1. WIAA / WOA Volleyball Clinic
WIAA / WOA Volleyball Clinic
Welcome to the WIAA / WOA Volleyball Clinic.

2. Rules Changes
The next set of slides will review the changes to the NFHS Volleyball Rules.

3. Equipment and Accessories Rule 4-1-4
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The coach should confirm with the first referee the legality of any piece of equipment.
It is now permissible for a player to have a towel tucked into the waistband, providing it does not frequently fall to the floor.
If this occurs, unnecessary delay shall be assessed the offending team and the towel shall be removed.
Although electronic devices may be used as coaching tools, no such device shall be used by a player while on the court.
LEGAL
ILLEGAL

4. Electronic Devices Rules 9-2-1, 4-1 Note 2
Although an electronic communication device is prohibited for a player on the court, this rule would not prohibit the use of a hearing aid under Rule 4-1 Note 2
Although an electronic communication device is prohibited for a player on the court, this rule would not prohibit the use of a hearing aid under Rule 4-1 Note 2

5. Line Judges Rule 5-1-1, NOTE
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All line judges shall be provided by the host school
B. All authorized officials shall be secured and trained in advance of the match by the host school
• Timer, scorer, libero tracker and line judges

6. Signal Sequence Rule 5-2-1
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Following the whistle to signal the end of the rally by the first referee, he/she shall indicate the result of the rally (point or replay), followed by the nature of the fault
The second referee mirrors the first referee’s signals, except for a net serve
This change allows the scorer to record the score immediately and then prepare for other responsibilities such as recording time-outs, substitutions, etc.
The flow of play is more consistent, as there is no delay as to which team shall serve next.
NEW SEQUENCE
OLD SEQUENCE

7. Signal Sequence Rule 5-2-1b
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If a fault is whistled by the second referee, he/she moves to the side of net of team in violation, indicates the nature of the fault and the player at fault, if necessary. The first referee, if in agreement, will indicate the result of the play (point or replay), followed by the nature of the fault and the player at fault, if necessary. The second referee will mirror the first referee for result of play.
A player’s number may be displayed for a net fault.
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8. Signal Sequence Rule 5-2-2
When a double fault occurs, either referee indicates the nature of the fault and, if necessary, the players at fault
First referee then indicates the result of the play (9-7-2, Penalty 2), which is mirrored by the second referee
When a double fault occurs, either referee indicates the nature of the fault and, if necessary, the players at fault
First referee then indicates the result of the play (9-7-2, Penalty 2), which is mirrored by the second referee

9. Court Protocol Rules 5-4-4b, e and 9-2-3
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With the score confirmed as the set/match point, teams no longer need to be directed to their end lines, but will change courts or go to their appropriate benches as directed by the first referee. Time delay is eliminated.
Score of the set/match is confirmed.
First referee whistles, signals end-of-set/match.
There is a second whistle by the first referee and the signal to change courts or go to the team benches.
If it is the end of the match, the teams are simply released to follow local or state end-of-match protocol.

10. Deciding Set Coin Toss Rule 5-4-4d
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There is a new protocol, whistle sequence and use of signals between first and second referees to call for captains for a deciding set coin toss
First referee whistles, signals end-of-set and directs teams to their benches
Second referee double whistles and raises coin in the air to signal captains to officials’ table for coin toss
Second referee communicates result of the toss, then signals indicating team placement on courts for final set
First referee signals team placement for final set

11. Second Referee Responsibilities Rule 5-5-3b(18)
Following each set, the second referee initials the scoresheet to verify the score
He/She now initials at the end of the match to verify the match results
It is more efficient for the second referee to verify set and match results.
By verifying the final set score, the second referee, in practicality, is verifying match results.

12. Electronic Devices Rules 9-2-1, 11-3-2
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Electronic communication devices may be used during a match with some restrictions:
May not interfere with play as determined by first referee
May not be used to review referee’s decision
May not be used in restricted area determined by host management
State association may have policies in place to address the use of electronic devices
Technology advancements in the area of electronic devices (audio and video) are easy to use and readily accessible.
Their use can be a good coaching tool when used in the proper fashion.
Contest officials should be responsible for what takes place in playable area and not monitoring who is using what device and in what area.
In the second PlayPic, the coach is in a playable area and too close to the court and must move to an appropriate location.
The third example is the coach attempting to use the device to review the referee’s decision.
LEGAL
ILLEGAL
ILLEGAL

13. Time-out for Injury Rule 11-4-2
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The first referee may, if a player is unable to play after official’s time-out for injury/illness, call an additional, special time-out for the injury/illness of up to three minutes for the injured/ill player to return to the set only after there are no remaining time-outs and the team has no legal or exceptional substitute(s).
The potential for the additional time-outs provides the opportunity for a team with only six players to continue playing with a full complement of players after all avenues of substitution are exhausted.

14. Editorial Changes
The following slides contain the NFHS Editorial Changes.

15. Out of Bounds Rules 2-3-1a, b
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Both of these changes were made to provide clarity in the application of the rules.
The rules were revised to clarify when a ball is out of bounds:
A. A ball is out of bounds if it contacts a curtain serving as a wall
B. If no part of the ball contacts the court’s boundary line, it is out of bounds
The shadow of the ball has no bearing on whether the ball is in or out of bounds

16. Game Equipment Rule 3-1-1 Note 1
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This clarifies the original intent that the only location for markings on the net regarding school name, mascot, etc. is the top net/net sleeve.
Only the top of the net tape may have the school name, insignia, school mascot and/or advertising
No markings are permitted on a side tape
LEGAL ON NET SLEEVE
ILLEGAL ON SIDE TAPE

17. Legal Uniform Rule 4-2-1
Rule on legal uniform is reorganized to provide clarity of what constitutes a legal uniform
Specifically addresses the wearing of:
Spandex-style uniform bottoms
Visible undergarments worn beneath uniform bottom

18. First Referee Responsibilities Rule 5-4-3 (13), (16) and (20)
States responsibilities of the first referee within the rule, which previously were assumed to be understood
5-4-3(13) – Determine number of hits by a player and team
5-4-3(16) – Grant time-outs, substitutions and requests for serving order
5-4-3(20) – Notify (or request the second referee to notify) the appropriate coach of reason for any disqualification

19. Second Referee Responsibilities Rule 5-5-3a
The second referee shall assist the first referee by ruling upon situations which are clearly out of the first referee’s view
If assistance is provided, it should be done with a visual, informal signal
The referees should discuss in their own prematch conference, along with other necessary communication during the match
The second referee may believe the first referee was blocked from viewing the play; however, this may not be the case.
The first referee, by way of the visual, informal signal, may accept there is an observed fault or dismiss because he/she did actually view the play and saw no fault, and allows play to continue.

20. Libero Tracker Rule 5-7-3b
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This information alerts the second referee of where the liberos should be located once the teams take the court at the end of the time-out.
Previously the second referee had to request this information.
At the beginning of a time-out, the libero tracker shall report the status of each team’s libero to the second referee

21. Timer Responsibilities Rule 5-8-3b
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The second referee should review this process of communication with the timer prior to the match.
It is not appropriate to sound the audio device that time is up when dealing with an injured player. This procedure is more respectful to the situation and equally as efficient.
In coordination with the second referee, the official timer shall time 30 seconds for the time-out for an injury/illness and, at the end of 30 seconds, notify the second referee, but no longer by using an audio signal device

22. Line Judge Responsibilities Rule 5-9-4 Note 2
In 2014, flags shall be used by line judges, unless determined by the state association to use hand signals
Flags may be used now by state association policy
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The use of flags helps many of the volunteer line judges stay engaged with the play.
Flags are much easier for the referee to view.

23. Replay Rule 9-8-1f(2)
A replay may be declared when a player’s legitimate effort to legally play the ball, in the judgment of the referee, is affected by a wall, curtain serving as a wall, floor obstacle or nonplayable area within 6 feet of the court

24. Time-outs Rule 11-2-3 Note Electronic Media Time-outs
State association may:
Determine number of electronic media time-outs
Determine length and protocol
Reduce number of charged time-outs when there are scheduled media time-outs
Clarified the length and the protocol to follow for an electronic media time-out may be determined by state association policy.

25. Time-outs Rule
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For player safety, either referee may interrupt play if there is an injury.
This editorial change clarifies what is a common practice for our referees.
Either referee may interrupt play with an official’s time-out for an injury to a player or illness

26. Other Editorial Changes
…libero will be allowed to serve in one position in the service order
12-2 Procedure for Unsporting Conduct
1.b. Indicate to the second referee…
Scoresheet Key
ES = exceptional substitution
E# = uniform/equipment violation
RL = re-designated libero
Changed for consistent language in the rules.
Changed terminology to “indicate” rather than “verbalize.” More inclusive, as many times there is no verbalization.
Added or revised keys to record game action on the scoresheet.

27. Other Editorial Changes
Instructions for Libero Tracker
e. At the beginning of a time-out, report the status of each team’s libero to the second referee
Terms in Rules Book/Case Book/Officials’ Manual
officials’ table score table
audio signal horn or buzzer
whistle(s) blow whistle
Consistent with rule regarding reporting status of libero at a time-out.
Upgrade to consistent and more current terminology.

28. Points of Emphasis
This section reviews the NFHS Points of Emphasis

29. Expectations of Properly Trained Assistant Officials
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It is important that the host school secure and train all assistant officials in advance of the match. The match referees only assist in reviewing responsibilities with assistant officials. It is an expectation by referees and participating teams that all assistant officials are prepared and competent in their duties.
Host management should be diligent in ensuring the proper selection and assignment of these assistant officials.
There is a reasonable expectation from referees and participants that these key assistant officials are adequately trained and very capable of carrying out their assigned duties.
When not prepared, any of these individuals could cause unwarranted delays or have an impact on the result of the rally, set or match.

30. Legal and Properly-Worn Player Uniforms, Equipment, Accessories
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Rule 4 NOTE indicates that “prior to the match, head coaches shall verify that all their players are legal and wearing legal uniforms and equipment.”
To accurately make this verification, the coach must know that his/her players are properly uniformed and equipped.
Coaches should educate their players about the types of legal equipment and accessories at the start of the season to ensure players obtain legal items for their use during matches throughout the season.
It is also the responsibility of the coach to ensure that the uniforms of teammates and the libero meet all NFHS requirements.
After observing his/her players prior to the prematch conference and ensuring that they are legally and properly equipped, the head coach is then fully able to make this verification to the game referees.
LEGAL
ILLEGAL

31. Mastering Officials’ Mechanics
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The officiating crew impacts the tone and flow of the match in many ways, such as through their professionalism, knowledge of the rules and communication through their mechanics.
Referees should take time each season to review the signals and practice their timing when using the signal sequence.

32. Mastering Officials’ Mechanics
#8 Illegal Attack
#10 Ball Touched
#12 Double Hit
#9 Illegal Block/Screening
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Several officials’ signals are executed in two parts
The referee should be precise with the entire signal
Each signal should be held for visibility

33. Mastering Officials’ Mechanics
#17 Authorization to Enter
#15 Begin Serve
#19 Replay/
Re-serve
#21 Time-Out Team/Officials’
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It is important each signal is precise, not rushed and held long enough that each signal, such as result of play followed by the nature of the fault, is easily observed as separate actions by the official

34. Line Judges Use of Flags
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It is the expectation that line judges shall use proper mechanics when using flags
From left to right, Ball in, Ball out/Obtain R1’s attention, Ball out after contact with a player, Ball outside or touching antenna/Service line fault and Impossible to judge.

35. Preventative Officiating – Lineups Officials’ Manual C-1(c)
Prematch preventative officiating includes the referee:
Reminding coaches of their responsibility to turn in accurate rosters and lineups (listing the serve order beginning with the first server) by the required deadlines
Reminding coaches the lineups shall not be made available to anyone except the official scorer and official libero tracker until they have been recorded on the scoresheet and deadline for submission has passed

36. Starting the Match Officials’ Manual D-3
Second referee:
Moves to sideline beside court and uses the lineup card to verify players are in their proper positions on the court
Checks receiving team’s lineup first
Signals the libero (if used) to enter court
Indicates the floor captain to first referee using an open hand to designate player
Captain shall respond by raising his/her arm toward the first referee
Follows this same procedure for the serving team
Coaches need to educate their floor captains of this responsibility.

37. Responsibilities During the Match Officials’ Manual E
Time-out – Second Referee
Recognizes request with two short whistles, displays signal #21 at shoulder height and indicates the number of time-outs each team has used
Reminds timer to start the clock for one minute
Checks with scorer to make sure the time-out is properly recorded on the scoresheet
Checks scoresheet for individual and/or team scoring discrepancies and makes sure scoresheet and scoreboard match
Checks with the libero tracker to confirm status of liberos

38. Responsibilities During the Match Officials’ Manual E
Time-out – Second Referee
Ensures timer sounds audio signal at 45 seconds
Ends time-out with two short whistles while on receiving team’s side of net
If audio signal sounds, the second referee does not whistle
Clearly signals, with hands above head, the number of time-outs each team has used to the first referee
First referee repeats this information
Scans both benches and gives ready to play signal to the first referee

39. Mastering Officials’ Procedures and Protocols
Equally important is the mastery of various procedures and protocols, such as:
Substitution procedure
Second referee scanning the court and team benches before signaling ready to play to the first referee
There are several changes this year in the mechanics, sequence of hand signals and signal number changes regarding substitutions. Contest officials must master these in order to be a positive factor in the match.

40. Thank you for your time and commitment to interscholastic Volleyball.
Have a great season!
Thank you for your commitment to interscholastic volleyball.
Hope you have a great season!