High School Volleyball Official Protocol
- Pre-Match Responsibilities
- Pre-Match Conference
- Warm-Up Procedures
- Sub-Varsity Matches
- Start of Match
- At the End of a Non-Deciding Game
- For a Deciding Game
- At the End of the Match
- Uniforms
- Officials
- Post-Season
- Fee Schedule
- Rating Reminder for Coaches
Pre-Match Responsibilities
- Verify that Arbiter has sent confirmation to you, your partner, and also the AD for that match. Arbiter will send out a confirmation 96 hours prior to the scheduled match.
- Arrive on court in uniform 30 minutes prior to scheduled match time.
- Check equipment: padding, net height and tension, ball pressure (4.3 to 4.6) and referee platform.
- Inquire about local ground rules.
- Conduct pre-match conference (see below) and coin toss prior to timed warm-ups.
- Team rosters due 10 minutes prior to the end of timed warm-ups. Check off each player on their respective roster. If any error exists, notify the coach.
- Check players' uniforms, braces, hair devices, and jewelry.
- Referee should meet with Line Judges, Scorer, and Libero Tracker to explain duties.
- Team line-ups due 2 minutes prior to the end of timed warm-ups.
Pre-Match Conference
- Referee and Umpire are standing on sideline near score table.
- Referee whistles and calls Captain(s) and Head Coach from each team.
- Introduction of captains to each other and officials introduce themselves.
- Description of local ground rules.
- Discuss new rules.
- Review rules regarding equipment and uniforms, including hair devices, braces, jewelry, etc.
- Remind that floor captain is the only one to talk to officials.
- Remind them to use sportsmanlike conduct.
- Questions?
- Coin toss – Home team should pick their bench area. Visiting team calls toss. Winner chooses Serve or Receive.
- Wish each team good luck.
- Report results to scorer.
Warm-Up Procedures
- Directed by Umpire.
- Timed by timer on visible scoreboard or umpire on stopwatch.
| (20) Twenty minutes of warm-up | |
| 20 | (5) minutes of shared court time |
| 15 | (6) minutes of hitting by Visitor Team |
| 9 | (6) minutes of hitting by Home Team |
| 3 | (3) minutes of serving by both teams |
Sub-Varsity Matches
If a team wins a sub-varsity match in 2 games (best of 3), and the schools have elected to play a "third game," it must be played in its entirety. If the schools elect not to play the third game, but elect to conduct a scrimmage during the available time prior to the next match, game officials may not be used.
Start of Match
- Referee whistles both teams to their respective end lines; coaches remain at bench.
- National Anthem is played.
- Announcer introduces visiting reserves, starters, and coaches, followed by home team reserves, starters, and coaches.
- Referee whistles and signals:
- Form a "C" with hands and blow the whistle, signaling with hands to direct the captains to shake hands at the net. Referee then whistles again to direct the remaining team members to the net to shake hands. When done, all team members should go to the bench.
- The referee goes to the stand and the umpire is by the scoring table.
- Referee blows the whistle and directs the starting players to their respective end lines.
- Referee whistles and signals the players onto the playing court (arms extended out to sides, bring palms together). For games 2, 3, 4, and 5, players report directly to playing court.
- Umpire checks line-ups for both teams. Umpire MUST record both teams in starting floor position on his/her line-up card. (Recipe cards work out best).
At the End of a Non-Deciding Game
- After Referee visually confirms the score, the Referee blows the whistle and signals "end of game," directing players to their end lines.
- The Referee again blows the whistle and signals teams to change courts.
- Players should then proceed counter clockwise along the sideline outside the standards, to their new team bench.
For a Deciding Game
- After Referee visually confirms the score, the Referee blows the whistle and signals "end of game," directing players to their end lines. The Referee blows the whistle and directs the captains to center court for the coin toss. (Rest of the team must remain on the sidelines.)
- Umpire may conduct the coin toss. (Home team calls; winner chooses serve, receive or side.)
- Referee signals the teams to return to the same benches or to switch sides, depending on the results of the coin toss.
At the End of the Match
- After Referee visually confirms the score- the Referee blows the whistle and signals "end of game," directing players to their end lines.
- The Referee blows the whistle again to direct players to the net to shake hands.
- The match is official when the Referee initials the score sheet.
Uniforms
- Consist of a white POLO shirt, black DRESS pants, black socks, and black shoes.
- Black DRESS shorts will be allowed for all regular-season matches/tournaments. Both officials must be in either shorts or pants. The uniform should be determined when the officials "check in" with each other.
- VERY IMPORTANT that you look official when you show up to your match. Make sure your shirt and pants are not wrinkled. Also make sure your shirt is white and not yellowed or stained. Your first appearance to a coach is very important. Make a good impression.
Officials
Make sure you keep track of the schools you officiate at and also that you have received payment from them. Schools will be paying you directly. Some have a habit of not paying or paying late, so keep good track of that.
Post-Season
Schedules
In the remarks section of your schedule there may be a note, "Ref & LJ switch for 2nd match." The officials listed in the "officials" spot will be on the net for the first match and the line judges will be on the net for the second match. It is up to you to decide who will be the referee and who will be the umpire.
Sites
For sites that need to be determined, (info to come). Sites to be posted as they become available. DO NOT RELY ON THE NEWSPAPER FOR YOUR SITE ASSIGNMENT!
Some matches have line judges and some don't. If line judges are not listed, the site will be providing them.
Checking In **VERY IMPORTANT**
Check in with the Host School AD by noon the day before the match, since there may be a last-minute change to a site or time. Also, please verify with all members of your team the day before the match to ensure everyone will be there.
Payment
Checks will be mailed from each Region for both officials and line judges once the FINAL match for that Region is completed. Some Regions may or may not pay mileage. This will be noted in the comments section when you receive your schedule.