GEVA - USAV Referee and Scorer 2018 Certification Requirements and Handbook Purpose and Overview: Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA) is a Regional Volleyball Association of USA Volleyball, the National Governing Body for the sport of volleyball. GEVA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization operated to promote volleyball in the New York City Metro, Long Island, and New Jersey area. GEVA offers USA Volleyball officials education and certification as part of that mission. Once certified, officials are considered independent contractors, not employees of GEVA, should they officiate any GEVA or USA Volleyball sanctioned events. As independent contractors, officials are responsible for acquiring their own compensation insurance, paying their own taxes and other expenses. Once certified, officials will take steps to maintain their certification as outlined herein. Any income earned as a result of officiating for GEVA will be reported via IRS Form 1099. GEVA certified officials are free to set their own availability and schedule in accepting or rejecting any assignments that GEVA may offer. GEVA officials may use their education and certification to offer their services to any assignor or entity with whom they chose to become associated. Five Levels of Referee Certification in USA Volleyball: Junior Olympic Referee (Junior R-1) - tested and awarded at the local level. Provisional Referee - tested and awarded at the local level. Regional Referee - tested and awarded at the local level. Junior National Referee - tested and awarded at Girls Junior National Championship. National Referee - tested and awarded at Boys Junior National Championship. To Become a GEVA - USAV Certified Referee You Must: Attend Clinic Sessions (no fee except membership - see below). o Review the online referee clinic (typical clinic length is approximately 4 or more hours). o Attend an in-person new referee clinic (typical clinic length is approximately 4 hours). Page 1
Become a GEVA member. o A registration link can be found at: http://www.geva.org/registration o Or renew if appropriate at: the above link or https://webpoint.usavolleyball.org o Pass the USAV background screening (authorization is on the registration page). Other background checks are not acceptable. Pass a written exam on-line (See below for details). Take the SafeSport online clinic, pass the quiz following the clinic for certification. This certification must be renewed every two years. Pass a practical evaluation as both R-1 (first referee) and an R-2 (second referee). o Two successful evaluations in both positions (R-1 and R-2) are required. o Rating sessions are at GEVA sanctioned tournaments, candidates are not paid. o Allow a full day for this session. Following a successful practical evaluation, officiate at four GEVA tournaments without incident. Become a USAV certified Scorer. (See below for details). Maintaining a GEVA Referee Certification GEVA Referee "In Good Standing" Policy For certified referees to continue as a member in good standing of the Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA), the referee must meet the criteria outlined below. If a referee cannot meet these criteria, he or she may apply to the Official's Chair for a one-season waiver to become inactive, which will not be unreasonably withheld. If the period of activity is longer than two seasons, the official will be required to repeat the certification process, beginning with clinic attendance and practical evaluation before officiating for the Region again. Failing to meet one or more of the criteria will result in Conditional status and will affect tournament fees and possibly eligibility to receive assignments. Maintaining a GEVA - USAV Referee Rating: All Officials Must: Join GEVA every season o Maintain a USAV Background screen Pass the written USAV referee exam each season Attend the annual Referees interpretation meeting or a new referee clinic Conduct him/herself with an appropriate level of professionalism Fulfill the obligations outlined below for the referee's level of certification Page 2
National and Junior National Referees: Attend a National Training Team clinic each season (this is offered online or in-person). Attend the annual GEVA officials interpretation meeting or a new referee in-person clinic each season. The National Training Clinic may be substituted for the annual meeting on an infrequent basis, at the discretion of the GEVA Officials Chair. View any online clinic material as prescribed by the Officials Chair or USA Volleyball. Maintain certification as a USAV Scorer. Officiate as a full-time non-coaching referee at a minimum of three Junior Tournaments each season, or perform comparable service to GEVA (at the discretion of the GEVA Official's Chair) as required by USA Volleyball or the USAV Official's Division. Regional Referees: Attend the annual officials interpretation meeting or an in-person new referee clinic each season. View any online clinic material as prescribed by the Officials Chair. Pass an on-court practical examination as both and R-1 and R-2 every three seasons. Maintain certification as a USAV Scorer. Provisional Referees: Attend an in-person new referee clinic each season. Provisional officials with two seasons standing in the Region may attend the annual officials' interpretation meeting in lieu of a clinic. View any online clinic material as prescribed by the Officials Chair. Pass an on-court practical examination as both and R-1 and R-2 every other season. Maintain certification as a USAV Scorer. Junior Olympic: Specifications are provided on the Juniors page. This rating does not apply to adults. Associate Referees: Officials who reside and are registered in Regions other than GEVA, who are in good standing in their Region, who wish to officiate GEVA tournaments, may apply for Associate status. Acceptance is based on GEVA need, and is at the discretion of the Officials Chair. There may be a fee or other financial arrangement associated with this status which will be defined by the GEVA Executive Committee. Officials who reside within the GEVA Region but who are registered in another Region are not eligible Associate Status. Page 3
New Ratings - Upgrade/Reciprocity: Upgrade: Officials in good standing, and who have met the standards for the higher rating, may apply to the Officials Chair for an upgrade in rating. When approved, upgrade evaluations may occur at unpaid formal sessions or regular season paid assignments. Upgrades will be awarded based on an official s body of work, not just their performance at one evaluation session. Beyond officiating skills, professionalism is an important consideration in any upgrade. How well does an official incorporate information provided at evaluation sessions? Does the official demonstrate a good work ethic, arrive on time, maintain up to date availability and keep assignments, avoid fraternizing, and appear in proper uniform? Does the official represent the sport well? These characteristics need to be evaluated over time. These characteristics are being observed and evaluated even before an official applies for upgrade. FACTORS IN REGIONAL UPGRADE CONSIDERATION Consistently professional conduct before, during, and after all matches and tournaments Consistent ball handling calls during a match, match-to-match and tournament-to-tournament Consistent identification of more complex situational calls such as positional faults, back row attack and Libero faults Demonstrate proficiency at the second referee position, and the ability to instruct and evaluate Junior second referees effectively Consistently approachable and able to make short explanations using verbiage from the DCR Effective communication with other officials, Tournament Directors, coaches, players, parents The ability to instruct and evaluate Junior scorers effectively The ability to employ effective preventive officiating measures, and proper sanction scales Appropriate tournament arrival time and effective time management during the tournament Consistently in proper attire and well-groomed Employ rules and protocol consistent with Region standards Awareness of set and match situations Awareness of match events beyond the court, including the bench area Consistently meets or exceeds exam score threshold Scorekeeping certification up to date, not just in the year you want to upgrade The ability to identify and correct scoresheet discrepancies in a timely manner Organizational ability to be able serve as the Head Referee of a tournament Dedicated effort to officiate GEVA events Consistently reliable availability Limited turn-back history Flexible in facilitating the Assignor s needs Demonstrate the ability to accept and apply advice for continued growth after upgrade The ability to assist the development of other officials The recommendation of GEVA National, Junior National, and Regional officials Page 4
Factors which don t have significant bearing: Length of time at your current level Your reports of evaluations outside of the Region Accomplishments and important matches for other groups Reciprocity: The certification reciprocity agreement establishes criteria for PAVO and USAV referees to acquire a rating in the other organization without having to undergo the entire prerequisite training and evaluation process. This agreement was developed to encourage referees to officiate at various levels of competition by streamlining the certification path, recognizing their prior qualifications from PAVO or USAV. The reciprocity is to be used for the initial achievement of a rating from the other organization. Following are the criteria for acquiring a reciprocal rating: In order for a PAVO referee to acquire a USA Volleyball rating through reciprocity as defined below, the individual must maintain membership with USA Volleyball in his or her respective USAV region, pay the appropriate dues and meet other regionally defined (and nationallydefined, if applicable) membership and certification requirements. A currently rated PAVO National referee may obtain, by reciprocity; his/her initial USA Volleyball Junior National or Regional rating with all prior experience and practical testing requirements waived. An individual reciprocating to a USAV Junior National must indicate that selection to the USAV AVP-National Referee Commission, and must meet all maintenance and renewal criteria established for Junior National Referees. Individuals reciprocating to either Regional or Junior National certification must also comply with all local requirements involving clinic attendance and written examinations. A currently certified PAVO State referee may obtain, by reciprocity, his/her initial USA Volleyball Regional rating, and a currently certified PAVO Local referee may obtain, by reciprocity, his/her initial USA Volleyball Provisional rating. All prior experience requirements are waived, but the individual must comply with all local requirements involving clinic attendance, practical ratings, and written examinations. In all cases of reciprocity, the individual must attend a PAVO clinic for PAVO certification or a USA Volleyball-RVA clinic for USA Volleyball certification. A joint USA Volleyball-RVA/PAVO clinic will satisfy the clinic requirement for either or both certifications. Reciprocity must be requested before December 1 st of the current season. Evaluation: A conditional period will ensue after the new rating has been conferred, where additional evaluation will determine if the new rating is considered permanent. Page 5
Exam Procedure: For All Officials You must renew your membership before you can take the exam. It is strongly suggested that you attend the Region Annual Interpretation meeting and review the new training material on www.volleyballreftraining.com, including Scoring procedures and new rules before taking the exam. This is required for National referees, and those modules are included as part of your clinic (see below). The exam (and registration) starts at Webpoint (http://webpoint.usavolleyball.org). The exam deadline is February 28 th, but do not wait. Get it done before the first of the year and the start of the season. Good professionalism would dictate completing the exam prior to your first tournament. This requirement is not only a measure of your rules knowledge, but also a learning experience. Exceptions for technical difficulties and other personal circumstances will not be considered for those who wait until near the end of this deadline. Failure to meet the exam deadline will result in Conditional status and associated reduction in tournament fees. Education and Exams for all Officials: Log in to Webpoint (http://webpoint.usavolleyball.org). There is a forgot user name and/or password function if you need it Go to Event Registration (menu on the left side) and select the appropriate curricula You can go to the clinics and exam at any time by clicking any of the red USA Volleyball Academy buttons on your Webpoint member page. The exam is included with your clinic modules You may take the modules in any order, including the exam, but your requirements have not been met until you have completed all the modules There is no time limit to complete and submit your exam (except for National referees) as long it is complete before February 28th There may be questions which have more than one correct answer (check all that apply) After you submit your exam, you will immediately get your results and rule references for questions you missed If you do not achieve a passing score, you must retake the exam until you do Referee and Scoring curriculua will lead you to other training modules, but are not required. Don t be afraid to check them out Cram Session : sign up for it if you want to preview exam questions before attempting the exam For National Referees: Select National-Level Referee Curriculum Repeat for National-Level Scorer Curriculum if appropriate You have one hour to complete and submit your exam You must achieve an exam score of 90 on either your first or second attempt Page 6
For New Referees Last Year: Select Second Year Adult Referee Clinic o The Form C exam is included with your clinic modules Repeat for New Adult Scorer Clinic if you did not complete your certification last year You must achieve a passing exam score of 84 If you want to challenge yourself, you may take the Adult Veteran Referee (which contains the Form A exam) after you complete the exam in this clinic For Third Year Referees: Select Third Year Adult Referee Clinic o The Form A exam is included with your clinic modules You must achieve a passing exam score of 84 For Veteran Regional and Provisional Referees: Select the Adult Veteran Referee o The Form A exam is included with your clinic modules You must achieve a passing exam score of 84 Head Referee Duties: A Head Referee is required for all tournaments and is compensated as per the GEVA Contract with Officials. The Head Referee should be professional, personable, objective, organized, and knowledgeable of the rules. The Head Referee will: At least a day in advance of the tournament, notify any officials that will not officiate the first match, when 5 or more officials are scheduled for a tournament, that they may arrive in time for second match of the day, accommodating start times if possible based on distance traveled or other factors. Arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled start of the first match and stay until the completion of the last match. Introduce him/herself to the Tournament Director or Site Coordinator when s/he arrives on site and receive pertinent information, including tournament format. The Head Referee will act as the intermediary between the Tournament Director and the tournament officials. Create and oversee the referee schedule, ensuring equitable workload (including the Head Referee) and accommodating changes and unique situations. Not be scheduled to officiate the first match in case a scheduled referee doesn t arrive on time. Officiate the final match as either the first or second referee, unless other officials have not officiated their minimum number of matches. Page 7
Ensure the courts are set up properly and assess safety of all equipment and surroundings; check padding around referee stand; check for overhead obstructions and floor irregularities; check net height and ball pressure. Communicate ground rules, match format, and warm-up times with officials. Head Referee will head the Protest Committee. Monitor uniforms, unapproved team/club names, sanctions, and unusual situations. Keep tournament running on schedule; TIME MANAGEMENT! Receive feedback from TD, players, coaches, parents, other officials. Provide informal feedback to other referees. Ensure positive response from all of your officials prior to the tournament. Complete the Head Referee form following the attached instructions, and return it to the assignor. This form includes, for each official, arrival and departure times, the scheduled start time, number and format of matches officiated, tolls for each official, and a brief (minimum of a sentence but as many as necessary) summary report on each official, and any unusual circumstances (sanctions, protests, format changes etc). Alex Valow Memorial Training Award Alex Valow was a long time GEVA member, in fact one of our founding members as we converted from USVBA Region 2 to the USAV Garden Empire Volleyball Association. He served on the National rating team as well as being active in the training officials in our own Region, touching the careers of many developing officials who continue to develop our new officials today. He would challenge the thinking of officials. His unconventional points of view would open many minds to alternatives to situations, but especially that an official should contribute to the good of the players and the match, rather than acting as the match policeman. His career highlights include: A career spanning 1957-2008 starting in the USA Armed Services Participated in 50 consecutive USA Open Championships as a player and official FIVB Arbiter with 100 s of International matches to his credit Traveled with the USA National Team Technical Consultant to the 1984 Olympics USVBA Gold Whistle Award winner Glen Davies Service Award winner USVBA All American (multiple) Jamaica National Team Coach National and Junior National Rating Team Illustrated the USVBA rule books and designed the covers Designed the original GEVA Logo Alex passed away in the summer of 2008. In his memory, GEVA has established a training fund, in the amount of $500 per year. It may be awarded to anyone, for any activity which contributes to the training of our Region s Officials. It can be used to bring training resources to the Region, or for USAV Page 8
members to attend sessions that advance their careers and who can be expected to assist the Region with its training objectives, or to undertake projects that will advance the training of our officials. Examples of activities that may be considered include, but are not limited to, travel to a National or Junior National referee rating session, travel to a National Scorer training session, attendance at an officiating camp, the officials convention, travel to the High Performance Championship, developing training materials. Members wishing to submit an activity for support can submit a request for funding with a description of the activity to the Officials Chair from the between the season to March 1 st for consideration. The Officials Chair will determine the worthiness of the application and render a decision based on the merits of the application. All or part of the funds available requested in the application may be awarded up to the lesser of the maximum $500 or the actual expense of the activity. In any year all or any amount in the fund can be awarded to applicants accepted by the Official Chair. Unused portions of the award will not accrue. Page 9
Adult Scorer in GEVA Two levels of scorer certification are offered and the local (GEVA) level. Provisional Scorer Regional Scorer Candidates must first be certified at the Provisional level. After a Provisional rating is earned, a candidate may upgrade to the Regional level the following season. Scorers whose ratings have been expired longer than 1 season will recertify at the Provisional level. The Scorer curriculum and exam for first year referees is part of the First Year Referee curriculum. Provisional Scorers Obtain a passing grade on the Scorers exam. Submit completed score sheets appropriate to this certification level. Submit a completed Libero Tracking Sheet. This rating is valid for the current season and the following season, expiring August 31 st of the next season. Regional Scorers Obtain a passing grade on the Scorers exam. Submit completed score sheets appropriate to this certification level. This rating is valid for the current season and the following two seasons, expiring August 31 st of the second full season. Scorer Certification Procedures (After an official s first year) Register and complete the New or Recertifying Adult Scorer curriculum and written exam found at http://webpoint.usavolleyball.org, prior to proceeding to each of the subsequent steps. o After registering you may go to the clinic material by clicking any of the red USA Volleyball Academy buttons found on your Webpoint registration page. o The DCR (rule book) also contains all information required to take the exam. o The exam SHOULD BE taken open-book. o There is no time limit to complete and submit your exam o There may be questions which have more than one correct answer (check all that apply) o After you submit your exam, you will immediately get your results and rule references for questions you missed o You must score 84 to pass Page 10
o If you do not achieve that score you must retake the exam, until you do Keep score at a regular season sanctioned tournament for three sets. o Two scoresheets must be successive sets of one match. o One scoresheet must be a set with a side change. o At least one scoresheet must record a time-out. o At least one scoresheet must record a substitution. o These scoresheets must be signed by the First Referee. Completed scoresheets will be submitted to the Adult Scorer Coordinator (see below) for review and acceptance. To Facilitate Deciding Set (Side Change) Score Sheets: With prior notice to the first referee and teams, a scorer candidate may switch to the opposite side of the court midway through any non-deciding set, at 13 for 25 point matches and 15 for 21 point matches (at the 11 th actual point plus 4 which started the match) and continue scoring as though the teams had switched sides. Play will be suspended momentarily to allow for this change of position. In 3-set matches (not two-out-of-three), teams will switch sides midway through the third set, ONLY when someone wants to keep score for certification purposes. There will be no coin toss before the third set, as this is not a deciding set, unless a scorer candidate is present. Submit Score Sheets to: Karen Valko, Adult Scorers Coordinator 58 Albemarle Pl. Yonkers, NY 10701 KarenVBmath16@yahoo.com Page 11