New/Old Rookie

[MCBear]

Big, if you refereed volleyball 20 years ago, the changes will strike you as numerous. However, the most important thing for you is your attitude toward the game. Read the rules book, talk with coaches and other officials who are respected in your geographical area, and become a student of the game again. Also, realize that YMCA volleyball may not adequately prepare you for reffing high school next fall. Depending on the level of the matches that you end up working, the intensity of the players and coaches can differ widely.

The major differences are: the antennas are directly above the sidelines now; the serving area extends the full width of the court; the ball can contact the net during the serve on its way over and play will continue ("let" serve); multiple contacts on first ball over are allowed including allowing finger action; scoring is rally score (each time a team wins a rally, they get a point); games are played to 25 points except the deciding game is to 15; we now play best 3 out of 5 games on the varsity level; each team gets only 2 time-outs per game; red and yellow cards are used for penalties. As I can remember it, these are the major changes that have taken place over the last 20 years.

Good luck!