1. Guide for beginner volleyball referees
Becoming a volleyball referee takes commitment, patience, professionalism and a great attitude. The amount of time you put into this endeavor, the more success you will have on the court.
There are numerous officiating organizations in the US: There’s the National Federation of State High School Associations, of which the OHSAA is a member. The NFHS, through the OHSAA and other state associations, provides training and education for sports officials at the high school and junior high levels. NFHS volleyball rules are different than USA Volleyball and the NCAA, but they sometimes overlap. USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body – the organization that supports our Olympic teams competing in Rio this summer, and also the organization that promotes youth and adult volleyball in the 40 USAV regions around the country. This includes “juniors’ volleyball travel teams,” which you may be familiar with. USAV plays by FIVB international volleyball rules with a few modifications. The NCAA works through the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials in training and certifying women’s collegiate volleyball officials. The NCAA rules overlap with both USAV and high school rules, and they also have some differences.
Although you are seeking an OHSAA certification under NFHS rules, it’s also important to at least be familiar with these other organizations since the three groups – USAV, NCAA and NFHS – work together nationally to develop rules. And remember, some of those rules are the same rules used internationally at FIVB competitions, such as the Olympic Games.
Chapter 1: Getting Started

2. Getting started Obtaining an OHSAA officiating license Referee Uniform
Equipment
Professionalism
Code of Ethics
Assignments
Maintaining your OHSAA certification
Goals
Let’s cover the basics to help you get started. During the next hour, we’ll discuss:
the process for obtaining an OHSAA officiating license
your officiating uniform & equipment
professionalism and our Code of Ethics
match assignments
other OHSAA requirements
goal setting
Getting started

3. Your Officiating permit
Take the OHSAA officiating class
Take the volleyball officiating exam(s)
Complete concussion training
Receive officiating permit – Class 1, 2, 3
Contact/join a local association
Renew annually
Step 1: Take OHSAA Officiating Class –Please visit and follow the steps outlined to register for an officiating class. Class fees will vary and include the instructor’s fee, application fee, rule books and testing.
Step 2: Take Officiating Exam - The class concludes with the officiating exam. Applicants must receive a passing score of 75% on the mechanics and rules exams and pass the proficiency portion in order to be a permit OHSAA official.
Step 3: Complete Concussion Training - Applicants must complete a course on concussion training, prior to officiating. You can get to the link by going to this address on the OHSAA website:
Step 4: Receive Officiating Permit - Applicants with a passing score will receive their officiating permit in the mail within three weeks of the conclusion of the class. If you do not receive your permit within this time frame, contact the OHSAA officiating department at , ext. 110 or
Note: Applicants receiving a grade of 65% to 74% on the mechanics or rules exam may request a retest from the instructor. Applicants who do not pass the subsequent officiating exam must wait one year to re-enroll in the officiating class and start the application process over.
Step 5: Contact a Local Officials Association – - Officials Directory- Local Association Secretary.
Step 6: Annual Renewal of Permit - Renew your officiating permit annually in June.
Your Officiating permit

4. Your uniform OHSAA Certified Official white shirt
Black slacks, skirt or shorts with belt
White shoes and socks
Minimal jewelry, except a timing device (watch)
Your uniform consists of:
The OHSAA Certified Official white polo shirt, long or short sleeves. A v-neck sweater is also available from authorized vendors.
Black slacks or shorts with a belt, if pants have loops
Solid white shoes and socks
Jewelry is NOT part of your uniform, except for a wedding ring, medical alert necklace/bracelet, or a religious medallion beneath your uniform. A watch is REQUIRED!
Your uniform

5. Your equipment Whistle/lanyard Yellow & Red cards Flipping coin
Lineup card
Net measuring device (chain)
Ball pressure gauge
Rulebook/Casebook
A volleyball referee’s equipment includes:
A whistle and lanyard – there are many colors available, but most referees pick a black or white whistle with a matching lanyard; bright colors may draw unnecessary attention to you
A set of yellow and red cards – used for assessing conduct sanctions and unnecessary delay sanctions
A flipping coin – any coin will do, but you’ll find that many referees have “special” flipping coins they use for officiating; remember, keep it professional and appropriate – no casino coins!
A lineup card – used by the second referee for various tasks, which we’ll discuss later
A net measuring device – generally a beaded chain that you can purchase from officiating suppliers
A ball pressure gauge – while the typical “pen” gauge is readily available, most sports officials nowadays are using hand-held digital pressure gauges; find a reasonable gauge that fits your budget
NFHS rulebook and casebook/officiating manual – these are your bibles; carry them with you to every match!
Your equipment

6. Your Professionalism Ensure fair and safe playing environment
Participate in pre-match and post-match briefing with partner and crew
Proper appearance, attire, attitude and demeanor
Physically fit, healthy image
Be timely – with correspondence, arrival on site, warm-up administration
Honor your contracts and commitments
Avoid being overly friendly with participants, host administration and spectators
Be a supportive team player on/off the court
Derogatory comments before/during/after a contest are unacceptable
Professionalism is an integral part of being a successful volleyball official, both on and off the court.
You first obligation is to provide a fair, safe playing environment.
A pre-match briefing with your crew ensures everyone is prepared for the match and establishes expectations and communication methods that will be used during the contest. A thorough post-match discussion helps the entire crew improve for the next contest by addressing match situations that could have been handled better or differently, as well as things the crew did well.
You have one opportunity to make a first impression. Ensure your uniform is clean and pressed, that you are in the right frame of mind for the contest, and that your attitude and demeanor are in check.
Sports officials at all levels are expected to be in good shape and have a healthy image since we set important examples for student athletes.
It’s better to be early than to be late! Give yourself ample time to arrive at the playing venue. Ensure that you respond promptly to correspondence before and after the contest. And exhibit good time management skills during the match by adhering to warm-up protocols, timeout administration and establishing a consistent match tempo.
Your word means something! Honor you commitments, both verbal and contractual.
Officials are expected to be unbiased. Avoid the perception of being overly friendly with participants, administrators and spectators.
Be supportive of your crew members’ efforts on/off the court. We all have varying experience levels, and we’re doing our best.
The officiating community is a small, networked group. Never demean or speak negatively about a fellow official. It undermines our entire cadre to do so.
Your Professionalism

7. Devote time, thought and study to the rules of the game
Work with fellow officials and the state association in a spirit of harmony
Resist temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position to benefit oneself
Uphold the honor and dignity of the officiating industry; be a worthy example
Prepare both physically and mentally; dressing accordingly and properly
Avoid the use of tobacco and tobacco products at the contest site
Do not consumer alcohol or any illegal/illicit drug prior to or during the contest
Honor contracts, regardless of possible inconvenience or financial loss
Officiating Code of Ethics (From the OHSAA Official’s Handbook):
Schools have entrusted the OHSAA and sports officials to assist them in the education and development of their youth through athletics. The proper operation of such a process requires that officials be independent, impartial and responsible to people they serve. In recognition of these expectations there is hereby established a Code of Ethics for all officials. The purpose of the code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all officials.
 An Official must devote time, thought and study to the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to carry out these rules so that one may render effective and creditable service in a fair and unbiased manner.
 An Official must work with fellow officials and the state association in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion that may arise during debate of issues.
 An Official must resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an official to benefit oneself. Under all circumstances, officials must avoid promoting the special interest of any person or group of persons other than the athletes we serve.
 An Official must constantly uphold the honor and dignity of the officiating industry in all personal conduct and relations with student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, colleagues, and the public, to be a worthy example to the athletes under one’s jurisdiction.
 An Official will be prepared both physically and mentally, dress according to expectations of sport standards, and maintain a proper appearance that is befitting the importance of the game.
 An Official shall avoid the use of tobacco and tobacco products at the contest site.
 An Official shall not consume alcohol (or any illegal/illicit drug or controlled substance) prior to or during the contest.
 An Official must remember and recognize that it is important to honor contracts regardless of possible inconvenience or financial loss. Every member of the officiating profession carries a responsibility to act in a manner becoming a professional person. The conduct of any official influences the attitude of the public toward the profession in general as well as toward the official in particular.
Your code of ethics

8. Your assignments Start with an officiating calendar
Accept assignments graciously; “earn” opportunities
Don’t return one assignment to accept a “bigger, better” assignment
Avoid conflicts of interest
Notify assignor when a change/cancelation becomes necessary
Start by keeping an officiating calendar. It can be on your computer or online, on your PDA or phone, or the old-fashioned way with a hand-written yearly calendar book. Whatever your choice, have a schedule where you keep track of your assignments. Be sure to block dates for birthdays, anniversaries and other important events that you aren’t available to accept an assignment.
Assignments should be accepted graciously. When you start out, you may not be assigned to the “big” matches, but ALL matches need competent officials, so look at each match as an opportunity for you to improve. Hard work will earn you advanced opportunities as you progress in your career.
It is unprofessional and unethical to return an assignment when a bigger, better assignment is offered to you. Keep you first commitment. Assignors will respect you for that, and that “big” assignment will be offered to you again. Keeping your calendar up-to-date will ensure you don’t double-book by accident.
You may have a child, a niece or a nephew participating in the sport. If so, avoid officiating their matches. Perception is reality, and you could be viewed as biased despite your efforts to be impartial. Be a spectator at those matches so that you can enjoy them. Don’t put yourself or the team in an awkward position.
Life happens. If something comes up and you must cancel an assignment, notify your assignor as early as possible so that a suitable replacement can be found. Always give the assignor that respect. Let him/her find your replacement unless they ask for your assistance. And ensure that your conflicting obligation requires your presence! The teams and your fellow officials are counting on you. Don’t develop a habit of dropping assignments.
Your assignments

9. your certification Renew your permit annually with the OHSAA
Attend a minimum of four local association rules meetings
Attend the OHSAA State Rules Meeting
Concussion certification renewal (every three years)
After completing the New Official’s Class, there are yearly requirements to maintain your certification. Those include:
Renewing your officiating permit by registering annually with the OHSAA. The registration timeline is June 1 to June 30 each year. The fee is $55 for the first sport and $25 for each additional sport. Late renewals are accepted after June 30 until July 31. A $50 late fee is assessed for late renewals. Missing all renewal dates will result in an automatic lapse of the officiating permit, and the official will revert to Inactive Status.
Joining a local association and attending a minimum of four local meetings
Attending in-person or viewing online the OHSAA State Rules Meeting, particularly if you are interested in working post-season
After you have completed your initial NFHS Concussion Management course online, you must renew it every three years.
your certification

10. Your goals Short-term and long-term Find a mentor
Certification upgrade
Branching out
Post-season opportunities
Fine-tuning
Lastly, as you get started and learn more about the sport, set some goals for yourself, both short- and long-term.
Your first goal should be to find a mentor, someone who has been around for a few years and can show you the ropes. Your mentor is the person you call when you have a rule or technique question. If you have a challenging match, your mentor should be your sounding board. All successful referees can name the person/people who mentored them.
Each year, you should set some short-term goals – things you want to accomplish during the current season. These are often the things that help you fine-tune your skills, such as understanding/identifying position faults, identifying back-row player faults, or improving your ball handling decisions.
Short-term goals might be even more immediate than “the current season.” Perhaps you got a little feedback from one of your partners during a post-match debrief, and you want to improve your whistle quality/tone or clean up some signals for your next match in a few days. Do it!
Long-term goals – those over the course of the next 2 to 3 years – might include upgrading your OHSAA certification to Class 1, or becoming involved with collegiate volleyball officiating or USA Volleyball junior club tournaments. Those are different certifications with other governing bodies, but exposure to more rules and varieties of play will make your game better all the way around. Perhaps you aspire to work the OHSAA State Tournament once you have a Class 1 rating. If so, put it on your goal list.
Setting specific goals within a realistic time frame allows you to achieve success on the court. Reaching your goals will motivate you to progress even further. You may not want to be a State Championship referee, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be the best referee you can be. Your goals will help that happen.
Your goals