New Techniques in Volleyball Officiating

October 19, 1998

Joel Reinford, USAV National Comm. for Referee Certification & Evaluation

Pati Rolf, ABO Director of Principles & Techniques of Officiating

Co-editors

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R2 Signaling

Table of Contents

I. Backrow Attack and Backrow Block Signals

II. Signals about who should be awarded the ball

III. Touch Signals by R2

IV. Help With Ball Handling

V. Blocking Over

VI. Ball Hits the Floor

VII. Ready Signal After a Break in Play

I. Backrow Attack and Backrow Block Signals

The new techniques require the R2 to include among her duties the responsibility for whistling backrow attacks and backrow blocks. Under old techniques, the R2 often only signaled backrow attacks and backrow blocks. Therefore, discrete signals for backrow attack or backrow block now take a different meaning. If the R2 is certain that a backrow attack or backrow block has occurred, it must be whistled. In situations A&B below, the R2 believes that a BRA or BRB has occurred, but there is reason to convey this information to the R1 without blowing the whistle.

1. A Backrow Attack is judged by the R2 to be illegal:

1. USA VB: A discrete signal of a backrow attack indicates that the player was a backrow player. The R2 believes that the ball was above the plane of the net. If the R1 agrees, the R1 should whistle for BRA.
2. NAGWS: A discrete signal of a backrow attack indicates that the player was a backrow player. The R2 believes that the ball was above the plane of the net. If the ball is set and then legally blocked, it is the responsibility of the R1 to judge whether or not the ball was traveling in the direction of the setter’s teammate prior to going over the net. Therefore, the R2 must signal if there is any judgment required about the flight of the ball.

2. A Backrow Block is seen by R2: A discrete signal of a backrow block indicates that the player was a backrow player ,and in the opinion of the R2, the ball was not completely below the plane of the net. If there is a close play at the net in which there is some question about the order of contacts, this indicates that the R2 saw the defensive team contact the ball first, or simultaneously with the backrow player. A discrete backrow block signal can also be used to indicate that the collective block rule should be applied and backrow block should be called by the R1.
3. An attack or contact by a backrow player is judged LEGAL by the R2: Old techniques often suggested that the R2 use the behind the line signal or the below the plane of the net signal if he believed that the attack by the backrow player was legal or the contact by a backrow player was legal and should count as the first hit instead of being a block. These "safe" signals are no longer used except in the following situations:

1. A coach or player calls for BRA or BRB during the play. The R2 can use either signal to indicate why the play was not judged to be a BRA or BRB.
2. The R1 indicates by stopping her scan at the R2 that she needs information from the R2. The R2 can tell that the R1 is looking for help about the play.

II. Signals about who should be awarded the ball

The ball hits the antenna on the R2 side or ball hits the top of the tape on the R2 side and then rebounds out of bounds on the attacker’s side: In both these cases, the R1 needs the help of the R2 to determine which side should be awarded the ball. The R2 should LEAD the R1 in the signal sequence.

1. Ball hits the antenna: The R2 should blow her whistle and give the "out" signal. Old technique had the official point to the antenna. This is no longer used. If there is any doubt about who last touched the ball before it hit the antenna, the R2 should use her open hand to point to the person who last touched the ball (the attacker or a blocker – this is the same signal that the R1 uses to indicate which person made an error and the same signal the R2 uses in USAV to indicate which person contacted the net). The R2 should wait for the R1 to duplicate her signal and indicate sideout or point. The R2 should then duplicate the R1’s sideout or point signal.
2. Ball hits the tape and rebounds out of bounds on the attacker’s side: The R2 should follow the R1’s "out" signal and should immediately follow with an indication of which side caused the fault. If there was no touch off the block, the R2 should use his open palm to indicate that the ball was out off the attacker. If there was a touch off the block, the R2 should indicate that the ball was off the block.

III. Touch Signals by R2

1. R2 sees a touch off the block and the ball continues to the blockers’ side. If the ball remains in play, there should be no touch signal given during the play. If the ball continues out of bounds, the R2 should give the touch signal immediately after the R1 has whistled the ball dead. This signal should NOT be discrete. In this case, the responsibility for touch calls is exactly the same for the R2 and for line judges.
2. R2 sees a touch off the block and the ball is blocked back to the attacker’s side: Most R1’s prefer that no touch signal be given in this situation. However, there is no accepted technique of giving or not giving a touch. This decision must be discussed in the officials’ meeting before the match.
3. The third touch is hit into the net without being touched by the blockers and rebounds into the attacker’s side. The R2 should indicate "4-hits" with a discrete hand signal. This signal should be made as soon as the ball rebounds from the net rather than waiting until the actual 4^th contact.

IV. Help with ball handling

1. The ball should have been seen clearly by the R1: The R2 should not signal unless the R1 makes a specific point to stop his scan and it is obvious that he is looking for help.
2. The ball may not have been seen clearly by the R1: A discrete signal of 2-hits or held ball should be given.
3. A contact may not have been seen at all by the R1: A discrete signal should be given when a 4^th hit occurs or when the same player again plays the ball.

V. Blocking Over

If the R2 sees the block touch the ball and she believes that the ball was not in the plane of the net, a discrete "blocking-over" signal should be given.

VI. Ball hits the floor

1. The ball is in the middle of the floor and should have been seen by the R1: A discrete ball-down signal is appropriate.
2. The ball probably was not seen well by the R1: A less discrete ball-down signal should be given.

VII. Ready signal after a break in play

Internationally, the signal for "ready" by the R2 is given with two arms held up with palms facing forward. In USA VB and NAGWS, the appropriate signal is one arm up with the palm facing to the side. The signal should not be given until the R2 is completely ready. The R2 should already be in place to observe the receiving team. The R2 should have her whistle in her mouth.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT BOTH OFFICIALS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN USING THESE TECHNIQUES. THEREFORE, OFFICIALS SHOULD DISCUSS THEM PRIOR TO THE MATCH.