***

USA Volleyball Ball Handling Guidelines


Officials, please read through the document for information on current rule changes and clarifications.

New Net Violation Interpretation

2009-10 Season: Background Screenings
For the 09-10 season, all officials assigned to junior events will need to have a clear background screening. Badger Region will cover the cost of the first screening for all non-club affiliated officials in 09-10 and in years to follow the Region will cover the first screening for first-time non-club affiliated officials. Please fill out the "Disclosure and Consent for Background Screening" and mail it in to Badger Region.

Calling All Referees
We are always looking for more referees and scorekeepers. For information on how to become a ref for the Badger Region, click here for the "Become A Ref" page (also at left) or contact the referee chair, Dan Wong.

Ball Handling Concepts
An article has been written by Wally Hendricks, Vice President, Officials Division USA Volleyball regarding first ball contacts.  The key concept that should be taught or learned is "over control" versus "under control" of the first pass.  If the ball is "over controlled" it should be called a held ball.  For example if a player takes a ball very low with the hands in an ugly way but the ball goes straight forward or down, then it should not be called.   If, instead, the player is able to catch the ball (it might look pretty to beach players) and use his/her wrists to make a nice pass to the setter, it should be called a held ball.  For the full article click here. (Wally Hendricks Ball Handling.pdf -40 kb)

Ugly is Not a Violation
This is a great download! Click here to download the pdf.

Here is a good list for 1st referees to use for the captains meeting before each match:
1.Introduce yourself and 2nd referee (if present)
2.Check for jewelry and mention pertinent rule
3.Cover ground rules (e.g., non-playable areas, court area, bench area, etc.)
4.Review warm-up protocol
5.Review match format (i.e., number of games, scoring system, point cap)
6.Substitution procedures
7.Ask the second referee, if present, for any input
8.Ask if captains have any questions and answer
9.Conduct coin toss (USAV Rule 8.1)