1. NFHS Rules Interpreters Meeting VOLLEYBALL 2008-09 Presenter: Ellen Townsend NIAA State Rules Interpreter, Assignor & Official (Nevada) ellentownsend@sbcglobal.net 775.742.9964 (Cell)

2. Starting the Season Off Right Pre-match Conference Proactive Officiating Techniques Positive Communication

3. Starting the Season Off Right Pre-match Conference Partner *Pre-match Briefing *Pre-match Briefing - Discussion topics - Eye Communication - Professional - Enjoyable - Departing - Debriefing Coach/Captain *Pre-match Meeting *Pre-match Meeting - Introductions/Floor Capt. - Ground Rules - Jewelry/Uniforms/Legal - Sportsmanship Expectations - Other - Warm-up times - Q & A - Coin toss - Good match

4. Starting the Season Off Right Pre-match Conference Discussion topics Discussion topics 1. Ground rules = 1 pt 2. Protocols: checking net/ball, greeting coaches, etc. = 1 pt 3. Signaling antenna faults R2 = 1 pt 4. Signaling touches (rally/end of play) = 1 pt 5. Scorekeeper and Libero Proficiency = 1 pt 6. Line judges and shaggers expectations = 1 pt 7. R2 movement and using discrete signals = 1 pt 8. Ball down, seen by R2, not sure by R1 = 1 pt

5. Starting the Season Off Right Pre-match Conference Discussion topics Discussion topics 9. Location of host management & trainer = 1 pt 9. Location of host management & trainer = 1 pt 10. BackRow & libero situations = 2 pts 11. Sportsmanship, bench decorum & sanctions = 2 pts 12. Signals: Illegal hit and Resume play = 2 pts 13. Signal: Discrete game/match pt. and four-hit preference or not & body location = 3 pts 14. Ball down, seen by R2, not sure by R1, R2 disagrees with line judge down or in/out call = 3 pts 15. Crew communication – sharing information regarding a play/situation = 3 pts

6. Starting the Season Off Right Proactive Officiating Techniques As proactive relates to officiating …a technique, a mechanic, a verbal comment or statement, a non-verbal cue that produces and encourages fairness and demonstrates involvement or participation resulting in a positive outcome (change); that is constructive and of educational benefit for all participants; that shows we care. * * Ellen Townsend 7/1/08

7. Starting the Season Off Right Proactive Officiating Techniques Officiate without the whistle whenever possible Officiate without the whistle whenever possible Perception and awareness of situations Perception and awareness of situations Ability to recover and re-focus Ability to recover and re-focus Experience, collaborating and training Experience, collaborating and training

8. Starting the Season Off Right Proactive Officiating Techniques Officiate without the whistle = preventive officiating Officiate without the whistle = preventive officiating - Before the match Scorekeeper & Libero Tracker & Line Judges Scorekeeper & Libero Tracker & Line Judges Play up…Part of crew Play up…Part of crew Quizzing Quizzing OJT (Benefit ??) OJT (Benefit ??) - During play - Dead ball and Timeouts - Between games - WHO??

9. Starting the Season Off Right Proactive Officiating Techniques Perception and awareness Perception and awareness – Know the situation…have recall – Anticipate the question from the coach – Address one Coach …the HEAD coach – Use Book Language – Be concise ?? ??

10. Starting the Season Off Right Proactive Officiating Techniques The road to Recovery The road to Recovery I, _______________, pledge to do the following: 1. To make that call next time… to Just do it! 2. To expect a reaction when I DO call it and will be prepared for any consequences. 3. To accept that I cant take that whistle back. 4. To limit replays in my mind and just let it go. 5. To recognize the mistake and be determined not to repeat it. 6. To zoom in and re-focus and to judge the contact. 7. To own each call.

11. Starting the Season Off Right Positive Communication Portray the Positive Portray the Positive – Display positive body language – Give off a positive attitude – Make eye contact with Coach/Captains/Partner/Crew – Be aware of non-verbal cues – Practice good mechanics/proper signals Practice good listening skills Practice good listening skills Be approachable Be approachable Provide accurate information Provide accurate information

12. Starting the Season Off Right Positive Communication Allow the Coach to be heard WITHOUT delaying the game Allow the Coach to be heard WITHOUT delaying the game Know when to: Know when to: Listen and respond quickly Listen and respond quickly Listen and ignore (file it) Listen and ignore (file it) Listen and engage in a full response (short and concise) Listen and engage in a full response (short and concise) Listen and penalize (yellow-red-eject) Listen and penalize (yellow-red-eject) Know the really tough part is … Know the really tough part is … …Trying to do all of this while quite possibly being cross-examined, criticized, berated, yelled at…..booed by fans...!!

13. Starting the Season Off Right Positive Communication Act as an ambassador when providing information Act as an ambassador when providing information Maintain composure Maintain composure Gets better and improves over time Gets better and improves over time Learned on-the-job Learned on-the-job Do homework: Recall situations in order to better respond (more recovery) Do homework: Recall situations in order to better respond (more recovery) Ultimate Goal - How can I be a more effective communicator with players and coaches when the ball is NOT in play? How can I improve is this area? Ultimate Goal - How can I be a more effective communicator with players and coaches when the ball is NOT in play? How can I improve is this area?

14. Starting the Season Off Right Wrap-up Suggestions for Success – Gain experience through hands-on practice and training Rules clinics and Association meetings Rules clinics and Association meetings Scrimmages and pre-season tournaments Scrimmages and pre-season tournaments Debriefings Debriefings – Invite experienced officials to share their techniques and scenarios Apply the techniques by recreating the scene of the crime Apply the techniques by recreating the scene of the crime Use email, Web sites, magazines and other sport scenarios Use email, Web sites, magazines and other sport scenarios Create your own scenes for use in training Create your own scenes for use in training

15. Starting the Season Off Right Wrap-up Officiate without the whistle whenever possible. Officiate without the whistle whenever possible. Get ready for the season early…like NOW! Get ready for the season early…like NOW! Key ingredients of an effective official are great communication skill and sense of humor. Key ingredients of an effective official are great communication skill and sense of humor. Knowledge is power, absorb the Rules like a sponge Knowledge is power, absorb the Rules like a sponge Be a diplomat – a mediator or facilitator. Be a diplomat – a mediator or facilitator. HAVE FUN OUT THERE! HAVE FUN OUT THERE! Thank you!! Thank you!!