Miscellaneous Questions

[BlitzkriegBob]

I just had my first match of the season last week (freshman match) and I was working with a new partner. I found out after the match that this was his second year doing volleyball and first time working a match above middle school level. It was also his first match of the year. This is just my third year so obviously I'm still learning as well, which is why I have several questions about our match.

During the match (I was U and partner was R), my partner either delayed or completely ate his whistle at the conclusion of many rallies. His signals were also delayed, and I found myself (even though I waited longer than I wanted) on a few occasions giving a touch signal just prior to my partner coming up with an out signal (even though he had a touch also he was simply signalling out). Also, he didn't call any ball handling violations even though one of the teams could have received a handful since their skills were not close to the opposing team.

So here are my questions:

1. What do you do when you're U and your partner forgets to blow the whistle?
2. How long do you wait for your partner to give a signal?
3. What if he's giving a signal that might cause confusion as to the outcome of the rally? Do you still mirror?
4. What can you do if your partner isn't making the call on blatant ball handling violations?

I always shudder when I think back on my very first volleyball match. I pity the partner I had to work with since I know I made all of these same mistakes. Now I find myself on the other side and am seeking guidance again. After the match was over, my partner wasn't really interested in a postmatch powwow, so another question I have is how to go about initiating one and offering advice when you're not sure your partner wants it.

One last question which is a leftover from last year and I would like reassurance that I was making the correct call. I was doing a middle school tournament and I had one 8th grade match where a player on one team kept losing track of where she was on the court and ended up getting tangled up in the net three or four times even when there was no play going on in the vicinity of the net. Is this an immediate dead ball all the time and LOPR? That's the call I was making, and on one occasion she did this just before the opposing team was about to lose the point for a fourth hit.

Thanks for your help!!!