New "Player of the Match" Criteria

At the end of each match each team is required to nominate a player from the opposition for "Player of the Match", the team should state which team they are and who they are nominating, preferably by shirt number and name. This can be written either in the box currently headed "Referee's Player of the Match" or in "Captain's comments / complaints". 

The 1st referee should ensure that both teams have completed this, as well as both team captain's signing the scoresheet, before signing off the scoresheet them self.

Prison Matches

Just to remind all teams, players and official's who are traveling to one of the two Prison venues in the league, you need to show some photo ID before you are allowed in. Mobile phones are also not allowed in, you will be asked to leave then at the gate house if you have one.

The Screen Serve

It appears that more teams are falling foul of the illegal screen serve this year, not sure why this is but ultimately this fault is the responsibility of the server, who must pay attention to the teams stack or line up on court.  FIVB rule 13.5 states that the serve can not pass over two or more players of the serving team, this is considered a screen, which is hiding the flight of the ball from the opposition (particularly on a low flighted ball) and is shown in FIVB diagram 6. Coaching Note: The serving zone i.e. the baseline is nine metres wide, if you are using a team stack, make sure your server uses another part of the baseline.
FIVB rule 13.5 also states that a screen can also be created by an individual player. This can happen when a team lines up with a player in the deep six position, and the server goes and stand on the baseline right behind the deep six player, thereby creating what is generally known as a backcourt screen. Coaching Note: If you wish to use this line up, the player in deep six must bend over or crouch down, to allow a clear view of the server by the opposition.
In Beach Volleyball, FIVB rule16.6 stats that a teammate of the serving team must not prevent either opponents from seeing the server or the path of the ball, FIVB diagram 4.  If this is the case, either opponent can request the offending player to move sideways to take up a different position. The referee only gets involved if the offending player refuses to move. A copy of all of these rules are available via the documents menu on the EDVA web site.

Referees Support

One reason for a lack of referees in the area, is that many newly qualified referees often get put off after having a bad experience at a match. This can often be put down to a lack of experience and often results in the person giving up. Learning the skills required to referee and control a match (as well as all the rules) takes time and past experience shows that additional coaching and support is often required.

Nationally there is a referees buddy scheme which addresses this problem, locally we can also provide support. This can include assessing your current refereeing level, providing feed back and support during matches, clarification and interpretation of the rules etc tailored to meet your specific needs. We can also arrange for you to 1st & 2nd ref EDVA Div 1 matches, South West League matches, National League and Beach matches (a separate qualification), as you progress as a referee and learn the trade.

Everyone progresses at a different rate and past experience shows that it often takes two years for a newly qualified ref to progress from local through to regional and national level matches. 

If you would like to take advantage of this support, please contact me Dave.Reece@network100.co.uk 
[I am currently a Grade 3R ref, been refereeing for 20 years and have officiated at over 150 National League matches]

PS: Since announcing this offer of support, two people have already asked for assistance.

Ottery St Mary Let Rule

Due to a low hanging trampoline rope at one end of the sports hall, some people have started to ask for a let call to be played. In order to formalise this arrangement and to make all teams aware of the situation, the committee suggests that referees should point this out to both teams before the start of plays, for the teams to decide on whether they play a let or not. (20/01/2007)

Update to all Referees

• Participants must accept referees’ decisions with sportsmanlike conduct, without disputing them. In case of doubt, clarification may be requested only through the game captain.
• Participants must refrain from actions or attitudes aimed at influencing the decisions of the referees or covering up faults committed by their team.

• Participants must behave respectfully and courteously in the spirit of FAIR PLAY, not only towards the referees, but also towards other officials, the opponents, team-mates and spectators.

• Minor misconduct offences are not subject to sanctions. It is the first referee’s duty to prevent the teams from approaching the sanctioning level by issuing a verbal or hand signal warning to a team member or to the team through the game captain. This warning is not a sanction and has no immediate consequences. It should not be recorded on the scoresheet.

• Incorrect conduct by a team member towards officials, opponents, team-mates or spectators is classified in three categories according to the seriousness of the offence.
• RUDE CONDUCT: acting contrary to good manners or moral principles, or expressing contempt.
  • First offence by any member is sanctioned by a Penalty, Yellow card, loss of rally and 3 EDVA Penalty Points
  • Second offence by the same person is sanctioned by Expulsion, Red Card, player leaves the playing area for the remainder of the set and 5 EDVA Penalty Points
  • Third offence by the same person is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points
• OFFENSIVE CONDUCT: defamatory or insulting words or gestures
  • First offence by any member is sanctioned by Expulsion, Red Card, player leaves the playing area for the remainder of the set and 5 EDVA Penalty Points
  • Second offence by the same player is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points
• AGGRESSION: physical attack or intended aggression.
  • First offence by any member is sanctioned by Disqualification, Red+Yellow jointly, player leaves the sports hall for the rest of the match and 6 EDVA Penalty Points

• Any misconduct occurring before or between sets is sanctioned according to the above rules and sanctions apply in the following sets.

For copies of the FIVB rules etc, please see the EDVA web site Documents Menu