it's the little things that help to make a good official

• Your membership entitles you to ONE MAVO patch. You can purchase additional MAVO patches.
• Patches are worn on the upper right chest of your approved officials shirt. 
• Don't sew your patch on your shirt because you'll want to be able to move it from one shirt to the next. And if you eventually wind up with college assignments as R1, R2, scorekeeper, or line judge, you will NOT wear a MAVO patch.
• Attaching your patch with magnets is the best way to affix it to your shirt. 
• Order magnets on Amazon

• Shirts must always be tucked into your uniform pants. Don't walk into (or out of) a gym with your shirttail hanging out. It looks sloppy and unprofessional. Remember, someone is always watching you.
• Make sure your uniform shirt (and pants) are clean, fresh, well-cared for, wrinkle-free, and have no stains, holes, or tears.
• Many experienced officials hae more than one of each color because they may have to wear their shirts every day of the week and not be able to get them washed before their next  assignment 
• These shirts can be pricey. Take care of them and they can last several seasons.
• Replace them when they are showing signs of age and wear.
• No matter how often you wash your white shirts, after a few seasons they will probably start to "yellow." That's when it's time to to get a new shirt. You might not eve  notice it. Be the referee with the whitest shirt. 
• The first thing any coach, player, or fan will notice about you, and the impression they will take away about you, is your uniform and general appearance. This is something you can control.
• Take care of your personal appearance and always check yourself in a mirror before leaving the locker room.
• Any time you're in uniform, you are representing yourself, our association, your partner, and the profession. Work hard to make the best impression possible.

• Your uniform pants MUST be navy blue with no emblems, embellishments, visible manufacturers tags or patches.
• They can have pleats or no pleats, must have pockets, and should have belt loops.
• Your uniform pants should always be clean, pressed, and well-cared for.
• They should be well-fitting, comfortable, and look professional.
• ABSOLUTELY NO blue jeans, or denim. No Dockers, Dickies, "work pants," track pants, sweatpants, faded pants, and they must not have any holes or stains.

• Your officiating shoes MUST be white, leather, and have a white, gym floor-friendly sole. They MUST be clean, no marks, have white laces, and no distracting qualities such as "Z-coils," colorful manufacturer's logos, or other markings.
• DO NOT WEAR YOUR WHITE uniform shoes into or out of a facility. They can stay clean if you only wear them in the locker room and the gym.
• Your shoes should be comfortable and provide good arch support. You will be on your feet quite a bit, and a good, comfortable pair of shoes will make your job much more enjoyable.

• All white (no visible logos), at least calf-length, clean, and comfortable.
• If you suffer from leg cramps, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other such things, a good pair of compression socks can help you on those days when the JV match goes three sets and the varsity match goes five.
• No short, crew-length, booties-style socks allowed. Your socks should be high enough up your leg so that your skin can't be seen.

• Both the R1 and R2 should wear a wristwatch that at least has a second hand. 
• A good digital watch that has a timer, or stopwatch functions is even better. You may be called upon to time warm-ups, time outs, and intervals between sets if the scoreboard clock malfunctions or is not being used.
• Wristwatches and their bands should compliment the official's uniform, or be black.
• Avoid any color that could be distracting.

• Whistles should be white, black, cyan blue, or on special occasions pink.
• Lanyard color should match the whistle.
• Many officials across the country in a wide variety of sports choose the Fox40 brand whistle for its reliability, and sound. Molten also makes a good volleyball officiating whistle. 
• You should have more than one whistle in your bag.
• Keep your whistles clean by dunking them in rubbing alcohol several times a year, and scrubbing them with a toothbrush can also help to keep it clean
• Don't share your whistle with anyone else.
• When you're not using your whistle, tuck it into the placket of your shirt so it isn't just dangling from your neck. 
• Playing or fidgeting with your whistle looks unprofessional as well.

• If you are going to officiate volleyball, be sure to get yourself a good pair of ear plugs. 
• "A survey was conducted of 321 sport officials who self-reported hearing conditions. Hearing loss was examined because sound levels produced by whistles range between 104 and 116 db. At 104 db a person can face unprotected exposure for up to 90 seconds before damage occurs. However, at 116 db damage occurs after only five seconds of unprotected exposure." (from a study by the University of New Haven).
• Volleyball officials whistles are typically blown at between 90 and 120db.
• While the R2 may blow a whistle 50-100 times during the course of a match, the R1 can blow their whistle perhaps 200-300 or even more times in a single match.
• Every blast of a whistle can be damaging to your ears.
• Studies show that damage from over-exposure to loud noises is accumulative, and irreversible.
• It is recommended, however, that the R2 not wear earplugs because of the need to communicate verbally with the scorekeeper, coaches, and players during a set.

• It's important to stay hydrated during your match. Start earlier in the day, making sure you get plenty of fluids.
• Many schools provide water stations for players and officials. Don't rely on this, however. Bring your own.

• Host schools are supposed to provide officials with a quiet, secure, private room in which to change.
• Whenever possible, change into your uniform at the school. Try to not walk into a facility in uniform.
• Whenever possible, try to change back into your street clothes at the facility before exiting the building.
• Don't wear your white uniform shoes into or out of the building. Put them on in the locker room, before you enter the gym. This is to keep them clean.
• Do not put your shoes on in the gym.
• If you're assigned matches at a facility at which you've never worked, be sure to ask the athletic director or home team coach to show you to your changing room. Your partner can also help with these questions.
• Try to schedule your arrival at the facility with enough time to get dressed properly before your match.

• ALL MAVO officials are required to conduct a post-match debrief to discuss the match(s) they just officiated.
• This is the best opportunity for new officials to learn what they did right, and what they can improve upon.
• Typically a veteran official should give you a list of two or three things to think about and work on for future matches.
• Veteran officials can help those with less experience navigate through the rules, the mechanics, and the job of officiating.
• Newer officials can help the veteran officials strengthen their own understanding of rules and mechanics by asking lots of questions.
• There is a right way to do things. When all officials are on the same page, doing the same things, it makes the job of officiating simpler, and our interactions with coaches and players easier.
• Keep your eyes and ears open.

• Every assignment begins the moment you accept it on the Arbiter from the assignor.
• When you accept an assignment you are expected to honor that commitment, and are responsible for your own calendar. We know life happens and unforeseen things do come up. Planning ahead can help to make sure you don't overbook yourself.
• Accept (or decline) assignments as soon as you get them. They have an expiration date, and making the assignor wait for you to accept (or decline) can often put them in a difficult situation.
• Once you accept OR reject an assignment you can't get another assignment for that date. Your calendar is automatically "blocked" for that date and time.
• The high school volleyball season is very short. It's only two months long. Being a certified volleyball official is a commitment. Commit yourself to being available as much as you possibly can during this season.

• Typically, the R1 assigned to the varsity match is the more experienced official, and the one who is considered "in charge" of the assignment. 
• The official assigned as R1 for the Varsity match should contact their partner a day or two in advance of the match to discuss things like planned arrival time, changing facilities, uniform shirt color choice, etc.
• The lead official can email, call, or text their partner with information they may have about the schools involved, the gym, where to park, or any other things that may pertain to the assignment.
• If you haven't heard from the Varsity R1 within 24 hours of the start of the assignment, don't hesitate to contact them first.

• Strive to always be and act in a professional manner with regards to your job, your partner, and your officials association.
• NEVER discuss other officials by name in a negative fashion, or by any other identifiable traits, to anyone else. Not to coaches, not to athletic directors, not to  players, not fans fans, and not your fellow officials.
• If you have an issue with a specific official you've worked with, inform the president of the association and/or the assignor. Let them handle it after you provide them with the necessary details.
• Sometimes coaches or players or athletic directors will ask you or tell you about something another official said or did, or try to relate a situation or ruling that happened during a previous match. THIS IS A TRAP. Don't fall for it. If you weren't there at the time, you can't possibly know if what they are telling you is the full story. Your best action in this situation is to say, "Sorry coach (or whomever you're talking to), I wasn't there. I don't know what happened."

• While volleyball in Maine is the fastest growing sport today, it's still a relatively small community, and it doesn't take long to get to know a lot of people. You may even be friends with some of the coaches, or players at the schools at which you're assigned to work. BUT remember: We are hired by the schools to do a particular job, and that is to impartially officiate a volleyball match.
• We are not there to socialize, conduct outside business, chit-chat, converse, or be buddies with the participants.
• The less interaction with coaches, players (and especially fans) the better for us, our partners, and all of our association.
• Being cordial is being professional. that same cordiality, however MUST be offered to both coaches at the same level. If you spend a minute during the pre-match chatting with one coach, be prepared to offer the other coach the same amount of time. COACHES DO NOTICE how much time, and the quality of the time, and our body language during our conversations with the other coach, even across the gym.

• Sports officials take their jobs very seriously . . . at least those who want to be the best they can be. It takes hard work, lots of long hours of study, and practical experience, and every time you step on the court or field you should be striving to be the best you can be, and look the best you can. AND always be learning!
• Everything you say, every action, every decision you make reflects on you, your partner, the profession of volleyball officiating, and sports officiating in general. Be wise in what you say and do; on the court and off. 
• This also goes for what you do and say online.

• We are professional sports officials. As such, we're independent contractors, and don't work for MAVO, or any other group or association. We work for ourselves.
• We are responsible for being well-trained, for all of our own expenses, and for honoring the contract we have with each school that hires us.
• The assignor is an agent for the schools, and hires the officials who officiate the interscholastic contests.
• Assignors offer officials a contract with the schools. 
• Accepting an assignment is a contract between you and the school. They contract with you (through the assignor) to do a job. They pay you directly, after the job is completed.
• The Maine Principals Association provides the terms by which we work: 

1.    The rate of pay.
2.    The rate of travel reimbursement.
3.    Working conditions.

• The MPA Volleyball Bulletin provides more information.

• In the 21st century practically everyone has the capability of recording and broadcasting world wide--LIVE, any event, and that video can be shared and stored for eternity on the internet.
• ALWAYS assume that every match you work will be seen by those in the gym, people on the outside of the gym, your assignor, athletic directors, coaches, players, and perhaps your own family.
• Schools all have the capability, and many, if not most, live-stream, store, and record their sporting events.
• From the moment you drive into the parking lot, until you leave, you should assume that your presence and actions are being recorded, viewed, and critiqued. ALWAYS be on your best behavior.

• Your pants have pockets. Good place for your car keys, your wallet, a couple of bucks--lots of stuff, but NOT your hands. Try to avoid the temptation to put your hands in your pockets when you have nothing else to do with them. 
• Avoid giving the impression of being bored or disinterested. Almost nothing says you're bored more than standing around with your hands in your pockets.
• However, perhaps even worse, is standing with your arms folded across your chest, looking like you're waiting for a bus. Don't do this.
• Another posture to avoid is standing with your hands clasped behind your back. Body language experts say this is a posture that demonstrates superiority and aloofness.
• The best place to keep your hands, when not actually officiating, is directly by your sides. For many people this feels extremely foreign and awkward, and they must practice hard to remember this posture.

• As R1, on the officials stand, avoid the temptation to cross your legs. 
• Always stand up straight, and keep yourself well-balanced on both feet. This can, for some, be harder than it sounds. Just remember, all eyes in the gym are on you at the beginning and end of every play. And during play, oftentimes the coaches are watching the officials to make sure they're doing their job.
• Don't slouch.
• As R2 remember to NEVER lean on or over the scorers table.
• Exhibiting good posture goes a long way to projecting your professionalism.

• AS R1, you should never come down off the stand in the middle of a match. Once you assume the stand at the beginning of the match, you should try to stay up there until the end of the match.*
• If you need anything, your R2 can be called over and you can communicate with them for what you need.
• Take care of all of your personal needs before the start of the match, and before you climb up on the stand. Sometimes this takes planning ahead.
• After the captains and coaches meeting prior to the pre-match warm-ups is a good time to go to the bathroom, get a drink, or take care of any last-minute personal details.
• If you do have to leave the gym, ALWAYS make sure your partner knows your're leaving and NEVER leave the court unattended. One of you MUST be there in the gym.

*Perhaps the lone exception is if there is a scheduled intermission between sets two and three of the varsity match.

• Like baseball, play during the game of volleyball isn't governed by a clock. We can't be sure exactly how long any given match will last.
• Volleyball can be as quick as an hour for three sets, and can last as long as two hours or even more for a well-played, competitive, five-set match.
•  If you're in a hurry to get down off the stand or get the match over, perhaps volleyball officiating isn't for you. If you're up on the stand secretly rooting for one team to win in three sets so you can get out of the gym, you're in it for the wrong reason. Our job is to be fair and impartial and to let the outcome of the sets and match be determined by the teams and not the officials no matter how long it takes..

• In today's society sports officials will do well to avoid having any personal, private conversations with the players during the course of the assignment.
• Even if you personally know one or more of the players on either team avoid making  conversation with them outside of the purview of the job, and especially without one or two other adults within earshot.
• This can be difficult for some officials who may be naturally outgoing, friendly and gregarious, especially if you officiate the same teams more than a couple of times during the course of the season. 
• We can be friendly without being friends or "familiar" with the student/athletes.
• It's easy to become familiar with the players but in the world we live in today, as adults in a position of authority (such as sports officials and teachers, for example) we must always be on our guard for any situation which might compromise ourselves, our partners, or our association.

• Whenever you enter the gym or leave the gym (at the start or conclusion of an assignment) you should try to do it as a team. Don't leave your partner alone, especially if you think there might be an issue with one of the teams' coaches, or an irate parent, or anyone in the gym.
• When you enter the gym, as a team, go directly to the scorer's table and begin preparing for your match.
• The R1 for the first match traditionally takes charge of measuring the net. The R2 traditionally is responsible for checking the air pressure of the volleyballs. This isn't, however, a hard and fast rule. For example, if you have a partner who is short of stature, offer to take care of measuring the net. This is not a big deal.
• At the end of the last match the R2 should thank the personnel at the scorers table, then gather their bag AND their partner's bag and immediately head for the exit closest to the official's locker room and meet your partner, the R1 either at that exit or just outside
• After the last point of the match the R1 should come down from the stand and immediately head for the pre-arranged exit and meet the R2.
• Always pre-arrange with your partner BEFORE your match, and have your exit strategy planned.
• NOTHING good can happen from hanging around to chit-chat with anyone after a match. When our job is finished we should leave as quietyly and quickly as possible

• When you and your partner have changed into your uniforms and had a quick prematch briefing, be mindful of the scoreboard clock, which should be already set and counting down to the start of the first match.
• We are expected to be courtside at the scorers table AT the 30 minute mark.
• Avoid the temptation to be at the scorers table or even in the gym before 30 minutes.
• As more than one veteran official has said, "Nothing good can happen when the officials are courtside earlier."
• Oftentimes, officials who are there (courtside) earlier than 30 minutes find themselves in a situation where they are being asked by a coach or coaches about things those officials have no idea. They want to ask about a rule they think was misapplied in a previous match, or about something another official had said or done. Don't fall for this. IT'S A TRAP! Don't comment on things or events to which you weren't part of.
• If, for some reason, your partner is delayed in arriving, you should still be at the scorers table at the 30:00 mark on the clock, and then attend to measuring the net AND checking the ball pressure.

• You cannot get into trouble when you enforce all of the rules as written. Nobody can complain that the official at their match was following the rule book.
• If you are a new official you may have a different interpretation, or a less experienced understanding of any given rule, however. Try to rely on your more experienced partner if there is a particular question.
• More experienced officials work hard to do as much "preventative officiating" as possible. If you can anticipate a problem and stop it before it happens, everyone is much better off. This typically comes with experience, however.

• Even the most experienced officials will have some self-doubt on occasion following a match. But don't let any honest mistakes get the better of you on the drive home, or later that night.
• Always strive to do your very best with the information you have at the time. Mistakes will happen. Learn from every match, every set, every point. Then, try to not make that same mistake again.
• There are hundreds, if not thousands of little "finer points" to officiating that you will never just know, and you can't anticipate  until they happen.
• Rely heavily on your more experienced partner and ask lots and lots of questions. Write them down. Text them. Email them. Make a phone call. Get answers, and then work hard to put them into practice.

• The main thing all officials must commit to is getting the call right. 
• When in doubt, check with your partner. It is better to delay the match for 30 seconds and make the right call, than to bull-headedly continue on, insisting you're right, when you're not 100% sure.
• There is a reason we have two officials and two line judges at every match. Four sets of eyes are better than one. Utilize those other eyes. They have a different angel and a different perspective.
• It doesn't take long for an official to get a reputation for being too stubborn to ask for help. Don't be that official.

• While it shouldn't have to be said, here it is: "watch your language." As an official (and as an adult!) we MUST set the standard in terms of decorum. Under no circumstance should any official EVER use profanity, suggestive, or aggressive language toward anyone at the facility.
• Even if you are only speaking with your partner, or a close, personal friend, and think your conversation is private, KEEP IT CLEAN! You don't know who else could be listening, or hear even a part of your conversation.
• If profanity, vulgar, suggestive, or aggressive language is your normal way of speaking, this may be hard for you. Work hard to stop when you are in uniform.

• From the time you step into the gym, you should always be scanning the floor, the bench areas, the ceiling, and the walls for anything that is or could become a hazard during warm-ups, or after the match begins.
• Look for things that could be hazardous to players; such as parts of bleachers that stick out; chairs, tables, gym bags, trash cans, equipment, etc.
• When possible, ask to have them removed from the playable area. You are in charge of the confines of the gym when you're in uniform in the gym. If it looks like it could be a hazard, address it as soon as you see it.
• During the match, if you see spectators standing or sitting in what is the playable area of the gym, ask them to move, or ask the site administrator to ask them to move.
• Remember that the playable surface of the gym typically extends to the back walls, and up to the bleachers on the R1 side of the court, and up to the front of the benches and scorers table on the R2 side of the court.
• As R2, you have the entire playable surface in front of you. Work hard to keep the playable surface free of all obstacles.

• As R2, part of your job is to observe and regulate the timed warm-up periods of both teams. Stay focused on the clock. 
• Needless conversations can easily distract an R2.
• The serving team has the first timed warm-up when the countdown clock reaches 15:00. Instruct the scoreboard operator to sound the horn to signify the start of the first timed warm-up.
• Each team is allowed 6:00 minutes for their warm-up period. This includes collecting the practice volleyballs and exiting the court on time.
• At 9:15 on the clock, blow your whistle to signify that the team on the court is to exit it quickly, and making sure all of the practice balls are in the ball cart.
• At 9:00 the horn is sounded again, to signify the start of the second (receiving team) timed warm-up period.
• At 3:15 on the clock, blow your whistle to signify the end of the second timed warm-up is near.
• The horn sounds at 3:00 to end the timed warm-ups.
• You MUST be focused on the clock, so any distractions should be avoided.
• It is extremely easy to become distracted during this time. focus on the clock and your job.

• There is something about being the person in charge of running the scoreboard/timer that makes you think you're in charge. I don't know what it is, but they almost all believe they control the horn/buzzer and clock. They don't. The R2 does. They just push the buttons when they are told.
• Instruct the person running the scoreboard/clock BEFORE the start of the first set that they are not to sound the horn or stop the clock during timeouts or between sets unless you, the R2 tell them to.
• Teams are allowed a full minute for time outs, and three full minutes between sets. It's not up to the scoreboard/clock operator to decide to give them less time or that the timeout or time between sets is over. That is up to the R2.
• Give the scoreboard/clock operator a signal before the match starts as to when to sound the horn/buzzer and stop the clock. Instruct them to NOT sound the horn/buzzer or stop the clock UNLESS YOU tell them to.
• AND if you don't give them the signal, they are to let the clock run down to 0:00, and allow the horn/buzzer to sound on its own.
• As long as a coach is talking to one of their on-court players, and the full minute (timeout) or the  full three minute (between sets), hasn't expired, they have that time.
• When you observe that the conversation is over, give the scoreboard/clock operator the signal to stop the clock and sound the horn.
• EVERY time out, or period between sets END WITH A HORN/BUZZER.
• If there is no more coaching being done during a timeout or between sets and there is more than a few seconds (more than 6-8) left, blow your whistle, and give the signal for the horn/buzzer.
• REMEMBER that EVERY timeout and period between sets ends with a HORN/BUZZER.

• Whenever possible, the official scorekeeper should be sitting almost directly behind the near net post.
• The should be able to see the entire court, and the players coming into the substitution zone on either side.
• Seated to their immediate left or right, is the assistant scorekeeper (Libero tracker) 
• On the other side of the scorekeeper should be the scoreboard/clock operator.
• If the visiting team wishes to have a scorer seated at the table they can sit at either end.
• At the most, there should only be four people seated at the table. Five, if they have a public address announcer.
• Don't allow anyone else who doesn't have an official function to sit at the table. They will be a distraction.

• As a new volleyball official, and perhaps as a sports official of any kind, you will be in charge of the coaches and captains pre-match meeting.
• There are standard things we all MUST do and say during this meeting to help alleviate any problems or legal issues that could possibly occur before, during, or after the match.
• It is essential that the person conducting that meeting cover these topics: 1. Sportsmanship; 2. That all players are legally and properly equipped; 3. The presence of a medical/athletic trainer; 4 The ground rules for that particular gym.
• A typical pre-match captains and coaches meeting should take no longer than a minute and a half to two minutes.
• You should have a STANDARD prematch routine--almost a script, in your mind when you conduct such a meeting.
• Stick to your script. That way you are assured that you've covered everything that needs to be discussed, and that everyone is on the same page.
• When you're first starting out, it doesn't hurt to write down your script and rehearse it over and over until it feels comfortable, and you have it memorized.

Here is a sample of a good pre-match script you can adapt to your own:

• GREETING: "Good afternoon/evening/morning. Welcome to (name of school). Introduce yourselves, ladies."
• "My name is ---, I'll be your First referee, and this is --- she/he will be your Second referee.
• AFFIRMATIONS: "Coaches, are your players all legally and properly equipped (MAKE SURE you get a verbal affirmation from each coach)?"
• "We're expecting good sportsmanship throughout the match."
• "Is there an athletic trainer on hand today? (If there is not, then notify both coaches that they are responsible for their own team.)"
• GROUND RULES: Always start with the court. "The court is marked with a solid (color) line all around. The attack lines are (color), and the center line is (color)."
• "The playable surface extends to the back walls, and to the bleachers on the opposite side. We'll play up to the front of the benches on a line that extends to the back walls."
• "Up above everything is (or isn't) legal." (If there are overhead obstructions point them out according to the rules).
• QUESTIONS: "Coaches, do you have any questions?" (If none . . . )
• COIN TOSS: Addressing the visiting team's captains, "Who is going to call the toss?"
• Show that person the coin, and identify which side is heads and which side is tails. Just before you toss it, say, "Please call it in the air," and then after you catch it, ask the home team captain(s) to repeat what was called. Then show both teams the result of the toss.
• If the toss was called correctly, ask that team if they would like to serve or receive. If they choose to serve they will have the first six-minute timed warm-up when the clock reaches 15:00. If they choose to receive, then notify the serving team that they will have the first time warm-up at 15:00
• CONCLUSION: Good luck ladies.

• If you haven't already, download the Arbiter phone app. This app makes seeing your assignments, accepting them, communicating with your partner and contacts at the home school a breeze.
• Once you accept an assignment, you can see who your partner will be (as soon as they accept it as well). You'll be able to call or text your partner directly from the app.
• Additionally, you'll see the match fee and travel fee.
• Also, you'll be able to click a link and get directions to the host school.

• Schools have a variety of ways to pay officials. Some send a paper check by USPS. Some use direct deposit. Some use Arbiter Pay. Because there are so many different methods by which officials are paid, it can be difficult to keep track of who has paid you and who hasn't. It's up to the official to make sure they've been paid in a timely manner.
• If it has been more than three weeks from the time you worked at a school, and they still haven't sent payment, it is ok to contact the school's athletic director and let them know. Also, you may want to contact the partner you worked with to see if they've received that payment.

• Always try to get a coach or someone from the school to help adjust the height of the net, if needed. That is THEIR responsibility. Not the officials.
• There are lots of different net systems out there, and not all of them work the same way. The last thing any volleyball official wants to do is break the net system before a match.
• More often than not, the net will be set to the proper height before you walk into the gym. We still have to check.

• On more than one occasion, a MAVO official has fallen off or through a referee stand that wasn't set up properly.
• More often than not it is a young teenage girl or couple of girls who are charged with setting up the net and the officials stand. Typically, they are in a hurry to get the court ready and may have forgotten to double-check the stand to make sure it is safe and secured to the net post.
• Before you climb up the ladder to the platform, ALWAYS be sure to check to make sure it is properly in place.

• At 25:00 on the countdown clock the pre-match coaches and captains meeting is called.
• Both the R1 and R2 should stand shoulder to shoulder, facing the court, with enough room for the players and coaches to be comfortable.
• Also, in many gyms there can be loud warm-up music playing, so be sure to ask the person responsible for the sound system to turn it down so everyone can hear you.

• When conducting a good pre-match meeting with the coaches and captains there are several points that must be covered. 
• We should all be very consistent in how we conduct our pre-match meeting.
• Before tossing the coin, find out who is going to call it for the visitors. Tell them to "call it in the air."
• Toss the coin.
• Catch the coin in the air and then close your hand so it can't be seen.
• Ask the players on the home team to confirm the side the visitors chose: heads or tails.
• With the coin in your hand--palm facing up. Open your hand and show both teams which side is up.
• If the visiting captain called the toss correctly, they have the option to serve first, or to receive first. The team that serves first will have the first timed warm-up beginning when the scoreboard count-down clock is at 15 minutes. The team that receives will have their timed warm-up when the clock is at 9 minutes. 

• By NFHS rules, the head coach MUST present the R2 with a copy of their current roster PRIOR to the start of the captains/coaches pre-match meeting. 
• Don't start that meeting until you have their roster.
• Give the rosters to the scorekeeper at the scorers table.
• Rosters should include the school name, the coach(es) name(s) and the names and uniform numbers of all players on that particular team.

• Sounds pretty simple, huh? Believe it or not, it's not that easy for some folks who don't spend a lot of time tossing coins. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
• A good coin toss by the R1 can go a long way to establishing your proficiency as an official. Those who stumble about, fumble the coin, or even drop the coin during the toss can be seen as having little experience as an official. Being able to toss and catch the coin properly shows you have experience.
• Use a decent sized coin. It doesn't have to be a US minted coin. There are lots of other types of coins that work well. Quarters are too small. try to find one the size of at least a half dollar.
• Make sure that there two distinct sides to the coin and show everyone which is "heads," and which is "tails."
• Your coin should have some size and heft to it: like a silver dollar. Avoid coins the size of a quarter or smaller. It should be made of metal, and not plastic.
• Believe it or not, there are dozens of videos online that show how to toss a coin. Here is one.

• Many/most veteran MAVO officials are known by all (or most) of the volleyball coaches in their neck of the woods.
• However, if you're a new official, they won't know you or anything about you. They are expecting that you have been well-trained (at least as much as a new official can be), and will act in a professional manner.
• They will notice everything about you from your uniform to your body language, to how you conduct yourself during pre-match warm-ups, etc.
• For some reason, a lot of coaches feel it necessary to test out the rookie officials or to see how far they can push them, or excite them, or frazzle them. It is just how it is.
• Remain cool, calm, and collected to the best of your ability, and rely heavily on your more experienced partner to answer any questions that you are uncertain of.
• Many coaches appreciate the fact that you are just learning the craft, and will take that into consideration.
• But the bottom line is, they are being paid to coach and to teach, and to win. If a new(er) official gets in their way, that can make for some unpleasant assignments.
• Overall, however, volleyball coaches in Maine have a healthy level of respect for all officials. Our job is to make sure they keep that level of respect by doing our jobs properly, fairly, efficiently, and professionally.

• Have you ever broken a shoelace? Did it ever happen when you you were headed out the door for something important? Carry an extra pair of white shoelaces in your bag.
• And while you're at it, put together a few other essentials of things you just might need: A small bottle of aspirin or Ibuprofen; a toothbrush and toothpaste; a small sewing kit; a stick of deodorant; some bandaids; eye drops; breath mints; hand sanitizer; etc. You may not use any of it, but if you need it, you'll have it.

• There are a couple of things you should have in your pockets while officiating: A coin for tossing (R1 at the beginning of a match; and R2, in the event the match goes to a deciding set). And a set of red and yellow sanction cards.
• That's it.
• You shouldn't carry a big bulging wallet, your car keys OR ESPECIALLY your cell phone.
• Leave your personal items either in your car or in your bag.
• Nothing shows everyone in the building where your mind really is, than an official looking at their cell phone during time outs or between sets..
• The only time it might become acceptable is if there is a specific questionable feature in a gymnasium or on the court, or you have a question about the legality of a team's uniform. Then, you might need to take a photo to send to the assignor and let them address it. Other than that, stay off of your phone.
• IF, however, you're expecting an emergency call, set it to vibrate, and then wait until the end of a set and step out of eyesight and check your messages quickly. IN AN EMERGENCY, ONLY!

• The best way you will get better as an official is if you ask as many questions as you have of our most experienced officials.
• When you ask those questions, LISTEN to the answers.
• When an experienced official gives you constructive criticism, LISTEN to what they are saying. DON'T try to come up with excuses as to why you didn't know something or why you did something wrong.
• There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of different crazy scenarios that can (and eventually will) happen while you are officiating. Until you see something for the first time it is almost impossible to know what to do in many of those situations--at least until you have several years of experience under your belt.

• When you travel to your assignments you should try to be dressed in clean, neat, attire. Not shorts, or bluejeans, or anything ripped or torn.
• Business casual is a good way to present yourself on your way in, and on the your way out of the venue.
• Present a professional look and you'll be treated professionally. Look like you don't care about your appearance and people will think you don't care about your job.

• It has happened on a few occasions over the past several years, and when it does it can take an official by surprise and catch them off-guard.
• That is, being accosted or confronted by an irate fan after a match. When it does happen, it may be a natural response to quickly put up your dukes and get ready for battle.
• Work hard to avoid this response. The best defense is to ignore the person and look quickly for the event host (facility manager, athletic director, home coach, etc) AND your partner. 
• Don't engage them in any discussion.

• Becoming a good, experienced, trusted, competent volleyball official is a skill that relatively few people in our state have. If it were really easy anyone could do it.
• It takes a special kind of person who can become a good volleyball official and a lot of dedication to studying, and training, and just doing it. Be proud of your dedication to the craft.
• Those who take the job seriously, and work hard also can help to promote the job to others who may also be so inclined.
• Being proficient AND professional benefits not only you, but the entire profession of volleyball officials in Maine and around the country. Be a good example and ambassador for the sport and officiating it. 

• Every sport has its own unique "culture." Volleyball is no different.
• If you observe, listen, ask questions, eventually you will understand what volleyball culture means.
• A lot of it is how players and coaches act, think, look, prepare, and react. It even has its own language.
• Our job as volleyball officials is to officiate the game within that culture. 

• Immersing yourself into the job of volleyball officiating: learning the rules, the mechanics, the culture, the excitement, etc. is the only way you can be successful at this job.
• Loving what you do, being proud of the skills you have developed, having a thirst and desire to always keep learning and getting better will always lead to success in any sport or really, in any other occupation

• It may look like volleyball officiating is an easy job, because there isn't any running around or real physical activity involved.
• It can, however, be very taxing on your feet, legs, knees, hips, back, and mind.
• Volleyball officials don't get any break or get to sit down during  a match until it's over. We're on our feet the entire time. It could be only an hour or so, or it could last well over two hours.
• Standing on a hard wooden floor, or on the metal official's stand can be tough on the body, especially over the long-haul of a season.
• Volleyball officiating is also mentally taxing because as R1, especially, you have to make a judgement on every single contact of the ball; make sure all of the players are in their proper positions on every play; apply what you've learned about the rules, keep coaches and players concerns addressed, and more . . . for up to two hours or even more.
• The R2's job is no less taxing with substitutions, dealing with scorekeepers, assistant scorekeepers, scoreboard/clock operators, line judges, etc., all while focusing on the actual play on the court for every point.

• Some schools' teams' boosters offer a concession stand to help raise money for their volleyball program. It's ok to support these volunteers because in the end, its all about the sport of volleyball.
• If you have a minute or two between matches go over and pick up a quick snack. Just be sure to be inconspicuous when you eat or drink it.

• Theoretically, once you know how to officiate volleyball, you could conceivably officiate anywhere in the world. The rules are same everywhere you go, and you don't even have to know the local language.
• That being said, if you learn how to officiate high school volleyball in Maine, you can go anywhere in the US, join a local volleyball officials board, and probably begin working high school matches right away.
• The same can be said for college volleyball. Once you've been trained to officiate college volleyball, you should be able to take your skills anywhere in the country and ply your trade.

• It's OK to have fun while doing your job. If it's not fun, don't do it. However, always remember that there are boundaries that officials must stay within.
• Watch what you say. Be mindful of who can hear anything that comes out of your mouth.
• NEVER make any derogatory comments or say anything that could be taken out of context by someone listening to your conversation.
• Always be scanning the gym for potential hazards and to avoid staring at any one person.
• Keep your hands to yourself. NEVER touch a student-athlete, coach, line-judge, or anyone at the scorers table.
• Don't talk negatively about other officials when they are not present.

• One of the best ways to get experience as a volleyball official is to work a lot. A. LOT.
• The best way to get a lot of assignments is to go when and where you're needed and not turn back or refuse any assignments.
• This sometimes is easier said than done, however. Life happens. Home life, work life, in-between-life. The best thing to do is keep the assignor apprised of your home, work, and in-between-lives.
• At the beginning of every season make sure you go into your Arbiter account and block out every date you know for certain that you'll not be available. Then during the season, block out every date you know you can't be assigned as soon as you know. If you are available you will get a lot of assignments.
• If you're available and get offers but turn them down, you'll soon find that the assignor will move you down the list and those offers may become fewer and farther between.
• Remember: if you turn down an assignment or turn one back, you cannot be assigned for any other matches on that date. The Arbiter will automatically block you, making you unavailable that day.

• Perhaps the last thing you might want to do on a day off is take in a volleyball match--especially if you've been working a lot on your own.
• But if you really want to learn how it's done without the pressure of being on the court yourself, you might want to take in a high school match, or even a college match at one of the nearby schools. There are plenty of matches at the University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College, St. Joe's, the University of New England, Husson, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, UMaine-Fort Kent, Central Maine Community College, Maine Maritime Academy, or the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
• Your MAVO colleagues are working these matches and are more than happy to talk with you after the match.
• The rules are almost all the same, and so are the mechanics. Learn them at the highest level in the state from those who are working NCAA matches.

• Our season typically runs from the end of August, until the first of November. It can be 90 degrees in the gym at the start of the season, and by the end, you might be wishing you could wear a winter coat.
• The best we can do is to purchase either a long sleeve officials shirt, or an approved, licensed officials jacket or sweater.
• We are not allowed to wear a long sleeve shirt under our short-sleeve polo shirts.

• There are as many personalities in our association as there are members. Make an effort to get along with everybody.
• You don't have to be best buddies with everyone you work with but you do have to work as a team for two or three hours at a whack.
• Always be professional in your approach to working with everybody. Be fair, honest, courteous, and try to give your partner the benefit of the doubt.
• We all come from different backgrounds and different levels of understanding of the sport of volleyball as well as the art of officiating sports in general. If you can help someone become a better volleyball official, a better sports official, and a better person, do it. It costs you nothing

• The Maine Association of Volleyball Officials has lots of opportunities for members to volunteer to help out all year 'round. If you see a need, fill it.
• Each December MAVO holds elections for offices that have three-year terms. There is always a need for new blood on the board and members who are looking to become more active in the association are welcome to run for a spot on that board.
• In addition to being a member of the Executive board we have a three-year position that serves as the liaison between MAVO and the Maine Principal's Association's volleyball committee, as well as the "All Sports Officials Advisory Committee. These committees meet up to about four or five times a year, usually as a ZOOM meeting and play an important role in the functioning of the high school sports in Maine.
• There are also positions for clinicians for NFHS (high school), and PAVO (college) training
• Finally, there are the assignors (2), as well as the webmaster positions that are appointed by the association president.

• For just about everything volleyball officials are asked and required to do, there is one way. Learn that way. Don't try to come up with your own method of doing things.
• Doing things your own way will disrupt what everyone: from the players, to the  coaches, to the scorers table personnel, to the spectators,  and especially your partner, expects you to do.
• Being part of a volleyball official team is like a dance. You both have to be doing the same steps at the same time or it becomes confusing and clumsy at the very least.
• Volleyball officials are expected to do everything the same way as every other volleyball official across the state and the country.
• Decades of refining mechanics and techniques have given us the blueprint for being successful and professional.

• Typically, newer, or less experienced officials are the R2 for the varsity match. This means that they are the one who interacts most with the scorekeeper and other personnel at the scorers table.
• It is essential for the smooth operation of the match that the R2 and scorekeeper are on the same page, and work well together.
• Since a scorekeeper will have to work with a number of different R2s during a season, it is important that they all work in essentially the same way, so the scorekeeper isn't having to figure out what is happening during the match.
• As R2, you will need to learn the score sheet, how to keep score with a score sheet, and what to look for when there has been a possible error--and usually do it upside down.
• An experienced R2 can probably read a score sheet better upside down than they can right side up.

• On those occasions when your score keeper isn't experienced, your patience will be greatly needed--and often tested.
• A volleyball match can really only proceed at the pace of the scorekeeper. If the scorekeeper is proficient then the match will probably run smoothly. However, if the scorekeeper isn't proficient, and there are multiple interruptions necessary for them to catch up, or make corrections, it won't be a smooth match, and that can put a lot more pressure on the R2--even more so if the R2 is still learning, and hasn't mastered the art of  scorekeeping themselves.
• Only as a last resort should an R2 approach the R1 on the stand with a scorekeeping issue. 
• AND NEVER bring the score sheet to the R1 on the stand. If the R1's assistance is absolutely required they will come off the stand and cross the court to the scorer's able.

• Especially when you're just learning the art of volleyball officiating, it is important to always be learning. 
• Observation and asking questions are the greatest thing you can do to improve your officiating ability.
• If you're in a gym during a volleyball match which you aren't officiating, observe the match: familiarize yourself with how the match flows. What happens first? What follows? 
• Volleyball follows a certain order.
• All of the participants need to know what happens, when it happens, how it happens, and who is responsible for what parts. For the smooth operation of the match the officials must be uniform, predictable, and follow the proper mechanics and rules of the game.

• During a match there can be a little down time: between sets, during time outs, even waiting to have the floor wiped when it gets wet. Watch what you do during these moments. It can be easy for some officials to become distracted and not prepared when it's time to start up again.
• Keep extraneous conversations with the scorers table during these lulls to a minimum. Try to keep an eye on the court and the clock.
• Only turn your back to the R1 and the court when, and only for as long as necessary.
• The R1 won't blow the whistle to beckon for serve until you are facing him/her fully.

• Officials who work together often get to be pretty good at reading each others' facial expressions and body language. It's a non-verbal language that is typically only seen between the two or maybe even experienced line judges.
• Sometimes all it takes is a raised eyebrow, or a quick nod, or even a glance at a particular side of the court or the bench to get a point across and either address a coach's question or anticipate a problem.
• At the same time, it is important to keep this non-verbal communication between you and your partner and not let it be seen by coaches or players.

• It can sometimes be human nature to try to cut off a coach in mid-sentence when they have an issue with a judgement call or question about a rule. The best advice is to let them speak--as long as they get straight to the point--and let them get whatever it is, off their chest.
• If you know they have a point, you can let them know that. Don't try to make an excuse for why you or your partner blew a call. If you made a mistake in the application of a rule, admit it, fix it (if possible), and move on.
• If they are questioning a judgement call made by you or your partner, you can tell them you understand their point, but in your judgment, the call was correct, and now we're going to move on.
• Always try to keep the situation from getting out of hand, and never be seen as the "aggressor" in such situations.

• Volleyball is an unpredictable predictable game.
• Lots of weird things can happen during the course of a volleyball match, and at the same time, there is a certain pattern--a certain flow to each set.
• If you learn the tendencies of each coach (sometimes these can take several matches or even seasons to learn how a certain coach thinks. Some will call a time out when their team is down by a certain number of points. Some may choose to call a time out when their team has just lost a certain number of rallies.
• Officials who have played or coached the game at a competitive level might have a bit of an advantage when it comes to getting inside the mind of each coach. It becomes easier to predict when they might need/want to call a time out. 
• Being ready to blow the whistle for a time out when the coach wants it can help you keep the R1 from beckoning for serve when they shouldn't.
• It also can give a coach a little more confidence in your skills as an official if you are prepared to act when they need a time out.

• When you receive an assignment from the assignor accept or reject it as quickly as you can.
• It's understandable if you need to check your calendar for prior engagements before accepting or rejecting an assignment, but once you know you are able to take it, take it. Don't leave the assignor hanging.
• The longer you wait, the less time the assignor has to fill that spot if you reject it; and the pool of available officials will be diminished or even depleted if you wait too long.
• Once you reject an assignment, your schedule becomes automatically blocked for the rest of that day, so you won't get asked again for that day.
• And here's a little secret: Once you open an assignment on your phone or computer to look at it, the assignor can see that you've opened it up. So they know how long it took you from the time you saw it until you accepted it or rejected it.

• Life happens; even to volleyball officials. Sometimes you might accept an assignment with every intention of fulfilling your obligation . . .  and then WHAM! Life happens. You can't be two places at once, and you have to turn back your matches on a given day. The assignors are used to this eventuality. They don't necessarily like it, but they understand.
• AS SOON AS you know you have a conflict, let the assignor know. A phone call is best, but if you can't phone, send an email, and/or a text and let them know you have to turn back your match. 99% of the time they'll answer your call,  or your email, or text within a few minutes, confirming with you that you're turning back a match.
• HOWEVER . . . Please don't abuse the process. If you have legitimate conflicts after you accept an assignment, that's one thing. If a better offer comes up to go do something more thrilling, and you choose to ditch your obligation to go to a movie, or whatever, that's not really acceptable (does this really need to be said? Sadly, probably.)
• Keep in mind that the more times you turn back or reject an assignment the less reliable you'll appear to the assignor, and the less likely you'll get offered many matches.
• Volleyball season in Maine is short. It's only two months long. You've already made a pretty big investment to get this far. Make officiating your priority for September and October.