One of the keys to successful officiating is not just to show up for a match but to arrive. You can be in a class by yourself at judging double hits and jumping on a back-row attack. You might have that knack for captains and coaches to eat out of your hand. All of that can be wasted, however, if you don’t see to the little things from the moment you walk through the door. I find that so many bad nights start when the referees let themselves be betrayed by the well-meaning help that surrounds them.
It’s always a good idea to visit and have a dialog with everyone assigned to assist at the match. Confirm what you want them to do rather than simply expecting they’ll do it. That includes people you might have known for years, but those conversations could be a bit shorter. I would add you should have no plans to ease off this regimen as the season progresses; it’s interesting how many people seem to forget their duties from one week to the next; interpret that any way you want.
When I walk into a venue, the first person I want to see is the athletic director or the assigned host. That’s because I contacted the school a few days beforehand and confirmed the details of the event. While I was at it, I traded phone numbers with the person who would be looking after my partner and me. Finally, I shared our ETA, so that person would be on the lookout to help us settle in.
Preparation and Partnership
I meet the host, I want to confirm some things right there and then rather than try to track them down in a panic 10 minutes before showtime: “Who are my line judges tonight? Who’s going to step in if there are any problems? What special activities are planned?” If you know these answers before taking the floor, you can focus on the game once you’re there. Conversely, if any of your queries are met with stumped silence, the host has lots of time to react and straighten things out.
If I’m working with an unfamiliar partner, I will usually have contacted them at the same time I called the athletic director. That might not be possible if they’re one of seven other people at a tournament. Making that first contact helps avoid the specter of showing up alone or not matching my choice of fashion with theirs. Once at the game, I’ll make sure to have a quick mechanics review with the person. I won’t pitch this as instructions from on high, but as a calibration event. I find that softening the interaction by asking leading questions helps. “How will you signal if you have a net violation?” and “When will I know I’ve got the court back after a substitution?” are examples. When asking passively, you don’t put them on the defensive and accomplish two things: You show respect for them and find out quickly if you need to do some tutoring. Do what you must to get onto the same page and keep the wolves at bay when the game starts.
Managing Helpers
Once on the floor, take a good look at the facility. If chairs are too close to the floor, move them before anyone tries to use them. Look up and decide which overhead items are over playable or unplayable areas. If there are cheerleaders or yearbook photographers around, visit with them and make sure they know where you don’t want them to be. Of course, check the net, balls, platform and padding, making any necessary changes before traffic becomes too heavy.
Get with the line judges in a secluded area. That gives you a better chance of having their undivided attention. You can also demonstrate the signals you want without appearing to onlookers like you’re talking down to them. In my area, line judges are adults who have volunteered, or been volunteered, to help. Even if they tell me they know what to do, I go over everything with them anyway: Trust, but verify. I like to use the interaction to look into their eyes for apprehension, disinterest or lack of understanding. Any of these red flags mean it will take more work to get them ready.
A similar exercise is collaborating with people at the table. It begins with them putting away their cell phones; you’d think that would be simple. At a varsity match, the scorekeeper usually knows what he or she’s doing but, again, perhaps not in the federation format. I clarify that with them and make sure tonight they’re doing it “the army way” for our purposes. The libero tracker has a better chance of being uninitiated. If I suspect that’s the case, I take preventive action. I get my host to find someone — anyone — with some experience to at least coach them until they come to grips with this relatively simple task. A confused tracker can let you down by creating an avoidable illegal substitution or a serve out of order; a good scorer can help prevent these issues, but I don’t want the scorekeeper babysitting the tracker and losing focus. I also instruct the timer what I want the clock set to and when I need to hear a horn. Then, the first couple of times the operator is cued during the warmup, I make a point of double checking that person absorbed the conversation.
If there are going to be ball shaggers, I make sure we’re working together to avoid mishaps. My personal preference is to have them keep still when players are serving and to be deliberate to avoid a stray ball interfering with play.
Setting the Tone
OK, we’re almost ready. Before I call the captains, I take the opportunity to visit with the coaches and hand them our crew card. I remind them then to bring along their roster and get their players to lose their illegal jewelry. This averts cheap sanctions leading to bad moods. Our state has some esoteric rules about shagging during the warmup and I ask the coach to prevent potential problems with this, too, so we’re not running around fixing them.
By the time the captains’ meeting starts, there should be no significant surprises. I make sure to be upbeat, audible and affirmative in covering sportsmanship and equipment, then reviewing the ground rules. By the time we break up, I’m hoping everyone has a feel that things are in good hands.
The main idea of the story is to run the game. Don’t just show up, blow the whistle until someone has won three sets and leave: Prevent the preventable. Treat people with dignity and be proactive. When you elevate your helpers, they tend to try harder for you.
The “team” on a volleyball match really consists of all the people I’ve described. The referee’s job is to be the leader. Make it happen.
Tim Sloan, Davenport, Iowa, is a high school football, basketball and volleyball official, and former college football and soccer official
