[MCBear]

Big, the yellow and red cards are used for sanctions and penalties. The three major rules codes in the US (NFHS, USAV and NCAA) use them in different ways. I will be referencing the NFHS and USAV procedures since you will probably not be using NCAA rules at the Y.

In NFHS (High School) rules, there are three sanctions: Yellow Card for a Warning, Red Card for a Penalty and Red & Yellow Cards displayed held apart for Disqualification.

On page 43 and 44 of the NFHS Rules Book, the PROCEDURE FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT VIOLATIONS: reads as follows:

1. The referee, as the head official, sets the tone for the match and shall be responsible for controlling the unsportsmanlike conduct of coaches, players and/or other team personnel. Therefore, only the referee shall administer the cards as follows:
a. Hold the card(s) in the hand(s) on the offending team's side of the court with the arm outstretched, elbow bent 90 degrees and hand(s) held head-high.
b. Verbalize to the umpire the number of the player(s) or which coach is receiving the card. The referee shoudl be sure that the umpire also has identified the offender(s) and verified that the scorer has recorded the information on the scoresheet. Under no circumstances shall the officials permit unsportsmanlike behavior to occur without a penalty. If there are multiple offenses, each offender shall be penalized.

2. When the umpire sees or hears an action or response that necessitates a card, he/she shall move to the offending team's side of the net and take a few steps onto the court toward the referee. The umpire holds the card(s) in the middle of his/her chest and indicates verbally the number of the offending player(s) or coach. It is the responsibility of the referee to immediately administer any card(s) requested by the umpire.

3. Warning: For a first minor offense, a yellow card is administered by the referee at the first dead ball. The warning shall be recorded in the Comments section on the scoresheet and on the umpire's lineup card. No penalty is assessed.

4. Penalty: For a second minor offense by the same individual, or for a single serious offense, a red card is administered at the first dead ball. A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent, and the penalty is recorded in the Comments section on the scoresheet and on the umpire's lineup card.

5. Disqualification: For a third minor or second serious offense by the same individual, or a single flagrant offense, the yellow and red cards are displayed apart (usually at the first dead ball). The offender is disqualified from further participation in the match, and may be removed from the vicinity of the team bench provided there is authorized school personnel available to supervise. (When the offender is a coach or other adult team personnel, the offender shall be removed from the premises.) A loss of rally/point is awarded to the opponent, and the official shall notify the appropriate coach of the reason for the disqualification. The disqualification is recorded in the Comments section of the scoresheet and on the umpire's line-up card.

6 Forfeit:
a. If a disqualified individual vioates the conduct rule following disqualification, the offender's team shall forfeit the match.
b. If the the coach is removed from the premises and there is no other authorized school personnel available, the team shall forfeit the match.
c. If a team refuses to play when directed to do so by the referee, the team shall forfeit the match.

7. If the situation warrants, the officials may issue a red card or a yellow and red card on a first unsportsmanlike conduct violation.

8. The umpire shall direct the scorer to record the proper notations and verify that the scorer has recorded them.

9. All cards carry over from game to game throughout the match. The umpire shall keep notations on the line-up card. The scorer shall notify the umpire of any previous violations by the same individual.

10. When unsportsmanlike conduct occurs from the bench or court and the officials cannot determine the specific offender(s), the warning or penalty is issued to the coach.

11. Any cards issued for unsportsmanlike conduct prior to the first game or between games shall be administered at the beginning of the game immediately following the violation. After lineups are recorded, the card(s) is recorded in the Comments section on the scoresheet for the game in which it is administered.

12. Requests such as time-out, serving order check, substitution, etc. shall not be recognized until after the card(s) is administered.

13. If the team captain asks in a proper manner, the referee shall give the reason for the penalty, but shall not permit further discussion of the penalty.

That is the section pertaining to UC (unsportsmanlike conduct) as printed in the NFHS Rules Book.

Be aware, however, that if you are working v-ball at the Y, you may be using USAV rules, in which case the situation changes. If you are using USAV rules, ALL warnings are given verbally - you do not use a yellow card for any warning. The Yellow Card in USAV is handled as a Penalty - loss of rally/point awarded to the opponent . A Red Card is an Expulsion and the offender is not allowed to play for the remainder of the set - no loss of rally/point is assessed. The Red and Yellow cards held together in one hand are used for Disqualification and the offender is removed from the vicinity of the court for the duration of the match - again, no loss of rally/point is assessed.

You indicated that the Sports Director at the Y knows her stuff and is willing to work with you. She will definitely be able to help you in using the appropriate rules set for your situation whether it is using NFHS Rules or USAV Rules.

I hope this has been of assistance to you and not too long or tedious.