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KOACHnREF · **My Call -** 03-10-2008, 11:41 PM

It's a shame that people don't put as much effort into learning to officiate as they do into learning volleyball.

There is no rule change at FIVB, USAV, NCAA, or NFHS in determining if the ball is in or out. No rule in the 12 years that I have been officiating required the official to determine if the ball was in or out by the compression of the ball. The compression of the ball has always been a myth.

Now here's the learning of officiating: Line judges who's not trained and REFEREEs who are really not trained watches the ball to determine an event. This is not the best way to watch the action and make a sound decision. The best way is to look just ahead of the ball in the trajectory. This way you'll see what happens as it happen. Have you ever watched someone refereeing a match and when the ball is passed high up in the air you see them following the ball with their head and eyes? At my level of officiating this is an official who is a step behind the action and judgement calls will be inconsistent. Instead of watching the ball, look to the player who's going to contact the ball. Watch to see the hands contact the ball and make a determination if the ball was played correctly or not. Looking at the spin or sound of the contact is amaturist to say the least.

I would like to comment on the 'Action Jackson Line Judges.' Those who like to move around like they are into the game. In my opinion they are bringing attention to themselves. The R1 & R2 isn't jumping around and doing extra movement to see the play and neither should the line judges. I know there are top collegiate officials that do. There is one who's have an article published about his line judging. As an official (line judges are officials) it is our duty to not be the focus. The players are the focus! Moving to see if the ball hits the line or not actually causes they eyes to not be focused.

Professional volleyball officials have the motto that goes something like this: The best game officiated is the game where the teams don't remember the officials. I've made bad calls like players have made bad plays, but most people remember me from my good time I have on the stand and on the floor. I smile a lot and I compliment the athletes when they make a good play. If I do make a bad call and I know it, then I work harder to not make the same mistake. Some people want the official to 'ADMIT' they made a bad call. That's why they argue with the official. To admit an error after being question encourage more questioning of calls. Now if the ruling was in how the rule applies to the game is incorrect then the official should make the make the change as applicable. They will then gain valueable respect for this action.

Lastly, a comment about an official who over rules a line judge on calls that are close. The R1 should have the respect of the crew. This mean the R1 must earn it! To over rule a close call is the same as an 'Action Jackson Line Judge.' The R1s that like to overrule want the attention that they are in charge. A good official knows that the teams playing are in charge. Officials are the ones that just determine if the play was legal and announce the result of the rally. Respect is accepting the decision of the crew on any close call and allowing them to do their assigned duty.

I encourage anyone who's interested in officating to contact their local USAV or PAVO board. We need officials who are players and not people who are just looking for xtra paycheck. To be honest with you an official can make good pay officiating. The average official make $20 a match doing club ball and collegiate matches at the lowest level make around $75 on a single match and $35 at tournament matches. The bigger the level the more you can make! BUT YOU HAVE TO BE SERIOUS about the teams are the focus. Players understand the game and some rules do not cover the 'spirit of the game.' Players understand the spirit of the game and allow good play to go unquestioned. Officials who don't play the game lose something in the translation and tend to bring the enjoyment of the game down.

Sorry for the long reply. This is my first time on this site and this discussion hit to the heart of my profession. I hope you all understand I take officiating as serious as I take playing and coaching.

	(#13)
KOACHnREF Spectator Status: Offline Posts: 5 Join Date: Jan 2008	My Call - 03-10-2008, 11:41 PM It's a shame that people don't put as much effort into learning to officiate as they do into learning volleyball. There is no rule change at FIVB, USAV, NCAA, or NFHS in determining if the ball is in or out. No rule in the 12 years that I have been officiating required the official to determine if the ball was in or out by the compression of the ball. The compression of the ball has always been a myth. Now here's the learning of officiating: Line judges who's not trained and REFEREEs who are really not trained watches the ball to determine an event. This is not the best way to watch the action and make a sound decision. The best way is to look just ahead of the ball in the trajectory. This way you'll see what happens as it happen. Have you ever watched someone refereeing a match and when the ball is passed high up in the air you see them following the ball with their head and eyes? At my level of officiating this is an official who is a step behind the action and judgement calls will be inconsistent. Instead of watching the ball, look to the player who's going to contact the ball. Watch to see the hands contact the ball and make a determination if the ball was played correctly or not. Looking at the spin or sound of the contact is amaturist to say the least. I would like to comment on the 'Action Jackson Line Judges.' Those who like to move around like they are into the game. In my opinion they are bringing attention to themselves. The R1 & R2 isn't jumping around and doing extra movement to see the play and neither should the line judges. I know there are top collegiate officials that do. There is one who's have an article published about his line judging. As an official (line judges are officials) it is our duty to not be the focus. The players are the focus! Moving to see if the ball hits the line or not actually causes they eyes to not be focused. Professional volleyball officials have the motto that goes something like this: The best game officiated is the game where the teams don't remember the officials. I've made bad calls like players have made bad plays, but most people remember me from my good time I have on the stand and on the floor. I smile a lot and I compliment the athletes when they make a good play. If I do make a bad call and I know it, then I work harder to not make the same mistake. Some people want the official to 'ADMIT' they made a bad call. That's why they argue with the official. To admit an error after being question encourage more questioning of calls. Now if the ruling was in how the rule applies to the game is incorrect then the official should make the make the change as applicable. They will then gain valueable respect for this action. Lastly, a comment about an official who over rules a line judge on calls that are close. The R1 should have the respect of the crew. This mean the R1 must earn it! To over rule a close call is the same as an 'Action Jackson Line Judge.' The R1s that like to overrule want the attention that they are in charge. A good official knows that the teams playing are in charge. Officials are the ones that just determine if the play was legal and announce the result of the rally. Respect is accepting the decision of the crew on any close call and allowing them to do their assigned duty. I encourage anyone who's interested in officating to contact their local USAV or PAVO board. We need officials who are players and not people who are just looking for xtra paycheck. To be honest with you an official can make good pay officiating. The average official make $20 a match doing club ball and collegiate matches at the lowest level make around $75 on a single match and $35 at tournament matches. The bigger the level the more you can make! BUT YOU HAVE TO BE SERIOUS about the teams are the focus. Players understand the game and some rules do not cover the 'spirit of the game.' Players understand the spirit of the game and allow good play to go unquestioned. Officials who don't play the game lose something in the translation and tend to bring the enjoyment of the game down. Sorry for the long reply. This is my first time on this site and this discussion hit to the heart of my profession. I hope you all understand I take officiating as serious as I take playing and coaching.