Rescinding Head Referee Call

2026 Rule

20.J Officiating Decision Challenge. Players may appeal any officiating decision to the Head Referee or Tournament Director.

20.J.1 Rescinding Challenge Request. After a request for the Head Referee or Tournament Director has been acknowledged by the referee, the player may rescind the request; however, the player or team will be charged a standard time-out. When a standard time-out is not available, the referee will assess a technical foul against the player or team.

2025 Rule:

13.J Challenging Referee Rulings or Decisions. If … Once the request for the Head Referee has been acknowledged by the referee, the player may rescind the call however the player or team will be charged a standard time out. If no time out is available the player or team will be assessed a Technical Foul. If …

13.J. Challenging Referee Rulings or Decisions. If a player disagrees with a referee’s ruling or decision, that player may challenge the referee’s ruling or decision by asking for the Head Referee, Tournament Director, or the Tournament Director’s designee. Once the request for the Head Referee has been recorded the player may rescind the call however the player or team will be charged a standard time out.  If no time out is available the player or team will be assessed a Technical Foul. If the referee’s ruling or decision is determined to be correct, the player or team will lose a time-out and be given a technical warning (see 13.G.1.g). If no time-outs are available and the referee’s ruling is correct, the player/team will be given a technical foul (see 13.G.2.d). When the referee’s ruling or decision is incorrect, the ruling will be reversed and, if applicable, the rally will be replayed.

13.J. Challenging Referee Rulings or Decisions. If a player disagrees with a referee’s ruling or decision, that player may challenge the referee’s ruling or decision by asking for the Head Referee, Tournament Director, or the Tournament Director’s designee. If the referee’s ruling or decision is determined to be correct, the player or team will lose a time-out and be given a technical warning (see 13.G.1.g). If no time-outs are available and the referee’s ruling is correct, the player/team will be given a technical foul (see 13.G.2.d). When the referee’s ruling or decision is incorrect, the ruling will be reversed and, if applicable, the rally will be replayed.

Players can use the request for a HR or TD call as a time out.  They can rescind the call up to when the HR or TD arrive without penalty. This is a way to potentially break the opponents momentum or delay the game.

This change allows the team to summons the HR or TD but will cost them a Time Out if its rescinded. If they have no time outs remaining a Technical Foul is assessed for delay of game.

A team is on a 5 point roll.  Their opponents are out of time outs. They ask the referee or court monitor for a HR or TD call.  Just before the HR or TD arrive they rescind their call.  This breaks the momentum of the game.

A team disagrees with a referee decision and requests the HR or TD.  The call is made to the TD or HR.  Before the HR or TD arrive they decide to agree with the referee and accept the decision.  They rescind their call.  They are charged a time out for the delay. If they do not have a TO they are assessed a Technical Foul for delay of game, which they would have received had the HR or TD entered the court.