2007 PRE-SEASON VOLLEYBALL MEMO

VARSITY SCORING---All varsity games will be played to 25 points EXCEPT for any deciding game to 15 points and all tournament pool play and/or round-robin play shall be 2 of 3 to 21 points. The third game of a 2 of 3 and the fifth game of a 3 of 5 shall always be to 15 points. The semi-finals and finals of a regular season tournament may be 2 of 3 or 3 of 5 but must now be to 25 points.

VARSITY WARM-UP PROTOCOL---During varsity dual matches, a 5-6-6 warm-up shall be used. This format will also be used during district, regional, and state tournament. Local schools and conferences shall not alter this required format. During varsity regular season tournaments, the host school may determine the entire warm-up format. The host school shall determine the warm-up format for all sub-varsity level matches.

BALL---The 2007 required tournament ball is still the Tachikara. It is permissible to use any brand during the regular season just so it is a legal and all-white ball. The Tachikara is only required during the tournament series. The Tachikara contract expires after the 2007 season and it appears there may be a change to the Spalding TF5000 ball for the 2008 season.

OFFICIAL RATINGS/RECOMMENDATIONS---Coaches will no longer be required to file ratings for all varsity officials. Instead at the conclusion of the season, coaches shall submit the names of up to twelve officials they wish to recommend for tournament assignment. Those recommendations will be compiled and tournament assignments made based on the results. Coaches may also submit up to three “up-and-coming officials” whom they think we should keep our eye on for future assignments.

LINE-UP SHEETS---Coaches shall submit their line-up for each game by the serving order and not by floor position---regardless whether serving or receiving. Umpires need to be aware that the first player listed on the receiving team will actually begin the game in the RF position.

MUSIC---Music and sound effects are permitted during pre-match, during time-outs, between games, and during post-match. Artificial noisemakers are prohibited.

HAIR DEVICES---Anything worn in the hair other than a cloth headband is considered as a hair device. Hair devices must be soft and unadorned. There can be nothing hard worn in the hair (barrettes, beads, bobby pins, etc. are illegal). Unadorned means no pictures, initials, numbers, etc. Hair devices may be any color, multi-colored and can vary from player to player. But pictures of volleyballs, fish, polka-dots, etc. are considered as adornment and are illegal. No sequins or other decorative materials may be worn on hair devices, headbands, or wristbands.

PRE-GAME JEWELRY---If an official notices a player wearing jewelry during the pre-game warm-up, the player shall be instructed to remove the jewelry before being allowed to continue. There is no further penalty unless the player refuses to remove the jewelry or is unsportsmanlike in her behavior.

UNIFORM NUMBERS---Each uniform jersey must have a number on the front at least four inches high and a number on the back at least six inches high. The number on the front may be located on the shoulder area---the top of the number must be within five inches of the shoulder seam OR may be in the center area—the top of the number must be within five inches of the neckline opening. The color of the number and the color of the surrounding trim must be of sharp contrast to the color of the uniform jersey.

UNIFORM---Bare midriff tops are prohibited. The uniform top shall be tucked in or hang below the waistband of the uniform bottom (when the player is standing upright).

ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR REPLAY---The use of replay, television monitoring or any electronic equipment by officials to make decisions related to the game is prohibited.

OFFICIAL’S SHIRT---We will permit long sleeve and collarless white polo style shirts. Some gyms are extremely cold and uncomfortable for short sleeve shirts. Image Sport has a couple of these style shirts in their brochure.

OFFICIAL’S UNIFORM---Shorts are NOT permitted for officials at any level.

LIBERO REPLACEMENT---Any libero replacement must be completed prior to the referee’s whistle and signal to serve. An illegal replacement prior to the whistle and signal shall be an unnecessary delay. Any illegal replacement after the whistle/signal shall be an illegal alignment (point/loss of rally). A libero replacement during a time-out cannot take place until the original players have come back onto the playing floor---then the replacement can take place. It cannot take place while the players are at the team bench for the time-out. A libero replacement is not permitted during a re-serve. It is, however, permitted during a re-play.

SIGNAL FOR POINT---There is no need to indicate a point being scored by placing a finger in the air. A point is indicated by extending the arm in the direction of the team that will serve next, palm perpendicular to the floor. Whistle—signal violation—point mechanic It is suggested to then drop the arm temporarily and bring the arm back into position when the serve is imminent. That may avoid any tendency to unfairly hurry the server.

CHECKING NUMBERS---There is no need for officials to check player’s numbers during pre-game. Do not ask players to remove their warm-up shirt or to lift up the warm-up shirt in order to see their number. Players should never be asked to line-up for any type of number check.

LINE JUDGE---When the server moves to the left side to serve, the line judge shall move directly back and in line with the extension of the left sideline until the ball has been contacted---then shall move quickly into normal position. This is the National Federation mechanic---it may be in contrast to what is shown in the official’s DVD.

REMINDER---Boys are prohibited from practicing or competing against female athletes.