A New Whistle, A Fresh Start: Preparing for Volleyball Season

It’s that time again when the heat still clings to the evenings, but the gyms start to echo with the squeak of shoes on polished floors, the rhythmic cadence of warm-up drills, and the hum of anticipation for a new school volleyball season. Whether you’re stepping onto the court for your first season or you’ve been part of this community for years, the start of a new season is a chance to reset, refine, and get ready to serve your athletes and the game well.

As I run through my own pre-season checklist, I want to share a few reminders to help you prepare for a season that feels less rushed and more intentional, letting you focus on the game instead of scrambling last minute.

Uniform and Equipment Readiness

There’s nothing worse than realizing your uniform shirt is faded, your pants don’t fit quite right, or your shoes are splitting at the seams the night before your first match. Now is the time to:

• Check your shirts, pants, socks, shoes, and belt for wear, stains, and fading.

• Ensure your whistles are clean and in working order, with backups in your bag.

• Replace any broken flags, worn out sanction cards, net chain, or pressure gauges you’ve been ignoring in the off-season.

• Clean out your referee bag and restock it with pens, lineup sheets, rule books, notebook, and hydration supplies for long evenings.

Think of it as respecting the game AND your athletes—if they’re expected to come prepared and polished, so should we.

Planning for Travel and Match Logistics

School season often means travel to unfamiliar gyms, late-night drives home, and a constantly shifting calendar:

• Review your assignments on Arbiter, and respond to notifications in a timely manner

• Note gym locations and match times.

• Double-check your GPS settings for each location to avoid surprises. Using your "ARRIVE BY" function in your maps is a handy way to make sure you arrive at the appropriate time (and uses predictive traffic).

• Build buffer time for traffic, construction, or campus parking challenges.

• Consider setting up a shared calendar with your family or personal commitments so you aren’t double-booking or creating last-minute conflicts.

• Keep a travel bag with snacks, water, and extra gear ready to grab and go. Consider leaving it in your car.

  
  

Update Your Blocks and Availability

Assignors can only help you if your blocks are current and accurate. If you’ve picked up extra shifts, have a family event, or simply need recovery days, block them NOW. It helps EVERYONE:

• Review your schedule weekly (or more).

• Block out days for travel, work, or family commitments.

• Leave flexibility for tournaments or reschedules but be honest about what you can handle to avoid burnout during a busy season.

Reach Out to Your Rank Representative

If you have questions about interpretations, uniforms, recent rule changes, or growth plans for your season, NOW IS THE TIME to connect with your RANK REP. This relationship is invaluable for:

• Clarifying recent NFHS rule updates or interpretations you’re unsure about.

• Answering almost any question you may have.

• Training or career goals.

• Getting feedback on evaluations or plans for observation.

• Staying connected with the community so you’re not an island. YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.

Your rep is there to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Refocus Your Why

Finally, as you prepare, take a few moments to reflect on why you’re here. The new season is a clean slate to refine your presence on the court, maintain calm during chaotic matches, and contribute to a fair and enjoyable game for athletes and coaches. Your consistency, communication, and professionalism matter, and they are noticed—often in quiet ways.

Let’s Get to Work

As the first whistles of the season blow, the adrenaline returns, reminding us why we show up. Preparation is a form of respect: for yourself, your partners, and the game. Check your gear, plan your travel, update your blocks, reach out for questions, and walk into each match ready to give your best.

Wishing you a safe, fun, and growth-filled volleyball season.

See you on the court!