Warm-ups

[PaREF]

I was R2 at a college men's match on Saturday evening and had question arise concerning warm-ups. In EIVA matches, warm-up time is visitors-8 minutes, home-8, visitors-8, and home-8. During the first 8 minutes for visitors, the home team did some ball-handling off the court.

The visitors' assistant coach said that it was against the rules for the opponent to warm up using balls (anywhere in the gym) during a team's allotted court time. The R1 had stepped out to use the facilities and I was unsure of the rule. I knew it was not permitted at women's matches but didn't recall any prohibition in men's matches.

My one line judge was a national referee and he said that there was no rule prohibiting opponents from warming up with balls during a team's court time. He said that collegiate men use USAV rules which do not prohibit warming up, as long as it is in a non-playable area.

As the discussion continued, the R1 returned and the assistant coach continued to plead his case. The R1 went over and had a brief discussion with the coach of the home team and they agreed to not warm up with balls while the visitors had the court.

I work about 7-10 men's college matches each year as line judge or referee but I can't honestly remember if I have seen teams warming up with balls while the other team had the court. If I had to guess, I would say that they have and nobody ever said a word. Just curious if this has ever been an issue with anyone else.