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On the Court > Delay sanction? Individual Sanction?
Delay sanction? Individual Sanction?
A reader question… Please chime in with your thoughts.
As far as I can ascertain, the 2009-2011 USAV Domestic Competition Regulations (DCR) does not explicitly state a penalty for a team not following the change of court protocol found on page 179-180, section 8a and on page 120, item #23. I appreciate the recent (2/8/10) DCR clarification (posted at http://usavolleyball.org/pages/6522) that suggests “The second referee should assist during the [deciding set] court change by being on the right-side of [his/her] post and stepping along the net toward mid-court to ensure teams [change courts properly].”
However, just like in rule USAV 24.3.1 found on page 70 of the DCR, doesn’t the responsibility for such action rest ultimately with the captain and/or coach? Even if the second referee does not assist the teams in following the change of court protocol, would it be appropriate for the referees to issue a delay sanction or should an individual sanction be issued to the offending team’s captain for unsporting conduct?
MIKE CARTER RESPONDS:
This is a situation we all have to deal with quite frequently. I believe what we are looking for is an orderly transition from one side to another, and a less crowding of the area on the R2 side during side change. Anytime you don’t think this is true, how is it being the R2 after you have done a deciding game coin flip. Gets kind of hairy over there and not much room. Not easy to monitor interaction between the teams.
That being said, we are just trying to move people, is there really a delay involved? I think that the comments by Rick, Chad and Roy are valid and well thought out.
I would use preventive officiating as much as possible, as long as the team or certain members are not blatantly defiant. I would not go to a Delay Sanction unless that was the case. To issue an Individual Sanction would not be appropriate in this situation. The R1 can call the captain over for a friendly reminder, and the R2 can do the same of the coach.
Regarding “the other rule set” Chad speaks of, that wording is well put: “Failure to follow proper protocol MAY result in a delay sanction.” Good words to live by. It isn’t black or white, this is why we get paid to facilitate the match, both when the ball is in play and when it is not.
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Personally I would go with a dramatic finger wag followed by directions and please. If they want a delay sanctions I guess they have delayed the match so give them what they have earned.
If there were a sanction to be issued, I would guess that delay is more appropriate than an individual one directed at the captain. 18.2 states “…the teams change courts without delay”, so I think there’s justification for delay as the correct sanction. (There is another ruleset, which shall remain nameless but sometimes goes by the initials NCAA, that states “Failure to follow proper protocol may result in a delay sanction.”)
Having said that, I think this is one of those “preventive officiating” situations where I’d use the sanction as a last resort. Stepping to the middle of the court and verbally directing traffic should help enforce the protocol and avoid sanction in almost every case. I’d save the sanction for an actual delay (team takes a water break, uses the side change as a time-out, etc.).
When this happens between sets, I’ve stopped the captain on the way by and reminded them of the procedure.
At the deciding set coin toss, I try to be preventive and remind the captains to lead their teams using the appropriate route, and right to the court, not to the bench, and that if the coach wants a timeout, it can be requested after we switch sides.
As an R2, both between sets and during a deciding game switch, I’ve found it better to move up the sideline to my right to direct traffic. It’s usually the B-side team that is “going the wrong way,” both the players on the court going towards their bench AND sometimes the players from the bench going across the court and passing around on the R1 side.
In most matches, this situation only occurs once, so you need to decide if the delay and/or match situation warrants the sanction and issue it appropriately (team delay, not individual sanction).
When this happens and we as the R1 and R2 typically both address the team on the B side and cajol, admonish, remind them to do the procedure correctly. Of course we all know that the 6 players on the A side should swithch and not go to the bench and get bags and water either. Hmmmm I have to ask how many times does this happen while the B side is following the protocol or being helped with the protocol. I would say the A side is in violation MANY more times than the B side. You better be willing to address and/or sanction both teams and the A side more often. Better yet. R1 and R2 each take care of a side and prematch it if is a concern for you.
Good point ray. Team A’s violation is more obvious, but I guarentee team B is equally at ‘fault’. In the real world, in the multi court gym, most teams have their water and gear at the bench. This protocol is not very practical – works great at the Olympics, not so good at the convention center with 14 year old kids.