vbrulebookThe Rulebook is Your Friend

Every sporting contest is conducted under a certain set of rules. The objective of the rules is to provide a fair and even venue for the contest. Volleyball is no different. As the referee, you are expected to know and apply the rules correctly and without bias.

As a new or less experienced referee this may seem to be a daunting task but it needn’t be so.   You’ve already attended a rules clinic so you should have some idea of what rules govern the volleyball match. You can and should supplement the rules clinic by reading the volleyball rules book from cover to cover, but it doesn’t need to be done in one session. Also, you should read the Case Book as it gives specific examples of typical and unusual circumstances and the correct ruling that would net to be applied in each situation.

One practice I use is the night before each match is to re-read a specific rule just to make sure I understand it. If you follow this method, you will have read the rulebook several times during the season. I encourage you to do the same. If you have a firm understanding of the rules you will be more confident, more professional and you will be able to answer coaches questions with the wording of the rule, giving you more credibility.

There are also other resources available to you to help you with special situations of to just get a clarification of specific rules.

  1. Use the “Ask the Ref” section of the chapter’s website.
  2. Call or email your mentor.
  3. Ask about a rule at a chapter meeting.

One last point, if you referee USA Volleyball and NFHS (High School) put your USAV rulebook in the closet when the high school season starts. There are several differences and you need to apply the correct rule set. It’s fine if you know the differences, but don’t confuse an official who only officiates high school.

Have a great High School Season!

Dave Thompson, Board Member At-Large Position


This Week’s Updates & Reminders

Monday Night’s Chapter Meeting is for ALL Officials!

August 29th @ 6:30 p.m.

Location:  Split Meetings – Plano Senior High School Gym & Mesquite Poteet High School Gym

Note:  If practices are still under way we will NOT enter the gym until they have concluded.  Let’s be respectful to the coaches and players as the finish their court time.

Mechanics

It has been surprising to see a couple of very basic signals that are not being administered properly.

  1. When a server serves the ball into the net the R1 awards point to the receiving team and then signals with an open hand toward the net (server side).  The R2 simply signals point to the receiving team as he/she mirrors the R1.  The R2 does not step around and point to the net.  That procedure changed several years ago.  There is no reason why an official should still be signaling improperly on that play.  Please correct this if you are still practicing this “retired” mechanic.
  2. Game point.  The R2 discretely signals to the R1 on game point with the index finger across the chest to the shoulder toward the team’s side who is at game point.  The R1 does NOT signal back.  A simple nod of the head to acknowledge the R2’s signal is sufficient.  Please correct this improper signaling procedure if you are still doing it.
  3. Substitutions.  The proper mechanic is a double tweet followed by a couple of slow to medium rotations of the arms level with the chest. Hands should be open with palms flat facing down.  It is not index fingers rotating above the head or closed fists like a traveling signal in basketball.  The R1 shall also mirror the substitution signal.  There is no rush.  Take your time and signal properly.  Please work on correcting this signaling mechanic.

These basic signals, when administered uniformly by all of our officials, elevates the professionalism and appearance across the board within our chapter.

Suggestion:  Let’s help one another out – practice teamwork – watch for these as we help our co-officials correct this if it is being done incorrectly.  If you are practicing these mechanics incorrectly please receive the help as “help” and not chastisement or a negative comment from your co-official.  We’re in this together helping one another become better at what we do.  As a BONUS we are strengthening our chapter.

NEW Officials

Veterans, the NEW Officials are about to begin working matches.  Some will be working with you very soon.  Let’s do everything we can to encourage, mentor and train so that they have a rock solid foundation in becoming great officials.  Teach them the correct procedures and protocols – not your shortcuts and workarounds. And please do not talk down to anyone – remember when you were new and needed someone to lean on!

Open & Closed Dates

If you have dates you cannot work please go into Zebra-Ware and close them out.  Don is working hard on your behalf to get you matches and cover for schools.  Let’s work together in helping our Assignment Secretary help us!

Remember: if a date you have closed opens back up you should go in and make it available to work.  Should Don have a match that needs an official and you have the date closed he will not know you are available to work.

Finally, don’t reject an assignment if it is related to time or distance and you can possibly work another assignment.  if you reject the assignment you close out your availability for that day and Don cannot schedule you.

Mentoring Initiative

You should have received your Mentoring assignment this past week.  Please be sure to make contact with your mentee each week.  You can contact by phone, email or in person.  Mentee’s, if you do not hear from your mentor – you contact them and keep them engaged.  You being proactive and opportunistic will push them to help you.  You will be the benefactor in the long run.

The goal is for mentors to be officials with whom new officials can discuss game situations, procedural issues, mechanics, communication, etc. that will help them in becoming a better official.  It is also an opportunity for our more veteran officials to be a friend and encourager to less experienced officials.  Your encouragement and kindness in giving your time on a weekly basis to just have a conversation about things they are experiencing will make a huge impact!

Mentors – they are counting on you to set the pace……..

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.

If you are in doubt about whether a uniform is 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.

Tournaments

We are in tournament season.  A couple of items to remember:

  1. Schedules can change so be flexible.
  2. Double check your assignments throughout the week.
  3. Read the “site” column carefully. Know which school you are scheduled.  Many tournaments use Middle Schools and 9th grade facilities.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. DO NOT leave a tournament until your replacement is on the court to replace you.
  7. Complete your paperwork correctly.
  8. Travel pay for tournaments is a $10 flat fee per day.
  9. If you have a discrepancy with an assignment, contact Don Melton for clarification.
  10. 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. PLEASE take the test and have it completed by September 1.

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:

  1. 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?

You can now find a UIL & TAPPs School Listing under game “Game Payment Resources

                  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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!