In every sport the officials are an important part of the game. Upon their judgment, many times, rests the outcome of the game or match. Volleyball is no exception to this rule. Having alert, decisive, and discerning officials can make the difference between a good or poor tournament.
Since “power” volleyball in this country is a relatively new game, there is a good bit of educating to be done with the general public and with many players relative to what constitutes good officiating.
During the past few years volleyball has been going through “growing pains” in moving from what used to be known as an “old man’s,” or purely recreational, sport to a game that is destined to become one of the great participant and spectator sports. Today in Europe and in the Orient it is not unusual for crowds of fifteen to twenty-five thousand to gather for championship matches.
Being a volleyball official is difficult, but, as in every other sport, the official is an important part of the game. If the game of volleyball is to continue to grow and develop, there must be those who are willing and competent to officiate and guide it in its growth.
Some might ask why volleyball is so difficult to officiate. When one considers that a spiked ball travels up to 110.5 miles per hour and the official must determine how the ball is played by the defensive team, it is easy to see the importance of having competent officials.
It has been said many times that Bob Feller’s speed ball traveled 98.6 miles per hour and Jack Kramer’s serve 104 miles per hour. Therefore, an official must be “on his toes” at all times to render the best decisions possible, not only on spiked balls but for all kinds of court play.
Not only must the official be an individual who can make instantaneous decisions, but he must be a student of the rules. It is quite possible for an official to make a mistake in judgment, but he should never make a mistake in rules interpretation. It is highly recommended that an official study the rules carefully before each tournament unless he officiates very regularly. This gives him an opportunity to “sharpen up” before the match.
There are five officials in volleyball who must be considered as most important to the success of a game – the referee, the umpire, the scorer, the timekeeper, and the linesman. Each of these officials has a number of very important duties to perform if the outcome of the game is to be satisfactorily achieved. Although all of the above-mentioned officials are important, “the referee shall be the superior official of the game and shall have the power to overrule decisions of other officials when, in his opinion, they have made errors.”
Probably the greatest problem confronting the referee is the consistency with which he calls errors. Volleyball is probably the most difficult game to referee, since the ball may not come to rest for a period of time. It may not be held, carried, or thrown, as in most other sports. It must be “clearly hit.” This means there cannot be any follow-through to speak of, or the ball is carried, lifted, or thrown. Therefore, one referee may see a play slightly different from another referee.
The particular angle at which a referee sees the play can also make a difference. As for the spectators who may or may not know the rules, they may cause the unseasoned referee concern when they vent their enthusiasm over a called or uncalled play.
Refereeing at a game of volleyball can be very satisfying, and well worth the time and trouble it takes to become proficient in this sport.
By: Jimmy Cox
Archive for November, 2009
How To Referee Volleyball
November 30th, 2009Girls Volleyball Tips: How you Use Pepper Warmup to Improve your Defense
November 26th, 2009Many volleyball players don’t know how to use the Pepper Warm up Drill as a way to improve their volleyball game. Below are 5 ways elite volleyball players use “Pepper” as a way to improve their volleyball defensive game.
1. To Improve Ball Control.
2. To Improve Serve Receive Technique.
I think that Pepper is the number one way for indoor players to improve their ball control…if they know how to do it. You have to be aware of why you are Peppering in the first place. If not, then it just becomes a way to raise your body temperature…some.
a. When YOU set-whoever sets should be working on form and technique.
The Goal- the ball should go right to your partner without them taking more than one step in any direction to chase your ball.
b. When Your partner passes back-concentration should be on using excellent form for serve receive and free ball passing-especially now since this is an easy ball.
The Goal- first to pass the ball so she/he can hit the ball right back without taking more than one step. Secondly, bump setting practice for accuracy so each and every ball goes right back to above the hitters extended hititing arm.
c. When You hit. You hit a controlled 1/2 to 3/4 speed down ball right to your partner. In this instance you have a controlled situation in which to practice the finer points of your armswing. Concentrate -on “reaching” raising your elbow and hittng high while controlling the ball speed. Don’t hit by your ear just because there’s no net! Hit low in Pepper means you hit low in hitting warm ups and then in a game. Trust me-it all transfers. Your body is recording every movement you make it do-so pledge to yourself to do the movements right.
The Goal- To hit the spot you are aiming for-which in Pepper is right to your partner-so that she doesn’t have to move more than one step UNLESS you choose to mix up your attack and include a tip to your partner. Highly recommended after you have improved your ball control.
d. Your partner digs-focus on being down in your defensive position before your partner hits the ball meaning by the time they make contact. Because Pepper partners are relatively close together you will automatically be developing quick reflexes. Here is where you practice combining quick reflex with BALL CONTROL. React quickly…then control the ball. React quickly then c-o-n-t-r-o-l the ball.
The Goal- Learning to absorb a hard hit ball at a close distance and delivering that ball (softly, gently people) in control to your target without making them move more than one step. Fight to maintain control of the ball.
3. To Increase Your Range in Defense
Advanced players can challenge their partners (you both need to agree to make the drill work) by tipping the ball further and further out of reach – the more of these balls you get in pepper-the more you will get in the game. It all transfers. Or by hitting a 1/2 to 3/4 speed down ball a foot or 2 to the right or left of the defender will increase your range of harder hit defensive balls that you dig up around you.
4. To Narrow Your Focus and Concentration
Many times Pepper warm ups take place in a crowded environment. Either with 25 teammates on either side of you, or near that net divider that separates the courts in a tournament, fans that walk up and down th aisles, team benches, believe it or not this is a great practice oportunity- to narrow your focus and concentration so that it doesn’t matter what happens around you …the world can come to an end but your focus is only on the ball.
5. To Increase Your Reactions and Reduce Fear of the Ball
As your ball control gets better then you and your Pepper partner should agree to challenge each other to make each other better players. When you get to the point when you are exchanging 10-12 pass,set,hit combinations in a row Stop and both of you commit to hitting harder at each other. About 3/4 the speed of your regularly hit spike-BUT YOUR GOAL is to still work up to as many pass-set-hit exchanges as you can while Controlling the ball. Your digs should still be going right to each other.
Remember the ball is in Your hands!
By: april chapple
