NFHS
Volleyball Referee
Membership and
Training Guide
Table of Contents
Mission and Philosophy
Requirements
Pay Information
Points of Emphasis (current)
The Rules
Policies and By-Laws
Training Acknowledgement
Mission
The mission of TASO Volleyball is to serve the
students of middle schools and high schools in
the Texas by providing knowledgeable and welltrained officials for their volleyball matches.
Philosophy
While providing a level playing ground for all
players is our overriding mandate, we hope that
our officials will be not only teachers of the
game, but also students of the game. By
learning and understanding the game, officials
will be better able to facilitate, not only fair
matches, but also matches that are enjoyable
for the players, coaches and spectators.
Requirements
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Minimum Age
Must be 17 years of age
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Dues
State and local Chapter dues paid annually as determined by your local Chapter.
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Assigning Fees
Assigning fees for matches worked may be assessed for matches worked according to local Chapter
policies
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Transportation
You must have reliable transportation to get to local schools for match assignments.
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Dress Code
Professional dress for matches is required – black slacks(no jeans or “khakis”), white TASO shirt, black
belt, black socks, all-black shoes
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TASO Rules Test
The annual TASO Rules Test must be completed with a passing score.
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Training
All required training sessions must be attended per the annual training schedule.
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Meetings
Attendance is required at meetings that are held prior to and during the season for the purpose of
training and education.
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Electronic Communications
Almost all communications to members is conducted via email and postings on TASO and local Chapter
websites. Members are responsible for monitoring and responding to notices posted/sent by TASO and
your Chapter.
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Equipment
Officials are responsible for providing their own equipment for conducting matches. A black whistle, black
lanyard, flipping coin, net chain and ball pressure gauge are required. Line judge flags are highly
recommended. Red and yellow cards are provided.
Match and Pay
Information
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Regular matches are held on weekdays, with normal start times
being 5:00 or 5:30 (must be available to be on site 30 minutes prior
to match time.) The season usually runs from mid-August to midNovember, with middle school matches starting after Labor Day. The
busiest days for regular matches are Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays. Tournaments are generally held on Saturdays, with some
occurring on Thursdays and Fridays early in the season.
Assignments generally last 2 to 3 hours depending upon the level
officiated.
Officials are paid per match and for mileage based on the current
UIL guidelines. Officials are independent contractors and are paid by
the school districts. Payments are generated based on pay sheets
submitted when matches are worked.
Per UIL policy, payment should be received within 45 days of the
match worked. If you have not received payment within 30 days,
you should contact your co-official to see if they have been paid and
the school’s business office to ensure they received a pay sheet
from the match in question.
Mileage – the maximum mileage that can be claimed is the round
trip mileage from your house to the school.
Pay sheets are available through your local Chapter.
All officials should maintain an accurate log of their matches for tax
records and to verify receipt of payments.
The Rules
Rule 1 The Game
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Match format
Pre-match conference
Artificial noisemakers
Rule 2 The Court
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Substitution zone
Libero replacement zone
Overhead obstructions
Out of bounds
Rule 3 Game Equipment
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Ball
Net
Team benches
Rule 4 Player Equipment and Uniform
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Casts/braces
Hair control devices
Legal uniform
Rule 5 Officials: Responsibilities and Positions
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Officials uniform and equipment
First Referee
Second Referee
Scorer/Libero tracker
Line Judges
The Rules
Rule 6 The Team: Composition and Positions
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Captain
Positions
Rule 7 Roster and Lineup
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10-2-1
Rule 8 The Serve
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Illegal
Service Fault
Rule 9 During Play
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Team benches
Live and dead ball
Contacting the ball
Player Actions
Net Play
Fouls
Replay
Unnecessary Delay
Rule 10 Substitution and Libero Replacement
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Substitution Requests/Procedures
Substitutes
Libero Replacements
The Rules
Rule 11 Time-outs and Intermission
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General
Reviewing decisions
Injuries
Rule 12 Conduct
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Unsporting Conduct
Scoring/Libero Tracking
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Scoring a match
Libero tracker duties
Signals
Concussion Management
Sports Hygiene
Officials Code of Ethics
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Master the rules and mechanics
Impartiality
Cooperation
Dress
Punctuality and professionalism
Safety of student-athletes
Ethical approach in forums, chat rooms and all forms of social media
Casebook and Manual
Points of Emphasis – NFHS 2013-2014
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The new signal sequence requires the first referee to whistle, indicate result of play (loss of
rally/point or replay), then give the correct signal for the fault.
When the second referee initiates a call, he/she shall whistle, move to the side of the net of the
offending team and signal the fault. When the call involves a player in the net, the second referee
signals the net fault and indicates the number of the offending player to the first referee. The first
referee, if in agreement, indicates the result of the play, followed by the signal for the fault, then
displays the number of the offending player.
Teams are no longer required to go to the end line at the end of the set. They are required to
properly follow protocol by changing courts or proceeding to the team bench when indicated by
the first referee.
Team S calls a time-out. The second referee indicates the number of time-outs used by each team,
and then proceeds to check the score. The libero tracker confirms with the second referee the
status of each team’s libero at the beginning of the time-out. At the end of the time-out, the
second referee indicates the number of time-outs used and, in addition to other responsibilities,
observes the status of the liberos is unchanged.
Teams are permitted to use electronic devices for statistical and coaching purposes. Electronic
devices may not be used by a referee to review any decision.
A towel tucked into the uniform waistband is permitted, provided there is no safety hazard. If the
towel repeatedly falls onto the floor causing a delay in the match or otherwise presents a new
safety hazard, the referee may instruct the player to remove the towel at that time. Personal music
devices and other electronics worn by players during warm-ups and the match present a safety
hazard and shall be removed. In addition, wireless communication between a coach and a player
on the court would result in a distinct advantage to the player and is illegal.
In the case of a team having an injured/ill player who is unable to play at the end of an official’s
time-out regarding injury/illness and there are no time-outs or legal or exceptional substitutes
available, the first referee may call a special injury time-out of up to three minutes for the
injured/ill player to return. If the player cannot return by the conclusion of that special time-out,
then the team shall play short for the remainder of the set. This will only apply to teams that have
six players and no teammates for substitution or exceptional substitution. The player may return in
the next set if ready to play. A player may be granted only a single injury time-out during the
match.
After verifying the players on the court are in their correct positions and authorizing the libero to
enter the court, the second referee indicates the floor captain to the first referee by using an open
hand to designate that player. The captain shall respond by raising his/her arm toward the first
referee.
The second referee shall initial the scoresheet after each set and for final verification of match
results. (The first referee is no longer required to initial the schoresheet.)
Prior to a deciding set, the second referee shall:
1. Double whistle and signal holding coin above head to call the captains to the officials’ table to
conduct the coin toss, home team captain calling the toss.
2. Indicate to the first referee with an open hand and arm extended which team has the serve.
3. Signal to the first referee that the teams shall change courts or remain at their current benches.
Points of Emphasis - TASO
Professionalism
Pre-match
Arrive properly dressed on court 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for the match
Cordial, but not overly friendly interactions with coaches – never giving one coach more attention than the other
Any necessary corrections of equipment or uniforms are requested, not demanded
Co-official
Always respectful of your co-official and the job he/she is doing
No official is more important than another
During the match
Always treat players and coaches with respect during the match – even when they are not respectful
Never verbally address a coach or player from across the court – communicate through captains or your R2
Post-match
Do not linger to visit with coaches, players or spectators
R2 Positioning
Transition to offending team’s side prior to signaling fault
Transition to offending team’s side prior to repeating R1’s signals
Following NFHS Protocols
(Especially for those who work other rule sets, please follow NFHS protocols and rules differences)
R1 and R2 positions during pre-game introductions
Use of lineup card to check starting lineup on the floor – not the lineup sheets or score sheet
Assistant coaches and players must be seated during play
Sanctions – differences in yellow and red cards, delays – yellow is not a point in NFHS
Can play with less than 6 players – must have 6 to start
Hard, un-yielding head bands not allowed - unadorned bobby pins no longer than 2 inches, flat clips and soft hair
devices may be worn
Head coach and captain(s) must attend pre-match conference
Teams do not switch sides in the middle of a deciding set
Libero - noted for each set on lineup sheets – may be changed from set to set – may be captain
Coach can verbally request a substitution
Coaches may enter court during time-out
Service – 5 seconds – may be dropped or caught for one re-serve per player per team’s term of service
A ball penetrating the vertical plane of the net over the net may be returned to a team’s playing area by a player on
that team provided the ball has not completely crossed the vertical plane when the contact is made
Official’s signals – sequence – illegal attack signal
3rd and 4th contact by the same player is “4 hits”
Line judge positions during time outs – at attack line and sideline near R1
R2 signals net fault, then displays number of offending to player to R1. R1 displays number of offending player,
TASO By-Laws, Policies and
Procedures
• Available at www.TASO.org
Chapter Policies and By-Laws
All members should be familiar with their Chapter’s Policies
and By-Laws available through the local Chapter
The Policies and By-Laws should have information about:
• Registration requirements
• Meeting requirements
• Information about dues and assigning fees
• Board member responsibilities
• Election procedures
• Discipline procedures
• Code of ethics
• Match cancellation and missed match fees
• Scrimmage credit policy
• Training requirements
Instructions for completing
the annual TASO Rules Test
• Navigate to www.TASO.org
• Log in to the member’s portal using your TASO ID and
password. (Default password for first time users is TASO2002)
• Under MY TASO Links click on TASO rules test
• When answering questions on the test, do not scroll using
your mouse as this may change answers you have selected.
• Once you have completed the test, you can log out, log back
in and see your test score under MY TASO Tests.
• To review your test, click on your score
• There are five available tests – your final score will be
updated to your highest via a manual process
2013 Training Acknowledgement
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Match and Pay information
The Rules
Points of emphasis – NFHS, State and Chapter
Chapter and TASO By-Laws, Policies and Procedures
Electronic Communications
I ____________________, agree that I have reviewed and am familiar
with all of the items listed above for the 2013 season.
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Signature
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Date