Here are some important reminders to keep in mind while working:
Key Pillars of Professionalism
- Knowledge & Skill: Deep understanding of rules (NCAA, USAV, NFHS), continuous learning via tools like PAVO RuleSchool and iREF, and strong decision-making skills.
- Physical & Mental Readiness: Proper nutrition, adequate sleep, hydration, fitness, and focus to handle fast-paced play, especially at higher levels.
- Appearance & Equipment: Professional attire (black uniform, belt, socks, athletic shoes), essential tools (whistle, cards, watch, lineup cards), and a well-packed bag.
- Conduct & Communication: Be authoritative yet diplomatic, use clear signals (hand signals for calls), limit non-match talk with coaches/players, and cooperate as a crew (First Ref, Second Ref, scorer, line judges).
- Integrity & Fairness: Uphold the rules impartially, avoid fraternizing, and focus on the match events, not socializing. (We should not be sitting anywhere at a contest, except to sit and fill out a voucher.)
- (We fail to realize how much socialization we do when at a contest with coaches, AD’s, school personnel, concession stand, friends, etc.) There are many eyes out there.
- Impartiality and Integrity: Decisions must be based solely on court action, avoiding any favoritism or perceived conflict of interest.
Presentation: A professional appearance is required, including a clean and correct uniform, neat grooming, and a commanding but diplomatic presence on
Composure and Poise: Officials must remain “cool, calm, and collected” under pressure, especially when dealing with disgruntled players, coaches, or fans.
Communication: Effective officials use concise mechanics, standardized hand signals, and explicit rulebook language to communicate clearly with captains and coaches.
Ball Handling Directives
*Consistency in ball handling judgment is paramount.
*Only the contact point should be considered when determining legality of the contact.
*Outside influences such as player technique, spin, coaches’ expectations or crowd reaction should not be considered when judging the legality of the contact.
*There is no body/ball position or playing technique that automatically results in illegal contact.
*Successive or multiple contacts on a third team hit is a fault and should be whistled immediately
*A caught or thrown ball, or prolonged contact with the ball on any team hit is a fault, irrespective of what happens after the ball is played.
*Successive or multiple contacts are legal during blocking or the team’s first contact
*The language in NCAA Rule 14.2.3.1 only allows successive contacts on a team’s second hit if the ball is next contacted by a teammate.
Officials Match Duties**
Prior to the start of any Volleyball contest, locate the site supervisor or event manager (introduce yourself only). Crowd control will be the responsibility of the site supervisor or event manager.
If there is no manager or supervisor available, crowd control rests with the home/host coach. (We should not be instructing school staff on how to perform their job.)
- Jewelry- the key word here is snug fitting. If you can see space, have them take them off. (Including during warmup).
- Headphones- Ear buds are NOT allowed during warmups or while JV or V are shagging.
- Shoes- slippers are NOT permitted on the court. Sneakers are needed. (If we would not allow it during the game, then it is not allowed during warm-ups or shagging
- Make sure the sub is in the sub box before you (R2) whistles for a sub. 1 player at a time in the sub box.
- Screening-Players on the serving team must not take action to prevent receiving team players from seeing the contact of the serve and the path of the ball. (more info on screens: Rules & Interpretations)
- Limit your conversation with coaches before, during and after matches. At the end of a match, you should debrief with your other official if there is something you were not sure about or wanted to discuss. You should not be having a conversation with either coach about any calls that you made.
- If you have a situation where students or adults are making comments towards specific players or directing comments towards the officials, you should get the site supervisor to address it.
- Referee signal sequence for net faults: If a net fault is whistled by the second referee, the first referee (if in agreement) indicates which team wins the point, then indicates the number of the player at fault (they do not signal net fault, Hand signal 19a.)
- Injury/illness during the set • If the injured player cannot continue playing within 30 seconds, the player must be replaced by a legal substitute or a legal libero replacement, or the team must take a legal timeout if the player is to continue playing. More information on Injury timeouts is listed under “Rules & Interpretations“
- R2 responsibilities are listed under: Rules & Interpretations
- When to use a sanction listed under: Rules & Interpretations
- Girls only: The team that does not have exclusive use of the court must be out of the playing area. Opposing team members are NOT allowed to shag balls for the team that has exclusive court use
- Contact with Playable Surface: A player must be in contact with the playing surface (the court and the immediate free zone surrounding it) when contacting the ball in a non-playing area. If a player is airborne, their last point of contact with the ground must have been the playable surface. In general, players can pursue a ball into the free zone and beyond, including near the scorer’s table, as long as they follow the safety guidelines and rules regarding contact with the playing surface. It is not judged where they land; rather it is the point of contact when in contact with the ball.
- *The match officials do not adjust equipment. Notify the host coach or site supervisor for any necessary modifications to the playing equipment/area.
- *Libero replacement must be between end line and 10ft line(attack line).
- *Substitutes must be in the sub area before the R2 whistles for a substitution.