Referee Tips

There is a written test you need to take to become a certified referee in the IVL. The test consists of true-false and multiple-choice questions. There are two ways in which you can take the test:

• You can take the test online and bring the results to your league supervisor.
• You can take the written test on your own. Pick up a copy from your league supervisor, fill it out and turn it in. You're not done, however. You need to get the test back corrected from the supervisor with the answer key to see which questions you got right or wrong. The answer key includes a brief explanation for each answer. After you get the test back from your league supervisor, then your name goes on the master list of certified refs.

Some hints for the new referees

1. The referee should be positioned on the side of the net that is serving and the umpire should be positioned on the opposite side of the net, on the side that is receiving. Make sure the umpire watches the net and the center line for you. That way you, as the referee, can follow the flight of the ball, which is your primary responsibility. Remind the umpire to look for overlaps on the team receiving serve. Even when teams are not running a setter out of the back row, there quite often can be an overlap in a 4-2 offense. Watch carefully when a front-row setter is setting from either the left front or right front position since their middle back can easily overlap with the center front.

2. Have two linespeople who will give a hand signal on every play, no matter how obviously in or out a ball was. What is apparent to one person may not be as easily seen from the other side of the court with half a dozen bodies in the way. Remind the linespeople to help on touches, etc.

3. In the recreational leagues, concentrate on the basics:

   1. Calling a net,

   2. Calling someone for going under and

   3. Calling someone for lifting the ball. (A lift is when the ball visibly comes to rest on some part of the player's body.) Scrutinize someone closely if they play the ball with open palms face up. That generally would be a lift.

   For calling a mishandled ball on a set, use either the signal for a lift or a double hit. In the recreational B leagues, as long as a setter is squared off (facing the target either directly forward or back) the set generally will not be called. If you don't face your target, the set better be clean. In the upper levels, set the ball cleanly or bumpset. Watch the other teams and get a feel for the level of officiating. Ask your supervisor to watch you ref and give you some feedback on whether you're being too tight or too loose. Most likely, the teams you are reffing will give you some instant feedback.

4. It's recommended that the umpire mimics the referee's hand signals. It keeps everyone mentally in the game and helps players/spectators see what the call was.

5. It's important for a referee to blow a good, firm whistle for service and to stop play. A tentative whistle is just asking for people to question the call. Remember to blow the whistle every time something happens that affects the play. For instance, if a ball from another court interrupts the service or a server tosses the ball and lets it drop, blow the whistle and signal a replay, then when both teams are ready, blow the whistle again to initiate the serve. Always blow the whistle and show the proper hand signal, even if the call seems obvious. The play of the ball, easily seen by you, may not be so clear to others on the court obscured by blockers, etc.

6. Only the captain may speak with the referee. If you're the ref, and 4 or 5 people start asking you something, politely say "Just the captain, please" and this will make the situation much more manageable for everyone.

7. If anything happens that you're not sure of, call a time-out and get the supervisor. That's what he/she is there for. However, it always is a good idea for referees to have read a copy of the rulebook in addition to the IVL rules. USA Volleyball has the rules listd in PDF form at its website.

8. Make sure you give clear hand signals and hold them up for the players to see. Not everyone instantly looks at you when you blow the whistle to stop play, so show the hand signal (say a net call) for a few extra seconds so people will see what you're calling. Always signal the point on the side of the net that won the point. Many people question a ref's call not because they disagree, but because they didn't see what the ref called. Then the referee assumes they're arguing with the call and the situation snowballs. You can save everyone a lot of grief by being very clear and precise with the hand signals.

9. At the end of a play, look at your scorekeeper to ensure that a point has been recorded. Before you blow the whistle for service, look at the serving team to see that they're ready, then look to the receiving team, then look back to the serving team and blow the whistle as you give the hand signal. Your job is not just to call the fouls and keep the score, but to ensure that both teams are ready for the ball to be served. They may not pass it well, but at least they'll be ready.

Smart Referees Always . . .

Sometimes the mark of good referees isn't what they do, but what they don't do. The following are some things for both referees and players to be aware of: