SCORING�HIGH SCHOOL�VOLLEYBALL

By Nick Bryant - Maine Association of Volleyball Officials – Revised through August 20, 2024

​

Originally created by Bob Boese (2011) Acadiana Volleyball Officials

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SCORING CLINIC PREFACE

• This is a PowerPoint to help high school scorers comply with NFHS scoring procedures.
• First, text on this screen describes happenings on the court. Try to make the correct entries on the scoresheet.
• Then, a sample scoresheet on the next slide shows how to correctly score what happened.

​

BLANK TYPICAL SCORESHEET

SYMBOLS AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN THIS CORNER

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

Forms May Vary!

​

• The form of scoresheet in use at a school may vary from what you see here. But there should be space for all information that you will be asked to enter in the examples below.
• You will need a fresh scoresheet for each set in the match.

Scoring is Demanding

• Scoring takes concentration. Put away phones or other distractions.
• An accurate scoresheet contains all information your R2 needs to recreate what happened on any point in the match.
• Try to be quick and efficient, but don’t hesitate to tell your R2 if you need something explained or need more time.
• Work with your officiating teammates!

Good Scorekeeping Habits

• Establish an unvaried routine in your scorekeeping. Take each step in turn.
• Step 1: Complete the individual box score (point, timeout, substitution, penalty, etc.).
• Step 2: Mark the running score.
• Step 3: Insert substitute player numbers, mark # of substitutions used, insert score at timeout, note sanctions or exceptional substitutions in the comments section.

​

It’s NOT a Guessing Game

• Don’t ever guess what happened. If you don’t know, ask your R2.
• If your R2 doesn’t explain what happened and there is a serve, find out from your R2 at the next dead ball.
• You must know everything that happens, and your scoresheet must show it.
• From time to time, check the Libero Tracking Sheet and the timer’s scoreboard against your scoresheet.

Be Professional

• The scorer is part of the officiating team with the R1 and R2, Libero Tracker, Line Judges and Timer. Officials depend on each other to do their jobs properly.
• The players on both teams deserve the best efforts of the entire officiating team.
• Everyone expects fair competition and neutral officials. Don’t behave like a fan of either team during the match.

NEATNESS COUNTS

• The scoresheet can get crowded with substitutions, timeouts, etc.
• If you and your R2 can’t read everything easily, the information on the scoresheet can’t be used to sort out disputes.
• TRY TO BE NEAT.
• It’s better to take your time and tell your R2 you need time, rather than be sloppy.

Box Scores Come First - �X Marks the Spot!

• Anything that happens during a player’s term of service is first marked in the box score for that player – even if it is something the other team does.
• X indicates action by the non-serving team
• Substitutions: S (or Sx for the non-serving team) and the entering / leaving players’ numbers
• Timeouts: T (or Tx for the non-serving team)
• Penalties: P (or Px for the non-serving team) and the penalized player’s number

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VOLLEYBALL SCORING�SAMPLE MATCH�2024

• This is a match between Adams High School and Madison High School played at Madison Gym on October 3^rd 2024.
• The scorekeeper is Slyvia Smith, the first referee is Robby Fairref and the second referee is Ulysses Goodump.
• The scorekeeper should be at the table at least 20 minutes before the first set starts.

Basic Information

• Write in
• Schools’ Names (at the very top)
• Date and time
• Location
• Set number (There are 3 to 5 sets per varsity match. First team to win 3 sets wins. For JV matches, best 2 of 3 wins)
• Indicate the level of play

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

Basic Information

• Write in
• Your name.
• Officials’ names (R1 is the up official and R2 is the down official).
• At the pre-match conference of coaches and captains (25:00 on the clock), the teams give your R2 rosters of all team members. This is given to you immediately after the conference. Alert your R2 if you see any duplicate numbers. Teams can change rosters until 10:00 on the clock.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

Robby Fairref

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

Pre-Match Conference

• R1 & R2 meet head coaches & captains at 25:00 on the clock. Home team selects its bench for the entire match. Visiting team calls the coin toss for serve or receive.
• Madison selected the bench to the right.
• Adams won the toss & elected to receive.
• R2 will tell you which team has which side and who will serve in Set #1. (The serve alternates each of sets 2-4. If there is a 5^th set, there will be a new coin toss.

• Put in the school names again -- on the side of the sheet that matches where each team will be playing on the court (R2 will tell you).
• Add line-ups from line-up sheets provided by the coaches.

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​

​

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• Mark which team has first serve (R2 will tell you).

Think Geographically . . .

• Teams are listed on the same side of the scoresheet as the side of the court they are playing on. The team on your right when you look up at the court must be the team on the right of the scoresheet.
• Teams do not switch sides between sets in Maine. (Your R2 will alert you in the unusual case where teams will switch sides each set.)

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Lineup Sheet

1c

3

5

7

9

11

ADAMS

42

X

Lineup Tips�

• If you haven’t gotten lineups for both teams by 5:00 on the clock, tell your R2.
• If a lineup has a number not on the roster, tell your R2.
• If a lineup has duplicate numbers, tell your R2.
• If a lineup has no captain (marked “C”), tell your R2.
• If a lineup has no libero number and no “X” in that place, tell your R2.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

Robby Fairref

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

Double-Check the Lineup

• Compare your scoresheet to the Libero Tracking Sheet to make sure they are the same, with numbers listed in serving order, and the captain noted.

LIBERO TRACKING SHEET

1c

3

5

7

9

11

42

23

2c

4

6

8

10

12

ADAMS

Madison

The Forgotten Libero :(

• If a team has not written down a libero number on their lineup, they will not have a libero for that set. Ask the R2 to confirm with the coach this was intended.
• NO LIBERO LISTED = NO LIBERO
• The team may add a libero for a later set – but only if a libero number is on the lineup for that later set.

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First Serve!

• Mark the start time at the whistle for first serve (in this case, 5:01).
• Madison scores two points (points 1 and 2) on #2's serve, then loses the next rally.
• After each point, put the point scored in Madison #2’s box score & cross-hatch the running score.
• The loss of rally/end of serve sign looks like a sideways “T”:

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

1

2

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

Running Score

Box Score

5:01

VARSITY

Before each serve, check the number of player on the court serving the ball against the player number of the server on your scoresheet.

​

If the numbers don’t match, wait until the serve is contacted and then tell your R2. (Your R2 may stop play, but may decide to wait until the rally is over to double-check the scoresheet.)

Correct Server?

• Adams scores one point (point 1) on Madison #2's loss of serve:
• Put a box around this on Adams’ running score
• Write the point in the first open space on the box score for Adams #1 and draw a box around it:
• Adams scores three more points (points 2, 3 and 4) on #1's serve. Put these in #1’s box score & cross hatch the running score.
• Then Adams loses the rally. Mark the loss of rally on #1’s box score.

1

1

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

1

2

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1

2

3

4

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

5:01

• Madison scores one point (point 3) on Adams #1’s loss of serve. Box around point 3 in Madison’s running score. Write 3 in Madison #4’s box score and box it.
• Madison #4 scores two more points (points 4 and 5). Put these in #4’s box score and slash Madison’s running score.
• Then Madison loses the rally. Mark the loss of rally on Madison #4’s box score.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

5:01

Term of Service Tips

• Except for the first serve and the last point, each term of service on a player’s box score line must start with a boxed point (earned on the other team’s loss of rally) and must end with a loss of rally symbol.
• When any service position comes up again, a boxed point must follow the loss of rally symbol from the earlier term.
• If a point is boxed on the running score, it must be boxed on the running score.

​

• Adams scores one point (point 5) on Madison #4's loss of serve. Box point 5 on Adams’ running score. Write in 5 on Adams #3’s box score and put a box around it.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

5

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

VARSITY

5:01

• Adams’ libero (#42) comes in to serve for #3. (This is not a substitution and only shows up on the Libero Tracking Sheet.)
• At the whistle for the libero’s serve, put a triangle around serving position 2 to show that is the only place the libero can serve in the rotation.
• Adams’ libero scores three more points (points 6, 7 and 8).
• Put a triangle around each point the libero scores in both the box score and running score.
• Then Adams loses the rally. Mark the loss of rally in Adams #3’s box score.

Libero Serving Tip

• When the libero is on the court in one position and moves to serve in another position without leaving the court, there must be a double libero replacement. You should see one regular-uniformed player leaving and another entering – behind the attack line. This is not a substitution on the scoresheet. (But the Libero Tracker marks both replacements on the Libero Tracking Sheet.)

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

3

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

Position in Serving Rotation

VARSITY

5:01

• Madison scores one point (point 6) on Adams #42’s loss of serve. Draw a box around point 6 in Madison’s running score. Write the point in the box score for Madison #6 and draw a box around it.
• Madison substitutes #58 for #6. Put an S in the box score of Madison #6, followed by a fraction: 58 over 6 (58/6)
• Slash the first number in the Madison substitution line.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

58

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

6

s

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

VARSITY

5:01

You can also use separate boxes to show substitutions. (You will often need to do this for multiple substitutions, but you don’t have to repeat the S for multiple subs.)

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Substitutions Come in Threes

• You will mark the scoresheet in three (3) places for every substitution:
• 1) Mark the serving team’s box score (S or Sx depending on which team substitutes, then the entering player’s number / leaving player’s number).
• 2) Change the player number on the substituting team’s service order (add the new number in the player number space to the left of the box score).
• 3) Mark the number of substitutions used by the substituting team (use a cross-hatch or slash).

​

• Madison scores two points (7 and 8) on #58's serve. Write the numbers on #58’s box score and slash them on Madison’s running score.
• Madison loses the next rally. Mark loss of rally on Madison #58’s box score.
• Adams scores a point (point 9) on Madison #58’s loss of serve. Box this next point on Adams’ running score. Then write it on Adams #5’s box score and draw a box around it.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

58

6

7

8

9

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

VARSITY

5:01

• Madison calls a timeout.
• Mark (Tx) on Adams’ #5’s box score. (The X means the non-serving team called the timeout.)
• Then mark the score in Madison’s timeout box (8-9). (The score for the team calling the timeout always comes first.)

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Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

58

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

VARSITY

5:01

• Adams loses the rally. Mark loss of rally on Adams #5 box score.
• Madison scores one point (point 9) on Adams #5's loss of serve. Box this on Madison’s running score and write it in Madison #8’s box score and box around it.
• Madison’s libero (#23) replaces #8 (not a substitution) to serve.
• Put a triangle around Madison serving position 4 to show this is the only place the libero can serve.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

VARSITY

5:01

• Adams substitutes #30 for #7 (Sx).
• Remember, a substitution requires three marks:

1) Mark Sx on Madison #8’s box score, followed by 30/7

2) write in #30 after Adams #7’s player number in the service order for Adams, and

3) slash the next number (1) on the Adams substitutions line.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

8

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

VARSITY

5:01

ASK IF YOU NEED TO

• Ask the R2 “What just happened?” if you don’t know.
• Don’t ever guess what happened.
• If the R2 doesn’t explain what happened and there is a serve, make sure you find out what happened at the next dead ball.
• You MUST know what’s going on all the time to mark the scoresheet properly.

• Madison loses the rally. Mark loss of rally on Madison #9’ box score.
• Adams scores one point (point 10) on Madison #9’s loss of serve (put this in a box).
• Adams the scores four more points (points 11 to 14) on #30's serve. Put each point in Adams #30’s box score and slash Adams running score.
• Madison calls their 2nd time out. Put (Tx) on Adams #30’s box score and the score in Madison’s timeout box (9-14).

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

10

11

12

13

14

Tx

9-14

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

8

VARSITY

5:01

Timeout Tips

• Teams usually call time out when the other team is serving.
• Mark Tx in the box score (or T if the serving team calls timeout).
• Write the score in the time out box for the team who called it, their score first.
• A team gets two timeouts per set. When a team has used its 2^nd, tell the R2. If a team is mistakenly given a 3^rd, tell the R2.

• Madison subs back #6 for #58.
• Adams scores four more points (points 15 to 18) then loses the rally.
• Madison scores one point (point 10) on Adams #30's loss of serve (put this in a box).
• Madison #10 has a Re-serve (RS) – the R2 should tell you this happened.
• Then Madison loses the rally.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58, 6

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

10

11

12

13

14

Tx

9-14

Sx

6

58

15

16

17

18

10

RS

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

8

VARSITY

5:01

• Adams scores one point (point 19) on Madison #10's loss of serve.
• Adams scores two more points (20 and 21) then #2 on Madison calls the R1 a “no talent jerk” and gets a red card.
• Adams scores point 22 on the red card. Enter R-Madison-#2 in the Comments section, put Px22 in the box score and cross-hatch 22 in Adams’ running score. Then repeat R-Madison-#2 (Set #1) in the Comments section of all later scoresheets.
• Adams then scores two more points (points 23 and 24), then loses the rally.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

10

11

12

13

14

Tx

9-14

S

6

58

15

16

17

18

10

RS

19

20

21

Px22

23

24

R Madison #2 (10-21)

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

8

VARSITY

5:01

• Madison scores one point (point 11) on Adams #9's loss of serve. Box this in Madison’s running score and in Madison #12’s box score.
• Then Madison loses the rally. Mark loss of serve in Madison #12’s box score.
• Adams scores one point (point 25) on Madison #12's loss of serve and wins the set. Box this in Adams’ running score and in Adams #11’s box score.

​

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

10

11

12

13

14

Tx

9-14

S

6

58

15

16

17

18

10

RS

19

20

21

Px22

23

24

R #2 (10-21)

11

25

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

8

VARSITY

5:01

• Enter the name and score of winning and losing teams.
• Enter the finishing time of the set.
• The R2 will check and initial the scoresheet.

Madison High Adams High

Madison Gym

10-03-2024

Adams

Madison

X

42

23

1c

5

7, 30

9

11

2c

4

6, 58

10

12

1

2

1

2

3

4

3

4

5

5

6

7

8

6

7

8

9

Tx

8-9

9

S

58

6

Sx

30

7

Robby Fairref

Ulysses Goodump

S. Smith

5:00

10

11

12

13

14

Tx

9-14

S

6

58

15

16

17

18

10

RS

19

20

21

PX22

23

24

R #2 (10-21)

11

25

Adams

Madison

25

11

1^ST REFEREE

2^ND REFEREE

3

8

5:01

5:15

VARSITY

CONGRATULATIONS! �You are on you way to being a high school scorer.�

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Have a great season!

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