This document is available at: https://tinyurl.com/vbtipstricks

Here are some tips and pointers that I wrote down while observing various people at scrimmages. I decided to consolidate these for everyone. Most of these are not in the rulebook. These are my personal opinions based on experience; other experienced referees may disagree with some of these. Remember the old saying, Good advice costs nothing and it’s worth the price.

Even though there is tons more to know than what’s written here, I know this is a lot. I suggest trying just one or 2 things on your next match and see if they work for you.

I’ll add to this document if I think of or learn more tips and tricks. Feedback is welcome!

– LarryRuane@gmail.com

– July 24, 2023

R1

• Don't watch the ball unless there's a danger of it hitting the ceiling and going over the net. A flying ball obeys the laws of physics, and your intuition can predict its path.
• Instead, get your eyes to where the ball will next touch something (a player, the floor).
• Calling for serve

• Take in the entire court, anyone tying her shoe? Any last-second sub or timeout requests? You're actually looking more or less straight ahead when you begin to whistle, rather than at the server.
• Wait for the server to have the ball and be in the serve area (beyond the endline)
• Extend your arm as straight and level as possible, hand flat and vertical, thumbs in. (This applies to all signals.)
• THEN whistle
• THEN sweep your arm at medium speed (should take about one second) and touch the opposite shoulder
• Separate the whistle from the arm signal
• You don't need to hold the signal until the serve happens.
• If the server isn’t sure you called for serve and looks at you, just nod slightly or make a small serve signal gesture, don’t whistle again.

• Check in with your R2 when possible during the rally. This takes some practice, but there is time when the ball is flying (like between the pass and the set). If R2 is showing net or 4-hits or whatever (you may not have heard her whistle), then hit your whistle to stop play.
• Accept your R2's 4-hits help unless you're very sure there was a touch. The R2 usually has a better angle. If you're sure there was a touch, you can briefly indicate that even as the rally continues.
• Relax and let the game come to you, stand up as straight and tall as possible, shoulders back, chin up –  don't lean, weave, or bob to follow the play
• If there's a possible ball-down on a pancake attempt (the player slides her hand on the floor under the ball to save it from hitting the floor) quickly check with your line judges as play is continuing to see if they have the ball down. (This takes some practice since you don’t want to miss the main action.) If either LJ has the ball down, whistle and call it down unless you're sure she had it up. If in doubt, accept the LJ's call. (Good to pre-match with your LJs not to signal the ball down unless they're sure.)
• When the ball lands, hit your whistle immediately to stop play, even if you don't know who is getting the point. Gather information, make a decision, and award the point.
• The R1 ending the point has three distinct steps (these shouldn't be at the same time, they should be in sequence, about one to 2 seconds each):

• Whistle (and center with your R2 to see if R2 is calling a fault)
• award point left or right
• show the reason

• You and the R2 shouldn’t both whistle to end a point, but if it happens, it’s not a big problem. But make sure – if both of you are calling a fault, which happened first? Resolving this may require the R2 to come over to discuss. That shouldn’t happen often, but it’s okay if needed. (R2: “I had a net on this side.” R1: “Okay, I had a double-contact on the other side. I think the double-contact happened first.”)
• Look at and acknowledge your LJs after many points; it's not possible to do after every point. Especially if they're making signals, give them some love by looking at them and maybe slightly nodding to say you agree with and appreciate their call. Maybe give them a small thumbs-up on great calls, but don't overdo that.
• If R2 whistles to end the rally (net or centerline fault, or OUT on R2's antenna), wait until the R2 indicates the reason for ending play (signals net or whatever), and if you agree with the call (99% of the time), simply award the point -- no need to mirror the reason.
• If you (R1) end the point for something that's normally called by the R2 (such as a net fault), you're not the R2, so award the point first, then show the reason.
• Be careful not to step on the R2's toes by calling faults that are primarily the R2’s responsibility (net, centerline, R2 antenna). You're a team! If you see a net, give your R2 a chance to call it, and if she doesn't, then either let play continue (if it’s a very tiny net, that may be the best option), or call it (if you're very sure and it's obvious). Be aware of your own limitations.
• It’s very unusual for an R1 to call a centerline fault. If you’re calling lots of those, you’re probably not looking where you should be looking.
• At the start of a timeout, R2 should show you the counts (number of TOs used by each team) kind of small, chest-level, just to you; look for that and acknowledge (nod), no need to repeat the counts.
• At the end of a timeout, both R2 and R1 show the timeout counts big (so everyone can see).
• At set point, look for the R2 to show you the set-point help signal. Don’t mirror it, just acknowledge (nod slightly).
• If R2 forgets to show set point, don't show that signal to the R2. That little signal is for YOU; you're the one who will be ending the set. If you know already, so much the better. The R2 doesn't need to know.
• If a ball comes on the court, don’t hesitate to multiple-whistle and call a replay. Sometimes you may think the players will clear it and we don’t have to end the rally, but error on the side of calling a replay. You’ll get into more trouble if you error the other way.
• If there are subs on both sides (both teams), watch carefully that whichever side the R2 is doing second doesn’t “run” on the R2 (sub without the R2 being aware). If this happens, multiple-whistle and direct them back to wait for the R2. (The R2 may not catch this, being busy with administering the first side.)
• At the start of the timeout, look for the R2 to let you know how many timeouts are used. Don’t mirror this, just acknowledge (nod slightly).
• Keep your coaches' meeting friendly but brief. Personally, I don’t go over the obvious ground rules like, the court lines are this color, there’s the center line. If they can’t see this we have bigger problems. You should cover anything unusual or unique to that gym, like an obstruction. But another good thing is to say “play until you hear the whistle” – that covers everything. If something weird happens, you can explain it then.

R2

• If done correctly, the R2 position is harder than the R1 position. Never degenerate it!
• Don't watch the ball unless there's a danger of it hitting the ceiling and going over the net.
• Three things to know about which side of the net to be on:

• before the serve: receiving side
• during the rally: blocking side
• after the rally: faulting side

• There are a couple of reasons it’s good to end up on the faulting side

• That’s the team that will receive next (team that lost the point), so you want to be on that side anyway
• That’s the side that’s most likely to have a request (a question about the last rally, a sub, or a timeout), so it’s good to be closer so you can hear the request.

• Between points (ball out of play)

• Be aware of any needs from the R1 (frequent eye contact)
• Before the whistle for serve, constantly watch for requests from the coaches, especially the near coach (who lost the last rally) -- timeouts, subs, questions about the last rally. I back up to the score table to have a better view of the benches.
• When the whistle for serve happens, take a few steps forward and study the receiving team, looking for overlaps. Don't watch the server.

• When you hear the serve, immediately transition (from receiving to serving side)
• During the rally, transition between the first and second contacts (usually); you should be stationary on the blocking side by the time of the second contact (usually the set).
• I usually stay pretty close to the centerline extension (that is, I don't move very far left and right).
• An easy way to remember which side to be on during the rally is to pretend you’re afraid of the ball – you always want to be on the opposite side from that scary ball!
• Focus on the net and centerline, don't worry about where the ball is.
• Don’t bend, lean, crouch, or anything like that. Stand straight and tall at all times.
• At the end of the rally, it's preferred to get to the losing side, take an extra step out (left or right) and mirror the R1 signals. When you're on the losing side, you'll be awarding (pointing) toward the centerline extension (for example, if you end up on the left, you'll be pointing to the right).
• If you whistle a play dead (net, etc.), do it loudly, since it’s generally unexpected. If play continues, keep blowing your whistle loudly until they stop.
• Eye contact with R1 as you both signal (award point and give reason). This is called centering.
• If a coach has a request (timeout, sub) while you're signaling the end of the rally, acknowledge (nod slightly) so the coach knows you're aware, but calmly finish your signals, then whistle and signal timeout or sub.
• Give informal “help” signals sparingly. If the ball lands in the middle of the court several feet from any player, no need to signal “ball down”. If there’s a big block touch, no need to give a “touch” help. These actually undermine the authority of the R1, because it makes it seem like the R1 is at least partially blind. One of your main jobs as R2 is to make your R1 look as good as possible.
• Having said give help sparing, it’s extremely important at times – it’s one of your main jobs. If there’s a small touch, or a possible pancake that was unsuccessful, or a close 4-hits, or a close back-row, or if you see that the R1 isn’t sure, definitely give help!
• Only give potential rally-ending help signals. If the attack touches the block and returns to the attack side, don’t give a “touch” help. Instead, do nothing. The R1 knows that if there was no touch, you’d be showing 4-hits help. (Good to pre-match.)
• Never “lead” your R1 in awarding the point. The R1 is the only referee authorized to award a point, even the ones you whistle and call. Always wait for the R1 to award, and then mirror.
• If the R1 signals the wrong reason but the correct team is getting the point, for example, shows “ball in” when it should be “4-hits”, still mirror your R1’s signal. Don’t show up your R1 by making a different signal, even if yours is the correct signal. (You can talk about it after the match.)
• But if the R1 is awarding the point to the wrong team, let the R1 know you’d like a word, and go over to the stand and talk it through. Don’t let the wrong team get the point!.
• If a player is tying her shoe, glace at the R1 and if she’s not aware and is about to call for serve, you need to multiple-whistle and hold up a hand to stop everything. But if you see that R1 sees it, don’t do anything, or else you’re undermining your R1 (indicating to everyone that the R1 needs to be helped with something so obvious).
• The main reasons the R2 will whistle to stop the rally (besides a ball rolling on the court, etc.):

• Net fault
• Centerline fault
• Ball out on the R2’s antenna (except on the serve)

• On that third point, it’s only if the ball:

• Hits the antenna (any part, above or below the top of the net)
• Goes over the antenna (pretend the antenna extends to the ceiling; does the ball touch it?)
• Touches anything outside the antenna, such as the net, net supports, or net post.

• If the ball merely lands out near your sideline, but crossed between the antennas, don’t whistle.
• If the third hit is being played wide of your antenna, step up to just under the antenna on the opposite side of the net, so you can look up as the ball crosses and have a great view of whether the ball went over or outside the antenna. If it did, whistle, get to the other side, signal OUT.
• Substitution

• Prematch with the scorer if she would like you to say the sub numbers. I usually suggest that I'll say them only if I see they didn't get them. If you say the numbers, it's always going-in followed by coming-out. If 8 is subbing for 4, it’s "8 for 4". But one problem is that "for" is pronounced like "4", which can lead to confusion, so I often will just say "8 4" (and I prematch this too).
• Double-whistle -- LOUD, confident -- and signal (rotate hands twice not too fast at chest level). Whistle and signal only once, not once per sub, not once per side.
• Always make eye contact with R1 as you’re whistling and signaling a sub to make sure the R1 sees it and isn’t about to call for serve.
• Get the two numbers (going-in, coming-out)  in your mind, and send them in with a sweeping motion from your leg upward to almost vertical (straight arm), once for each sub.
• After sending in each sub, glance at the score table to make sure they have it (are writing, or they may give you a little thumbs-up). If they don't have it, tell them the numbers.
• Make sure you're not blocking the view of the scorers, let them see the jersey numbers. You don't have to move toward the players; sometimes you're actually moving away. In general, move as little as possible, only when necessary.
• Don't let multiple subs in the sub zone at the same time, one at a time. If they’re doing it wrong, just help them out, don’t penalize them.
• The subbing pair of players don't have to hold their hands together or anything.
• If you have subs for both teams at the same time, you probably have to tell one of them to wait (doesn't matter which you do first).
• On each sub, one of the two players MUST look at you and see your signal telling them to enter. If neither does, double-triple-etc whistle to call them back and do it the right way. No penalty (unless it gets really bad, then administrative (delay) yellow card, has never happened to me).
• Write the sub on your card as each sub is happening. I only write a given number once. If we have starting player 2, then 7 subs for her, then 2 subs back in, I’ll write the 7 (the 2 is there before the match begins), but I won’t write the 2 again. I write dashes between numbers instead of crossing them out, so I can read them. Also, 1-23 (23 subs for 1) looks different from 12-3.
• When the subs are all done and written on your card, quick glance both ways to see if there are any other requests (more subs, timeout), and if not, get to the receiving side, and give the court back to R1.
• Don’t give the court back until you’re done writing on your card.
• If subs run up as (usually the other team) is calling timeout, tell the subs that we’ll do the sub after the timeout. (This gives the coach a chance to change her mind during the timeout.)
• But if you administer a sub and THEN a coach calls timeout, that’s fine too, just whistle the timeout. You don’t have to re-do that sub after the timeout.
• Pre-match with the scorer that when a team gets up to 14 subs used, to let you know. You must tell the coach at 15, 16, 17, 18 so it’s good to know one before.
• If a sub happens, and the match resumes, and THEN the scorer tells you that was the 15th sub, tell the coach at the next dead ball. That’s later than we want, but still okay.
• If there’s a sub at the end of a timeout, end the timeout first (show the timeout counts big with your R1), but then instead of giving the court back, just double-whistle and signal sub.

• Pre-match with the scorer that you’ll want to confirm set point. You’ll see it on the scoreboard but that’s not official. If it is set point, show the signal to the R1. Only show that once per set. It’s really just to “wake up” the R1 that the set is nearing the end; after that the R1 should be paying attention. Don’t show it again even if the other team gets to set point.
• If you see either player not cross the sideline between the attack line and the end line, remind them or the coach that in the future they have to do that, don’t make them come back and do it again or penalize them (administrative delay) unless they keep doing it and just can’t learn. A card is a good teacher. The two players don’t have to meet at the sideline (as subs do).
• Timeouts

• Double-whistle with eye contact with R1, show R1 (in front of chest, not up high) how many timeouts each team has now used. This is a good time to see if there’s anything you two need to talk about. (You can go over to the stand but it shouldn’t be often.)
• Never show the timeout counts down in front of your pants.
• Check with the score table, make sure everything is going okay, verify the scorebook matches the scoreboard ("Do you have 17-12?"). Some R2s check the scorebook very carefully, I tend not to do that unless I think there may be a problem.
• Keep an eye out for questions from the coaches.
• Single-whistle at 0:45 (15 seconds before the end of the timeout).
• If, and only if, that's a team's second timeout, take a step or two toward that bench, and as they break out of their team huddle, show "T" and "2" separately (and if you want you can say it also) to the head coach. If you can't quickly get the head coach's attention (they’re usually not in a good mood), show it to any assistant coach. You can step toward the court sideline to get more in their field of vision. If you can’t get anyone’s attention in a couple of seconds, forget it. It’s just a courtesy. Don’t delay getting the match restarted.
• If both teams are out on the court and ready before the clock hits zero, turn and look at and kind of point to the scoreboard person asking for a horn. You should prematch what this means.
• Before asking for an early ending horn, make sure there's not one player at the sideline still talking to the coach. They get the entire minute if they want. I actually count that I have six players on each side before I ask for an early horn.
• Or, if the horn hits zero, there will usually be an automatic horn.
• No horns are used during tournaments with more than one court in the same gym; in that case, double whistle to end the timeout.
• On the receiving side, hold the timeout counts up high while R1 and R2 look at each other, R1 mirrors.This looks great if you do it during the horn.
• Finally, one more quick glance both ways to see if there are any other requests (subs, another timeout), and if not, give the court back to R1.
• Give the court back to the R1 while standing on the receiving side, using the outside arm, the one farthest from the net. Hold your arm high and straight, nice and big, hand vertical.

• Coaches’ meeting: Remember that it’s the R1’s match. If the R1 asks me if I’d like to add anything, 99% of the time I say, “No, you’ve covered everything!” I say this even if there are some things the R1 didn’t say that I would have said if I were the R1. Let it go, it’s the R1’s match, don’t undermine your R1. The only time I might say something is if it’s unusual and the R1 clearly forgot, like letting the visiting team know it’s Senior Night so there will be a delay.

Both R1 and R2

• A good concept is court ownership.

• Most of the time, R1 owns the court. If R2 double-whistles (for timeout or sub, or maybe a problem at the score table), the R2 takes control of the court, R1 no longer has it. R2 has it for as long as needed, then gives the court back by extending the arm on the receiving side, while standing on the receiving side.
• R2 owns the court before the first set begins and between sets.
• R1 should never call for serve if the R2 owns the court.

• During warmups, watch for balls rolling near the hitters. Jump out and stop the ball if you can! Or if you can’t get there in time, yell BALL BALL BALL (probably won’t have time to whistle). Coaches will love you for taking care of their players like this – and of course keeping everyone safe is the right thing to do!
• Sequence for when R2 ends the rally with a whistle (almost always a net fault, centerline fault, or “out” on the R2’s antenna):

• R2: whistle - loudly!
• R2: move to the faulting side - don’t lollygag but don’t rush either
• R2: signal the reason for fault (net, centerline, out)
• R2: if and only if it’s a net fault, show faulting player’s number to the R1 (not to the coach)
• R1: award the point if in agreement (theoretically, the R1 might have something different)
• R2: mirrors awarding the point (as usual, at the same time)
• R1: if it was a net fault, show the player number to the bench (R2 doesn’t mirror)

• Notice that the R1 doesn’t signal the fault reason.
• The R2 is kind of backward from the usual sequence: fault first, then award
• Sometimes R1s get confused if they call a net; they’re thinking like an R2 and show the fault reason first, and then award. As R1, be sure to always award first.
• If you accidentally blow your whistle, you must stop the rally and issue a replay. Keep blowing your whistle until they stop.You may be tempted to let play continue, thinking no one heard your whistle (it’s kind of embarrassing). But invariably, if you let play continue, then at the end of the rally, the coach or a player of the team that lost will ask you, “Didn’t you blow your whistle?” It’s hard to lie in this situation, and you’ll probably need to call a replay. You’ve just given them a free no-lose play. The other coach won’t be happy. So always take your medicine and end the rally, even if you don’t think anyone else heard the whistle. This has burned me more than once!