This protocol is a standardized way of verify whether a ball has landed in or out. The ball mark protocol can only be initiated by the referee, never by a player/team.
Procedure
- The first referee has to decide to initiate a ball mark protocol immediately after he whistles the ball dead.
- The first referee leaves his stand and walks to the ball mark. If available, the responsible line judge should meet the referee there.
- Players can never participate in a ball mark protocol and have to be sent away if they approach the area.
- Once the first referee has collected all needed information (identifying the ball mark, possible explanation by the line judge), he should get back on the referee stand without signaling any decision made. Back in position, the first referee shows the next serving team as well as the appropriate hand signal.
- If necessary, a sanction can be applied if a team interfered with the ball mark protocol.
- The second referee has to make sure that the team on the opposite side of the ball mark protocol do not walk on their opponents‘ side of the court.
- Once the first referee has shown his decision, the second referee has to make sure that the scorer recognized the decision by the first referee and noted appropriately.
- The decision of the first referee is final and no discussion should be allowed.