Need volleyball tips for newer officials!!!

[kycat1]

Please post any and all tips for new officials getting into volleyball. I am moving up to small college and need to get help in making the transistion easier from all of you experienced officials. Any small tips on what helped you in the past that would help a rookie be a better official would be great! Thanks in advance!

[MCBear]

1) Study the NCAA Rule book so that you know the differences between what you are used to and what is going to be called. If you have familiarity with NFHS rules, make sure that you know the differences with what is allowed in NCAA/NAIA. Also, know the new rules and how they are applied because the coaches are most likely going to be foggy about them.

2) Join PAVO and attend a PAVO OTP Training Clinic where the newest rules and interpretations will be discussed. That will also give you an opportunity to meet other college officials and talk with them. Pick their brains for things that will help you as you start the season.

3) Remember that ALL communication pertaining to interpretations and calls must go between the captains of the teams and the officials - the coaches ARE NOT allowed to address the officials except to find out how many subs they have left, how many timeouts they have used or have left, and/or who the proper server is.

4) Make sure that you have a thorough pre-match conference with your partner so that you know what you are each going to do if things start happening. How are you going to request a card if one is needed? What type of eye contact are you going to make with each other? What kind of help does your partner want from you?

Good Luck!

[OmniSpiker]

When in doubt of what situation occurs, don't be hasty to blow whistle and make an arbitrary call. If rally is ugly, let it continue unless it's a clear infraction...If in/out call is questionable, call replay. I hate getting cheated when it's a really close game.

Sometimes it happens