Officials Training

Officiating Points of Emphasis

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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

NFHS Volleyball Rule Changes – Points of Emphasis

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I want to apologize for the inadequate zoom meeting this past Sunday. Below are the slides that were presented for the NFHS rule changes and points of emphasis.  Please take a moment to read.  If you have any questions, please direct them to Greg Lockley, Rules interpreter or Joe Hardiman District Rules Interpreter.  Thank you, Debby McSwiggen, President GTCCVO

4-1-7 changed in 2023-24: Note: Please note that students wearing hearing devices or other medical devices my wear them without a prescription, or a physician’s approval. This interpretation is in effect immediately and until further notice.

4-2-3a, 7-1-1 NOTE: Allows a player to change uniform numbers without penalty when a uniform is damaged in addition to when a uniform has blood on it.

      Rationale: Adds language to Rule 4: Uniforms regarding the proper procedure for a legal uniform number change and expands to include a damaged uniform as a legal reason for changing a uniform number.  Align language in Rules 4 and 7.

5-4-3c(1): Allows all players on the roster, not just starting players, to stand on their respective end lines prior to the first set.

      Rationale: Encourages the inclusion of all players in the prematch announcements.

5-9-2b NOTE (NEW), State Association Adoption Chart: Requires line judges to switch sides of the court between sets when, by state association adoption, teams remain on the same benches throughout the match.

      Rationale: Aligns with the original intent of the rule allowing line judges to alternate between each set to promote fair officiating.

11-4-1b: Allows teams to substitute during an injury time-out for the libero replacement if the libero is injured or ill.

      Rationale: Allows for the immediate substitution of the libero replacement who may be playing out of position due to the injury to the libero.

PIAA Item of note:

4-1-7 NOTE (NEW) – All jewelry shall be removed, except small secured jewelry (stud or post).  No jewelry shall be permitted below the chin.  String bracelets, commemorative bracelets and body jewelry are considered jewelry and are not permitted.  Taping over jewelry is not permitted.  A medical-alert shall be taped to the body and the alert may be visible.  Religious medals and/or other religious items shall be taped to the body and worn under the uniform.

Rule 4-1 NOTE- Each state association may in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances.  The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sports, heighten risk to athlete/others or place opponents in a disadvantage.

Officials, please note that, students wearing hearing devices, or other medical devices, may wear them without a prescription or physician approval and such devices do not violate the aforementioned rule.

2024/2025 PIAA MODIFICATIONS AND ADOPTIONS

Adopt the 2024/2025 NFHS Volleyball Rules book.

Adopt Rule 1-2 NOTE 2, modification of match format is permitted for series other than dual varsity matches.

Adopt Rule 5-9-4, line judges shall use flags (red)

Adopt Rule 9-1-2 Note and 9-2-2 allowing for teams to remain on the same benches throughout the entire match and not to change sides or playing areas.  The team shall remain at same bench

2024/2025 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

Ball handling

      Volleyball is a rebound sport and players are able to use any body part to play the ball.  The official’s judgement on the legality of each contact continues to be a controversial topic.  The goal for players is to master ball control; for officials it is a goal to maintain a consistent level of ball handling from set to set from match to match.  Coaches play a role in the consistency equation with their methods of training, the expectations placed on their players, and the desired level of allowance by the officials.  The spectators are influenced by their coaches’ reactions, the spin of the ball, and their personal opinions, while the officials need to remain neutral to maintain fairness for both teams.

      It is stated in a previous NFHS Volleyball Points of Emphasis that volleyball’s goal was to increase the continuation of play when judging second ball contacts that are directed to a teammate.  A player in a good position must play the ball without discernible double contact.  Less severe judgement is applied to a contact be a player who makes a challenging or spectacular play while maintaining a legal play.

      Mishandled balls resulting in a blatant fault should still be called, regardless of the challenging or spectacular nature of the play.  Multiple contacts on the third ball must be whistled.

      With the increase of players’ athleticism, officials are being challenged to judge the legality of the first contact, as well.  The rule states that the ball is not allowed to come to rest or involve prolonged contact.  The fact that the contact is an underhand action or done with an open hand is not an automatic call.  Players are able to legally take a stab at the ball in an attempt to keep the ball alive as they pursue and errant contact from their teammate.  A whistle should accompany prolonged contact.

      All skills should be judged similarly, according to the rules.  Players are utilizing the setter dump effectively, while attackers are tipping the ball deeper into their opponent’s court and tipping with more power.  Officials must determine where the ball was initiated in relation to the body and judge how long the player continued the action while in contact with the ball.