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Ball Handling

Volleyball is a rebound sport and players are able to use any body part to play the ball. The official’s judgment on the legality of each contact continues to be a controversial topic. The goal for players is to master ball control; for officials it is a goal to maintain a consistent level of ball handling from set to set and from match to match. Coaches play a role in the consistency equation with their methods of training, the expectations placed on their players, and the desired level of allowance by the officials. The spectators are influenced by their coaches’ reactions, the spin of the ball, and their personal opinions, while the officials need to remain neutral to maintain fairness for both teams.

It was stated in a previous NFHS Volleyball Points of Emphasis that volleyball’s goal was to increase the continuation of play when judging second ball contacts that are directed to a teammate. A player in a good position must play the ball without discernible double contact. Less severe judgment is applied to a contact by a player who makes a challenging or spectacular play while maintaining a legal play.

Mishandled balls resulting in a blatant fault should still be called, regardless of the challenging or spectacular nature of the play. Multiple contacts on the third ball must be whistled.

With the increase of the players’ athleticism, officials are being challenged to judge the legality of the first contact, as well. The rule states that the ball is not allowed to come to rest or involve prolonged contact. The fact that the contact is an underhand action or done with an open hand is not an automatic call. Players are able to legally take a stab at the ball in an attempt to keep the ball alive as they pursue an errant contact from their teammate. A whistle should accompany prolonged contact.

All skills should be judged similarly, according to the rules. Players are utilizing the setter dump effectively, while attackers are tipping the ball deeper into their opponent’s court and tipping with more power. Officials must determine where the ball contact was initiated in relation to the body and judge how long the player continued the action while in contact with the ball.

Scoring Best Practices

The score crew is an integral part of the officiating team.

To facilitate a smooth match tempo, the scorer should:

• Arrive at the site no less than 20 minutes before match time.
• Complete the match information in the scorebook/scoresheet or an electronic scoring device.
• Accept the team rosters and team lineups.
• Record each team’s lineup in a scorebook/scoresheet or an electronic scoring device.
• Secure each team’s lineup sheet by placing them face down on the score table.
• Collaborate with the second referee to ensure that each team’s lineup is correct on the second referee’s lineup card and verify that the teams are in correct starting positions on the court prior to each set.
• The scorer should establish a routine with the assistant scorer who serves as a spotter and communicates the numbers of the incoming/outgoing substitutions and replacements.
• The assistant scorer tracks each libero replacement and each substitution.
• After the substitution information has been submitted, the scorer should indicate readiness to the second referee.
• For written scoring, alternate each full rotation/round of service (all six positions from each team have served) in a contrasting color of ink.
• If there are any scoring issues, notify the second referee.
• Communicate with the second referee during time-outs and between sets.

Host Management Best Practices

 Host management plays an important role in creating a positive, fun, and safe environment for the players, coaches, officials and spectators. The designated administrator on site should introduce themselves to the officials upon arrival at the facility and show them to their locker room(s). The same should be done for visiting teams as they arrive on site. Officials and coaches should be able to identify host management easily if a situation should arise.

• In addition to being present, host management should:
• Ensure that the facility is set up properly one hour before the match.
• Ensure that the net system is set up at the correct height and is padded.
• Ensure that the referee’s stand is safely secure and padded.
• Assist in ensuring teams do not enter the court from both sides and do not encircle the entire court.
• Be available throughout the match(es).
• Post signage for home/visitor and/or student section. Allow fans to stand, but not on the playing surface.
• Ensure that any unsporting conduct (comments intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others) by spectators is not tolerated. It needs to be immediately addressed.
• Collaborate with the officials to suspend play for fan issues, if necessary.