Month: September 2025

Rating and Observation Feedback – The following are suggestions, points of emphasis, protocol, and procedures during officiating. 

On a ball out – routine scan the floor to make sure the line judges are engaged and do not have information about the play 

If a call pertains to the line judge, (ex. in/out) USE THEM – acknowledge them, wait for a call if they didn’t give one, and make sure they are with you 

Headset verbiage – when communicating in headsets a continuation of play should be given once (ex. “good”) – when a play is ended the communication should be given three times (ex. “in, in, in”) 

Make sure the benches have rostered players and adults – check waivers if children are at the bench 

On a block out of bounds on a tight play at the net, provide a secondary signal to identify who the ball went out of 

Volleyball IQ – transition and anticipation – (ex. If a team is having difficulty receiving a serve, don’t transition on service contact, wait to see if the play develops) 

Hold your line for ball handling errors – make sure it’s consistent and appropriate Your whistle stops play – use it and repeat it multiple times if necessary to stop play – especially as an R2

Bench awareness – know the rule set to make sure benches are acting accordingly – seated if high school, beyond end line at the edge of the floor in USAVB 

R2 substitution procedure – when you have multiple substitutes from one or both teams, use the correct pace and sequence for both sides and all players R2 substitution procedure – hold one side when both teams are subbing – try to work the same direction for ease on the scorekeeper 

R2 substitution procedure – use your whistle and signals – WORDS ARE NOT PROTOCOL 

If a player needs a brief interruption for something like shoe tying, remove your whistle from your mouth and hold it until ready to resume play 

When checking the starting lineup – read the numbers to your partner for them to check the lineup as well to ensure correct rotations 

R2 Substitution – the 1st time you have multiple subs is the MOST important – give your expectations and the kids will hold to them – don’t let them get away with running on the floor 

R2 transition – don’t get too wide unless a play warrants it 

R2 – on a ball that could travel over your antenna move into the floor at the standard to gain an angle of the ball flight

R2 – Don’t move with signals, 2, 4, backrow, etc. Hold it, wait for the whistle then transition to award 

Communicate during the match when anything weird happens – talk through it during the match – it takes focus and practice 

Work through and know your pre-game routine – make sure you have a plan and handle all your duties When reading the line-up before the set, make sure to read the libero # also 

When giving the first server the game ball to start a match, walk toward them, make eye contact, and give them a good bounce pass – they’re athletes and will appreciate you during that brief engagement 

R1 – help your R2 if you see anything at the table or bench that needs to be addressed that they might miss or don’t see 

Track your points on the score board as officials to prevent error or catch something before it becomes a problem