Bench Behavior/Sportsmanship
Volleyball is a dynamic sport that displays both athleticism and tenacity through both individual and team play. It is important that all team members feel engaged in a contest whether they are on the court or on the bench. Student-athletes should have an opportunity to celebrate when exciting athletic plays occur in a match. Rule 12-2-7a allows bench personnel to, "Spontaneously react to an outstanding play by members of their own team." It has become apparent that these spontaneous reactions have become, at times, more than a short-lived spontaneous reaction. Bench personnel are coming to the sideline or even onto the court to celebrate. These excessive and disruptive reactions may result in an unsporting conduct penalty as described in Rule 12-2 PENALTIES. The goal of this Point of Emphasis is NOT to prevent engagement and celebration, but to remind coaches to educate their teams of appropriate ways to celebrate.
Management of Non-Team Personnel
Volleyball has grown significantly in both participation and popularity earning the respect of the school community as well as local communities as a major interscholastic sport. This increase in popularity has created increased desire for non-team personnel to be involved in match day affairs, which has created both excitement and confusion. It is necessary to remind coaches of their responsibility to educate school administration and their school community as to the sportsmanship nuances of the game of volleyball. This should include, but is not limited to:
Officials have the responsibility to enforce rules that apply. Inappropriate behavior of non-team personnel is the sole responsibility of home management (12-3).
Officials’ Communication
The officials’ pre-match conference is a vital tool for all officials, regardless of experience, and should be used to set the ground rules in a proactive approach to officiating. The first referee (R1) should be deliberate in the topics that are discussed in the pre-match conference. The second referee (R2) should be prepared to ask questions and to understand the expectations of the R1.
One topic of discussion should be the administration of penalties (unnecessary delay and unsporting conduct). Clarifying the responsibilities and mechanics will create a seamless penalty administration.
Second Referee Initiating Penalty Administration
First Referee Initiating Penalty Administration
The review of informal signals should also take place during the pre-match conference. It is essential for officiating crews to be on the same page when it comes to both the delivery and the receipt of informal signals.
Review of Informal Signals
Uniform Bottom Compliance
For the 2020-21 season, the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee is emphasizing the importance of adhering to the uniform rules as they apply to uniform bottoms – specifically, manufacturer logos. Rule 4-2-1f states, "A single partial/whole manufacturer's logo/trademark/reference, no more than 2¼ square inches with no dimension more than 2¼ inches, is permitted on each piece of the uniform provided placement does not interfere with the visibility of the player's number." Manufacturers are producing spandex marketed for volleyball with multiple large logos along the waistband. These bottoms, worn with uniform tops tucked or untucked, violate Rule 4-2-1f.
The committee understands that many times players and parents are responsible for purchasing uniform bottoms. It is the responsibility of the head coach to ensure that his/her players are properly equipped, which includes items purchased by the individual athlete. Additional rules relating to uniform bottoms can be found in Rule 4-2-1i.