The INs and OUTs of Line Judging By: Ray Vergara and Tracy LeVine

Where Do I Begin? Read up on Line Judge (LJ) mechanics and techniques/Watch LJs work matches Ask assignor for LJ opportunities Volunteer at a school Practices/scrimmages/matches Change your perspective from being a ref to a LJ Court and ball flight look different from LJ corners than from R1 and R2 positions

Line Judge Responsibilities

Prior to Match Arrive 30 minutes before match start time Introduce yourself to R1, R2, other LJ, and table personnel Have a pre-match with LJ partner Make sure both LJs on same page Topics to discuss will be covered Both LJs should be present at captains’ meeting Ask R1 if he/she would like to have a pre-match talk and if he/she will be designating the LJ1 and LJ2 roles

Prior to Match (continued) Confer with the R1 if he/she has specific preferences regarding LJ duties Examples: LJ base position when server is in close proximity What is R1’s expectation if LJ didn’t see a touch Coordinate with LJ partner timing of when both LJs will take positions to warm up eyes (during hitting lines)

Prior to Match (continued) LJ1 will accompany R1 across the court, check R1’s antenna, and shake hands with R1 before going to pre-match position 10’ beyond end line. LJ2 will check R2’s antenna and shake hands with R2 before going to pre-match/pre-set position 10’ beyond end line. While standing in pre-match location, hold rolled-up flag down along leg (on side of flag hand) After R2 administers ball to the server LJs walk to their base positions (at corners)

R1 Stand LJ1 LJ1 R1 R2 LJ2 LJ2 Bench Scorer's Table Bench

During the Match Responsible for his/her respective “L” (entire end-line and sideline) LJ shouldn’t make a call if ball lands within close proximity to LJ partner’s “L” (unless it’s where both L’s intersect) R1 Stand LJ1 LJ2 Bench Scorer's Table Bench

During the Match (continued) LJs are responsible for the following calls: Service line faults Antenna faults Lines (In/Out) Touch No judgement/Did not see

“In” Flag Signal Flag down towards the CENTER OF THE COURT With a 45 degree angle

“Out” Flag Signal Flag straight up Extend arm straight up with elbow near ear

“Touch” Flag Signal Flag straight up about 4” in front of body Below chin Other hand on top Elbows out

“Antenna” Flag Signal Wave flag with arm straight up, and point to the appropriate antenna where net tape intersects antenna

Scenarios of Antenna Faults Ball: Touches antenna Touches net straps/cables, poles, referee stand Travels around the outside of an antenna Travels over antenna (How would one indicate which team committed fault?)

Wave flag with arm straight up, and point to the service line Service Line Faults

No Judgement/Did Not See Cross arms in front of you with flag Discuss with R1 if they prefer this signal or a simple shake of the head Avoid this call when possible

Remember - SALT S – Service Line Fault A – Antenna Violation L – Lines T – Touches

During Each Rally LJs should have a comfortable athletic stance straddling their corners At the beginning of each rally LJ on server’s side turns body at the waist and head towards the server If the server is within LJ’s third of court: Default to 1 of 2 positions: 1) Stand at a minimum of arm’s/flag’s- length distance from sideline or 2) Stand behind the server along sideline and return to corner after service is executed

During Each Rally (continued) Anticipate the play Get eyes to line where ball is heading before it lands Move when necessary (without giving up your line) You must see the play develop, especially the end result Be Decisive Quick signal recognition and clearly communicate call to R1

Executing Each Signal From an athletic position: Make a STRONG, DECISIVE signal Snap flag and sell the call confidently Must make eye contact with R1 Posture yourself straight up Preceding actions will build confidence of R1 in LJs’ calls

LJ1 To Square or Not to Square? LJ1 should 1st sell the call, immediately give R1 eye contact, and then square up to the R1 (finish smoothly standing upright with feet together) (In most cases, LJ2 is already facing the R1 (squared up) due to base position)

Time Outs As soon as time out (T.O.) is administered by R2 Line judge retrieves ball from the serving side Do not retrieve if there are ball shaggers First, LJ2 proceeds down his/her end-line When LJ2 reaches sideline of LJ1, both walk towards each other Stop at the nearest attack line/sideline intersection Stand tall, facing the scorer’s table Both LJs hold flag in same manner (in front/back)

Step 2 LJ1 R1 Stand Step 1 LJ2 Bench Scorer's Table Bench

Time Outs (continued) Timing when LJs return to their corners: At the LJ2’s cue, 15 seconds before the clock expires, OR When teams leave their T.O. huddles

End-of-Set Procedures

After Each Set Retrieve volleyball LJs follow T.O. protocol Go to respective attack line/sideline intersection WAIT for teams to finish switching sides Walk together along respective attack lines to scorer’s table (before a deciding set – WAIT until R1 signals for teams to change sides or remain) LJ1 asks R1 if he/she needs a drink

R1 Stand Step 3 Bench Scorer's Table Bench

Between Sets Both LJs sit in designated area By 1:00-min. mark, LJs return to pre-set location 10’ behind end line (between sets, go around court) After R2 completes line up check, LJs return to base positions

LJ1 R1 Stand LJ2 Bench Scorer's Table Bench

End of Match After match point is awarded: LJs go to respective attack line/sideline intersection Wait for teams to finish shaking hands Walk simultaneously with R1 along respective attack lines to scorer’s table WAIT for all officials before leaving gym DEBRIEF in a private area

On-Court Demonstration

Questions?

Thank you!