Illegal Alignments
Is there anything tougher for an official than to immediately and consistently recognize illegal alignment? As serve-receive schemes and alignments evolve over the years, it gets even tougher to recognize the slight adjustments made to hide the setter, position their outside hitter closer to the left side or whatever the purpose might be behind their alignments. As officials, we’re expected to decipher those schemes before every play — without exception!
When it really comes down to it, the basics of the illegal alignment rule are not that complicated. There are only seven potential overlaps by players — four side-to-side and three front-to-back:
1) left front to center front
2) right front to center front
3) left back to center back
4) right back to center back
5) left front to left back
6) center front to center back
7) right front to right back
To grasp the concept of illegal alignment, it is critical that an official understands those seven situations and how they are the only overlaps that can possibly be illegal. When we are in a training class using magnets with labels on them indicating positions and moving the magnets around, it’s a great feeling when officials finally recognize the potential overlaps. That rules foundation is absolutely necessary before trying to properly officiate illegal alignment on the court.
Of course, that’s where the problems come into play. The players on the court, unfortunately, do not wear labels indicating their position (though with tomorrow’s technology, maybe they will wear labels some day that only referees can see!) and they sure don’t stay in that same spot to help you throughout the match, either.
After gaining some experience and testing different theories, many officials grow to learn a technique that works for them. It might be to memorize the setter’s number and his/her opposite plus two more (automatically making the remaining two opposite). It might mean that an official works on using hair color or headband style to help indicate opposites. Different techniques work for different officials and there is no right or wrong way.
Source: referee.com, June 2014 My Referee
This Week’s Updates & Reminders
Happy Labor Day!
Next Chapter Meeting: Monday, September 12
Location: Split Meetings at Plano High School & Mesquite Poteet High School
Start: 6:30 p.m.
Education Forum: Ask the Ref
Mentoring Initiative
Mentoring assignments were released last week. Please be sure to contact your mentee on a weekly basis to check in on how he or she is doing and answer questions they might have. As a mentor you should take the initiative to ask leading questions – remembering that new officials are sometimes uncertain about “what” to ask you. This can be a very beneficial program working to strengthen our officials and chapter but only so far as we work together to make it successful and vibrant. I am counting on our veteran officials to lead STRONG! New officials, if you are not being contacted by your mentor you can take the initiative. If you need assistance please contact Mark Krone @ MLKTexas@prodigy.net.
Player Uniforms Update
The new Solid-Colored Uniform rule is now officially in effect and should be observed. Schools are aware they must be compliant or they will not be able to use their Libero.
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.
Coaches Feedback
We have asked area coaches to assist us with general feedback through an evaluation process. We have begun to receive some comments and feedback. Below are some key “takeaways” to date:
- We are receiving high marks for professionalism! That is significant and cannot be underscored strongly enough.
- You are receiving strong accolades for strong Game Management. This means you are moving the game at the correct pace and taking care of business appropriately.
- High marks on Appearance. You are looking good when you show up. Keep the shirts cleaned, the pants pressed, and the shoes polished! Way to go!!
- We are still struggling with consistency. They are primarily talking about ball handling calls. That is the toughest part of officiating I think we can all agree. But work on this and focus on those attempted sets. Watch the hands, watch the elbows, watch and see if the player gets under the ball….these are clues and when you see it there should be a flag waving in your mind that something may happen that shouldn’t. Here is another clue: If the coach is proclaiming “double” and holding up two fingers she is probably seeing something you need to pay closer attention to and be ready to call it next time if you missed it. NOT calling doubles is NOT okay. Not calling prolonged contact is NOT okay. While NOT the rule – practice this: If the ball comes out of a players hands when setting spinning crazily call a double. 95% of the time you will be right. The other 5% it was just an ugly ball – but the odds are greater that it is a bad set than an ugly ball.
Elections
We will begin receiving nominations for the 5 Board positions that will be up for election this season in the next few weeks. There are 3 Division Representative positions and 2 At-Large Representative positions to be filled this season. Mark Krone will be serving as our Board Liaison and give leadership to our Elections Team. Remember, this season our elections will be On-line. For clarification regarding eligibility and the position responsibilities please see our DVOC By-Laws.
Special Jr. High Rules
There are special Jr. High Rules in effect for area districts. Remember to ask coaches when you arrive if they are playing by any special rules at the Jr. High level. You will also want to print out a copy of the Special Jr. High Rules posted on our website under Officials Resources to keep in your bag or binder. This will serve as a helpful resource for you review prior to your matches. It is even better when we walk into a match and confirm the rules with coaches rather than asking if they have any! Special Jr. High Rules
Tournaments
We are in tournament season for JV and JR High. 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
You should have taken your State TASO test by now. If not you will not receive any assignments.
On-Line Clinic
We are still waiting to hear from TASO about the On-Line Clinic schedule and availability. Hold tight if you are in need of taking the clinic. We will let you know as soon as we know.
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
Mileage sheets are on the website. A link is available on your weekly Constant Contact email.
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!