Are They Back Row? How to Track Setters
New volleyball officials are challenged to learn how to watch the play as an official. They often played the game or watched a child play and need to stop watching through those eyes. Ball handling, alignments and so much more take a critical eye and experience to make the correct calls and no-calls.
An often asked question from new officials is, “How do I track the setters?” Nearly every veteran will have a slightly different answer to that question based on their own experiences. There are some basic ideas that most, however, have found useful in following the setters around the six positions on the court.
One very important way to track setters during the match is to focus on them during the warm-up period. An official will be able to see the type of offense a team is most likely to run. He or she can watch to see if multiple setters are active in the warm up period, usually resulting in the team running a 6-2 offense. In a 6-2 offense, the setter will always come from the back row. If the team uses one setter, a 5-1 offense is being used. In a 5-1 offense, the setter will be in the front row and back row, so officials must know when she is allowed to attack the ball.
Memorizing the player’s number is a good idea but try to find some distinguishing characteristic about the player so there isn’t confusion when vision is blocked from the number.
It isn’t always easy. Years ago, one local team had twins that were outstanding players. One was No.12 and the other was No. 21.
Hair color and style can be keys. A ribbon or pins can help an official recognize a player, or it could also be something unique about socks, shoelaces or sweatbands.
Once the official has the setters identified, it’s important to look at the line up sheet to identify their opposites. This gives an official a double check on their proper location on the floor. Listening to the players will also help track the setter. Key words like setter up (may attack) or setter down (back row) or using the thumb to indicate up or down may be used.
It is also important to fully understand the back row attack rule. Rule 9-5-5 states, “A back row player shall not: Participate in a completed block; attack a ball which is completely above the height of the net while positioned on or in front of the attack line or its out-of-bounds extension; or in the air having left the floor on or in front of the attack line or its out-of-bounds extension.”
The R-1 is responsible for this call; however, the R-2 can assist with a discreet signal if needed. If an official loses track of the setter’s position, he or she can watch to see if she retreats from the net or stays to block. This can assist in making a correct back row call. Remember, a libero is always a back row player and they have additional restrictions when setting the ball in front of the attack line. Their different colored uniform top makes them easier to track but present a continuing challenge to monitor all back-row players for legal action.
For years officials relied on a game card to track players on the court. Some used paper clips, pencils, rubber bands and other tricks to track the setters on the card. With the encouragement for the R-1 to eliminate the game card, memorizing the setters and alignments is more important than ever. It may seem like a challenge today, but it feels like a great accomplishment when an official spots that back row attack and makes the call confidently.
By Pam Shively on June 09, 2016
This Week’s Updates & Reminders
Next Chapter Meeting: This Monday – September 12
Location: Split Meetings at Plano High School & Mesquite Poteet High School
Start: 6:30 p.m.
Education Forum: Ask the Ref
Many of you may have already completed your 5 required meetings. As we are now ready to enter into District play Don will have important updates. Also, meetings are a great place to connect with your mentees and mentors. If your calendar is open Monday evening it will be worth your time to attend.
Mentoring Initiative
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.
Junior High Special Rules
Many districts we service have special rules regarding Junior High play. Please reference the Special Junior High Rules sheet we have placed on the website prior to working Jr. High matches. Special Junior High Rules Always remember to ask coaches prior to your match if they are playing by any special rules. However, you already being knowledgeable of the special rules and using your conversation with the coach as a point of clarification rather than a question is ALWAYS best.
Unnecessary 3rd Games: Some districts play a third set when it is unnecessary (one team won the first two sets). They do this to allow all of the girls to have an opportunity to play. You are paid additional for a third unnecessary set.
Solid-Colored Uniform Top Update
We posted a clarification page on the website and sent out an email blast. Please review and be sure you have a clear understanding about what is compliant and what is not. Solid-Colored Uniform Update (link)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!