When Do I Walk in?

[jkumpire]

I was down in HS Varsity match last night, with a well-established quality partner up.

S99 is CF, and also the setter for S.

R hits a ball that S99 returns, and my partenr immediately calls a back row attack, and gives the point to R. I know he's wrong.

Of course the coach questions the call, and S99 who is the captain says to my partner that she is up front. After a moment, my partner gives a replay, and we all live happily ever after.

My question is, if my partner had not reversed her call, when do I as the umpire step in and ask my partner what he has, and tell him he might be mistaken?

I have my opinion, I am looking for some guidence from the big dogs here. .

[Andy]

When your partner blows the whistle, you look to see what the violation is so that you can mirror the signal.

In this case, you have an obviously incorrect call (back row attack on a front row player).

As the down official, if I saw which player attacked the ball, and I knew s/he was front row, I would immediately cross the court to my partner and let him/her know that S99 is a front row player in this rotation. I would not wait for the coach to say something.

If I was not sure which player attacked the ball because I was focused on the blockers and the net, I'm going to wait until I'm asked a question before I intercede.

[refnrev]

JK,
Some of it may depend upon your partner. Some welcome any help that you have at any time. Some are a little more territorial. If you are questioned or if you are 200% sure you're right, it seems to me that you have to ask. If not, its a judgement call on your part. R