VOLLEYBALL

DON’T WAFFLE ON PANCAKES

Tips to Judge Difficult Plays on the Floor

As players dive to the floor, all officials need to be aware a potential pancake could occur. It is important to move and get an angle to see the play to make a correct ruling and it is also important to rely on fellow officials to help give information on these types of plays.

Sandra Freeman, Morrilton, Ark.

By Brad Tittrington

When it comes to volleyball officiating, pancake calls are perhaps the most difficult call for an official. Especially at the higher levels, the athletes are quicker and faster and the ball moves at such a high rate of speed, it can be difficult to judge these contacts. Players are able to get to more and more balls with their athleticism and it is imperative officials focus to get these types of plays correct.

Anytime a player dives after a ball, there might be a potential pancake play. In some lower-level matches, you may work the entire match without seeing one. In other matches, you may see multiple pancakes each set or even each rally. Working together as a crew to get these calls right is what helps elevate your game and gives you credibility with players and coaches.

Below are some tips and techniques to help with adjudicating these types of plays. While no two situations are ever the same, these general practices should help you feel more confident in ruling on these difficult situations.

Pregame on pancakes

Use your pregame with your fellow officials to discuss pancakes. This is the time to get the entire crew on the same page on how to deal with these situations. This is where the first referee can request informal signals from the second referee to help with these types of plays. Some first referees want the second referee to provide a signal either way — the ball was down or play should continue. Most first referees will simply say no signal indicates the ball was played legally and play should

continue. Others may want some sort of signal just to confirm the second referee saw the play and is indicating play should continue as opposed to no signal which may simply mean the second referee didn’t see the play and can’t provide any information. This is also a time where first referees can indicate how they may wave off the second referee if the second referee indicates the ball was down, but the first referee sees it differently and wants play to continue. Here is also where to discuss how the second referee should handle a situation where the ball is clearly down and the first referee doesn’t see it, which will be covered later.

Take your time

There is no need to rush your call when ruling on a potential pancake. The only thing rushing will do is potentially cause you to have to issue a replay. If you kill the play and signal the ball down and your crew, or replay if you are lucky enough to have it, provides information to show you were incorrect, you will have to give the dreaded replay signal. It is better to allow the play to continue until you are 100 percent sure the ball is down before you whistle. It is better to be late and correct than early and wrong.

Rely on your partners

In these types of situations, the first referee often does not have the best look at the play. The play is either going away from the referee stand or there are players in the way of the contact and the first referee is unable to determine what happened. It also doesn’t help that the first referee is not at floor level and the angle can be distorted. In these types of situations, the first referee should use the information provided by the second referee and the line judges to make a determination. If neither the line judge nor the second referee signals the ball in, chances are the player was able to make a successful pancake and play should continue. If all three signal the ball in, chances are the ball landed before the player was able to get a hand under it and the play should be whistled and a point awarded. If there is doubt and everyone doesn’t agree, it is better to let play continue and get the crew together at the end of the play if need be.

Move to improve

As the first referee, you can’t move too much as you are on a stand. But you can bend down, look around, raise up, etc., to get a better look at the play. As the second referee, you are already on the blocking team’s side of the net, so you should be close to the play, unless it is over by the first referee’s side of the court. You can simply move a step or two to open up your angle to stay away from being straight-lined to help with this call.

The same goes for line judges. Having a line judge in each corner and on each side allows the play to be viewed from multiple angles. Line judges need to be prepared to move along their sideline or endline to create an open look at the play. During warmups, use that time to see how teams react to dumps over the net. Also, use the information from previous plays to get an idea how the team covers these specific plays and if the opposing team setter likes to dump the ball or if their hitters use a lot of tips over the net. Teams typically develop a pattern and use all that information to help you manage the game and be ready for these situations when they happen. Being able to anticipate a potential pancake can help you get an extra step or two as opposed to being caught flat-footed and completely off guard. The one thing to remember is if you give the in signal, stay with it long enough for the first referee to scan and see you. Then drop it once acknowledged by the first referee. The first referee may have a different view and allow play to continue. Don’t get discouraged, simply continue to officiate the play.

Second referee step in

As mentioned earlier, talk about how the second referee is going to handle these plays during your pregame. If you are the second referee and you see a ball clearly down, give the in signal and hold it

SIDELINE

Rolf Leads All-Female Crew

History was made at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on July 30 as Canada and Venezuela squared off in men’s volleyball. For the first time in Olympic history, an all-female crew officiated a men’s volleyball match. It was also the first time a female official was the first referee for a men’s match in Olympic history. Pati Rolf (USA) was the first referee, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) was the second referee and Heike Kraft (GER) was the challenge referee for the match. Canada beat Venezuela 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-12) in the match.

THEY SAID IT

“You have to remember when the official is making the call, we’ve trained for hours and hours and hours on how it should be done. But you’re given not even a half second to judge and execute the rule you studied for so many years. It happens so quickly. It’s so easy for fans to say, ‘Gosh, how did they miss it?’ … have some patience and if you’re really outspoken (as a fan) I would encourage you to give it a shot. We desperately need more officials.”

— Allison Cook, NCAA Division I volleyball line judge and reigning Miss Oregon on what people need to know about referees

SOURCE: THE OREGONIAN

TEST YOURSELF

In each of the following, you are given a situation and possible answer(s). You are to decide which answer(s) are correct for NFHS, NCAA or USAV rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.

1. At the end of a rally, the referees notice that a player has blood on a kneepad. What action should the referees take? a. Require the player’s team to take a timeout to address the blood situation. b. Require that the player be replaced immediately by a substitute. The player cannot re-enter until the kneepad is removed or changed. c. Allow the player a reasonable amount of time to remove, replace or clean the blood-stained kneepad. If the blood situation cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time, a substitution should be made for the player until the issue is resolved properly. d. Allow the player to continue playing.

2. Which of the following is true for an injured player replaced by exceptional substitution or an injured libero replaced by re-designation? a. The injured player/libero may not play for the remainder of the match. b. The injured player/libero may not play for the remainder of the current set but may play in later sets during the match. c. The injured player/libero must leave the bench and warmup area for the remainder of the set. d. The injured player/libero cannot be sanctioned for unsporting conduct after they are replaced.

3. When are lineups due prior to the start of a match? a. Three minutes prior to the end of timed warmups. b. Two minutes prior to the end of timed warmups. c. One minute prior to the end of timed warmups. d. 30 seconds prior to the end of timed warmups.

4. A libero wearing a sleeveless white jersey may wear a black longsleeved shirt underneath her jersey. a. True. b. False. so your first referee can see it. If the first referee doesn’t acknowledge you, take a step toward the endline on the side the ball landed and give the in signal again. If the first referee still doesn’t acknowledge, blow your whistle to stop the rally and allow the first referee to award the point. The second referee should only do this when 100 percent certain the ball is down and the first referee has not acknowledged your in signal. If the first referee acknowledges you, continue officiating and move on.

The most important thing with ruling on pancakes is to be decisive. If you aren’t 100 percent certain the ball is down, allow play to continue. Only kill a rally when you know for sure the ball is down so you don’t end up having to have a replay. Rely on your partners, use all information available to you and then make a ruling on the play. Again, it is better to whistle two seconds later than to whistle early and not have all the information.

Be confident in your calls, work as a team, move to improve, know the tendencies of the teams and in no time, making these calls will become second nature. Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He is a collegiate and USA Softball umpire. He also officiates women’s college and high school basketball, high school volleyball and high school football. 

They’ve Got the Look

By Dan Van Veen

You’ve seen it. Intense play at the net — blockers and attackers challenging each other as they battle to win a point; defensive specialists diving on the floor to pick up balls; and setters tracking down errant passes keeping the action going. And then, clear as Team USA’s Jordan Thompson’s attack going over the top of the Chinese block in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, you see a net or a touch as the ball sails out of bounds.

Whistle, side, infraction, followed by “the look,” which clearly communicates, “What? Are you kidding me? I never touched it.”

The look is so real, and the silent (and sometimes not-so-silent) declaration of “innocence” is so convincing, as a referee, you may find yourself thinking, “Did I really see it or did I just mess up and anticipate something that didn’t happen?” Of course, you could have a different thought, too, “What a liar, keep it up and a yellow card is coming your way.”

However, the truth of the matter is in many cases, you would both pass a lie detector test.

As a volleyball junkie, parent and referee who’s played, watched, officiated and videoed thousands of hours of volleyball, what I’ve come to see, as I’ve watched video over and over again, the vast majority of the time, the referee has made the right call — video doesn’t lie.

But, in my opinion, neither do a majority of players.

Yet, I’ve seen hundreds of players, give refs “the look” more than once. And as a referee, I know the players are making judgments about the soundness of mind and eyesight of the referees. And from time to time, believing that one team was being favored when it comes to calls.

So, what’s going on? Can both the referees and players be right?

Absolutely — the referees and the athletes are telling the absolute polar opposites of each other. Yet both can be the truth, or some version of it.

Consider how adrenaline works and mix it with focus. Tired, worn-out players will be much more in tune with their bodies (everything hurts, the focus is more survival than domination — any contact registers). However, compare those players to highly energized, focused players who are burning adrenaline — they’re nearly numb to physical contact outside certain “focus” zones.

You’ve no doubt heard of people

In the heat of the moment, sometimes players think something happened that really didn’t. And in those times, they may give officials a look of incredulousness. Officials need to know how to deal with that look when it happens.

being in an accident and suffering an injury or who have been hurt in some way, but they didn’t realize they were injured until after the adrenaline had stopped pumping and the shock had worn off. I believe the same happens in sports, volleyball included.

A finger touch or a net brush when your adrenaline is burning and you’re hyper-focused on transitioning or attacking — say reaching with your left hand and your right hand or shoulder brushes the net — sometimes just doesn’t register in the brain. The player never felt the net or the touch. And they had no idea they just stepped all the way over the line during their transition away from the net. In fact, they probably can’t even remember how they got to where they are on the court as so much is “automatic” and their focus is on the ball and the match.

This places the referee in the position of his or her abilities being questioned. But a good piece of advice my mom shared with me once was, “Remember who’s the adult.” I believe a simple nod confirming the call helps the player know you are sure of the call, and now it’s his or her turn to start thinking, “Hmm. Did I?”

And in those cases where players judge the referee for a bad call, understand they are doing so because they are 100 percent convinced they didn’t commit a violation and probably won’t realize it until they watch the video (if one’s available) or a coach or teammate confirms they saw it too.

Of course, this also requires referees to not make calls anticipating violations — to be sure to make only the calls they actually see. Just as it holds true for players, video doesn’t lie.

A finger touch or a net brush when your adrenaline is burning and you’re hyper-focused on transitioning or attacking — say reaching with your left hand and your right hand or shoulder brushes the net — sometimes just doesn’t register in the brain.

So, next time a player gives you “the look,” recognizing the emotion — the “distraction” of focus and adrenaline in play — of the situation may make it easier to understand the player as well as not question yourself or your call. Dan Van Veen is an NCAA and NAIA line judge, and a high school volleyball referee from Willard, Mo. 

CASEPLAYS

Prolonged Interruptions

Play: A long rally is interrupted when (a) the gym lights go out, (b) a fire alarm sounds, or (c) a light fixture shatters. Ruling: In all cases, the set is suspended and resumes with a replay with score, lineup, etc., the same as at the point of interruption as soon as the situation is corrected. If the problem cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time, the match is rescheduled for another time, unless the state association/ conference determines otherwise (NFHS 1-7-1; NCAA 11.4.3; USAV 17.3.2.2).

Premature Service

Play: The server unintentionally tosses and contacts the ball for service before the first referee signals to authorize the serve. Ruling: The referees should immediately whistle to prevent further play, signal replay and reauthorize the serve (NFHS 8-1c; NCAA 13.1.3.7; USAV 12.4.5).

Back-Row Attack

Play: A back-row player attacks the ball from in front of the attack line, and the ball is higher than the net. The first referee immediately whistles the play dead and signals illegal attack. Ruling: Incorrect procedure. The referee should wait until the attack is completed, meaning the ball either crosses the net completely or is legally contacted by the opponent. No fault has occurred until one of those actions occurs. Simply being a back-row player and contacting a ball higher than the net in front of the attack line is not illegal. Completing an attack makes it illegal and the attack is not yet complete in this situation (NFHS 9-5-5b Note; NCAA 14.5.1, 14.5.4.1; USAV 13.1.3, 13.3.3).

Position Fault

Play: Team R’s center front setter is straddling the feet of the center back player at the moment of service. Ruling: No position fault has occurred. The rules require the center front to have at least part of one foot closer to the centerline than the feet of the center back player (NFHS 6-4-3b; NCAA 10.3.1.1; USAV 7.4.3.1).

Ins and Outs of Libero Re-Designation

Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from All About Libero. It is available at store.referee.com for $11.95.

There could be a time in a match you are working where the libero may need to be re-designated. NFHS, NCAA and USAV rules allow for this in some situations, but not in all. Knowing when and how to implement this rule will be discussed in this article.

In NFHS, NCAA and USAV, under specific conditions, it allows a libero who is injured/ill (as shown in the PlayPic) to be removed from the set and the team then designates a new libero. This new libero is chosen by the head coach or game captain, depending on the rules code being used for the match.

When is a libero re-designation allowed?

In NFHS (rule 10-4-3a), the following criteria apply: 1. Re-designation does not need to occur immediately after the injury but may occur at the discretion of the head coach. It is not mandatory for re-designation to occur. 2. When re-designation does occur, any substitute may be designated for the injured/ill libero. The injured/ill libero may not play for the remainder of that set. 3. The player re-designated as the libero shall wear a libero uniform and shall remain the libero for the remainder of the set. The re-designated libero’s uniform shall have a unique number (not worn by any teammate).

In NCAA (rule 12.3.1), the

following criteria apply: 1. Re-designation does not need to occur immediately after the injury and replacement but may occur at the discretion of the coach(es)/captain. 2. When re-designation does occur, any substitute may be re-designated as libero for the injured libero. The injured libero may not play in the remainder of the set. 3. The player re-designated as the libero must wear a libero uniform as described in rule 12.1.3 and must remain the libero for the remainder of that set. The re-designated libero’s uniform must have a unique number (not worn by an teammate), but not necessarily the same number with which the player started the match.

In USAV, it becomes a bit more complex because USAV rules allow a team to designate up to two liberos on its line-up sheet. If a team has designated one libero for the set, or the team has designated two liberos and both liberos are unable to continue, all of the conditions for NFHS rules apply (see previous page).

However, if the libero is expelled or disqualified, he or she may be replaced immediately by the team’s second libero. Should the team only have one libero, then it has the ability to make a re-designation (19.5.1). Both of the original liberos are then unable to re-enter the match.

When is a libero re-designation not allowed?

In NFHS (10-4-3d), if the libero is disqualified while playing, he or she must be replaced by the player he or she replaced. The team continues to play with no libero.

In NCAA (12.3.1.2), if the libero is disqualified while playing, she must be replaced by the player whom she replaced. The team continues with no libero player.

In USAV (14.4.3.1), when a team has registered two liberos on the scoresheet, but one becomes unable to play, the team has the right to play with only one libero. No re-designation will be allowed, however, unless the remaining libero is unable to continue playing for the match.

Who is eligible to serve as a re-designated libero?

All three rules codes state the re-designated libero must be “any substitute” (e.g. a player not on the court at the time of the re-designation).

Can the injured/ill libero who was re-designated, re-enter the match?

In NFHS and NCAA, the libero player who was replaced by re-designation cannot re-enter the set for which he or she was replaced.

In USAV, the libero player who was replaced by re-designation cannot re-enter for the remainder of the match. 

GREAT VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS START HERE new FOR 2021

new FOR 2021

PREP VOLLEYBALL

This magazine-sized annual guide features all the latest rules changes and points of emphasis, along with play-calling techniques and more than 100 caseplays and quiz questions. It’s the ultimate resource to prepare you for immediate success!

all about libero

One of volleyball’s most unique rules is also one of the most diffi cult to master. This full color, magazine-sized guide is a perfect tool to refi ne the skills of experienced offi cials and to teach newer offi cials the ins and outs of libero play fast.

DIGITAL PRINT $1095* $1195*

COMBO $1595