Location of Match Officials

The first referee is the official that stands on the referee stand (raised platform) positioned at on the side of the court across from the team benches. It is the first referee that starts play by whistling and signaling (beckoning) the server to serve the ball. The first referee is the official in charge. If they feel it’s necessary to do so, the first referee has the authority to overrule any of the other officials (second referee, scorekeeper, libero tracker, or line judges). Also, the first referee may have officials replaced if it is needed. The volleyball referees should discuss before the match on what the second referee needs to signal to the first referee (illegal ball handling, illegal back row and blocks and attacks, etc.).

THE FIRST REFEREE…
* Whistle any violations
* Whistle player mishandling the ball
* Giving Sanctions

Second Official (R2 or down referee) – Volleyball Referees
The second referee is concerned with matters such as keeping time, assisting the first referee in making calls,administering substitutions, and verbally communicating with team coaches. The second referee also needs to communicate effectively with the scorekeeper. The second referee should overlook the scorekeeper with recording subs, timeouts, etc. The second referee should help the scorekeeper and libero tracker with any questions or issues that come up. The second referee (or umpire) stands on the ground on the opposite side of the court from the first referee. The second referee should position themselves so they can effectively transition from one side of the net to the other when the ball is in play. The second referees main responsibility is to manage the court, that is, communicate effectively with players and coaches at the team bench area, the work crew at the scores table, the line judges, and first referee. THE SECOND REFEREE…

* Watch teams for overlaps during the serve .
* Switching sides of the net
* Handles substitutions
* Handles time outs

Scorekeeper – Volleyball officials
The scorekeeper’s main job is to make sure the score is correct at all times. The scorekeeper uses a score sheet to keep track of the game.If there is a difference between the score on the score sheet and the visual score (flip score, electronic scoreboard, etc.) the visual score should be changed to match the score on the scoresheet unless the mistake on the scoresheet can be determined and corrected.

“Tasks of a ScoreKeeper”
* Records points
* Watches the servers
* Records player substitutions
* Records all other events as instructed by the referees
* Records the final result of the set
* In the case of a protest, after the first referee gives authorization, the scorekeeper lets the game captain write a statement for protest on the scoresheet. After the match,
* Records the final result of the match
* Signs the scoresheet

* Line Judges – Volleyball officials
THE LINE JUDGES SIGNAL…
* Ball “in” and “out” whenever the ball lands near the lines
* Touches of “out” balls by players receiving the ball
* Ball touching the antenna
* A served ball crossing the net outside the crossing space (the space between the antennae’s)
* Any player standing off the court at the moment of service
* Server foot faults