Ahh. To be a volleyball official.

Donnie and I reffed the Corporate Challenge volleyball tournaments for 3 divisions Sunday. Whew! What a long day. First let me say how awesome the Corporate Challenge is. There are so many activities. It seems like such a great company-bonding experience.

Anyway, the types of volleyball players were all over the charts. Of course, we had ringers in all divisions who swept the competition with their knee pads and ankle braces. And then we  had the “Oh my gosh that was not a lift!” guy who then followed up with “Wait, what’s a lift anyway?” And of course, the girl who gets hit in the face a lot. Oh and the big buff dude who swims in the net and then plays it cool, “What? The net? I touched it? You’re sooo strict.”

One Competitor commented: “I thought they were supposed to get certified refs for this tournament.”

I responded: “Don’t be fooled by our t-shirts. We are certified.”
Competitor: “Oh.”
Me: “Now get back there and serve and stop foot faulting.”

If you are a club player or coach, you will eventually officiate a volleyball match. A bit of advice to you, educate yourself! Know the rules and regulations.

And what’s not in the rule books: stand firm on your calls, don’t take crap from nobody. On subjective calls, which is much of volleyball these days, if you don’t stand your ground, your credibility goes out the window.

Good luck (and try not throw anyone out of the game your first time).

Have anymore officiating tips? Post them below!