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Member Information

Assignments

  • Officials can only be assigned after they have met all requirements on the Become a Referee page.

  • Assignments will be made based on Ratings and Qualifications described below.

  • You must be marked as ‘Ready To Assign’ on your ArbiterSports profile.

  • For questions regarding your assignment status, please email the SDFVOA Assignor and the SDFVOA Secretary (sdfvoaref@gmail.com).​

Standard Qualifications for Assignments

  1. Must be a member in good standing.

    • Attendance of all required training sessions (clinics, scrimmages, etc.)

    • All eligibility requirements assigned must be completed. (Requirements may vary depending on your ‘C’ Rating)

    • Not subject of any disciplinary action, pending disciplinary action, suspension, or sanction.

  2. ​Full payment of all membership and assignment fees.

    • No outstanding fines/dues.

  3. Must have an active ArbiterSports account.

  4. ArbiterSports account must have your photo posted.​

    • The photo should be a headshot with only the official’s face in it.

  5. Compliance with all uniform and equipment standards.

  6. R1 (Varsity) – requires a rating of C3 or higher.

  7. R2 (Varsity) – requires a rating of C4 or higher. 

  8. R1 (F/JV) – requires a rating of C4 or higher. 

  9. R2 (F/JV) – can be rated C5, recommend C4 or higher.

In addition to the criteria in the Regular Season

  1. R1 – requires a rating of C2 or higher.

  2. R2 – requires a rating of C3 or higher.

  3. Line Judge – requires rating of C4 or higher AND passed Line Judge evaluation.

In addition to the criteria in the Regular and Post-Season​

  1. R1 – requires a rating of C1.

  2. R2 – requires a rating of C2 or higher.

  3. Line Judge – requires rating of C3 or higher AND passed Line Judge evaluation.

  4. Scorer – Needs to have scored 90 points or higher on the scorekeeping exam.

  5. Libero tracker – Needs to have scored 80 points or higher on the scorekeeping exam.

  6. Timer – Needs to be familiar with and able to operate multiple types of scoring devices.

    • ​ALL table personnel must be rated C3 or higher.

Ratings

All officials are required to give peer ratings for all partner officials each season. Rate every official worked with during the past season. Forms will be emailed at the end of each season and must be returned within two weeks of receipt.

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***Any person not returning a completed Peer Rating Sheet will be fined $50 and will NOT be eligible to be assigned matches until the fine is paid to SDFVOA and the Peer Rating Sheet is submitted to Peer Source.***

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Ratings are made on a 5-point scale. Please refer to the State CIF Rating Designations for guidelines (Below).

C1: 4.5 – 5.00

C2: 3.5 – 4.49

C3: 2.5 – 3.49

C4: 1.5 – 2.49

C5: 0.0 – 1.49

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Officials receiving at least 5 peer reviews will receive a rating. The top and bottom scores will be dropped, and the average score will be the official’s rating for next season. Ratings will be posted on or before Feb 1st and Aug. 1st of each year.

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The current list of ratings will be supplied to the Assigner to be used for assignment purposes

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Anyone who wishes to also be rated by an individual Evaluator may request a written evaluation at the cost of $125, payable to SDFVOA. Upon receipt of payment, an Evaluator will be assigned to evaluate the official on a double-header match and will provide a written evaluation to both the individual and the Board. The official will not have the option to choose who will rate them, nor which match will be evaluated. This does not guarantee his rating will change. An official’s rating may be increased or decreased by ½ a point.​

Information on Ratings/Evaluations

  1. Can officiate with extreme confidence- maintains control of intense upper-level Girls and Boys matches.

  2. Very strong net-play game.

  3. Excellent game management skills and awareness - crowd/bench/player awareness and control.

  4. Understands and signals back-row attack/block (including illegal libero-related touches)

  5. Excellent communication with the partner at all times.

  6. Centers vision at the end of points, uses informal signals, and provides information on tough plays, etc.

  7. Consistent ball-handling calls.

  8. Understands complicated formations (overlaps/court positioning).

  9. Demonstrates a high level of game situation experience.

  10. Scores within given parameters on evaluation and critique.

  11. Excellent screokeeper and can solve all scorekeeping/libero tracking issues/problems.

  12. Exhibits excellent preventative officiating communication/awareness.

  13. May be recommended for Boys or Girls Section, Regional and/or State Playoff Finals as R1 or R2

  1. Conducts a good net-play game.

  2. Handles critical situations adequately.

  3. Thorough understanding of mechanics and proper execution.

  4. Consistent with ball-handling and net-play calls.

  5. Understands formations.

  6. Good game management skills and awareness (crowd/bench/player awareness/control).

  7. Understands and signals back row-attack/block.

  8. Communicates well with partner.

  9. Scores within given parameters on evaluation and critique.

  10. Competent at scorekeeping. Can resolve most scorekeeping issues/problems.

  11. May lack experience in high-level matches. May be recommended for the Girls' or Boys' Section and/or State Playoff Finals as R1 or R2.

  1. Good understanding of mechanics and proper execution.

  2. Less consistent on ball-handling and net-play calls.

  3. Can distinguish and understand basic formations.

  4. Lacks good game management skills and awareness.

  5. Average communication with partner.

  6. Begins to understand back row attack/block, but does not display confidence in calls or consistency.

  7. Scores within given parameters on evaluation and critique.

  8. Competent scorekeeper. Can resolve common scorekeeping issues/problems.

  9. May be recommended for Girls or Boys Section Playoffs as R1 or R2.

  1. Basic knowledge of rules, mechanics, and game protocols.

  2. Lacks game experience.

  3. Inconsistent in ball-handling and net-play.

  4. Weak in understanding formations.

  5. Weak in understanding of back-row attack/block.

  6. Competent scorekeeper.

  7. Scores within given parameters on evaluation and critique.

  1. New official.

  2. Lacks knowledge of the rules, mechanics, and game protocols.

  3. Needs to work on signals and mechanics.

  4. Scores within given paramenters on evaluation and critique.

  5. Demonstrates understanding of basic standards of prefessionalism - uniform, punctuality, communication, presence.

  6. Demonstrates understanding/enforcement of liability/safety and situations.

Uniforms

All officials must be probably dressed and equiped for each and every match.  Review the details below for more information.

Prescribed Uniform and Equipment Standards

  1. Blue “Certified Volleyball Official” uniform purchased from authorized vendor:

  2. Navy Blue pants.

    • If pants have belt loops, a navy or black belt must be worn with pants.

    • Pants with belt loops are HIGHLY recommended.

    • Pants MUST be made of a synthetic blend material (polyester, rayon, etc.) to avoid fading (no khaki/cotton pants).

    • Shorts are not allowed.

  3. White shoes

    • Shoes must be ALL white – logos or other trim must also be colored white.

  4. White socks

    • White crew cut socks or taller​

  1. Rule book  (supplied at clinic after dues are paid, or have a digital copy readily available).

  2. Case book (supplied at clinic after dues are paid, or have a digital copy readily available).

  3. Watch or other timepiece (stopwatch, pocket watch, etc. – no phones)

  4. (2) Whistles – Black + Pink.

    • Pink whistles may be worn during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

  5. Red/Yellow cards.

  6. Coin (at least a half-dollar-sized coin – no pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters).

  7. Ball gauge.​

  8. Ball pump.

  9. Net chain.

  10. Red/Blue/Black pen(s) and/or pencil(s) (at least 2 different colored pens and/or pencils).

  11. Small bag/pouch to hold the above items.

    • The bag must be black, grey, or navy colored.

  12. (2) Red/Pink Flags for Line Judges.​

Regular and Post-Season Protocols & Information

  1. Complete the coin toss to determine the serving team.

  2. The serving team will have a full court warm-up first at 15:15, and the second referee, R2, will sound a warning whistle.

    • Do not let the serving team enter the court early, even if the receiving team has left the court.

  3. At 15:00 on the clock, the horn will sound, and the serving team will enter the court to start warm-up.

    • The serving team must stay on its side of the net until the horn goes off.

  4. At 9:15 on the clock, the second referee, R2, will sound a warning whistle

    • Do not let the receiving team enter the court until the horn sounds, even if the serving team has left the court early.

  5. At 9:00 on the clock, the horn will sound, and the receiving team will enter the court

    • Officials help with this transfer and prohibit the serving team from continuing to warm up.

  6. At 3:15 on the clock, a warning whistle will sound, letting the receiving team know warmup is coming to an end.

  7. At 3:00 on the clock, the horn will sound, and the officials should get the receiving team off the court.

  1. All assigned R1 Officials should reach out to their entire working crew 24 hours prior to their match.

    • Please contact Summer (Assignor) and the Instructional Chair immediately if any issues arise with any members of your crew.

  2. Bring flags if you have them.

  3. The R1 & R2 should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.

  4. Conduct the coin toss/pre-match conference 25 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.

  5. Work together as a crew, but the R1 will take the lead.

  6. R1’s will hold a pre-match conference with the crew to review match protocol and expectations, specifically reviewing the appropriate protocol for the Line Judges (time-outs, intermissions, etc.).

  7. Headsets are optional, but we encourage everyone to use them.

  8. Review a ‘court exit’ strategy for departure to your officials' room immediately following the match.

  9. The R1 will initiate the post-match meeting, and this will be a positive meeting for all.  

    • The audience for this meeting should be limited to the working crew and any Board members at the site or the lead official. You are also welcome to invite any other officials to your post-match (at the discretion of the R1, provided there is unanimous consent).  Remember, the post-match conference is geared towards celebrating the achievements of the teams and the officials rather than a barrage of criticisms.  There may be some points of interest to work on, but overall, the post-match meetings should be very positive.

  10. Be supportive of each other.  This is not a time to be overly critical.

  11. Have fun! Remember, you are there for the kids playing the sport we all love.

  1. All assigned R1 Officials should reach out to their entire working crew 24 hours prior to their match.

    • Please contact Summer (Assignor) and the Instructional Chair immediately if any issues arise with any members of your crew.

  2. Bring flags if you have them.

  3. The R1 & R2 should arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.

  4. Conduct the coin toss/pre-match conference 30 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.  

    • All other assigned Officials should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.

  5. Work together as a crew, but the R1 will take the lead.

  6. R1’s will hold a pre-match conference with the crew to review match protocol and expectations, specifically reviewing the appropriate protocol for the Line Judges (time-outs, intermissions, etc.).

  7. Headsets are optional, but we encourage everyone to use them.

  8. Review a ‘court exit’ strategy for departure to your officials' room immediately following the match.

  9. The R1 will initiate the post-match meeting, and this will be a positive meeting for all.  

    • The audience for this meeting should be limited to the working crew and any Board members at the site or the lead official. You are also welcome to invite any other officials to your post-match (at the discretion of the R1, provided there is unanimous consent).  Remember, the post-match conference is geared towards celebrating the achievements of the teams and the officials rather than a barrage of criticisms.  There may be some points of interest to work on, but overall, the post-match meetings should be very positive.

  10. Be supportive of each other.  This is not a time to be overly critical.

  11. Have fun! Remember, you are there for the kids playing the sport we all love.

  1. ​All assigned R1 Officials should reach out to their entire working crew 48 hours prior to their match and remain in constant communication.

    • Please contact Summer (Assignor) and the Instructional Chair immediately if any issues arise with any members of your crew.

  2. Arrive in business casual.  Do not arrive in your uniform.

    • You must wear business casual attire to leave the match or watch the next match in the same attire.  

    • All locations have official changing and meeting rooms for use by Officials.

  3. Bring flags if you have them.

  4. All working Officials should watch the match you are not working (prior to and after your match), but at a minimum, the R1 & R2 should arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time to conduct the coin toss + pre-match conference (this will be done in your business casual attire).  

    • All other assigned Officials should arrive 60 minutes prior to the scheduled match start time.

  5. The 25-minute clock will start when teams arrive on the court.

  6. There will be a pre-match march for players and officials; further instructions will be provided on-site.

  7. Work together as a crew, but the R1 will take the lead.

  8. R1’s will hold a pre-match conference with the crew to review match protocol and expectations, specifically reviewing the appropriate protocol for the Line Judges (time-outs, intermissions, etc.).

  9. Headsets are optional, but we encourage everyone to use them.

  10. Review a ‘court exit’ strategy for departure to your officials' room immediately following the match.

  11. The R1 will initiate the post-match meeting, and this will be a positive meeting for all.  

    • The audience for this meeting should be limited to the working crew and any Board members at the site or the lead official. You are also welcome to invite any other officials to your post-match (at the discretion of the R1, provided there is unanimous consent).  Remember, the post-match conference is geared towards celebrating the achievements of the teams and the officials rather than a barrage of criticisms.  There may be some points of interest to work on, but overall, the post-match meetings should be very positive.

  12. Be supportive of each other.  This is not a time to be overly critical.

  13. Have fun! Remember, you are there for the kids playing the sport we all love.

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Guest Officials

  • All active SDFVOA Officials will have their names on a list at the door for free entry into all CIF SDS Finals events.

  • Please be mindful of working officials, who will likely have a lot to do in addition to mental preparation prior to their match.

  • Do not wear a uniform; dress is casual (neat and clean).

  • You are there to learn and to support fellow officials and the volleyball community in San Diego.

  • All Officials (working & guest) should sit together in the stands behind the scorer's table.

Ejection Protocol

If you have to eject anyone (coach, player, parent/guardian, or spectator) from a match, here are the steps that you MUST follow:

  1. Access to the Ejection Report may be found on the CIF website

    • Click Sports, click Officials, and then click on Ejections Reports.

    • Choose the sport (volleyball) and enter the password (123).

  2. Within 12 hours, fill out the Official’s Match Report.

It does not matter if:

  1. The coach is a head coach or assistant.

  2. The level of play (Varsity, JV, or Frosh).

  3. The team is from the CIF San Diego Section or not.

CIF Policy when Head Coach is removed:

  1. To replace a head coach, the individual must be certified in CPR and First Aid.

  2. CIF allows a non-tenured coach or a school employee who is certified in CPR and First Aid to take over as head coach.

A verbal confirmation of the above criteria is sufficient.

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