Restoring Derailed Communication

[pavbref]

Unfortunately, there are no provisions in the rules to avoid this situation. In my experience, the chief referee's emphasize time management and keep the match moving, but this R1 seems to be ignorant of the situation based on your description. The R1 should scan the benches for possible time-out and substitution attempts as well as the court for other issues such as a player tying a shoe or a ball entering the court.

I would discuss your experience with this R1 with the chief referee. Explain your experience with the substitution. Don't complain about the line call as there may have been several reasons that it was ruled in favor of the other team. It is possible that this R1 is inexperienced and needs some guidance on properly scanning the court and benches, and the chief referee is proper channel to provide the feedback.

["Lurker"77]

Thanks. That does clarify the proper remedy to an R1 with a quick whistle that's not letting a team get ready to play. As to this case, as I mentioned, the official in question sought me out between sets and specifically asked for what I thought happened. Whether it was to improve or just to manage a coach, he has the info and enough maturity/experience to do what he will with it.

The answer, also, by implication, confirms that in USAV that these bench players (R7 and R8?) really are just rogue bench players in this case. Just based on the rule book (without the various interpretive documents) I could not find a category (sub, improper sub, etc.) for them . . . and it sounds like that was for good cause as they just aren't anything yet.

Between having two-person crews and being able to request subs, perhaps I was simply spoiled previously (NFHS) and this made that clear (and I may prefer some of those trappings).

As you say, there are lots of reasons the call could go against us, although I was honest with him in what we saw and letting him know it wasn't a big deal or a personal indictment. I think this was a short day -- only 5 or 6 matches on the stand -- with crews that are more liability than help. What made this play stick in my mind -- a week later -- is that by going extremely easy on him in the moment (immediate acceptance and certainly no fit, no eye roll, no dropping the ball in disgust, etc.) I actually cost my team another point. Now, I am not seriously regretting not behaving like a child, I am still just trying to critically assess whether in trying to behave in a sporting and respectful fashion I was less forceful or assertive than I should have been in making sure my players were protected from outside distraction -- especially these young ones (older ones should know better). Obviously, if there was a rule provision, that would have been an easy, sporting way to protect my team, but I'm guessing until I can train a captain to step up there (or have an active R2), that I can't interject myself into that situation.