First impression?
 

I arrived at my game site a little early today, and was pleasantly surprised to see my partner already at the scorer's table. As I crossed the gym to the table, my partner moved to the net and began to measure it. . . with a tape measure.

I've never seen anyone do this before today. Is it accepted practice? Everyone I've ever seen has used a chain that hangs from the top of the net to the floor.

I thought maybe the guy is a new official and hasn't gotten all of his equipment yet. So I asked him how long he'd been officiating and he said 15 years. :confused:

Definitely not uncommon to see. Some officials prefer measuring tape, while others may prefer the chain. Both are sufficient measuring devices, with the tape proving more accurate.

I know a few people who use a measuring tape.

Scrapper, as Antonio said, it is not all that uncommon. I have done it in the past, but I quit carrying a tape measure and have used measuring-chain and the USAV net measuring device.

Thanks for the feedback. There were some other indications (during the match) that he might not take officiating very seriously, but at least now I know the tape measure is not one of them.

I agree, not uncommon. I use a net chain, but there is a 12' tape measure in my bag just in case something happens to the chain, which is not unheard of....

I use a tape measure and I've been doing it for 20 years.

Too many of the "chains" officials use are not even the exact height, besides tape measures withdraw back into their case - chains have to frequently be untangled. I personally much prefer the tape.

Awesome rationale! I would not even have thought about the benefit of retracting. Thanks for posting that. I just love getting a new perspective.

Just today at our CYO volleyball match, our referee (we only use R1 at this level) had mentioned he didn't have his chain and used a tape measure instead. I may only be the home team scorekeeper, but it didn't bother me that he used a tape measure. :)