Deciding when to issue a card during a match is a delicate balance of art and science. Some situations require immediate action, while others call for careful judgment, clear communication and effective behavior management. Knowing when to communicate — and when to card — is key to keeping the match fair and under control.
Automatic Infractions: When to Card Immediately
Certain behaviors require an automatic card to maintain the integrity and safety of the match. These actions leave little room for interpretation:
Abusive language: Directed at officials, players or spectators — when it comes to language, if it is personal, public, persistent or profane, it needs to be dealt with. If it is a private conversation that happens one time and it is not overly animated, chances are a card is not necessary. When it comes to knowing where to draw the line, especially in terms of running comments from a coach, the rule of thumb is this: If your concentration is broken because of something the coach is saying, it needs to be dealt with immediately. Your focus needs to be on the court, not on the team benches.
Physical aggression: Any form of physical altercation, such as pushing or shoving, falls in this category. Failure to address this behavior when it occurs only means it will escalate and will be more difficult to control as the match progresses. Nip it in the bud early.
Unsporting conduct: This includes actions like throwing the ball in anger or targeting an opponent. The same is true for this as it is for physical aggression. Deal with it early and quell it before it becomes a major problem.
In these cases, officials must act quickly and issue a card to maintain fairness and safety. The rules are clear, with no room for discretion. Depending on the severity of the action, anything from a warning (yellow card) to a disqualification (yellow and red combined) may be appropriate. Remember, you don’t have to go through a progression of cards if the behavior warrants a stricter penalty. A yellow card (warning) is a privilege, not a right.
The Gray Areas: When Communication Can Be Enough
Not every situation is so clear-cut. Often, a conversation can prevent behavior from escalating to the point where a card is necessary. Here are some situations where a verbal warning can suffice:
Minor dissent: A player shows brief frustration, but without disrespect toward the referees.
Coaching boundaries: A coach steps outside his or her box and enters the substitution zone, but remains professional.
Heat of the moment: A player or coach has an emotional outburst that can be addressed with a quick conversation.
In these cases, a well-timed verbal warning can reset the match’s tone without the need for a card. This approach demonstrates the art of officiating — using your judgment to handle situations with fairness and discretion. Sports are emotional and coaches and athletes often wear their emotions on their sleeves. We don’t expect players and coaches to be emotionless robots that agree with every call or non-call we make. Often, we can correct the behavior with a quick conversation, as long as the behavior is tolerable. When it is not, then it must be dealt with by showing a card.
Managing Behavior: Players, Coaches and Captains
Behavior management differs depending on the role. Here is a breakdown of how each of the different roles should be managed throughout a match.
Players: At lower levels, players may be given more leeway. The focus is on education and growth, and officials should guide them rather than resorting immediately to punishment, provided the behavior is not over the top or persistent.
Captains: As team leaders, captains are held to a higher standard. They represent their teams and must model proper behavior. While they may receive more communication, they also face quicker carding if they continue misbehaving. Also, many referees will use captains as a go-between if there needs to be behavior modification with a coach or another player. Rather than shouting across the court at a coach or dealing with an individual player, referees can have a quick conversation with a captain to relay a message.
Coaches: Coaches, for the most part, know the rules and set the tone for their teams. If a coach repeatedly displays negative behavior, cards should be issued more swiftly. If you allow a coach to behave negatively for an entire match and do not take care of business, you are not only making things more difficult on yourself and your partner, you are also making things more difficult on the next crew that has that coach. That which we permit, we promote.
The key is to recognize each individual’s role and adjust how you manage their behavior accordingly.
Adapting to the Level of Play
Officiating styles vary based on the level of play. Not all matches are the same and how we deal with situations may not be consistent across all levels. Here are some suggestions for each level of play:
Sub-varsity matches: These matches are often learning opportunities. Officials may issue warnings to help players improve their behavior rather than immediately issuing a card. Many times, referees are working these matches alone. It is important to have a feel for the match and understand the tone. This doesn’t mean anything goes. It simply means you may have a little more patience with newer players and coaches and use communication first before immediately assessing formal warnings and penalties.
Varsity and travel (USAV) matches: Higher-level matches, including those governed by NFHS, NCAA and USAV, expect professionalism from both players and coaches. In these cases, officials are quicker to issue cards to maintain game integrity and professionalism.
The level of play influences how behavior is managed. At higher levels, the focus is on maintaining competitive balance and ensuring all participants follow the rules, while education is the key focus at other levels.
Conclusion: Balancing the Art and Science of Officiating
The best volleyball officials blend rulebook knowledge with game awareness. Sometimes a firm conversation can restore order, while other times, a swift card is necessary to maintain fairness.
The goal is always to make the game safe, fair and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Michael Flowers, Elgin, Ill., is a high school and USAV certified referee. He worked the Illinois High School Association Girls’ State Finals in 2021.
