Overruled?
 

Is the R1 allowed to overrule the R2 on an overlap call? This happened to me at my last match. I called the rotation fault on the receiving team. R1 calls me over to the stand and says, "They're ok." I tell him that 9 and 4 are opposite and 9 was in front of 4. I knew, but didn't say, that 9 was back center and 4 was front center. (How did I know? I had my wheel! :) ) The R1 tries to explain to me why they were legal (using his fingers to illustrate), but I didn't really understand what he was saying. So I just said, "So we're not giving the fault?" He said, "Right" and signaled a replay.

After the set, we had an intermission (gee, I love that in a high school match :rolleyes: ) and he again tried to explain why there was no rotation fault. He was saying it could only be a fault if she was here and this one was there; and he was using his fingers again.

I listened as patiently as I could and said (as respectfully as I could), "I honestly don't understand most of what you just said. But what I do know is that 9 was back center and she was in front of the front center. I'm positive of that."

Sorry, I didn't mean to rant; but I was very frustrated during this match. So,

1) Is the R1 allowed to make that overrule in the first place?

2) Since I was positive, is there any other way to handle it? I didn't want to have an argument on the court, obviously.

That's a tough one to say, but I always go with what the R1 says, even when they're wrong. Personally to me, a poorly rules enforced match, can be salvaged as an efficiently run match. If the R1 can't respectably trust the other working officials, then the disrespect will spiral down onto the game from players, coaches, and spectators.

My understanding, limited as it is, is that the R1 has the final say on everything. However, why he is overruling his R2's overlap call is beyond me. Assuming your wheel is right (and I've missed rotations now and again while dealing with subs, etc.), there is no way the alignment can be correct if the CB is in front of the CF.

That first referee must be a better official than me. When I am R1, I pay attention to the alignment of the serving team and the server when the ball is contacted. If he can see that and the alignment of the receiving team well enough to question your call in the middle of the match, he has some special talent.

bb...83 put into words what I was wondering. You did have the overlap on the receiving team and not the serving, right? IMO If your R1 is 200% sure that (s)he is right and you're R2 and 100% sure you're right, concede to R1. You may be right but someone has to have the final say. What else could you do except argue enough that you both look bad and have to settle on a replay?

rnr, when I am the R1, I look at the receiving team, but the only time I call anything is if they are WAY out of alignment and my partner doesn't have a clue, even after I signal the overlap to him/her. If the receiving team is alright during my court scan, I leave them with my R2 and concentrate on the serving team. However, if they are out of alignment, once I beckon for serve, I am using my peripheral vision to see if the receiving team has corrected their illegal alignment. If not, and my partner doesn't call it, I will whistle the infraction.