Umpiring
Understanding the
Mechanics
Properly will
Insure that the
Referee’s job will be
Easier
Prematch Responsibilities
• Arrive no less than 30 minutes
prior to start time
• Arrive with proper equipment;
have pay sheet prepared
• Discuss responsibilities with referee
Prematch Responsibilities
• Review duties with the scorer, timer,
and assistant scorer (libero tracker)
• Assist referee with prematch
conference
• Verify that line up has been entered
correctly on the scoresheet
During the Match
• With ball in hand, move onto the
serving team’s court, check the
receiving team players' against the
lineup card and then the serving
team, roll ball to server.
• Assume position on receiving team’s
side, signal readiness to referee.
During the Match
• During serve, stand outside the
sideline, back from the standard
observing the receiving team for
possible illegal alignment.
• After serve, transition to the
defensive side of the net, maintain
clear vision of the net and freedom
of movement.
During the Match
• When initiating a call: Blow whistle,
move to the side of the offending
team and signal violation
• Calls by the referee: Step away
from the standard and repeat
referee’s signal. Do not repeat
whistle.
Areas of Concentration
During Play
• Focus between the attack lines; on
the net and centerline
• If no net activity, broaden field of
vision to assist referee
• Assist with ball handling violations
ONLY when they are clearly out of
referee’s view
Areas of Concentration
During Play
• Know overlaps and how to identify
them
– Do not be afraid to call overlaps when
they exist
• Know how to use your lineup card
– NEVER keep score on your card!!
Line up Card
Tool to assist the umpire in carrying
out duties. (CB p. 63) Includes:
– Serving Order
– Substitutions
– Time-outs
– Captains:
– Yellow/Red Cards
– Player Identification
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Move to the offending team’s side of
court
• Hold card in the middle of the chest
• Indicate the offending coach or
player number.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Referee administers card
• Umpire confirms violation with
scorer
• Make certain penalty is recorded
in the scoresheet
Substitutions
• Coach must visually signal or sub
enters substitution zone
• Whistle and give sub signal, referee
repeats signal
• Move near scorekeeper
Substitutions
• Release subs to enter court
(Signal #16)
• Notify coach of 15th, 16th, 17th and
18th entry
• Hustle subs in and out
– Be fluent and expedient
Substitutions
• No need to walk to the players
• ALWAYS report subs to scorekeeper
• Give ready signal to referee
– As a referee, NEVER blow your whistle
to beckon for serve until your umpire
has acknowledged they are ready
Time-Outs
• Recognize the request with a
double whistle and signal
• Remind timer to start the clock
for one minute
• Verify score
Time-Outs
• Notify the referee how many timeouts each team has used
– (TOT- time outs taken)
• As a courtesy notify each coach
the number of time-outs they have
used
End of Match
• Signal game point just before a possible game
point is served
• Confirm score, signal end of game to referee,
initial scoresheet, make sure timer starts clock
• Conduct coin toss prior to deciding game, if
requested by referee
• Lineups in to scorer not less than 1 minute prior
to the end of 3 minute intermission
Pet Peeves
• Seeing the net bounce out of the
corner of your eye and everyone in
the stands screaming NET, while you
see the umpire watching the ball
careening high toward the sideline
off the block.
Pet Peeves
•
Taking WAY too long for subs
•
Responding to every coach’s
comment
•
Calling in/out on any ball hitting
the floor (it’s not their call)
Pet Peeves
• Never making eye contact for
ready with the referee
• Not reminding the timer to start
the clock for time-outs and
between games
Reminders
Don’t be a pole hugger!
– Stay back away from the pole
– Stay as close to the scorer’s table as
possible
– When making a call don’t let the pole
hide or bisect you
Reminders
• Always mirror the referee’s signals,
be they right or wrong
– Do not lead them!!
• Learn the proper signals so that
you are showing everyone that
you know what you are calling.
Summary
Understanding and
executing the proper
officiating mechanics
will make the game
move smoothly and
make the referee’s job
less stressful.