First HS Game Ever
 

I will be doing my first HS Volleyball match in about 2 weeks. I've studied the rule and case book and am looking for more things to know before I just into my first match.

Are there any tendencies I should know?

What do I really have to look for?

What do I need to bring to the match?

Luke,

Welcome! Most of the High School officials are finishing up there season around the country and are filled with tournaments and things. You must be from Michigan? Season there is just starting in December.

My recommendations is to make sure you have a good experienced partner. Volleyball at the high school level is much faster and better than the old bump...bump...bump of the lower levels. Know the rules, know the game, and above all, watch the ball! If you relax and let your partner lead, you should get in the flow of things pretty quick. Ask other veteran officials to watch you and give you advice. Don't take criticism personally, especially from other officials.

Another thing you want to make sure you do is to join a good volleyball official's association. They can help develop your skills in officiating and can help answer any tough questions you may have. Good Luck!

Paul

The NFHS site
 

The NFHS forum has great volleyball people. Alot of college officials who do high school. That site is where most of the VB concerning HS happens.

I am a new offcial also and I was just wondering what people do to check the lineups and serving order? I got a disc with that stuff on it but I did't know if that worked or what others used. I havve seen other offcials jsut use a 3x5 index card. Any suggestions?? THanks!

I use a custom made card that is about 1 1/2 x 3 with all the information printed on it (position number, # of substitutions, time outs, team names, etc.). The card has a hard, clear lamenent on it so I can write in pencil and erase after each match. I use small paperclips to keep track of server.

I'm one that uses the 3x5 cardwhich I fold in half to keep it in one hand. I simply list the numbers of the players in serving order. The rest is all memory of the numbers. I usually track the 3 backrow players, because that is where most of your overlaps and fouls occur. Memorizing the numbers also keeps you in the game mentally. It takes a bit to start with, but you only have to remember 3 numbers on each side.

Others that I know use the disk as well. Just remember, that you should never become dependant on your card/disk. I've seen too many officials that are too busy looking at the card to notice any play. I've also seen the other side where they are too busy watching the play that they never catch overlaps or rotation problems.

Time will be your teacher. Learn the game and enjoy it!

I use both, but really like the 3x5 better. The wheel is fine, but takes more work than the card for me.

I have used ...
 

I have used a plastic card that could be erased after each game and, also, a custom made double wheel that fit in the palm of my hand. Each side of the custom-made item had a wheel that had a spring-loaded lock underneath the wheel so that when you rotated the wheel to show who was in RB, etc., it would not slide around without doing an intentional turn to rotate the wheel. I used it until 1995 when a National Official told me to lose it and learn to keep the rotations in my head.

I do use a small form that has both starting line-ups and libero on it but I only use it when I am working a match by myself and do not have an umpire to check lineups. I check the starting lineups and then put it in my pocket. It stays there unless I lose my rotation and need a refresher as to who is supposed to be where!

I usually track all six rotations using the setter and captain as my guides. I always want to know where my captain is located and, also, the setter and whether the setter is front-row or back-row at any given time.The rest of it is simply based on experience and getting used to seeing the alignments that coaches and teams throw at you.

As was posted, get hooked up with an experienced partner who can guide you through the ropes. In addition, if you have the opportunity, go watch some of the better officials in your area work matches and pick their brains for techniques and tips that may help you.

Good luck as you begin your volleyball officiating career!

I can do it in my head as well, however, we were told by the state that during high school games, the umpire MUST keep a line-up card. Those that do not are marked down!

"Keeping" it and "overly using" it are two totally unrelated things. :)

Use it to write the lineup down, mark subs and timeouts, and if you absolutely have to, to check a lineup in a pinch. But really, you're better off learning the serve receive rotations themselves, rather than learning how to look at your card.

Well said, Felix! One of my mantras for many years has been that too often the umpire has his/her head in the line-up card rather than the line-up in his/her head. If the focus is on the card, what happens during the game (set in USAV) WILL be missed - guaranteed!

I remember the line-ups as well. I rarely during the match have to refer to my card, but I keep it in my hand as the umpire is required to do, to record substitutions and time outs. I am not one who "overly" uses my card, but have seen others, as you mention that do. they never watch the net or line, because they are either watching their card, or the ball.

My response was in no way a personal attack, I was just concerned when you said that you only use a card when working alone. Federation ball, which most high school rules fall under, require that a line-up card be kept by the umpire for every game.

No offense taken
 

blueump, I did not take your response as a personal attack. I agree that the NFHS Rules Book requires the umpire to keep a line-up card, however out here on the left coast, most of the time we use the line-up card as a teaching tool for less-experienced officials. We encourage the umpire to learn to track the rotations on the court with whatever method they are comfortable using but eventually to learn to do it without relying on a line-up card.

As I said before, I do not use a line-up card except when I am working a match by myself and I do not have an umpire to assist me. Otherwise, when I am the umpire, I put the line-up sheets on the table behind me so that I can turn my head and see the rotations for each team quickly. And, if I am totally unsure of the rotation for the receiving team, I will ask my scorekeeper for the next three servers (that gives me my front row) and then I am back on-track.

My first game is tonight, and I was wondering what I wear to the game. I know that i wear the white shirt with the black pants and all that but I was just wondering I wear like my normal winter coat or what? Thanks for your hlep!

If the weather if cold, wear the coat to the game site. Depending on the school, they will have facilities for you to change into a uniform. Ohio has the white shirt with a logo from the state orginization. If you dress in uniform, carry your game shoes in and change at the site. You don't need to be tracking in dirt, water, ice, slush, snow or whatever from the outside to the court.

Good Luck and have fun.

Everything went well. I am still a little hesitent to call lifts and people in the net. Any advise on what i can look for to help me decide? Thanks!

IHSAref, you might want to talk with respected officials in your area and take the opportunity to watch what others are calling.

Regarding nets, there is no reason to be hesitant about calling them. In middle school and high school volleyball, any contact with the net during a live ball is a fault, so when you see it, blow the whistle and make the call.

Each match, take what you learned during it and build from there.

Good luck as your season progresses. Keep us up to date on how things go for you.

Thanks MCBear. That helped a lot....I have a game tonight so we will see how it goes!

No problem, that is why we are here.

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Just make sure that you have the player in the net and not the player in a legal position and the ball pushing the net into the player. That will take a little time to distinguish and some help from seasoned veterans.