Communication
One of the basic core values in officiating is good communication. As volleyball officials we must communicate effectively with different people and in a variety of ways.
Co-officials
Communicating with one another prior to a match to ensure you have the same information about the match. What day, time, location is the match to be played? What time will the other be arriving?
Communicating with one another at the match to ensure you are on the same page concerning one another’s responsibilities. Who is doing what in the match? What is needed from the other during the match? Ground rules about the court, boundaries, equipment, etc. How certain situations might need to be handled should they arise during the match?
Communicating with one another after the match to ensure that everything was handled appropriately and to discover what might have been handled more effectively to grow as officials and learn from every experience. What could you have done better to have helped your partner? How could you have better handled a situation that occurred during the match (if applicable)? What should have been the proper procedure on a certain play that created confusion with a coach, player, score table or co-official? And perhaps just general questions one or both might have in improving your skill and proficiency.
Communicating with your line judges – Line Judges are a part of the officiating crew. Most of the time line judges will be players or parents. Many times they will be very limited in their experience with calling lines. Take time to talk with them prior to the match and communicate with them what you need during the match. Make them feel valued and needed. Talk with them at timeouts during the match and be encouraging. Communicate to them things they are doing well and help them with things they are lacking. During the match use them and instill trust in them. Give them “votes of confidence” along the way (like a discrete thumbs up when they make a good call on a tough play). A call you need help with may be coming and you will want to be able to rely upon and count on them in that clutch moment.
Coaches
Communicating with coaches should always be limited to what needs to be said. We are on site to provide a service for them. Not to become buddies. We must keep all appearances of bias or friendships above reproach. It may surprise you, but others are watching and taking notes (even if only mental) of interactions between coaches and officials.
Your conversations with coaches pregame should only consist of: Introductions, questions about equipment and playing areas, pregame procedures, rules clarifications, who is calling lines, and to answer any questions they may approach you about.
During a match you should answer a coach’s question as succinctly and confidently as you are able in communicating information along to them. The R2 should be the one communicating verbally with a coach on the sideline and not the R1 across the court. An R1’s communication should be with a whistle and non-verbal.
Conversations with coaches after a match should be non-existent. Get your stuff and your partner and get out of the gym. It is not a time to congratulate a coach or discuss things you may or may not have done in a match. If a coach approaches you listen. Be careful in how you respond. It is not a time to debate or argue. Simply say “thank you, coach” and move along as quickly as possible. You will never win in a confrontation with a coach following a match so leave it alone!
Players
Communication with players should be limited to the captains during pregame conference and during the match when you are approached for clarification on a call or to answer a question the coach might have. Simply answer their questions and move on. Nothing else ever needs to be said to a player outside of these two parameters.
Table Personnel
Good communication pregame will save a lot of potential headaches. Let them know what they can expect form you during the match and explain what you need from them. A good communication line between the R2 and the table personnel is as important as the communication between the R1 and R2. Consider them a part of the team and treat them with respect. Never talk down to them or try to show them up. You need them and they need you
Spectators
This is the biggest “No-=No” of the bunch! Spectators will always communicate with you but you NEVER communicate back. All they need from you is non-verbal through your signals and whistle. You will always be the “bad guy” with one set of them so get used to it – it comes with the territory.
Summary
The vast majority of all of your communication in a match will be non-verbal. So work on your signals. Be crisp and use proper technique. No one needs to guess at what you are signaling because of improper technique. Practice in front of a mirror and make sure what you see is correct. Your whistle communicates many different things. It tells a server to serve, teams to stop playing, when players are substituting, a request for timeout, when play is about to resume, and the end of a set. It is a language all its own and the players quickly adapt and react to its sound. So blow it correctly and learn how to use it to better manage your matches.
Always remember to say only what needs to be said, how it needs to be said and at the appropriate time. Outside of that silence is always your best option.
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This Week’s Updates & Reminders
Monday Night’s Chapter Meeting is for NEW Officials ONLY!
Location: First Baptist Church downtown @ 6:30 p.m. Same location as New Officials Training.
Player Uniforms Update
An update was sent out this past week clarifying UIL & TASO’s stance on the new Solid-Colored Uniform and non-compliant uniform issues. Schools have until September 1 to become compliant or they will not be able to use their Libero.
Please read the Clarification Notice on our website under “Weekly Updates”.
If you are in doubt about whether a uniform is non-compliant play the match and let us know about the situation and school. DO NOT take a photo of a player in a uniform. Simply let us know which school and we will communicate with the coach.
Zebra-Ware Schedule Notifications
You MUST use “Reply to All” if you reply to this notification to communicate with your partner about an upcoming assignment. If you simply select “reply” no one but an empty box at Zebra-Ware will ever see your reply.
The safest policy is email your partner in an entirely different email. You can use a clipping tool to include in your email to your partner but to be sure there is a danger you run if you simply hit “Reply”.
Officials Uniforms
We are required to wear the new TASO logo white uniform tops this season. Some have ordered theirs and they are not in as of yet. That is okay. However, on old uniform is not acceptable under any other circumstances.
Further: Make sure you keep your shirt clean! DO NOT wear a stained or dingy shirt to a match. If you need to buy an additional shirt then but another shirt! But keep a fresh shirt on hand and ready to go.
The greatest “risk” you run is eating or drinking something in your car on the way to a match. Tip: Don’t put your shirt on until you arrive if you are planning to grab something to eat or drink on the way to a match.
Let’s ALL work hard at looking professional in our appearance! It says a lot about YOU.
Tournaments
We are in tournament season. A couple of items to remember:
- Schedules can change so be flexible.
- Double check your assignments throughout the week.
- Read the “site” column carefully. Know which school you are scheduled. Many tournaments use Middle Schools and 9th grade facilities.
- Be EARLY, especially if you work the afternoon shift. Morning matches can move ahead of schedule and the tournaments often like to move the matches as quickly as possible. An hour early is NOT too early –especially if you want to be sure you do not miss out on any assigned matches.
- Don’t talk…….around the courts and in the hospitality rooms keep opinions and comments to yourself. Coaches hear things. Players and table personnel hear things. All too often what they hear is something that should have never been said by an official.
- DO NOT leave a tournament until your replacement is on the court to replace you.
- Complete your paperwork correctly.
- Travel pay for tournaments is a $10 flat fee per day.
- If you have a discrepancy with an assignment, contact Don Melton for clarification.
- Be professional!
Call Your Partner
Call your co-officials for any assignments you have each week and confirm the game, time, and location of the game you are scheduled to work.
A message left IS NOT a confirmation.
- A conversation about your assignment with your co-official IS a confirmation.
- An email sent is NOT a confirmation.
- An email sent AND replied to IS a confirmation.
If your co-official has not replied to your attempts to confirm 24 hours (preferably 48 hours) before your assignment you need to contact Don Melton and let him know. It could be that the match needs to be filled with another official.
New Officials: Observation Opportunities
If you have not received an assignment yet please consider attending some matches and observe. It can be a great time to see live action, make some notes and visit with the officials working the match at its conclusion to ask your questions.
Opportunities are posted on our website under the Members Area on the Education & Training Resources page.
State Test
Each official is required to take the state test to officiate at any level. TASO has had issues with the test and they will be extending the date for completing the test. You will be notified of the new deadline. Until that time you will be permitted to officiate in matches.
Please go ahead and take the test.
On-Line Clinic
The Online clinic is still not ready. If you have not attended a Rules Clinic be patient. You WILL have to take the Online Clinic at some point but it is nothing for you to be concerned about at the moment. You will have time.
Zebra-Ware
Please be sure you have checked your Zebra-Ware profile and/or updated your information to make sure it is correct. You can’t be reached to confirm schedules by your fellow officials if we do not have correct information.
Pay Sheets Reminder
You can avoid problems if you will do the following:
- Print copies of each form and have them with you when you go to an assignment. All forms are available on our web-site under “Game Payment Resources”
How do you know which one to use?
UIL Schools & Non-TAPPS Private school for UIL and private NON-TAPPS schools
TAPPS Pay Sheet for TAPPS schools
Carrying extra copies of both can and will save you trouble.
- Most schools use some version of their own Pay Sheet and request you complete their version. PLEASE accommodate them and complete their form. THEN, leave your TASO approved form with theirs.
- If you have any questions about the forms you are being asked to fill out at schools clarify with the coach or administrator before you leave. If you are still in question, communicate in an email to Don Melton afterward so he is aware. Some issues are NOT ours to resolve with school personnel at a game site.
- Leave a copy of your W-9 with your paperwork (one time per school district per season. If in doubt leave one). EXCEPT for DISD: You DO NOT need to leave a W-9. Your vendor application resolves that issue. They do not want you to leave a W-9!
Mileage
We are using Metro Mileage this season. This means any school within a 30-mile radius from the center point of 1350 Main St., Dallas pays a flat $15 travel fee. There are ONLY a handful of schools that are NOT within the 30-mile radius.
Tournaments Travel is $10 per official per day.
Let Us Know
Your input and active participation in communicating situations and issues concerning our chapter are both needed and solicited. EVERYTHING we do should be for the benefit of all. Your eyes, ears, and ideas will move us forward to where we need to be. your Board is in place to serve you and help in any way possible. If you to contact anyone of them their contact information is on our website under the Members Area
Make this season your best season ever! Work hard. Be professional in all areas. Set goals and find at least one area you can improve upon. Help one another become better along the way. Have a great season!