Volleyball - Say Yes To Officiating (2024)

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You Meet All Types

You meet just about every type of person there is and you have to learn to deal with all of them in a manner that shows that you deserve to be called an “official.” You meet cheaters, schemers, geniuses and idiots. You meet talented, mediocre and middle-of-the-road people. No matter who you meet, you have to deal with them as people who deserve the best from you. No matter what age, talent, salary, race or sex, you must give your all. You are expected to be perfect and improve after that.

Rick EberhardtBuffalo, N.Y., a 36-year volleyball official

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You Can Pick It Up Quickly

I was coaching basketball and softball at a high school in suburban Chicago and my athletic director, who was retiring, recommended I consider becoming a volleyball official since I would no longer have a coaching job at the school. I knew nothing about the sport. But, I looked at the current and projected participation numbers and calculated the possible income and was sold. I introduced myself to key assignors in the area and attended every clinic and worked every match I could for any assignor. I was officiating more volleyball matches then I was spending hours at my regular job. It paid off; within two years I was working varsity girls and boy’s matches. Seven years after I started I was named the Illinois High School Association Boys’ Volleyball Official of the Year and I’ve since added USAV to my officiating repertoire. The first two years was a steep learning curve for me, but the more matches you work, the faster your skills improve.

Jason PalmerRacine, WI, an 11-year volleyball official

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I Can Be a Role Model.

It offers a chance to lead by example. Even after coaches/fans express their disappointment in my calls, I still have the eyes and hearts of the players on the field looking to me for leadership and how to show good character and convictions.

Glenn BushouseVolleyball official from Richland, Mich.

Volleyball officiating doesn’t have as many physical demands as some other sports, but you must know and understand the game well to effectively make accurate calls. You can train yourself with rule books and manuals from the Referee Training Center, but you should also join a local officials association where you can expect lectures, demonstrations and exercises that will prepare you for what you’ll face.

Different organizations have different requirements, but most require at least attendance at a meeting to go over any current rule changes. Additional requirementsincludewritten test with a minimum passing score, payment of fees for the upcoming season and association meeting attendance

• Black slacks(high school.) Navy Blue slacks (USAV & NCAA)
• Black leather belt.
• Solid black athletic shoes(high school.) Solid white athletic shoes (USAV & NCAA)
• Black socks(high school).White socks (USAV & NCAA).
• White polo shirt
• Referee tools: A watch, whistle, net measuring device,flippingcoin(size of a quarter or larger is recommended),ball gauge, air pump,red & yellow sanction cards,pen or pencil andlineup cards.Estimatedstartingcost: $200.Once you join a local officiating association, there may be veteran officials who are willing to give or sell youused equipmentat a reduced cost.

After working youth games, you may feel you have the skills and confidence to work higher levels of competition. You may also start at this level if you have a good grasp of the rules and/or experience as a player. For Jr. High games, ask your association leader or contact your school district. For high school games, you’ll need to work with an assigner through your local association. Any work with sanctioned school games requires you to be registered through your state, to prove you’re competent of the rules.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the nation’s governing body for high school athletics. Through them you can get all the information you need from your state to register and start the process to work High School sports.

Begin your High School soccer officiating journey athighschoolofficials.com

In most cases, your state association can put you in contact with a local officials’ association. Local associations assign games, many times offer mentoring programs and assist in training.

High school athletic directors, association assigners and other officials can also you get games.

Plan to attend local camps and clinics. They are focused on helping officials learn and improve.

College volleyball officiating is highly competitive. Officials with one year of youth experience would most likely not be a candidate even though there isn’t a designated number of years of experience to reach the college ranks.

Most college volleyball officials are members of theProfessional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO).PAVO is a nationwide organization with approximately 100 local chapters, and is involved with training and certification collegiate line judges and referees.

National Association of Sports Officials

You may also consider joining NASO, the only nation-wide officials support organization. As a member-driven community; NASO exists to unite, celebrate, develop and protect all officials so that they can reach their goals and take pride in their contributions to the benefits that sports provide society.

Learn more about NASO at NASO.org.

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