THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY NEWSLETTER
It’s hard to believe, but this is the last week of the regular season! On behalf of the GKCOA volleyball leadership team, we thank you for all your hard work, attention to detail, and your willingness to improve your skills. In my mind, this has been one of our best seasons–I’ve heard more good things this year than any year I can remember. Great job! Finish the season strong!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GKCOA MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO WORK THE MSHSAA STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, NOV. 8-9 IN CAPE GIRARDEAU:
REFEREES: Jim Cox and Trent Bryant
LINE JUDGES: Sheila Handley, Rob Kyle, and Brian Verman
It’s been awhile since five officials from our area have been selected out of the 16 total state referees and line judges! That speaks to the strength of our area and to GKCOA. Congratulations to all!
HAVE YOUR PHOTO ON ARBITER:
If you do not have a pic on Arbiter or MSHSAA web sites, please upload one ASAP. This helps school personnel know who to anticipate for matches. It also helps assigners know who you are when looking to assign officials. Even though it’s the end of this season, at least it will be done for next season or for basketball if you are officiating this winter.
WARMUP PROCEDURE FOR DISTRICTS:
NOTICE–THIS IS A CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS!!!
In previous years, we have not allowed teams to ball handle on the playing court until the 16 minute timed warmup clock begins. According to the 2019 MSHSAA Volleyball Manual, this is no longer the case. Teams are allowed to ball handle on their own sides prior to the timed warmup. Other than that, all other aspects of the warm up remain the same.
DISTRICTS THAT PLAY THE SEMIFINALS AND FINALS ON THE SAME NIGHT:
FROM THE 2019 MSHSAA VOLLEYBALL MANUAL: When district semifinal and final matches are being played on the same date the two teams from the top half of the bracket shall play the first match, the two teams from the bottom half of the bracket shall pay the second semi-final match. Following the second semi-final match, both coaches shall meet with host administration to determine the length of the intermission period. There shall be an intermission of thirty minutes between the second and third matches in addition to the 5:5 warm-up, unless participating coaches mutually agree to a lesser time. Host administration may need a period of time (to be included within the 30 minute intermission) for court cleaning, etc.; however, following this maintenance period (if necessary) each team may use only their half of the court for stretching and ball-handling. The full court may not be used by either team until the pre-match warm-up period begins.
REMEMBER THE EMPHASIS ON UNIFORM SHORTS FROM MSHSAA AT DISTRICTS:
During districts, Rule 4-2 will be fully enforced, but we shouldn’t be seeking out any issues as officials—in other words, DO NOT do any type of large scale uniform check for illegal waistbands/manufacturer’s logos prior to the match. Once the coach has verbally indicated that all players are properly equipped and uniformed during the captains/head coaches meeting, then the responsibility fully lies with the coach. A statewide email from MSHSAA served as their warning.
Officials shall alert the head coach of any issue with the legality of the uniform. If the player can untuck the jersey to cover the waistband that is fine. However if the illegal logo appears during the match, unnecessary delay shall be assessed. Refer to Rule 4-2 Penalties 1 and 2 (the player is removed from the match until the issue is corrected).
DISTRICT TOURNAMENT BRACKETS:
If any of you who are not working districts and would like to go see a district match, click on THIS LINK that will take you to the MSHSAA website where the brackets are located. You need to click on the Class and District numbers to see each bracket for matchups, dates, times, and sites. MSHSAA will not allow non-working referees and line judges in for free, like many schools do during the regular season.
DISTRICT HOSTS (District 13, 14, 15, 16 listed in that order)
CLASS 4: Lee’s Summit West, Truman, North Kansas City, Kearney
CLASS 3: Clinton, Notre Dame de Sion, St. Pius X, St. Joseph Benton
CLASS 2: Stover, Lone Jack, Richmond, Lathrop
CLASS 1: Santa Fe, Drexel, Bishop LeBlond, Tarkio
The winner of District 14 will host sectionals on Sat., Nov. 2.
THE LINE JUDGE VIDEO
As we get closer to post-season, it’s important that we as referees AND line judges remind ourselves of the finer points of line judging, so please take a little time to watch the GKCOA line judge video we created several years ago. A couple of corrections in the video–my touch signal with the flag is incorrect. Make sure your elbow is high so that your forearm is parallel to the floor–unlike how I show it in the video. Also, this video was made prior to the new mechanic this year of having the line judge only move along the end line extended if a server is serving from the left side close to the line judge.
RULE CHANGES FOR NEXT YEAR? SUBMIT TO ME BY TOMORROW!!
Recently, GKCOA has had a history of offering ideas for rule changes that have been strongly considered and even adopted by MSHSAA and eventually the NFHS national rules committee. If you have a suggestion for an NFHS rule change or a MSHSAA by-law change for next season, we will compile a list and forward them to the MSHSAA volleyball coaches advisory committee. They usually meet after the state tournament in November, but we need to get agenda items as soon as possible. If you have a suggestion, please email ken.corum@nkcschools.org by Mon., Oct. 21.
CLUB/COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL OFFICIATING:
We have had a number of GKCOA officials enter into the USA Volleyball and club officiating circuit over the last couple of years. They have an excellent training program and there may be opportunities to get valuable experience. The season generally runs from November to April, but signups are beginning to happen now. Denise Jett is the Heart of America Regional officials coordinator. Please contact her at her email address ha.officials.coord@hoavb.org for more information. If there’s any of you wanting to officiate college volleyball next fall, she can also put you in the loop of people who certify and assign there as well. Many of the same individuals involved in club volleyball are also involved in college, so club would be a great way to get in touch with the college people in advance.
GKCOA SURVEY:
As usual, be on the look out for the annual GKCOA membership survey. We have tried to incorporate your ideas and suggestions in our programming over the last few years. Please let us know in the survey how we did in training, assigning, and other duties plus how we can do better. We take pride in having the best officials association in the state, but we know there’s always room for improvement.
GREAT JOB THIS SEASON! LOOK FOR COMMUNICATION THIS SPRING ABOUT SUMMER CAMPS AND OTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES!
DR. KEN CORUM 