PLEASE KEEP CHECKING YOUR EMAIL AND ARBITER CONSTANTLY: Those are where the latest updates and announcements will be. As we already know, the situation changes minute by minute, so please make sure to stay up to date on the latest information!
REMINDER FROM DIXIE WESCOTT, MSHSAA RULES INTERPRETER: Please make sure to read and review the TWO emails from MSHSAA regarding beads in the hair and waistbands (scroll down to archived announcements) because those situations are being handled DIFFERENTLY than what it says in the rules book.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
FROM DAVID THOMPSON AND DON GARD, ASSIGNORS:
- Openings on 9/21, 9/22, 9/23, 9/25, 9/27, 9/28, 9/29; 10/2, 10/4, 10/5, 10/6, 10/9, 10/11, 10/12, 10/16, 10/19. Please email Don Gard AND David Thompson is you are open.
- Please do not cancel on 9/23. We are maxed on officials. If you are open, please immediately email Don and David.
- When you call ahead to confirm your matches, if you find out something has changed (day, date, levels, gym/location, visitor, time), please immediately email Don Gard and David Thompson so they can update in Arbiter.
- Always keep your officiating gear with you in case there is a last minute change or assignment.
- On Arbiter, slots are listed at Referee 1, Umpire 1, etc. These are only names for the assigning slots. Officials are expected to work as R1 and R2 if that is the assignment. Example: For an 8AB assignment, John Doe may be listed as Referee 1 for both A and B matches, while Jane Doe is listed as Umpire 1 for both matches. Depending on the level of experience, one official will be R1 for the A match and the other officials will be R1 for the other match.
- Schedules are changing a lot now because of the lack of bus drivers in several districts. Watch Arbiter daily as your schedule may be affected.
- If you have a last minute emergency, please make certain to contact both Don and David. Since their jobs have odd schedules, one is usually awake and on point with making changes on Arbiter.
- Officials must go to Blocks and click on all groups (on the left) for which they are assigned in order for Blocked dates to show up for all groups. We have had multiple instances of officials showing as open for GKCOA, getting assigned by GKCOA, and then turning back dates indicating they were already Blocked. In talking just now with Arbiter about a couple of these officials, the officials had dates blocked for certain groups, but not GKCOA. It is a vital communication tool to get this easy step done.
FROM THE DROPBOX
QUESTION: I was discussing with a ref last night the prematch and clock. I just wonder if you can help clear up the confusion. For JV/V or even during a tournament do you set the clock for 18 minutes and then start the clock and have it running while doing the coin toss and captains meeting, or should the clock stop until the captains meeting is over? Is this different for any type of match?
ANSWER: Yes, the clock should run during the captains meeting. On the MSHSAA website, there’s this blurb:
“Prematch Conference: Note: When multiple matches are played on the same date, an 18-minute clock shall start as soon as the officials have completed their duties from the previous match. The officials will conduct the conference in the first 2 minutes of the running clock and will release teams to their warm-up activities at 16 minutes on the clock. The conference shall be concluded before the 16-minute mark. The clock will continue without interruption.”
One thing to note–teams aren’t really getting 5 minutes of ball handling–consider it to be 3 minutes + a bonus 2 minutes during the captains’ meeting/coin toss. That provision from MSHSAA was put in to solve a time-saving issue so that referees/teams don’t delay getting the next match’s coin flip done in a timely manner. It wasn’t put in to entitle teams with an extra two minutes of ball handling.
EMAIL FROM MSHSAA – 9/14/21:
To: MSHSAA Volleyball Officials
From: Davine Davis, MSHSAA
Re: Clarification Regarding 3/5 Format
All varsity level dual competitions are to be played using the best of 5 format, per NFHS Volleyball Rule 1-2-1. The first team to win 3 sets shall be declared the winner. Sets 1-4 shall be played to 25 points (no cap), and a team must win by two points. The fifth and deciding set shall be played to 15 points (no cap), and a team must win by two points (NFHS Rule 1-4-2). The fifth set shall not be played to 25 points. Please review these two rule codes to ensure our varsity matches are officiated correctly. Thank you.
- Reminder: Metal tensioning devices, such as the one pictured, must be covered. The covering can be a towel, foam pipe insulation, athletic tape–anything that covers exposed metal. Likewise, any chain or cable through the top or bottom of the net must be covered, as well. A plastic coating on a cable is a sufficient covering.
2. R2s, when in the proper position, do not have the angle to see whether the ball is touching the line or not. This also means the R2 is not watching the net and centerline. If the R2 should happen to have an opinion on a line call, they could (perhaps) discretely signal to the R1, but should never whistle or overtly signal their disagreement.
MORE FROM THE DROPBOX
QUESTION: A ball is hit over the net by Team A and it goes out of bounds without being touched (or so I think) by Team B. So I award the point to Team B and signal the violation (OUT), but then a player from Team B admits that she did touch the ball before it went out (not sure why she would do that, but that’s for another conversation 😊)……do I stick with what I originally called, replay the point, or award the point to Team A?
ANSWER (FROM KEN): It doesn’t happen very often, but typically, if a player admits that she touched a ball where I didn’t see the touch, I have always taken that honor call. That does promote honesty and good sportsmanship. However, you are not obligated to do that and stick with your original call. In any event, there shouldn’t be a replay in that scenario.
HOW TO KEEP SCORE
NFHS has a video on their website (about 28 minutes, but you don’t have to watch the whole thing) with instructions on how to keep score. The reason I would advise to watch this is so that if a scoring error occurs, you know where to look for information and how to make sure pertinent match information is being recorded properly. I would highly recommend finding a little time to watch this video – you never know – it could really help get you out of a sticky situation one night this season!!
https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/volleyball-scoresheet-instructions-video/
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN OFFICIATING CLUB VOLLEYBALL?
CLICK BELOW – CLINICS BEGIN IN OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, TOURNAMENTS ARE IN DECEMBER-APRIL:
ARCHIVED ANNOUNCEMENTS
REMINDER – DECIDING SETS
The 5th set of a varsity match is ALWAYS played to 15, win by 2. The only time a discussion needs to occur regarding the deciding set is for a sub-varsity match–the 3rd set is played to 25 UNLESS BOTH coaches agree to shorten it to 15. If the coaches disagree, the default is 25. Please make sure to make that discussion part of your pre-match coach/captain/coin toss meeting prior to the start of the match.
MSHSAA CLASS AND DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS
Here are the newly announced teams in each MSHSAA class and district for the post-season tournaments for AREA SCHOOLS ONLY. when district tournament managers start calling or emailing you to officiate districts on Wed., Sept. 29, these are the district host schools that will be contacting you.
CLASS 5 – HOSTS ARE LEE’S SUMMIT WEST, BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH, LIBERTY NORTH, AND OAK PARK
CLASS 4 – HOSTS ARE PLEASANT HILL, RAYTOWN SOUTH, WINNETONKA, AND BENTON
CLASS 3 – HOSTS ARE CALIFORNIA, ODESSA, NOTRE DAME DE SION, AND CAMERON
CLASS 2 – HOSTS ARE ADRIAN, LAFAYETTE COUNTY, EAST BUCHANAN, AND BISHOP LEBLOND
CLASS 1 – HOSTS ARE OTTERVILLE, SANTA FE, PLATTSBURG, AND TARKIO
EMAIL FROM MSHSAA REGARDING HARD BEADS IN HAIR
Sent to coaches, ADs, and officials on Sept. 1, 2021
To: MSHSAA Registered Volleyball Officials
From: Davine Davis, MSHSAA
Re: NFHS Volleyball Rules 4-1-6
Please read below information regarding the implementation of NFHS Volleyball Rule 4-1-6. Several states have expressed concerns regarding how to handle the enforcement of illegal hair adornments, specifically beads. Due to the sensitivity surrounding the current rule and the penalty associated with it, the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee has provided the following guidance for states and officials. Thank you.
The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee will be discussing rules language currently prohibiting the wearing of any hair devices that do not meet the requirements of Rule 4-1-6.
Rule 4-1-6…Hair devices made of soft material and no more than 3 inches wide may be worn in the hair or on the head. Bobby pins, flat clips and flat barrettes, unadorned and no longer than 2 inches, are also allowed.
The current language prohibits the wearing of beads or clips that do not meet the above criteria. While both the NCAA and USA Volleyball have rules language that allows for these hair adornments, these items are noncompliant per NFHS rules.
The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee is sensitive to how this rule is enforced. The committee strongly believes that equipment rule compliance begins with coach/player education and the responsibility to ensure all players are properly equipped falls directly on the head coach.
In the instance a player is found to be wearing a hair adornment(s) not meeting the requirements of Rule 4-1-6, the following steps may be taken by the officials to avoid disqualification or cutting out of secured hair adornments:
1. Official shall notify the head coach of the rule violation as soon as the noncompliant hair adornment is identified.
a. If the adornment can be easily removed, it must be removed before the athlete can compete.
b. If the adornment cannot easily be removed, the player must secure the hair adornment(s) in a way that will not pose a risk to the athlete or their teammates.
2. The athlete will be allowed to compete in that match with adornment removed or secured.
3. At the conclusion of the match, the state association shall be notified by the official, via the Special Report function on the MSHSAA website.
4. The state association shall inform the athletic director/head coach that their team must be legally equipped to participate in the next match.
The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee will be closely examining the current rules language in January in addition to the current penalty structure.
ARCHIVED DEEP THOUGHTS FROM DON SLEET
- Our good friend from Sedalia, Nancy Willig, makes laminated sheets (like the one below) to show to timers at the scorer’s table on when the sound the horn for warmups, time outs, and intermissions. If you would like a copy, please email Don at don.sleet.vb@gmail.com to make arrangements.
2. R1s need to make sure both line judges are in position before starting the match. (R2s should also check that all crewmates are in position before giving the court to R1 at the start of the set or after timeouts.) There have been some situations where R1 whistles for serve at the start of a set without line judges being ready a couple of times already this season.
3. When going to watch a match, such as when practicing your lineup card, please don’t wear your uniform shirt–it draws attention to you and invites questions from fans. You can leave it in the car (in case you’re needed to fill in) if you want.
FROM THE ASSIGNORS ARCHIVE
- Send emails to Don Gard and David Thompson each Sunday with upcoming open dates. Changes are happening almost hourly and we need great communication to help get assignments filled. It is vital that officials keep Arbiter calendars current, check into Arbiter daily for changes, and accept assignments for dates showing as open on Arbiter.
- GKCOA and the Suburban Conference have an agreement to provide certified MSHSAA line judges for most conference schools. Over the last several years, we have made an effort to make sure to emphasize those line judging assignments are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. The coaches and administrators want us, so we need to treat these assignments respectfully. In most cases, we tie a C-match with the line judge assignment, but sometimes there is only a line judge assignment. At any rate, please treat that assignment with respect. For many, the opportunity to line judge a varsity match is an opportunity to move up to referee varsity matches–the coaches get to see your skills and professionalism, and we have seen many referees get varsity opportunities after starting out as line judges–PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND TREAT THAT ASSIGNMENT WITH PROFESSIONALISM.
- Please be reminded that GKCOA requests that officials have no more than 3 total among turn backs (already accepted and a conflict arises), auto declines (not accepted within the assigned time frame), or declines (date showed as open and official declines) per season.
- We have many officials that have already exceeded that limit. Each of these (turn back, auto decline, and decline) takes Don and David a minimum of 5 minutes to correct, replace, and fill with another official who can handle the level, is close to the location, and has no conflicts with the assignment or partner. Don and David have spent approximately 15 hours so far this season on these matters. So, if you could do everything you can by maintaining an accurate schedule, that will help them immensely! Thank you!
- We are seeing schools drop teams (C-Silver and, in some cases, JV) because of lack of players. Obviously, that will cause cancellation of matches and will impact schedules of some referees. If you see a large impact in your schedule, please contact David and Don to see if we can get you additional matches on your schedule to make up for the matches lost.
- Here’s a good video (SKIP AHEAD TO 13:38) to check out if you haven’t figured out how to get your Arbiter money into your bank account yet. PLEASE pay particular attention to using manual transfers—in other words, DO NOT set ArbiterPay to automatic transfers—if you do, it will charge you $1.50 per transaction!!
7. If you are available on 9/21, please email Don and David ASAP. We have several openings.
8. The assignors would like to publicly thank Lindsey Patterson, who coordinates our new GKCOA officials with membership information, taking notes at meetings, and gets everyone up to date on MSHSAA requirements. She’s a fantastic team member and a very diligent worker. Thank you Lindsey!
JAMBOREE WEBCAST ON DEMAND
Here is the raw video of the 2021 GKCOA Volleyball Jamboree Webcast. Unfortunately, there was an outage part of the way through the second match, so the video is in two parts:
PART I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc5iPwDQevk
38:06 – Beginning of the broadcast
42:07 – Captains/coaches meeting and coin toss
44:37 – R2/scorer’s table pre-match meeting
46:19 – R1/line judges pre-match meeting
1:05:40 – Winnetonka/Oak Park match begins – focus on R1 techniques
1:42:35 – Winnetonka/North Kansas City match begins – focus on R2 techniques
1:52:29 – Part I ends in set 1 with the score 19-19
PART II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vhxxov1uTY
26:15 – Winnetonka/Staley – focus on advanced techniques and overlaps
55:58 – Post-match debrief
I plan on adding timestamps of some of the more notable calls and situations later, but this should get you started. Also, the sound quality varies throughout because our microphones were malfunctioning, and we were also wearing masks during the broadcast.
SIGNALING PLAYER NUMBER CHEAT SHEET
From the perspective of the referee, here is a chart I found on how to signal player numbers when it comes to net violations. For the entire signal sequence, refer to this video: CLICK HERE – SEE NET VIOLATION PROTOCOL
MASK/COVID PROTOCOLS
The Suburban Conference does not have an across the board policy on officials wearing masks. Each school or school district will decide their own policies (most likely based on their county/city/local guidance). When you call a school to confirm, it might be wise to ask if you’ll need to wear a mask
Policies may differ from school to school and from night to night. If a school allows you to work without a mask, you can still choose to wear one. What your partner(s) do should have no influence on what you decide to do. Figure out your own philosophy and stick with it.
We have no enforcement over others wearing masks. On court players may be masked. Coaches and bench personnel may be masked. Scorer’s table workers may be masked. Spectators may be masked. Not sure if benches will still be extended to the ends of the basketball court or not.
IF A PLAYER WEARS A MASK, AND IT FALLS OFF DURING PLAY, stop play and issue a replay (Rule 9-8-1g 1). If the mask repeatedly falls, then an unnecessary delay yellow card is issued, and escalates from there. The unnecessary delay applies for the team, therefore, if a different player has it fall off, then the next penalty would be an unnecessary delay red card.
EMAIL FROM MSHSAA – ILLEGAL WAISTBANDS ON UNIFORMS
To: MSHSAA Volleyball Coaches, Officials, Athletic Administrators and Principals
From: Davine Davis, MSHSAA
Date: August 9, 2021
Re: Volleyball Uniforms – Illegal Waistbands
The NFHS has made uniform waistbands a point of emphasis in this year’s rules review. Under current NFHS Volleyball Rule 4-2-1-f, “A single partial/whole manufacturer’s logo/trademark/reference, no more than 2 ¼ square inches with no dimension more than 2 ¼ inches, is permitted on each piece of the uniform provided placement does not interfere with the visibility of the player’s number.”
When a team cannot begin or continue the match with six players wearing legal waistbands, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent (Rule 4-2, Penalty 3). The match begins and/or continues and the R1 will submit a special report via the MSHSAA website and MSHSAA staff will follow up with school administration.
Any player who attempts or begins to enter the match at a later point, wearing an illegal waistband, will be allowed to enter and the team will be assessed a loss of rally/point, the R1 will submit a special report via the MSHSAA website and the MSHSAA staff will follow up with the school administration.
The unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card) will not be assessed for illegal waistbands because the team has, or will be penalized, under Rule 4-2, Penalty 3.
If, during the match, a player is injured and there is blood on the uniform, Penalty 1 or 2 must be used, depending upon when the blood is noticed on the uniform. This must be corrected before the player can re-enter the match again. It is a safety issue.
Ultimately, it is each coach’s responsibility to ensure that ALL players on the team are LEGALLYuniformed before the match begins. If your school does not provide uniform bottom or shorts for your players, it is your responsibility to educate your players and parents so they understand Rule 4-2-1 when purchasing their shorts.
MSHSAA expects our schools to follow all NFHS and MSHSAA rules for the sport of volleyball and our officials to apply these rules consistently across the state,at all levels of play. Anything less impacts the integrity of the game and the opportunity for every player to have a chance to participate. Good luck to everyone on the upcoming season!
SCENARIOS REGARDING THE ABOVE EMAIL
The following are situations we came up with and confirmed with MSHSAA that these are correct.
SIGNAL: Signal 20 (unnecessary delay red card) is used for this penalty.
- If a team cannot begin the match with six players with legal waistbands, we begin the match with a penalty point, the opposing team serves, and all players who have illegal waistbands are allowed to play.
- If an official witnesses a team wearing illegal waistbands during warmups, but will still have six players with legal waistbands, there is no penalty yet. The official can remind the coach about the rule, but no penalty occurs since the players with illegal waistbands have not yet started or entered the set.
- Once a player actually starts the set with an illegal waistband (during the lineup check), the team is penalized. Multiple players could have illegal waistbands, but only one point is penalized for the entire match. If the team was to have served to start the match, they lose the first serve when their team is penalized a point and will rotate one position when they regain the serve.
- If a player with an illegal waistband enters the substitution zone and it’s their first violation, the team is penalized. The substitution is carried out, but if the team was serving, they lose the serve when their team is penalized a point and will rotate one position when they regain the serve. Therefore, if that sub was supposed to serve, she won’t and the team rotates next time. Any more players that enter the rest of the match with an illegal waistband are not penalized and allowed to enter.
- If a player is discovered with an illegal waistband on the court during the set and it’s their first violation, the team is penalized. The player remains in the set. If that team was serving, they lose the next rally and will rotate one position when they regain the serve. Any more players that enter or are discovered the rest of the match with an illegal waistband are not penalized and allowed to enter or continue playing.
- JUST ADDED SCENARIO: If both teams have players with illegal waistbands to start the match and cannot correct the situations, both teams are simultaneously assessed with a violation. Each team begins with one point and NEITHER TEAM ROTATES. Show Signal 20 to the serving team first, then to the receiving them. Each team keeps the same first server, and the set begins. Any more players that enter or are discovered the rest of the match with an illegal waistband are not penalized and allowed to enter or continue playing.
- Under all of these scenarios the officials will submit a special report to MSHSAA.
MSHSAA REMINDERS
Here’s when to fill out MSHSAA special reports if there are unsporting conduct cards given during a match:
DIFFERENCES IN UNIFORM BOTTOMS
It is legal for a team to wear different styles of uniform bottoms as long as they are like-colored:
MAKE SURE WE ARE PROPERLY ACCEPTING ASSIGNMENTS IN ARBITER
The assignors have noticed that a number of assignments have gone unaccepted and therefore cancelled because they believe that people don’t properly accept their assignments from their schedule page. The video below shows how to accomplish that.
TOURNAMENT CREW CHIEF CHECKLIST
If you are listed first (Referee 1) in Arbiter for a Saturday tournament, congratulations–you are the crew chief! Here is a list of responsibilities that you need to follow:
KEY UPCOMING DATES
Sun., Sept. 19: GKCOA Meeting #4 at Winnetonka – 4:30-6:00pm – all officials
Sat., Oct. 16: Middle school season-ending tournaments
Thurs., Oct. 21-Tues., Oct. 26: Districts
Thurs., Oct. 28: Sectionals
Sat., Oct. 30: Quarterfinals
Thurs., Nov. 4-Sat., Nov. 6: State in Cape Girardeau
NEXT TIME
SUN., SEPT. 19 – WINNETONKA HS (4:30-6:00PM – ALL OFFICIALS MEETING, NO NEW OFFICIALS MEETING)
DR. KEN CORUM 