New Hampshire Volleyball Officials' Association--NHVOA

• Review the new powerpoint presentations(check homepage for new ppt).
• Remember you and your partner are a team. Take the time to review unusual situations to make sure calls are correct.
• Review the posting on the website on ball handling. It will help, especially with first ball calls. Remember that this rule has changed over the years and like it or not “under control” on the first ball is not illegal. Putting it bluntly the rule has loosened up. It is not “anything goes” as some would like you to believe. It may be “ugly” but ugly is not a violation! “Over control” (prolonged contact) is still illegal on any ball: first, second or third. Review the posting.
• Umpires: to signal a time out use a double whistle. To end a time out use a double whistle.This will be evaluated on the peer evaluation sheets this year.
• Screening: Please review this rule! It was a point of emphasis last year and that continues this year. Remember that screening occurs if the ball or the server is screened. ***There are no automatic screens, regardless of where hands and arms are placed. Placing arms above the head may increase the odds of a screen being called but just just placing the arms above the head does not warrant a violation! Remember the ball must travel in a low trajectory directly over a player(s) and the receiving team must lose sight of it. The most common screen is the screening of the server. This occurs when a player on the serving team moves directly in front of the server to prevent the receiving team from seeing the server. (remeber it is up tot he receiving team to make adjhustments). If you see this starting to occur pull the captains aside and issue a warning. Use preventative officiating here. If it happens a second time the team should be called for screening.
• Preventative officiating: make sure lineups are in on time and that the libero is properly listed. Remind coaches if a libero is not listed.

Questions that have been sent in to be posted

Send your questions (forge@worldpath.net) and we will post them.

Sept. 16: What if my partner tells me he/she is not going to use a double whistle to signal the start or end of a timeout?
The double whistle is mandatory. If the R2 does not use it this should be noted in his/her evaluation.

Sept. 16: Do we always conduct a coin toss for the 3rd game of the JV match?
Yes, regardless of whether it is a deciding game or not. (NHIAA Volleyball Committee) Rule change for 2009.  If the score is 2-0, teams will report to their bench then change sides and the losing team will serve.  Regardless of the score being 2-0 the third game will be played (NHIAA Volleyball Committee).

Sept. 14: The coach of Team A has jewelry on and is wearing non- athletic shoes. Does the footwear and jewelry rule apply to coaches?
This has been discussed many times by the NHIAA Volleyball Committee and the jewelry and footwear rule does not apply to coaches.

Sept. 13: Team A's third hit contacts the ceiling above their own court. When should R1 blow the whistle and what is the signal?
The whistle should be blown immediately when the ball contacts the ceiling after the third hit. The proper signal is "out".

Sept. 12: Team A serves the ball into the net. Should the 2nd referee repeat the net signal?
2008-National Federation insists that the 2nd referee repeat all violation signals as well as awards for points. Thus the net serve signal should be repeated.

Sept. 7: Mh1 serves, libero enters on loss of serve for mh1. On the next rotation opposite goes to serve, mh1 returns for libero. On the loss of serve libero goes in for opposite. When mh1 rotates front row: opposite returns for libero, who just moved to the 5 spot on the court, libero goes and serves for mh2. Mh2 exits via the replacement zone.
Legal and proper procedure. Note: the libero may now only serve in this position for the entire game.

Sept. 6: Team B loses a rally and Team A has the serve. Team A is confused on who shall be the next server but never asks for a lineup check or a timeout. How should the referee handle this?
If no player proceeds to the serving area a delay of game should be called (unnecessary delay). If the ball is in the hands of a player in the serving area the referee should signal for the serve and begin the 5 second count.

Sept. 5: The libero, while in front of the attack line, sets a ball using finger contact. The ball is attacked by a teammate while it is above the height of the net. What is the proper signal for this violation?
Signal #8 Back Row Attack: give the signal then point to the libero as the origin of the violation.

Sept. 4: The libero properly exits the playing surface during a replacement. She stands behind the bench to stay loose. Is this allowed.
Under federation rules she must be seated on the bench. Only substitutes who are getting ready to enter the game are allowed to warmup in a dead ball area. (casebook page 41, 12-2-7)

Sept. 3: Each time Team A tosses the ball up for a serve the captain of Team B yells "balls up". Team A complains that the yell is interfering with the serve attempt. Is this a violation?
Purely a judgement call. If the official thinks that the yell is interfering with the attempt, Team B should be first given a verbal warning. If it continues a card should be administered.

Sept.2: A player on Team A is found wearing jewelry during pregame warmups. How is this handled?
The coach should be immediately notified and the player or the jewelry removed. Remember that if this team is now found wearing jewelry during a match the penalty is elevated to a loss of rally/point. (casebook page 42, 12-2-8)

Sept. 1: Is there a limit to the numbr of coaches on a bench during a regular season match?
During a regular season match there is no limit to the number of coaches or players on a bench. During the tournament the volleyball committee has limited the number of players to 15 and the number of non-players to 5.

 

Send your questions (forge@worldpath.net) and we will post them.

****Important Tournament Notice ****

If you have been selected as a line judge for the tournament the NHIAA will be supplying flags. Please review your duties as a line judge and referees should discuss these duties on site before the match. If you have any questions about your duties or the use of flags ASK!

Review flag signals on page 60 of the rule book.

Helpful hints:

During play the flag should be held handle in right hand, left hand on the end of the flag.
Flag is in front of body hanging down from a horizontal hold.
Snapped and pointing to the court when ball is signalled in.
Snapped up for out call.
Touch is flag below the chin with left hand on top indicating touch.
For antenna violations, wave flag for up official and point to antenna with the other.
For foot faults. wave flag and point to line.
When server is near the linesman, move away. Move back of server to view sideline(NFHS Recommendation). After the ball is contacted for serve quickly recover to see down the end line.
Should make all in calls as well as touched ball calls.