Volleyball Officials

Responsibilities of Referees &

Work Team
Volleyball officials that make up the officiating crew are first referee, second
referee, score keeper, assistant scorer, and line judges.

The first referee is in charge from the beginning of the match until the end.
The first referee has authority over all other members of the officiating crew.
The first referee should talk to all the officiating crew members before the match starts, going over any
questions officials might have about their responsibilities.
The first referee should have a talk with the second referee before the match starts discussing issues
such as pre-match protocol and anything that will help the match run more smoothly.

The first referee stands on the referee stand and controls the play of the entire game.
Whatever issues arise during the game, the first referee determines the call and has the
final say. After making a call, no player or other referee can argue the call, although a
formal protest can be placed with the scorer. The first referee is similar to a crew chief in
a baseball umpire crew and most have an intense depth of knowledge on volleyball
rules and hand signals.

Pre-match, the first referee inspects the equipment and the players' uniforms. The
warm-ups and the coin toss also fall under the jurisdiction of the first referee.

Throughout the match, the first referee makes calls regarding faults and scoring issues.
They also tell the servers in the back row when ball crossing, or serving, is allowed. At
the end of the match, the first referee notes the score and signs the official paperwork.

The second referee should establish a rapport with the score

keeper and libero tracker. If the scorer and libero tracker have a problem or
don't understand something, they should be comfortable enough to ask the
second referee for help.

The second referee works to assist the first referee throughout the game. If for some
reason the first referee cannot finish her duties, the second referee may take the place
of the first referee.

The second referee stands next to the post opposite the first referee. In addition to
assisting the first referee with determining faults throughout the game, the second
referee is in charge of all substitutions, timeouts and the actions of the scorer's table.
The referee is the individual at the center of the court, dressed in black and white
stripes. A referee’s duties include signaling when a rally begins and ends. The referee is
responsible for officially recognizing team requests, substitutions, time-outs and
communicating with the coaches at the appropriate times. There are often multiple
referees in a match, according to the Strength and Power for Volleyball website.

Scorekeeper - Volleyball officials

The scorekeeper's main job is to make sure the score is correct at all times.
The scorekeeper uses a score sheet to keep track of the game.

If there is a difference between the score on the score sheet and the visual
score (flip score, electronic scoreboard, etc.) the visual score should be
changed to match the score on the scoresheet unless the mistake on the
scoresheet can be determined and corrected.

One of the referees should check the accuracy of the scoresheet at the end
of each set.

THE SCOREKEEPER

Pre-match,

 Before the match starts, the scorekeeper should fill in the pre-match info team
names, starting line ups, etc

During the match,

 Records points when they are scored

 Watches the servers and indicates immediately to the referees when a server has
served out of order. It's also good preventive officiating to watch teams rotation in
case assistance is needed for the second referee to determine the correct team
alignment.
 Records player substitutions and team timeouts
 Records any sanctions
 Records all other events as instructed by the referees
 Records the final result of the set
 In the case of a protest, after the first referee gives authorization, the scorekeeper
lets the game captain write a statement for protest on the scoresheet.

After the match,

 Records the final result of the match

 Signs the scoresheet
The official scorekeeper keeps track of the score throughout the volleyball game. Before
the game begins the scorer writes down the starting lineup of each team on the lineup
sheet and notifies the referees if the lineup was not received on time.

If a dispute or irregularity arises regarding the scoresheet, the scorer uses a buzzer to
notify the first and second referees. Also, when a substitution request arises, the scorer
tells the referees. In the NCAA, an assistant scorer is used to run the scoreboard and
act as a libero tracker.

The scorekeeper creates official records of volleyball games. Before play begins, the
scorekeeper records team and player information. Once the game begins, scorekeepers
not only track points, but also player substitutions, sanctions and time-outs. The
scorekeeper keeps an eye on the individual serving the ball to track the rotation and
notify referees of potential lapses. At the close of the game, the scorekeeper records
the final score of the game.

Assistant Scorer - Volleyball officials

The assistant scorer (or libero tracker) sits at the scorer's table next to the
scorekeeper.

The assistant scorer's main function is to record libero replacements on

to a libero tracking sheet.

THE ASSISTANT SCORER

 Notifies any fault with libero replacements

 Operates the manual scoreboard on the scorer's table
 Checks the score on the scoreboard with the score on the scoresheet

The assistant scorekeeper or libero tracker is responsible for updating the scoreboard and
keeping an eye on the libero. The libero tracking duty was added in 1999. This individual
records changes in the libero rotation, notifying referees when problems occur in the rotation.

Line Judges - Volleyball officials

If only two line judges are used, they stand at the corner of the
endline that is closest to the right hand of each referee, diagonally from the
corner.

The line judges watch the endline and sideline of their respective
corners.
For FIVB and Official Competitions, four line judges are used. Each line
judge stands in the free zone 1 to 3 meters, lined up with the imaginary
extension of their respective line.

Line judge's main responsibility is to make signals to help out the referees in
making judgment calls.

Line judges may be instructed to use flags to make the signals.

THE LINE JUDGES SIGNAL

 Ball "in" and "out" whenever the ball lands near the lines
 Touches of "out" balls by players receiving the ball
 Ball touching the antennae
 A served ball crossing the net outside the crossing space (the space between the
antennae's)
 Any player standing off the court at the moment of service
 Server foot faults

At least two, and as many as four, line judges monitor each game and make judgment
calls on out of bounds plays. The line judges stand at the corners of the court along the
end line of the court watching the lines to indicate whether a ball in play falls in or out of
the court. If a ball goes outside of the bounds set by the sideline and endline, it is a
point for the other team.

If a server steps on the line during a serve, it is a foot fault and the line judge watching
the given line notifies the referees using a flag. When a player touches an out-of-play
ball or if the ball hits an antenna, the designated line judge also indicates the
interference.

There are usually two line judges, one at either end of the court, usually in opposite
corners. Line judges work with the referees, signaling to assist in making judgment
calls. These officials often use flags to signal when a ball is in or out, hits the antennae
of the net, or when the server commits a foot fault, or steps outside the line as they
serve.

References: https://www.sportsrec.com/5149001/volleyball-officials-and-their-duties

https://www.strength-and-power-for-volleyball.com/volleyball-officials.html

Refereeing Volleyball
Officials Volleyball Tips
The officials volleyball crew include R1, R2, scorer, libero tracker, and line judges.

Volleyball Referee (R1)

The first referee carries out his or her responsibilities from a position standing located at the
opposite end of the net from the scorekeeper's table.

It's recommended that the first referee remain on the stand during the entire match except for a
protest, for personal reasons, or to handle a scorekeeping difficulty that the second referee is
unable to resolve.

The first referee directs the match from the first moment arriving to the court until the end of the
match.

First referee duties include...

 Having authority over all team members.

 Having final authority over all decisions including those that don't specifically address the
rules.
 Having authority over other officials of volleyball and overruling other officials if certain
they made an incorrect decision.
 Replacing an official that isn't performing functions properly.

First referee responsibilities before the match include...

 Examine the ball that will be used for the match.

 Inspect the net, playing area, and other equipment to ensure they meet specifications.
 Conduct the coin toss and meeting of referees and team representatives.
 Control the warm up conduct of teams.
 Establish ground rules as needed.

Second Referee (R2)

The second referee takes position facing the first referee on the opposite side of the court.

Should the first referee be indisposed, the second referee assumes the responsibilities and duties
of the first referee.

Second Referee Administering a Substitution

Second referee responsibilities before the match include...

 Ensure the names of the officials of volleyball appear on the first set score sheet.
 Ensure the coaches have line up sheets at least 10 minutes before the end of each team's
timed warm up periods. The second referee collects the line up sheets from each team at
the 3 minute mark on the clock timing the pre-match warm ups and submits them to the
scorekeeper.
Officials Volleyball Scorer (Scorekeeper)
The scorekeeper and assistant scorekeeper are seated at the scorekeeper's table, positioned
on the side of the court opposite the first referee and behind the second referee.

note: Don't forget your officials volleyball gear.

Scorekeeper responsibilities...

The scorekeeper is in charge of the score sheet throughout the match, in cooperation with the
second referee. The assistant scorekeeper is responsible for tracking the libero player's
entries and aiding the scorekeeper.

Officials Volleyball Line Judges

During play, the line judges are positioned as follows...

 When using two line judges, they stand diagonally opposite each other at the ends of the
court. One line judge is positioned at the intersection of the sideline and end line to the
first referee's right. The other line judge is at the intersection of the sideline and end line
to the second referee's right. Each line judge controls an end line and entire side line.
 The line judges should move from the above positions to avoid interference with players
playing the ball or to better observe a ball crossing the net clearing the antenna.
 During timeouts, line judges stand near the intersection of the sideline and attack line on
the side of the first referee.

Officials Volleyball Ball Crew

Some teams will have a ball crew (ball shaggers) that manage the game balls during play.

The purpose of the ball crew is to help keep the game flowing smoothly. Not having to wait for
players to retrieve volleyballs can help speed up the game. Also, sometimes the ball will get wet.
The ball crew dries off the balls with a towel, providing a dry ball for the next play.

Reference: https://www.jacksonvts.com/officials-of-volleyball.html