Mentoring Responsibilities

​​Mentoring Form to be completed by Mentor:   Mentor Form
Fall 2025 Season
Mentoring Apprentices
Thank you for helping out with our aspiring officials. We try to schedule all apprentices to work four JV matches as an apprentice and those opportunities are assigned throughout the season.
Here are some scenarios:

SCENARIO 1:

The apprentice is assigned as an observer for the Junior Varsity and Varsity match. This usually occurs during the first week of the season. It is intended for officials who have little knowledge of volleyball. 

OBSERVER RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Arrive early(30 min if possible) introduce yourself to the referees. 
  • Observe their pregame activities, including checking net height and antennas, ball check, discussion with scorer and timer at table.
  • Keep a lineup card and track substitutions on your card for at least one set. 
  • Take some time to look at the scorebook to see how the scoring is tracked.
  • Watch R1 for signals and how they control the match. 
  • See how R2 positions at the net and how their focus stays primarily with the net and centerline. 
  • See how R2 interacts with R1 during the set.
  • Take notes if needed, ask questions, email or text Roger if you have any further questions.
SCENARIO 2:

The apprentice is assigned to work as Apprentice for the JV match, and Observer for the Varsity match. 

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–JV MATCH
The apprentice will work the JV match as R2 for sets 1 and 2. 

  • During the first two sets the mentor will sit at the scorer's table, and give some feedback when possible, at time-outs or during an extended delay. 

  • Do not intervene in the match if you can help it. 

  • While there you can help the scorers and timers if needed, most likely that will be the case.
  • If the third set is a deciding set (tied 1-1), the apprentice will remain as R2. If the third set is a non-deciding match the apprentice will go up and be the R1 for that set.

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–VARSITY MATCH
Apprentices have been told to stay for at least least one set, preferably two. The goal is for the apprentice to observe how you and your partner work the match. Staying any longer could be a long night for the apprentice, especially if they worked a Reserve/Freshmen match earlier in the day.
SCENARIO 3:

The apprentice is assigned to work a Reserve/Freshmen match, Apprentice for the JV match, and Observer for the Varsity match

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–RESERVE/FRESHMAN MATCH

As a mentor you will be assigned to a Freshmen match, you are not working that match, just merely observing. You do not need to arrive at the start of that match, but rather show up a half hour early for the JV time, if you can do a little earlier than that it might be helpful.
  • Watch the apprentice and either write or take mental notes.
  • If you are there for the change of sets, introduce yourself and if you have something glaring that needs work give them a quick pointer or two, no more.
  • After the match, discuss a few things they can work on including:
    Timing, Cleaner signal, and a particular rule that you may have seen that was not handled correctly. But please don't overwhelm them.

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–JV MATCH
The apprentice will work the JV match as R2 for sets 1 and 2. 
  • During the first two sets sit at the scorer's table, and give some feedback when possible, at time-outs or during an extended delay. 
  • Do not intervene in the match if you can help it. 
  • While there you can help the scorers and timers if needed, most likely that will be the case.
  • If the third set is a deciding set (tied 1-1), the apprentice will remain as R2. If the third set is a non-deciding match the apprentice will go up and be the R1 for that set.

MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–VARSITY MATCH
Apprentices have been told to stay for at least least one set, preferably two. The goal is for the apprentice to observe how you and your partner work the match. Staying any longer could be a long night for the apprentice, especially if they worked a Reserve/Freshmen match earlier in the day.
SCENARIO 4:

The apprentice is assigned to work a Reserve/Freshmen match and not for any other match. In this scenario the official is not obliged to stay for the JV or Varsity match.
MENTOR RESPONSIBILITIES–RESERVE/FRESHMAN MATCH

As a mentor you will be assigned to a Freshmen match, you are not working that match, just merely observing. You do not need to arrive at the start of that match, but rather show up a half hour early for the JV time, if you can do a little earlier than that it might be helpful.
  • Watch the apprentice and either write or take mental notes.
  • If you are there for the change of sets, introduce yourself and if you have something glaring that needs work give them a quick pointer or two, no more.
  • After the match, discuss a few things they can work on including: Timing, Cleaner signal, and a particular rule that you may have seen that was not handled correctly. But please don't overwhelm them.
ADDITIONAL NOTES

As can be expected, R2 is typically where the most apprentices need work. Most of the apprentices attended at least one of the two jamborees at NHTI in August and spent some time as an R2. Areas to watch include:
  • Getting to the blocking/receiving side during play. 

  • Making a net call and following up with the correct protocol will be shaky at times and will take some time to master. 

  • Moving to the violation side when making a call or repeating an R1’s call is tough to grasp for new officials.