Fellow Officials,
this week’s points of emphasis after 2 weeks into season:

1. Without Lines People – hints:
– Reminder, R1 should be calling In/out on all lines. There should be no help signals from R2 on end lines & R1 side lines. The R2 can help when able on the short sub-zone side lines or full R2 side line if it is an easy free ball play. This takes great experience. BUT, the R2’s job of watching for antenna, touches, net & centerline faults must come first! (Discuss with partner in prematch expectations.)
– R2 should not be more than 2 steps back from the pole. Reasons – R2 needs to be able to move from their base position to a secondary position quickly to assist in: balls that may be hit over or behind antenna, helping with touches off blocks, and moving to get better views of net/centerline faults to avoid being blocked by pole/padding. (Standing 10 ft back at table hinders that ability in some cases.)

2. Prematch Conference:
– Roster/Lineup sheets are not always coming to the R2. That is the first thing officials should be asking for in this meeting. (R2 can “X” the Serve/Receive box after the coin toss is determined.)
– The R/L sheet stays at the table during entire warmups! R2/R1 checks the rostered players both teams. Place roster sheet upside down on teams side of table. Roster changes can be made up to 11 min on clock and must be done at table with R2. Coaches come to table to fill in lineups and gives to R2 not the score keeper. R2 check lineup for errors then if ok, can submit to score keeper. Confirm lineups entered correctly. (Between sets, coaches may take their lineup sheets to the bench then submit to the R2 by 1 minute left on clock.)
– By now, there should be no balls laying on the floor during time-outs and between sets. At this meeting, continue to remind captains/coaches to get the ball to the R2 during Time-Outs and between sets for remainder of season.

3. Time Outs / Ball at table hints:
– R2 intiates time-out: double whistle, move to side, mechanic, point to center of court, give back T-O’s used in front of chest to R1.
– Now step back facing court and where ball coming from. (Do not turn to table yet.) Get ball from serving side place on table.
– R2 check T-O’s entered correctly in book, liberos in/out, confirm scoreboard is correct.
Important so you don’t forget about ball – R2:
– Wait on receiving side near table. (Being near table helps you remember why you are so far back…to get ball.)
– Double whistle 15 sec warning (or earlier), R2 or R1
– Signal clock operator to give horn/stop clock when all 12 players are back on court; if under 5 sec, let go to automatic horn.
– At horn, give back T-O’s used to R1.
– Now grab ball from table and roll to server. Confirm with score book that the player # is correct server.
– Scan both benches & courts, then step up to base position and when ready signal R1 court is theirs.

4. Scorekeeper / clock operator / libero tracker:
– There must be one of each. One person CANNOT do more than one of these jobs.
– Ask coach for people to fill these positions and explain there must be one for each so the match runs smoothly without errors.
– I had 2 matches last week where a scorekeeper was attempting to do the book & clock during warmups. They said they have done both with no one saying anything. This is unacceptable! Officials, please make sure coaches provide people for all three jobs.
Explain to the coach that if the table is not properly staffed by the beginning of the first set, they risk a Delay Sanction (YUD). Report it to your assignor. (In both instances above, a coach or team manager found someone to do the clock in a short amount of time. Be vigilant.)

5. Player/students on court during warmups:
– Same yearly problems and it shouldn’t be……
– ANY player/student helpers must have athletic footwear and no jewelry while on court assisting or helping.
– No electronic devices, earbuds, etc. on court or at team benches.
– At table: no food or beverages that can spill, and no cell phones – politely ask they put them away for the match.

6. After announcements/anthem:
– teams should not be huddling after anthem at their side line.
– starting 6 + libero must move to end line or already be standing on the end line after anthem.
– no matter how many varsity players are standing on the end line during anthem, only the start 6 + libero are allowed to be beckoned into their court via sideline to greet opponent. Non-starters go back to their bench and do not shake hands at net. (If this happens, R2 tell coach nicely that next time correct it.)

7. R1 appearance and ref stands:
– best appearance and easy flow of mechanics is when R1 is standing with arms at side or with hands on side rails.
– some stands have a front rail that is higher than the side rails – these are evil to R1’s in my opinion. Avoid holding that front rail during play as it inhibits could mechanics and flow. (You will not see a college match with a ref stand that has a high front rail – most of the time.)
– see attached pictures as to what I mean.

If any of you experience any stuff that doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to send me an email.

Thank you and have a great week!