POWELL’S TIPS FOR BEING TECHNICALLY AND MECHANICALLY SOUND
by Joan Powell
NCAA National Officals coordinator
Last December, I presented a session at the PAVO convention in Seattle on “Techniques and Mechanics.”
This is a summary of the on-court presentation, with some additional observations.
My intention is not to turn officials into robots. Rather, it is my responsibility as the National Coordinator to provide
a consistent message regarding techniques. The coaches, teams and even spectators have an expectation that
officials’ signals and techniques are consistent from match to match and night to night, no matter the location..
Officials have an obligation to demonstrate the standardized techniques in order to present a consistent product.
Certainly, coaches, players and spectators likely don’t care whether the referees’ thumbs are tucked in while
showing an out or touch signal, but they care deeply about the tempo, pace and clear communication via the
signals.
Posture
The posture of the first referee, second referee and line judges speaks volumes. Officials are scrutinized from
the moment they take the court, 40 minutes before match-time when their jurisdiction begins. Be aware of your
posture during the meet and greet, coin toss, warm-ups and during the match.
• During the National Anthem, the officials should face the flag with right hand over the heart. Military personnel may assume a position of attention and may be different from the rest of the crew.
• Depending upon the style of the referee stand, it is preferred that the first referee place their hands comfortably on the stand. It helps keep the shoulders back; poor posture often results when the arms hang
down at the sides . Also, signals appear labored and awkward when a first referee has to move their
hand/arms from within the confinements of the stand in order to signal.
• Officials who choose the “soccer stance” – hands joined in front of body – risk projecting an appearance
of being disconnected.
Pre-Match Briefing
Regardless of how many times a crew has worked together, it is imperative to have a pre-match briefing with the
entire crew. The first referee should initiate the conversation with their partner. If the first referee does not, the
second referee should initiate by asking questions about topics such as what informal signals the first referee
would prefer. The first referee should be abreast of the best practices and current techniques for line judges and
conduct the briefing accordingly. The second referee should be abreast of the best practices and current techniques for scorers, as well.
• Referees should discuss the second referee touch signal that ends a rally (strong, high, only when the
first referee could have missed the touch). Also, discuss “out off you” – only when needed, not every
time. The first referee who struggles with four-hit decisions may want the second referee to give a discreet
touch or head nod when a blocker’s touch means that play should continue.
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Discuss the exit plan for the intermission and end of match. Both plans should be the same, unless the
facility’s intermission area for officials is different from the end of the match area. Discuss the plan with
the event management pre-match. At the start of the intermission, the first referee should not walk across
the court with the line judges as they return the game balls to the score table. This protocol is to protect
the first referee from coaches who wish to engage in conversation between sets.
When a second referee needs to explain a call or situation, they may want to turn their entire back to the
first referee. This body language demonstrates that the second referee needs some additional time, but
it must be discussed at the pre-match briefing. If a first referee sanctions the coach while their partner is
diffusing a situation, it gives the appearance of sanctioning the partner, as well.)
After checking each team’s lineup, allowing the libero to enter and indicating the captain to the first referee,
the second referee should place the lineups on the score table and get the game ball. When throwing
out the game ball, the second referee makes eye contact with the first server and delivers the ball with
one bounce. It is rude to let the ball trickle off the fingertips toward the serving team’s court.
Whistle tones
• The first referee’s whistle for service is not the same duration as the beckon signal for service. The length
of that whistle is the same as a fault whistle. Also, do not hold the “pose” at the end of the beckon until
the ball is served.
• The second referee’s whistle tone for substitution and timeout are the same. Two short blasts are best,
both of the same length and tone.
First referee tips
• When a first referee needs to insert themselves with an unpopular call such as illegally reaching beyond
the net, back-row attack or block, when whistling a ball handling decision or assessing a sanction, own
the call. After whistling, briefly make eye contact with the offender, then quickly center with the second
referee. Refrain from backing up on the stand or re-distributing your feet. This movement coupled with
looking away from the player and/or coach conveys uncertainty.
Eye contact with the coach can be precarious. Sometimes quickly acknowledging the coaches’ displeasure and then continue with play will suffice. Sometimes it is better not to engage with the disgruntled coach
at all.
• When talking to a captain or a crew member, move down a step on the referee stand’s ladder . Refrain
from crouching down, especially with one of the team’s captains, as it might appear that the conversation
is private and secretive.
• First referees should refrain from calling a line judge to the stand after they have signaled touch, unless
there is some confusion on which team touched the ball or whether an antenna was involved. Do not use
a line judge to buy time. Either accept the touch signal or overrule it.
• When a coach begins to engage with the second referee, widen your focus so that substitutes do not run
on the court without authorization. If needed, blow the whistle to stop players from substituting without
the second referee. Once the second referee gives the game back to the first referee (with eye contact),
the first referee quickly makes sure that both teams are ready and then beckons for serve. Starting play
can help end a coach’s discussion with the second referee.
During debrief sessions, lead the crew, unless the conference prefers that the coordinator or observer lead the
discussion. Be aware of the volume and avoid “crosstalk”; crew members should not talk over one another or
have side bar conversations.
Second referee tips
• Firmly warn the substitutes in the warm-up area prior to the match where you expect them to stand. Remember, “Don’t poke the bear “and “Shoot the alligator closest to the boat!”
• When helping with a down ball, especially on a pancake, step toward the court in order to get the attention
of the first referee. The signal should not be discreet, sell it. If necessary, the second referee can whistle
the ball down.
• If you have a solo touch, own the call when the coach asks you who called it.
• Be aware of hands/arms flopping after signaling. Deliberately lower your arm after the point signal, as
well as the fault signal
• Pretend the substitution zone is covered over in sand. What does your sand box look like following a
substitution? There should be very few foot prints following a substitution. There is no need to get to the
requesting side; there is no need to escort the substitute onto the court. Whistle, signal substitution, ensure that one of the players makes eye contact with you and authorize the substitute to enter the game.
Then, turn and check the readiness of the scorer.
• Refrain from over-using the touch signal to end a play. If you think the first referee did not see a touch by
a blocker or defender and the play ends step out and give the touch signal to ensure the correct team
gets the point. It is rare, not automatic.
• Refrain from using a secondary transition move on every play. To start a rally, use a squared position on
the receiving team’s side. On the contact of serve, begin transition to the blocker’s side. Use a secondary
transition, only if the pass dictates a change in your position for a clearer view or if the set goes to a backrow attacker and you need to get a clearer look at the attack line.
• When there is a discrepancy at the score table, use a whistle to get the attention of the first referee. Hold
up one or two hands to indicate to your partner that you need time to check the scoresheet.
Line judge tips
• Line judges should discuss how they want to hold their flags – rolled up in front of the body or behind the
body. Flags should be held parallel to the floor
• Do not engage in conversation with a player or a coach, especially after a close call. Refrain from taking
the bait. Continue to look at the first referee.
• If a coach is being disrespectful toward you and neither referee is aware, let a referee know during the
next timeout or between sets. If the coach or player’s actions are egregious, approach your antenna during a dead ball, and tell one of the referees.
• When making an in or out call, be in an athletic stance and beat the ball to the line with your eyes. Call
the ball in or out and sell the call by focusing on where the ball hit for a couple of seconds, and then
confirm the call by making eye contact with the first referee, while holding the flag in place. Finish your
move to a relaxed, comfortable stance and bring your flag back to the body without any flare. A snap of
the flag on a close call helps sell the call, but there is no need to snap the flag after the call has been
made.
Court awareness
Keen awareness is a key ingredient for good court management. Read situations before you have to respond.
Remember, before a storm, there are usually signs – darkening sky, thunder, and lightning. Be aware of the situation before it pours.
Let’s all work hard to master the prescribed techniques to ensure that all participants, their coaches and spectators
receive a strong consistent message – relayed by our signals and mechanics.