Rules changes for next year

[blueump]

Been doing the libero serving here in Michigan this season without any problems. It basically means the libero can be in the floor all the time - except for 1/2 a rotation when they need to sit out.

The hardest part to get used to is when the libero heads from the RB to the LB to serve. The two players that exchange in the libero zone are neither liberos! If makes you cringe the first time you see it, but you get used to it quickly. You also need an assistant score-keeper (libero tracker) that knows what they are doing.

[blueump]

Official's Mechanics Signal #17-Point: The mechanics and point signal are changed to indicate point and team to have next serve to extending the arm in the direction of the team that will serve, palm perpendicular to the floor. (Whistle, signal violation, point)

Rationale: With rally scoring there is no longer a need to signal point. Each end of rally results in a point for the team being awarded the next serve. The revised signal will indicate the team to serve next which is also the team to receive the point.

This is interesting...if I read it correctly there is no need to signal a point. You simple make the call (example: down ball) and then extend the arm to the side that will serve.

This may get sticky since the new rule for the timing of the coach sitting down is at the extention of the arm. You must extend the arm to the serving side, put the arm back down, then extend the arm again to prepare for the serve. Anybody else doing this yet?

I also saw a Division 1 game on TV this year where the official would show the point first, then the signal of how the point was given followed. That seemed quite different as well.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by blueump

Been doing the libero serving here in Michigan this season without any problems. It basically means the libero can be in the floor all the time - except for 1/2 a rotation when they need to sit out.

The hardest part to get used to is when the libero heads from the RB to the LB to serve. The two players that exchange in the libero zone are neither liberos! If makes you cringe the first time you see it, but you get used to it quickly. You also need an assistant score-keeper (libero tracker) that knows what they are doing.

We were also one of the experimental states last year, and it was really no big deal. As blueump said, the tracker really needs to pay attention. I found that if as the U I took the time to explain it to them before the match, then the first time it happened turned to the table and said "did you get that" it really helped.

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by blueump

The hardest part to get used to is when the libero heads from the RB to the LB to serve.

I hope you meant LB to RB.

[Texas Aggie]

I haven't done VB since the early '90s and only did it for a couple of years, but I read with some interest the rules changes. The uniform deal struck me. We (in Texas) wore shorts at least during regular season but I'm seeing pictures of officials wearing pants. But this is from different officiating chapters who may have different rules.

If I read the rule change right, it seems to give the blessing to shorts. I don't understand the problem: soccer folks wear shorts outside in freezing weather. Unlike hoops, there really isn't any need for support items under the pants, so why the lack of tolerance in some cases for shorts? In my opinion, a good pair of shorts with the white shirt looks just as professional as pants. We aren't talking about work here, but a sport!

Thoughts?

[MCBear]

Aggie, individual states have had the option to allow shorts to be worn in extremely hot, humid weather (or, in the case of California - when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees in the desert according to CIF guidelines).

The main concern with the shorts involved female officials who tended to wear shorts with very little inseam (at least that was what was always mentioned during rules interpretation meetings in Ohio when I lived there).

[Texas Aggie]

Seems to me that's easily fixed by mandating for both men and women shorts that go to the knee. Schools (uniforms) have been doing that for years.

If I remember correctly, we wore shorts, then when I was given a playoff assignment, I was told to wear pants. Good thing I did hoops as I had a pair. Of course, we wore the stripped shirts for no good reason. I'm glad they've got yall in the white shirts. It looks better and I know its much more comfortable.

[blueump]

If California can wear their shorts can't we in Michigan wear our snowmobile suits? Some of these school gyms have computerized heating systems that turn all the heat off at 3:00 p.m. each day! By the time we start the match (3 hours later) the temp has dropped 30 degrees!

[MCBear]

blue, that would require that Gina & MHSAA to issue a directive allowing you to wear the appropriate snowmobile suit! I understand what you are saying since I refereed in Southeast Lower Michigan as well as Northern Ohio until I moved out here to the left coast in 1993.

Seriously though, the only time that our CIF officials are allowed to wear shorts is when the temperature is over 100 degrees and only in the schools located in the desert communities where it occurs. For those of us in the majority of the state, we never are allowed to legally wear shorts during HS matches.

Best suggestion I can give you is what I learned to do in San Francisco - layer the clothing so that when it is cold you are comfortable and when (if) it warms up, you can remove a layer or two (or three or as required) to remain comfortable.