Pre-Match Responsibilities

Line judges

• Have you worked lines before?
• Will you be working the whole match? (if not, ask to talk to all four line judges)
• The main thing I ask is for lines people to make a call every single time. No matter how obvious!
• Regardless of their experience ask: What are the signals line judges need to know?
  1. Out
  2. In (ANY TIME ball lands on or within the lines, pancakes)
  3. Touch (off any player & lands out)
  4. Foot Fault (and where to stand if server stands near)
  5. Antenna Fault (similar to Foot Fault, ask what can happen to make this signal)
  6. Ball touches any part of the antenna or part of the net/pole
  7. Ball crosses the net directly over or outside the antenna
  8. Judgment impossible (if blocked by players)
• Try to get eye contact at the end of each point – tell your line judges to hold their signal
• Position DURING game: Should be at the corner of end-line and side line, off court
• Position at TIME-OUTS: Should be at end line, center back – holding the volleyball
• At the end of each set and at the end of the match, retrieve the game ball and bring up to table
• Remind Line Judges that the Up Ref may over rule the call but they should not take it personally – each person will have a different perspective on the same play.
• Do not shag the ball; let the playing teams get it. We need you on the court and ready for the next point especially if the ball goes a long distance and someone throws the ball back to the court.

Scorers’ table

• Where is the coach? Must be at the table during the entire match.
• This is after the captain’s meeting so R1 or R2 tells scorekeeper which team serves first. Start filling out the “Officials’ section”. Confirm the correct teams are playing and working!
• BOTH R2 AND SCORE KEEPER should check the line-ups because this is a team sport!
• Everyone should help each other with #’s for substitutions and libero replacements!
  • Hold the subs if you and/or the scorekeeper need more time - especially with multiple subs
  • The R2 should give you ready sign especially after multiple subs
• Watch for Libero serving and proper procedure
  • Both scorekeeper and libero tracker put “triangle” around roman numeral for server
  • Don’t forget to put triangles around any points scored while libero is serving
• What to do if wrong server, improper substitute/replacement?
  • Scorekeeper will let you know as soon after contact as possible!
  • Confirm score.
• What to do at the start of a time out?
  • Scorekeeper will let you know if each libero is on or off the court
  • How many time-outs have been taken by each team?
• Inform the coaches when they have taken subs #9, 10, 11, and 12
• R1 needs to know when all 12 subs have been used
• Confirm they know how to document any sanctions
• Before leaving the table, scorekeeper will make sure to COMPLETE the score sheet (no matter if it is after the 1st, 2nd or 3rd set!)
• Every so often check that score is correct with the scorekeeper
• Show score to both sides (especially if a few points in a row)
• Help with substitutions (sub coming on the left, 3 in 5 out)
• And with libero replacements

R2

• We all work as a team!
• Time warm ups 5 minutes for each team or 3 minutes each if both teams have already played a match
• What do we do after the entrance/presentation?
  • Both R2 and Scorekeeper check the line-ups
  • R2 does not lean against the pole
  • Be sure to have your whistle in your mouth and ready to make calls
  • Watch the receiving team for overlaps upon contact of serve
  • Then move to the blocking side for nets
  • Look at hands for a touches
  • Look for a net violation
  • Continue downward scan to any centerline faults (if it’s a safety issue or interference)
• Transition to blocker side (if time/play allows) multiple times during one point
• Stand where you can see whole center line
• What are the four instances where you can blow your whistle?
  • Antenna violation on your side
  • Whistle and signal
• Centerline faults
  • Whistle and signal
• Time outs
  • When a coach/team requests a time out
  • Whistle and signal the time out
• Substitutions
  • When a substitute enters the sub-zone
  • Whistle and signal
  • Waive the sub onto the court
  • Announce the sub numbers so scorers can note it on the score sheet
  • May have to slow the subs down especially if more than one substitute enters the sub zone or both teams request subs – in order to make sure scorers get the information
• You can help if you think the R1 might not have seen these (Discreet signals):
  • Lift
  • Double contact
  • Missed pancake
  • Back-row attack
• Notify R1 with discrete signals by your chest
• Follow/mirror the referee’s hand signals after each dead ball
• R1 and R2 will have frequent eye contact throughout the match. This insures both are on the same page.
• Breathe and have fun!