The line umpire "calls all shots relating to the assigned lines." Line umpires work on court as part of a team of between one and nine line umpires. Each line umpire is assigned by the chair umpire to one line or, in the case of a short-handed crew, a position in a system. For example, a line umpire on the receiver's side may have to cover the center service line then, following the serve, move to one of the sidelines. Line umpires are a requirement for professional tennis games.
The line umpire signals a ball out by making a verbal "fault" call followed by the extension of the arm shoulder high in the direction the ball was out. A ball is signaled "safe" or "good" by holding both hands together knee high in front of the body. A line umpire who is unsighted and thus unable to call a shot (usually because a player obstructs his/her view) signals this by holding his/her hands beside his/her head, the upper side pointing in the same directing as the eyes; that call is then the chair umpire's responsibility.
Read more about this topic: Official (tennis)
Famous quotes containing the word line:
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?”
—Bible: Hebrew, Job 38:4 -7.
God, to Job.