Olympic Peninsula Volleyball Officials

Physical Demands:

Volleyball is generally officiated by two referees and two-line judges. The first referee in volleyball is positioned on an elevated platform at the side of the net opposite the officials’ table. The first referee does not move around, but they need to stand for long periods, typically 45 minutes to two hours depending on the match’s length, all while maintaining high levels of focus and alertness.

The second referee stands on the floor opposite the first referee and assists in making calls, primarily focusing on play at the net. The second referee moves laterally along the sideline opposite the first referee in a 12-foot area and transitions during play with the ball.

The line judges stand on opposite corners throughout the entire match and assist the first referee with in and out calls and look for touches of the ball by blockers at the net. Line judges need excellent eyesight, good judgment and agility to move up and down the sideline to get the best view of the ball and avoid collisions with players.

Mental Demands:

Volleyball is a fast sport, in a contained area. Therefore, being able to visually follow the action and see small details is very important. Volleyball officials must always maintain alertness and focus during play so as not to miss a detail. Many calls in volleyball require swift judgement without hesitation, so a decisive nature and confidence are key attributes to have or develop.

Volleyball officials need to be effective communicators in representing the rules, scoring and decisions they make during the course of a match. A volleyball official on average makes over 1,000 decisions in a match.

Training:

Training begins by volunteering in the summer league (June and July). Pre-season training is held in late summer and provides on-court experience for new and less experienced volleyball referees. Training includes exposure to seasoned volleyball officials who serve as mentors to encourage the development of new and younger officials.

Meetings and Training:

In the fall season we have 4 meetings intended to provide information, support and training for our officials. Due to the 3-county area of our region, meetings are in person and on zoom in order to encourage membership participation. In the spring season, 3 training meetings are scheduled.

We have our annual business meeting in November that emphasizes a wrap-up of the season, election of officers, review of old business and presentation of any new business items.

Once you have contacted the “assigning Secretary” and provided your contact information, this is what is required:

Getting started:

Learn how to login to Arbiter. Arbiter is used for scheduling matches, submitting game reports and through Arbiter you will receive your payment. The tutorial to set-up your arbiter account is found at: https://vimeo.com/971675186.

When you register for Arbiter, make sure to sign up to officiate with our officiating group (104812). You may register with other groups or sports; you need to join our group to be scheduled for volleyball matches in this region.

Setting up your Arbiter Pay account needs to be completed prior to registration, unless you have an account with another sport. Payment is made by automatic deposit so your banking information will be needed when you register. Directions to set up an Arbiter Pay account is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cm3uRNCSuU.

A background check is required to officiate youth sports. A fee is required to perform your background check. Information regarding the background check may found at: https://vimeo.com/971675552.

Registering on Arbiter: https://app.arbitersports.com/registration/official/register/4867?org=3035&role=3.

NASO membership card: https://vimeo.com/971673652.

NASO Benefits: https://www.naso.org/member-benefits/.

Getting Certified:

Study guide for the 101 test: downloaded from the Volleyball page in the Arbiter, WOA, Central Hub; https://woavolleyball.arbitersports.com/front/108547/site.

Study guide for the 201 test: download from the Volleyball page in the WOA Central Hub.

Completing your certification: https://vimeo.com/971675142.

Personal Preparation:

Rules and Casebook: Prior to the fall season, an NFHS Rules and Casebook will be provided once you have committed to officiate in the OPB group. You will need to familiarize yourself with the rules in the Rules and Casebook. Additionally, the Officials’ Manual section of the casebook will provide information about protocols, techniques and best practice for officiating volleyball.

Ethics of an official:

You find information on the ethics of officiating in the Rules Book.

The “Officials Code of Ethics” include:

· Officials shall master the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.

· Officials shall work with each other and their state associations in a constructive and cooperative manner.

· Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, colleagues and the public. This includes, and is not limited to, positive verbal and nonverbal communication with coaches, bench personnel and players.

· Officials shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products beginning with the arrival at the competition site until departure following the completion of the contest.

· Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession.

· Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations.

· Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that student-athletes, coaches, and the public hold for the profession.

· Officials shall, while enforcing the rules of play, remain aware of the inherent risk of injury that competition poses to student-athletes. Where appropriate, officials shall inform event management of conditions or situations that present unreasonably hazardous.

· Officials shall take reasonable steps to educate themselves in the recognition of emergency conditions that might arise during the course of competition.

· Officials shall maintain an ethical approach while participating in forums, chat rooms and all forms of social media.

Scoring:

The officials’ knowledge of scoring is a critical part of managing a volleyball match. Knowledge of how to complete a scoresheet in the case there might be a discrepancy with the score, a wrong server, an illegal substitution or wrong player on the court. We have many good scorers in our region; however, you may be required to teach players or team managers how to keep score on the fly. Scoring instructions are on the WOA, Central Hub, Volleyball site. https://woavolleyball.arbitersports.com/front/108547/site

Score sheets, Line-up sheets and Libero Tracking Sheets are available on the WOA Central Hub.

Uniform and Gear:

Jersey – is a WOA, blue sublimated shirt that is available for purchase at: https://woauniformstore.com/.

Pants – black slacks (not jeans), a black belt, black socks and mostly black shoes.

Common Gear – the officials’ gear includes a whistle and lanyard, red and yellow cards, net chain, wrist watch that counts seconds, ball gauge and pump.

Additional Gear, Ref Kit – many officials carry a bag with spare whistles, eyeglasses, rule books, pens, net chain and ball pump.

A small back pack may also be helpful to carry flags, water, and medication.

Availability/Assignments:

Availability for assignments – days in which you may not be available to officiate can be “blocked” on your Arbiter account.

More information is at: Officials - Module 2 - Blocks on Vimeo

Dues:

Dues – WOA, Arbiter Sport and local (OPB) group dues are collected. Typical dues are:

· WOA: $45/year (sports specific)

· Arbiter Sports: $90/year

· OPB annual dues $25

WOA and Arbiter Sports dues are automatically deducted from your first payment of the year.

More information is available at:

· Payment transaction log: Officials - Module 2 - Blocks on Vimeo

· Transferring your ArbiterPay to your personal account: Officials - Payments - Receiving and Transferring Money on Vimeo

· OPB dues are paid directly to the association Treasurer.

Meetings:

Training Meetings:

We encourage in person attendance at training meetings; however, travel around a 3-county area makes it difficult for some members to travel and participate. In person meetings are generally held in the Central Kitsap area.

For those who are unable to attend meetings, we provide on-line opportunities (Zoom) for all members to attend and participate.

Meetings are intended to share information about association business, relay information from the WOA or schools, provide training and to share and discuss any on court concerns that have occurred during the course of the week or season.

Post-Season Certification:

Obtaining Post-Season Certification (fall): required for those who intend to work post-season matches; as well, this is good information to complete for officials at levels of experience.

More information about post-season certification is available at: Officials Eligibility - Complete RTO Requirements on Vimeo