Volleyball anyone?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Around here, there's much more control over the coaches, and they are much more restrained.

OK - Juulie, that's starting to sound better. However, my feeling at this time is that I'll pass (pun intended). I asked Lee (my co-worker) to say hi to you at the meeting.

BTW - does the volleyball association have a "Howard equivalent"?

[Zoochy]

Volleyball is not that bad. It can be uninteresting. As Juulie stated, the up official watches the ball and blows the whistle on all calls relating to the ball. Down official watches for net violations. That is basically when he/she blows the whistle.
If you have not played the game, then when you read the rules you will be surprised. I find basketball way more interesting, but there are volleyball officials that are passionate to the sport.

[Scrapper1]

I just finished the training for new volleyball officials and took my test yesterday. Haven't worked any real matches yet. It doesn't seem real interesting, compared to basketball, but I've barely started, so I can't give an honest opinion yet.

[Andy]

There is very little physical exertion in officiating volleyball. There is, however, just as much mental exercise as any other game out there.

The lower level (MS, FR) matches can be boring as the skills may not yet be fully developed. Some of the athleticism displayed at the Varsity HS and college levels is great. If you can make it through the lower levels as you are working your way up, VB becomes a fast-paced, exciting game to officiate at the higher levels.

[JoeTheRef]

[QUOTE=Andy]There is very little physical exertion in officiating volleyball. There is, however, just as much mental exercise as any other game out there.
[QUOTE]

I beg to differ but we're entitled to our own opinions... I think the physical exertion that an official endures during any sporting event makes the mental part of the game that much harder. Again, JMO.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

OK - Juulie, that's starting to sound better. However, my feeling at this time is that I'll pass (pun intended). I asked Lee (my co-worker) to say hi to you at the meeting.

BTW - does the volleyball association have a "Howard equivalent"?

Along the lines of what Juulie said, I like to refer to volleyball as a kinder, gentler sport. We probably have more ejections in basketball in one week than volleyball has had in this state in the last 5 years.

While it is not as physically demanding as basketball (although spending 2+ hours on top of a 2'x2' stand can be pretty tiring), it is much more mentally demanding if you're doing the job right. The up official has to judge every contact of the ball for legality based on several criteria, keep track of the number of hits, front row/back row status of the players, height of the ball when contacted under certain circumstances, etc. In a game/match between reasonably good teams it can be a real challenge.

Yes we have a "Howard" equivalent - very sharp lady & is also the SRI for volleyball. I think we had almost 30 new folks show up last night. When I started 5 years ago we had a shortage of officials in this area, but from what the commish said that's no longer a problem - to the point where most of the new officials may only see MS matches their first year.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

We probably have more ejections in basketball in one week than volleyball has had in this state in the last 5 years.

OK - that's the clincher. If there's no fun in it, I'm out.