point 9

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5. If simultaneous contacts by opponents occurs over the net and both opponents make an extended contact with the ball, even if the contact is completed above the opponent court, play continues.

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Point 13

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2. An attack hit initiated at the attacker’s side is often finalized just beyond the net. Provided the ball is not caught or thrown and the contact is initiated on the attacker’s side, this must not be regarded as a fault.

In addition, when two players contest the ball at the net, and the contact is extended, the final contact may, in practice, also be beyond the net plane (i.e., over the opposition court). Unless this becomes a second deliberate action, once again, this must not be penalised.

Rule 15.5 - IMPROPER REQUESTS

15.5.4

The first improper request by a team in the match that does not affect or delay the game shall be rejected, but it must be recorded on the score sheet without any other consequences.

9/3/20XX

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Improper requests

• Object – delay / improper request sequence
• Rule 15.5 defines “improper request”, stating that following an initial improper request “(…) further improper request in the same match by the same team constitutes a delay”

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• Action
• There is nothing in the rule about the previous events before the improper request. If a request is improper for the first time by a team, it should be considered as an “improper request”; it doesn’t matter, if previously the team received a delay sanction. So, after DW or DP, an “improper request” may still be committed – and recorded in the score sheet.
• First improper request by a team in the match must be recorded on the score sheet without any other consequences.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Medical Assistance Protocols

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – medical assistance protocols
• As per the decision at the FIVB World Congress 2018 in Cancun Mexico, the MTO is limited to bleeding related issues. Following that, since 2019 the protocol procedure has been updated at the BVB Refereeing Guidelines & Instructions.
• In addition to the regular game interruptions (such as TTO and TO), Recovery Interruption entitles the athlete to medical assistance without any delay to the game for the scenarios below, but not limited to:
• Significant injuries/illness for any non-blood injury (including traumatic, non-traumatic, and non-contact injuries that are not blood related);
• Illness in relation to severe weather conditions officially declared;
• Use of toilets.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Different type of injury/illness versus medical assistance

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Note: for all scenarios described above, after the designated time has expired, the player needs to decide if resuming play or forfeiting the match.

Referees should be aware of the circumstances leading up to the injury/illness as they are responsible to establish its nature and extent (if minor or significant).

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROTOCOLS

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Medical Time Out

Recovery Interruption

(MTO)

Blood Injury

Injuries / illness for any non-blood injury (including traumatic, non-traumatic, and non-contact injuries that are not blood related)

Severe Weather

Use of Toilets

Treatment allowed at any and all times

After a RIT for any of the 3 types above, the same player is not entitled to another RIT in the same match

Illness

MTO (blood injury) and RIT (any type) stoppages can occur in the same match to the same player, regardless of the sequence of use. However a player can only be authorized for one RIT in the match.

Follow up in 2025

( only one stoppage in the match will be allowed per player )

(RIT)

Before a MTO, it is not mandatory that the player first uses a team TO or other regular interruption

General overview

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The injured/ill player has the right to choose the medical assistance from among the official medical personnel assigned on site, or from the properly accredited team’s medical personnel.

Under all circumstances above, the official medical personnel shall be requested to come to the court as it will be their responsibility to supervise the treatment and report to the 1st referee when this has been completed.

When treatment has been completed or if no treatment can be provided in that short time period, play must resume or the relevant team is declared incomplete for the set or the match, as applicable.

Unless for bleeding cases, the decision whether a player is medically fit or not to resume after an injury/illness depends entirely upon the player. However, before a player being allowed to return to the court the bleeding has to be completely stopped or contained (closed) so that no blood spill can occur.

Follow up in 2025

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Timing of the Medical Assistance protocol

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The duration of the medical assistance shall be electronically timed from the moment the scorer hits the relevant button at the e-scoresheet upon being instructed so by the 1st referee, with the timer being displayed at the litescore.

As soon as the 1st referee decides to authorize a “medical assistance protocol”, he/she shall move to the scorer’s table. The timing shall then start from the whistle of the 1st referee after he/she initiates the “MTO” or the “RIT”, upon arrival of the relevant medical personnel. At this point in time, the 1st referee shall signal “5 min”.

The end of the maximum authorized 5 minutes will be signaled by litescore buzzer. Otherwise, immediately after treatment is declared complete by the official medical personnel, or in case no treatment can be provided, or when the player declares that he/she is ready to resume play, the referee shall whistle and end the procedure.

In case no e-scoresheet being applied, the medical assistance shall be manually timed by the official scorer.

The 1st referee shall initiate the protocol upon arrival of the official medical personnel in case this has been the choice of the injured player, otherwise if no official medical personnel available or if the player asked for their own accredited medical personnel then the 1st referee shall initiate the protocol immediately.

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For MTO, before a player being allowed to return to the court the bleeding has to be completely stopped or contained (closed) so that no blood spill can occur.

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Medical assistance may in any case be provided to players at regular game interruptions (TO, TTO, set intervals) with no delay to the game.

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Follow up in 2025

Timing of the Medical Assistance protocol

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If the team has an available time out, or the play that just finished lead to a technical time out or to the set interval, then treatment can be provided with no delay to the game. Otherwise, the 1st referee shall authorize a “Recovery Interruption”.

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Note: for any of these cases, after initiating the relevant game interruption (i.e.: team time out, or technical time out, or the set interval), the 2nd referee must establish if the player wishes to be treated by the official medical personnel of the tournament or the team’s accredited medical personnel, followed by immediately call the relevant medical assistance to the court.

Despite the player requesting for its team’s medical assistance, the official medical personnel must be called to the court in line with the procedures established for all other possible cases of medical assistance.

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Follow up in 2025

General overview

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To be able to provide treatment during matches, official medical personnel must (while team medical personnel are recommended to) be seated in the immediate courtside area during the match. No additional time will be granted to wait for team’s medical personnel to make their way to the court.

Official medical personnel (first aid, physician and physical therapist) are required at courtside area at all court locations, allowing quick and qualified response to athlete’s medical assistance during the games.

Any time a forfeit due to injury/illness occurs, including before the match starts, official medical personnel and the FIVB Medical Delegate (if one is appointed to the event) must be present

In the case of an athlete being authorized or assigned a “Recovery Interruption” or forfeiting a match due to an alleged injury/illness, immediately following the relevant score sheet administration he/she will be given a copy of the BVB/49 form by the match referees.

Follow up in 2025

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• Only the tournament’s Official Physician can clear an athlete for competing after the use of a “recovery interruption” or after forfeiting a match due an alleged injury / illness. This is done through the use of the BVB-49

- If this is during the tournament, the endorsement by the official medical doctor of that tournament will entitle the athlete to play any subsequent match at that tournament

• If this is at the respective last match in the tournament, then the endorsement must be by the official medical doctor of the next tournament , with the player having to be checked before the the Preliminary Inquiry and then cleared before the draw is closed

Adjustments at the BVB-49

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Follow up in 2025

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Follow up in 2025

• Object – accurate enforcement of the BVB-49
• Ensure that Referees accurately enforce the policy for the implementation of the BVB-49 Form.

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• Actions
• BVB-49 must be implemented for:
• Recovery Interruption
• Forfeit due to injury before the match
• Forfeit due to injury during the match

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• No need to implement at MTO (blood injury)

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Ball mark protocol

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – Ball Mark Protocol
• Teams are entitled to request a “Ball Mark Protocol” to be implemented at the end of the rally, when they would like a review of the referees’ decision concerning the ball ‘in’ / ‘out’ for side and end lines.
• Teams will have the right to request another “BMP” if their request is successful, with a limit of a maximum of two unsuccessful BMP requests per set.
• A BMP may be requested by either player from either team. The players/teams have five seconds after the rally is over to make the request. However, a team cannot request for a BMP after having switched the court.
• The player must indicate the request by showing a letter “C” signal with their fingers, followed by showing to the 1st referee the appropriate BMP signal. Players can make the request from any position in the field of play.
• BMP requests for situations where the ball mark would not ensure reliable evidence (for instance, the referee from his/her position judges that the ball touched the line before contacting the sand slightly away of the line’s position) shall not be accepted.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Actions
• Late or illegal BMP requests shall be rejected, with the 1st referee informing the decision and showing the appropriate signal.
• BMP takes precedence over all other match actions – e.g., time out requests - which may be impacted by the result of the BMP.
• Upon a valid BMP request, the 1st Referee shall immediately:
• Score
• Come down from the stand and indicate to the relevant Line judge(s) that they are required to come to the position of the ball mark.
• If necessary, ask that the players of the team on the side of the ball mark remove themselves from the area of the ball mark.
• Initiate the verification of the ball mark (in or out). When the 1st Referee is satisfied that they have received all available information and are able to make a decision he/ she should quickly move to the stand signaling the decision on the ball mark.
• After the decision of the BMP has been finalized, the match will continue, with the score adjusted according the decision.
• The result of the BMP review, once announced by the 1st Referee, is final and cannot be appealed.

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Follow up in 2025

• Actions
• Consequences of successful/ unsuccessful BMP request:
• a second unsuccessful BMP request by a team in a set will result in the requesting team not being able to request more BMP for the remainder of that set,
• after a second unsuccessful BMP by a team, the 2nd Referee shall inform the concerned team Captain that the team has exhausted the BMP requests for that set.
• It is possible that a team decides to cancel a BMP request before the process has started, or after the process is in its very initial stages. However, such cases must not imply a delay to the game, and so be dealt with under the delay sanction scale.
• A Team may request a BMP only once within the same interruption – i.e., they cannot make a second request within the same interruption.
• Players should refrain from deliberately covering up/ altering, etc, the ball mark. The 1st Referee shall sanction this as appropriate.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Actions
• For cases where the ball mark has been altered due to natural occurrences or deliberate action by teams/players, preventing its review, the referee call stands.
• The exception is where the winning team deliberately alters the line, in this case the rally must be replayed. Then despite the outcome of the situation not being in favour of the requesting team, it will still keep the number of BMP requests available.
• Note 1: For the cases of ball “mark unavailable” due to natural occurrences, the 1st referee shall show only the next team to serve with no further signal. This will allow differentiating the decision made by the referee for the standard cases judged as “unsuccessful” or “successful”, where the 1st referee shall show the next team to serve followed by the nature of the fault signal (in or out).
• Note 2: For the case of ball mark unavailable due to deliberate action by the team winning the rally, cancel the BMP process (if ever started), replay the last rally and issue a penalty to the concerned player. The signal for cancelling the BMP in case started, should be: signal “C” followed by a cancel signal with hands and arms moving horizontally one over the other.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Special cases BMP

Process for dealing with BMP cases where the ball mark is unavailable

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- In regards to the BMP cases where the mark is unavailable versus how to handle such cases at the e-scoresheet, the following should be implemented:

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Scenario 1

- Ball mark is unavailable due to natural occurrences. Click at “mark unavailable”, followed by “confirm score”. This will ensure that the referee call stands and that the requesting team keeps their BMP requests intact.

- For the Scenario above, in order to differentiate between a decision made for “unsucessfull” or “mark unavailable, the 1st referee must :

1) in the case of “unsucessfull”, show the next team to serve followed by the nature of the fault signal (in or out);

2) in the case of “mark unavailable”, show only the next team to serve with no further signal.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Special cases BMP

Scenario 2

Ball mark is unavailable due to deliberate action by teams/players. Click at “mark unavailable”, followed by “delete last point” (which means replay the last rally), with the referee then issuing a penalty to the concerned player.

At the e-scoresheet, the red card must be complemented with a remark stating “due to deliberate erasing of the ball mark” and then click “confirm”

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Actions
• Under very exceptional circumstances, the 1st Referee has the right to initiate a BMP review should he/she feel unsure about his/her decision in any rally. In this case the referee shall:
• stop play with a whistle,
• Score
• followed by immediately initiating the verification of the ball mark (in or out),
• followed by quickly returning to the stand and signalling the decision on the ball mark.
• Score

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• The 1st Referee’s right to request a BMP review is one more way to ensure that the final decision of the awarding of the points to the teams will be fair, will correspond to the effort of the athletes, and will not be influenced by human error.

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – accurate filling of the e-scoresheet at the time of any eventual game interruptions
• Ensure that – every time a game interruption occurs – Referees double check that Scorers have accurately filled in at the scoresheet all necessary data.

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• Actions
• Specifically for BMP requests, it includes the 2^nd Referee verifying with the Scorer that a “point/no point” has been properly assigned to the correct team, and that the proper request (team or referee) is accurately recorded.
• It must also be done, at:
• “Medical time out” and “Recovery Interruption”
• “Protest Protocol”
• Prolonged interruption

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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Uniforms / Equipment

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – uniforms/ equipment
• In principle, individual player jersey’s #1 and #2 in the team, must remain unchanged for the season after team’s VIS registration.
• At FIVB competitions, the team’s player numbers displayed at the e-scoresheet will 100% reflect the VIS.
• No discrepancy between the e-scoresheet team player numbers, and the numbers displayed at the player jersey should occur.

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• Action
• Exceptional eventual change of player numbers before the match, can only occur with the authorization of the TD
• Being this the case, the recommended approach for referees to deal with such issue, is as follows

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

Recommended approach for referees to deal with such issue:

- First, when referees collect tablets, scoresheet and tops, they must check tops number/name against the VIS data (see scoresheet)

• For any eventual contingency case where they may find the wrong numbers/names printed for a given team, if there is no time to print new tops, the procedure should be:
• change de player numbers at the e-scoresheet
• advise VolleyStation so that they adjust for statistics purposes
• advise VW/TD/VIS manager to change the player numbers at VIS for that specific match (this will ensure TV has the adjusted information).

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VW/TD/VIS manager will then inform TV, and in addition will revert the numbers to correct VIS numbers at the end of the match.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – uniforms/ equipment
• Ensure consistent implementation of Rule 4.5.3
• Forearms sleeves or visible underwear must be of the same colour as part of the uniform. Black, white or neutral colours may be also used (brand symbols are not classed as colours).
• Both players do not need to wear them – i.e. only one player may wear, but if both do, all using players must wear the same colour.

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• Action
• Eventual doubts must be addressed to FIVB Referee Coach before the start of the game.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – uniform regulations
• Further to the update on relaxation of cold weather/long pants uniform regulations introduced at the Referee Coach webinar, please also note that following the discussion at the Tokyo Olympic Games and consequent discussion at the Beach Volleyball Commission/Athlete’s Commission, it is clarified with the interpretation that the individual athlete is entitled to wear the uniform at his/her (in particular female athlete) preference, considering the cultural or religious values, and this includes shorts or bikini or one piece, etc.
• This means, not necessarily same style (each one’s personal preference). However, the colour must be the same.

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• Action
• Further clarification available at the Sports Operations Manual.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

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New Technology

Key Points for 2025

(to be addressed only when applicable)

FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – Wireless Communication System – what is it?
• Headset wireless system that ensures that referees and scorer can communicate during the match.
• When the Video Challenge System is implemented, the system allows the Challenge Referees to be also part of the communication.
• System allows the 1^st referee to momentarily link to the PA audio system for referee communication with the audience.

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• Actions
• Use must be instructed and trained before the competition.
• Equipment must be checked prior to each concerned match.
• Back up equipment must be available.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – 1^st Referee communication with the audience
• The “1st Referee communication with the audience” – where and when applicable – will be ensured through the use of the Headset wireless system with the 1^st referee momentarily linking to the PA audio system.
• Policy for the implementation of the System at the new FIVB tournament’s structure, to be decided.

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• Actions
• The system needs to be formatted in line with the tournament needs.
• Use of the system must be instructed and trained before the competition. This involves DJ and announcer.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

• Object – Video Challenge System
• The Video Challenge System and the referee Wireless Communication system are key to FIVB’s view of fair application of decision making.
• The FIVB is committed to fairness for the teams, to give full credit for their athletic actions.
• It reduces subjective judgements – players actions to decide the result.
• For the 2024-25 season the VCS will be implemented at the Hamburg Elite 16 BPT, and the Adelaide 2025 FIVB World Championships.
• Where implemented it requires extra instructing clinics. This involves also instructing of relevant scoring procedures.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

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• Video Challenge System - when implemented
• The VCS brings the referee wireless communication to a next level – with integrating the Challenge Referees – ensuring that either referees, the scorer and the challenge referees can communicate in a secure and reliable channel frequency.
• Requires detailed study and training of the specific implementation Guidelines by the referees, as well as of the wireless communication system.
• This will ensure that the referees understand the process of the Challenge and apply it correctly, communicating with each other and with the teams clearly and effectively.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Adjustment to VCS Regulations

Aiming at harmonizing this aspect of the VCS regulations with Volleyball, the same ruling will be applied for possible cases of inconclusive video evidence.

“(…) if the footage available for the review process by the Challenge System does not allow to say conclusively if the team is right or wrong (i.e. there is technical failure or pixilated/ blurred/ blocked images), the Referee’s decision stands, but the team does not lose its Challenge”.

Follow up in 2025

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• Video Challenge System - regulations summary
• When implemented replaces the ball mark protocol.
• Teams are entitled up to a maximum of two unsuccessful Challenges per set.
• A Challenge may be requested by either player from either team immediately after the occurrence of the suspected fault.
• In case the suspected fault occurs during play, the team must indicate the challenge request by showing the appropriate signal (letter C signal with their fingers). This will prompt the referees to stop the rally.
• Otherwise, players/teams have five seconds after the rally is over to request a challenge, only for the decisive action that finishes the rally. However, a team cannot request for a Challenge after having switched the court.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

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• Video Challenge System - regulations summary
• Upon a challenge request, the 1st Referee internally announces via the Vokkero system “Challenge; Challenge”, then quickly acknowledges the request by repeating the signal towards the player and verbally double checking in case needed, followed by establishing if this is a legal, illegal or late challenge request.
• In case of “illegal challenge” the 1st referee will inform the players accordingly followed by making the signal “X” for illegal challenge, simultaneously with internally announcing to the CR through the radio communication system that the challenge is illegal.
• In case of “late challenge” the 1st referee will inform the players accordingly followed by making the signal for late challenge, simultaneously with internally announcing announce to the CR through the radio communication system that the challenge is late.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

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• Video Challenge System - regulations summary
• In case of a valid challenge request, the 1st referee will then make the official challenge hand signal - a RECTANGLE (simulating a TV display) facing forward towards the score table and main TV camera.
• He/she will then directly communicate via the Referee Communication System the nature of the Challenge type to the Challenge Referees, followed by making the official signal indicating the nature of the suspected fault.
• The 1st referee will indicate the team to serve next only after the Challenge footage/ result is shown on the giant screen.
• The 2nd referee will check scoreboards and move to the side of the receiving team’s court.

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Follow up in 2025

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• Video Challenge remarks approval
• At the end of the match, the Challenge Referee shall check and approve the “Video Challenge remarks” by signing the e-scoresheet
• In case a mistake is found at any challenge remark, the process for correcting it, is as follows:
• The CR signs at “Challenge Signature”, followed by together with the 1st referee (and before the referee’s sign and close the scoresheet), go to “Approve Now”, then “Add Remarks” and then assist the 1st referee recording the relevant additional remark. After the additional remark being recorded, the 1st referee then signs at “Relevant Official Signature 1” with the CR signing at “Relevant Official Signature 2”.
• In case applicable, the Challenge referee shall also check and sign the BVB-52

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FIVB FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025

Thank you

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FIVB Beach Volleyball Referee Clinics – 2025