Wally Hendricks, Coordinator of Volleyball Missouri Valley Conference, Member USA National Rating Team

Executive Editor

Editorial Board

Marcia Alterman, Exec. Director ABO, NAGWS Rules Interpreter, Coordinator of Volleyball Big Ten, Conference USA

Tom Blue, Member FIVB Refereeing Commission, Head of International Officiating USA Volleyball

Mike Carter, Assistant Vice-President, Officials Division USA Volleyball

Charles Ezigbo, Member USA National Rating Team

Kathy Ferraracio, Member USA and ABO National Rating Team, Coordinator of Volleyball America East Conference

Corny Galdones, Member USA National Rating Team

Mary Holly, Member USA and ABO National Rating Team, Coordinator of NTT Clinics

Ben Jordan, Member USA National Rating Team, Referee Chair N. Texas Region, Nat'l Commissioner, RVA Referee Development

Steve Owen, Member USA National Rating Team

Joan Powell, President ABO, Member USA and ABO National Rating Team

Steve Robb, FIVB Referee, Former VP for Officials Division, USA Volleyball

Patty Salvatore, FIVB Referee, Member USA National Rating Team

Dave Spencer, Member USA National Rating Team

Steve Thorpe, Member USA and ABO National Rating Team

Ric Welch, Member USA and ABO National Rating Team

Some of the recent changes that have occurred in the sport of volleyball in both the rules and player techniques are necessitating change in the second referee’s mechanics. The previous techniques encouraged second referees to focus on the blockers’ side of the net as if they had blinders on. The new (and improved!) technique is for the second referee to assist the first referee with other responsibilities, while staying observant for net or centerline fouls by any player.

The second referee’s pattern of movement is referred to as transitioning, and there are a few points of emphasis that will help you be in the right place, looking at the right action to provide the best support to the first referee. In the descriptions below, assume that Team S is the serving team, and Team R is the receiving team – and YOU are the second referee (R2).

1. At the start of a play, your first responsibility is to observe the receiving team for potential position faults. The correct position is about 4 to 8 feet back from the sideline (assuming the facility allows), and on Team R’s side of the net pole. You should be no more than about 2 feet to the side of the centerline extended, or closer if the receiving team’s position has little potential for overlapping. Your shoulders and body should be square to the court, even though your primary focus is on the receiving team. This body position allows you to remain observant to the needs of both teams during the dead ball period.
2. AS SOON AS THE SERVER CONTACTS THE BALL (assuming there is no position fault on the receiving team), you should quickly step sideways to Team S’s side of the net pole, approximately 2 feet from the centerline extended. As you move, you should be able to visually pick up the served ball and watch the first contact by the receiving team either through the net or around the outside of the net pole, depending on the location of the receiver and your distance back from the sideline. Be prepared to assist the first referee with ball handling faults on the first contact – your goal is to move about 4 feet in the time that the served ball travels 40 to 50 feet, and be in position by the time the served ball is received.
3. Maintain a wide field of vision while the ball is being passed and set, observant to the play that is developing on both sides of the net. As the play approaches the net, turn slightly to open your body toward the attacking team. I find that sliding the foot that is nearest the centerline and slightly turning the hips and shoulders toward the net is a good physical ‘cue’ to remind me of this technique. Look through the net to observe the take-off point for back row attackers, and whistle a back row fault if you are sure one has occurred. If a back row fault is not an issue, focus down the net, observing BOTH the attacker and blocker for possible net faults – you’ll have to look through the net to see if the attacker touches the body of the net on their follow through. Move your focus up as the players jump to attack and block to see touches on the blocker’s hands. Remain focused on the net and centerline as the players land (usually, while the attacked ball is landing or being dug).
4. As the players transition for their next play, you should too. Step sideways quickly to get into position on the new blocking team’s side, and begin the routine again. The transition movement must be quick, in order to not be caught behind the pole (and its padding) when a fault occurs.
5. If the play ends due to a whistle by the first referee, look at them as you step even further to the side of the net pole (either side). If the play ended with a ball going out of bounds that you saw touched by the defending team, signal a touch immediately; otherwise, wait to mimic the fault signal given by the first referee, as well as the result signal (point/side out). If the play ends because of a fault you observe and whistle, such as a net foul, signal the fault immediately, and follow the first referee’s signal for point/side out. It doesn’t matter which side of the net you’re on for your signals unless you are signaling a net foul or a centerline violation. Then, you should step to the side that is at fault.

Being a second referee is hard work! Besides the physical demands of the constant quick pattern of movement described above, you must work constantly to be immediately responsive to the coaches and players on the court, constantly scanning between points for sub or time out requests. The second referee must also be alert to situations where information may be needed by the first referee to make the correct decision. Add bench control to that list of duties, and a truly excellent second referee will constantly have their hands full trying to take care of all of their responsibilities. Good luck implementing these new techniques, and work hard to be in the right position to always make the right call.