USA Volleyball Referee Training and Education

Please follow the new warm up procedure at junior events (Rule USAV 7.2.2 b.).  Since this rule was put into place for safety reason, it is NOT an option to waive this rule. 

For the USA Volleyball memo on the subject, from Kevin Wendelboe, Chair-RVA/USAV Insurance Committee, go to: http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/USAV%20Memo_eclusive_use_ofcourt.html
or

http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/pdfs/USAV%20Memo_eclusive_use_ofcourt-.pdf

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

2009-2010 USA Volleyball Techniques, Mechanics, and Procedures for Match Administration

Now available at http://www.volleyballreftraining.net/techniques_pages/2009-10_USAV_techniques.html

and

http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/pdfs/2009_10_usav_techniques.pdf

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques, Refereeing Resources

Do all regions handle religous exceptions the same way? Do you require participants to sign additional waivers to protect officials or is it handled informally within the region?

Does your region specify what can be accepted for religous reasons or is left wide open for anything “claimed” to be religous in nature? Nobody wants to get involved in making those types of decisions so does your region leave it up to the individual referee or have a formal process or an informal one in your region?

Thanks

Dave Slocum

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

Now available at http://www.volleyballreftraining.net/techniques_pages/2008-09_USAV_techniques.html

and

http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/pdfs/2008_09_usav_techniques.pdf

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

I have observed many libero replacement issues being handled differently (and often incorrectly) by officials.  The DCR doesn’t do a great job of addressing some libero situations, and I think there is a fair amount of confusion (especially with those who work multiple rule sets).  Perhaps a number of different scenarios, such as the following, could be addressed:

1. Libero (or replaced player) enter/leave outside of the replacement zone.
2. Libero replaced by a player other than whom s/he replaced.
3. Libero replaced by a player other than whom s/he replaced, and whom the coach immediately wants to substitute out.
4. Two replacements (in/out) during the same dead ball.
5. A team attempts a double replacement (like NCAA/NFHS) where two non-libero players replace each other with the libero going back to RB to serve.
6. The libero enters the set and serves

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

When players wear a ring or rings what criteria do you use to determine if the ring is legal or not? I have received conflicting information in the past about this.

The rule states:
USAV 4.5.1: It is forbidden to wear hats or jewelry. An exception will be made for religious or medical medallions and, for adult competition, a flat band ring worn on the finger.

This would seem to indicate only one ring is allowed. Is this one ring per hand or one ring total. If the ring is worn on the thumb is that legal?

Below is a picture of a typical “flat band ring”.

How far away can a ring stray from this typical style before it becomes illegal? Obviously a diamond engagement ring would not be allowed but what about Irish Claddah rings?

I would not consider this type of ring to be a flat band so it would not be acceptable but I have been told that if the ring is “smooth” then it is OK. Except, smooth, is not part of the description in the rules. There are rings that would be considered “smooth” but not be anything like a flat band. The point of the heart on the claddah ring is certainly not smooth but the upper surface is but it is not “flat”.

At what point does not allowing a type of ring become judgment and not subject to protest? Or is this always subject to protest if the player disagrees with your assessment of the ring?

Basically, anything that “looks like” a wedding ring is always OK but the further you stray form that typical shape what are the guidelines for Referees and players?

Thanks

David Slocum

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

Now available at http://www.volleyballreftraining.net/techniques_pages/2008-09_USAV_rules_interp_bulletin_no2_3_09.html

and

http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/pdfs/2008-09_USAV_Rule_Interp2.pdf

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques, Refereeing Resources

Now available at http://www.volleyballreftraining.net/techniques_pages/2008-09_USAV_Points%20of%20Emphasis_Rules%20Clarifications.html

and

http://www.volleyballreftraining.com/techniques_pages/pdfs/PointsofEmphasis_Clarifications_NatlEvents.pdf

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques, Refereeing Resources

R6 sends an overpass to R4.   R4 goes up to send the ball over the net and before he gets to the ball S3  blocks the ball.  The up Official stated that the ball had “broken” the plane of the net so S3 had a right to reach over and block the portion of the ball that was on R’s side of the net.  S3 only touched the ball on R’s side to block the ball.  R4 was in a position to play the ball if S3 had not blocked the ball. 

The question is once the ball reaches S’s side do they have the right to play the ball on R’s side of the net if it is not a follow through from thier side?  

I know if  I was the official I would have stated by explaining  the call by stating the blocker started blocking the ball on their own side.

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques

My compliments on the new blog. It’s a great resource and I look forward to watching it grow.

My question is about “stealing” serving signals. For example, let’s say a spectator positioned behind the serving team is intercepting serving signals from the coach and relaying them to the receiving team.

Some of my fellow officials consider this unsporting conduct and will address it if they see it. But it’s my opinion that, as in football and baseball, teams use signals at their own risk of having those signals intercepted by the opponent. (Let’s recall that the Patriots’ offense was the videotaping of opposing coaches’ signals, and not signal-stealing per se, which has long been considered part of the sport.)

Also, I don’t consider it realistic for officials to police the spectator areas for potential signal-stealing. But I’d like to hear what others think. What interpretation should we be applying here? Thanks.

Interpretations-Rules and Techniques, On the Court