Looking for help in identifying when a Back Row Attack and Back Row Block. Click the links for a short Video explaining each.
Happy New Year
GTCCVO Members: Happy New Year and Best of Health in 2016! The Board has set the chapter meeting dates for the year. All 13 dates are listed on the GTCCVO Arbiter site “My Group” home page. You will see them when you log on. Again, all but two of the meetings are on Sunday, at the Sokol Club on Carson Street on the South Side and begin at 7:15 p.m. Please be sure to make the first meeting on February 21st to confirm your refereeing status for the spring. Remember to maintain your refereeing certification with the PIAA, you are required to attend a State Rules Meeting PLUS 6 chapter meetings during the year.
Happy Holidays
Now that the fall volleyball season is over, most of us can put away our uniforms, clean our shoes one more time, secure our whistles and ‘cards” and reflect on a successful season of great officiating provided by this Chapter.
It is common that at any one of our meetings, we are reminded about our shortcomings, erroneous actions or missed calls. Chapter members need to be recognized for the “excellent” officiating and extra efforts they have put in for the sport of volleyball and the high school and middle school athletes. The few and far between officiating mishaps are far outscored by the near perfect matches we work. District 7 & 8 coaches, and their athletic directors and administrative staff let out a large breath of relief and pleasure when they see our Golden Triangle Chapter members walk in to officiate their match that afternoon or evening. They understand and know they are going to have their athletic contest officiated in a fair, professional and highly effective level. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the work that you have done, for your efforts to continue the proud name of this Chapter. I am proud to be an officer of Golden Triangle!
Two of our officials were selected to be the 1st and 2nd referee on the PIAA class AA volleyball championship match at Richland High School in late November. I was invited to accompany them as a spectator. In being as “neutral” as possible, I watched all three PIAA championship matches: “A”, “AA” and “AAA”. All matches were officiated well, but from the view of a senior referee who served as an Evaluator at previous PIAA matches, the officating at the AA championship match should have been taped by the PIAA and sent out to each officiating chapter for training purposes. Mechanics, interpretations, match control, interaction with the officiating team and coaches/players was exemplary. A+ to our group. I heard comments in the crowd of spectators – “They must be Golden Triangle officials!” That says it all.
Our Board met in late November and has set the meeting dates for next calander year. Once these dates have been cleared with the Sokol Club, we will post them for your review. Financially, we are more than solvent and it is strongly anticipated that dues will again see no raise in the coming year. The Evalulation Committee is off and runnning and you will be receiving more information on their progress soon. Finally, I reported to the Board that two more District 7 schools; Baldwin and Fox Chapel, will be paying officials through Arbiterpay/refpay next year so it is imperative that if you want to work those schools, you must register for refpay or you will not be assigned or compensated. Last but not least, have a safe and happy Christmas holidays. A few of our members visited Rich Tatrn, who is in St. Margaret’s Hospital in Aspinwall. He is coming along slowly, but positively and is hoping to return home on or after 12-9-15. Keep him in your prayers and drop him a line – I’m sure he will be delighted. Again – a BIG thanks from myself and the Board for your work this past year.
During Play: block vs. first contact
Blocking a ball must start with the blocker being a FRONT ROW PLAYER during that rally first.
Then we proceed with that player making contact with a ball coming from the opponent’s side of the net, preferably an “attacked” ball, but not necessarily. That blocker’s contact of the ball must be made with some part of the BLOCKER’S body above the top of the net. The ball, as we know can contact any part of the blocker’s body during that play and with multiple contacts, which would still qualify it as a block. When that action is over, the blocker can then play the ball on his/her side or over the net being his/her teams FIRST HIT.
Multiple contacts is a different animal than successive contacts! If the blocking action has been completed, then move to the First Hit.
2015 PIAA Volleyball Preseason Bulletin
Do you ever need to reference or review 2015-16 Rules Modifications or Points of Emphasis.
For your convenience here is a LINK to the PIAA Bulletin.
Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s nearly impossible to learn about Christa Harmotto Dietzen the professional athlete, Olympian and FIVB World Championship team captain before understanding Harmotto the person.
Read Audrey Snyder’s Article in the Post-Gazette HERE.
Ellen Toy Retires From Coaching
One of the area’s most talented, compassionate and inspirational volleyball coaches is retiring.
Good Luck, Ellen! Click the link to read the entire article in the Trib.
Exchange of Court
Proper Exchange of Court Procedure Between Sets
(Note: Players Do Not need to go to end line before changing courts.)
The NFHS Rulebook states on page 114, under Rule 9.2.3 “When directed by the first referee to change courts, the teams shall proceed immediately to their new team benches and the players shall proceed counterclockwise along the sideline past the standard to their new team benches.”
However Page 59 of the Casebook elaborates to state “5.4.4 SITUATION B: At the conclusion of the first set, the teams do not proceed to the end line when the first referee gives the end-of-set signal. They change courts by proceeding counterclockwise along the sidelines outside the standard to their new team benches. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Teams are no longer required to go to the end line at the end of the set. They are required to properly follow protocol by changing courts or proceeding to the team bench when indicated by the first referee.”
Excerpt From: NFHS. “2014-15 NFHS Volleyball Case Book and Manual.”
In the interest of preventative officiating it is suggested that you communicate these expectations to captains and coaches at the Pre-Match Conference. In light of the confusion currently surrounding this procedure, it is strongly suggested that it would be improper to penalize a team.
“5 Minute Training of the Officiating Crew”
- As part of pre-match checking net & game balls – touch base with the HOME coach
- Ask how (s)he prefers warm-ups (HOME team gets to choose this)
- Remind HOME team that they are to provide the work crew (might ask visiting team to split line judges)
- Ask about playable areas and obstructions
- Ask about pregame announcements / introductions / Sr Nite activities…
- Even before arriving always call or email the school the day of the game to confirm game details
- During Coin toss meeting, be sure VISITING team knows info gathered above
- At 30 minutes prior to game time set score clock for 20:00 to time the warm-ups
- During the warm-up period is the time to MEET & TRAIN your fellow workers
- SCOREKEEPER – Start here for two reasons. 1. They usually start the running clock & 2. It is most important ( to you ) that they are competent at scorekeeping.
- How can you tell if the scorekeeper is competent? What can you do about it?
- How many scorekeepers can sit at the table (helpers??)
- What version of scorebook do they HAVE to use. What Info is mandatory for NFHS
- How do the scorekeepers record cards & penalties??
- Let the scorekeeper know what to do if something is out of order. Score in book is official
- End with importance of the ‘official record of the game’
- DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS??
- TIMER– Set the clock for warm-up and start the clock after the coin toss
- Practice adding and removing points if needed
- When to sound horns (if ever)
- Watch for my arm before putting points on the board (touches/nets)
- Have them assist Scorekeeper record subs and points if needed (verbally)
- LIBERO TRACKER – Is it required? Who provides them?
- Explain entering line-ups & tracking subs
- Explain helping the scorekeeper
- Watch end of rally closely because of quick switches (& double switches)
- End with what HAS TO happen with exchanges (and what to do if it’s wrong) Show sample if necessary.
- When Timeout is called let the R2 know if Liberos were on the court.
- DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS??
- LINE JUDGES – Other than R2, these are your 2 best friends during the match
- Meet with ALL line judges at one time. Try to have same two LJ to work the entire match.
- Start with easy stuff, where to stand, how to call in & out
- Always be ready to make a call, & make the call if it’s within 2-3 feet of a line.
- Show how to call outside antennae (both of them), and Foot faults
- Show touch signal ( at the net and also near the back line)
- Sometimes R1 overrules you – it’s not personal, I just had a different view of it
- Don’t let others influence your call – let the R2 know if you are getting harassed
- During timeouts come stand with me near the R1 stand.
- Lastly if the match is close, call EVERYTHING for the last 8-10 points
- DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS??