When the Second Referee Steps In
As volleyball officials, we often focus on the primary role of the First Referee — the one standing high atop the stand, overlooking the court, blowing the whistle to beckon for service, tweeting faults, and more. However, the Second Referee, positioned opposite R1, plays an equally critical role in the match, especially when it comes to certain specific responsibilities. Let's take a look at some of the key moments when the R2 takes center stage, ensuring smooth, fair play.
Substitutions
Substitutions are a frequent part of any match, and it is the Second Referee's responsibility to manage this process. A quick double tweet is issued from the R2 to acknowledge and signal the substitution request. Substitutions can happen frequently and rapidly in tight games, so the Second Referee must diligently scan the sidelines prior to the beckon for service to avoid delays.
Time-Outs
Coaches will often call time-outs to regroup their teams or stop momentum, and the Second Referee must be ready. The R2 should be scanning the benches during dead ball situations and after mimicking the R1's post-rally signals. Once a time-out request is made, the R2 is responsible for blowing the whistle to grant the time-out, then monitoring the duration of the break to ensure it doesn't extend beyond the allowed 60 seconds. During the time-out, the R2 will issue a light double tweet with 15 seconds left on the clock to alert the players and coaches that the time-out is about to expire and play will be resuming. If the players take the court before it is time for the warning whistle, the R2 will still issue the whistle and then the horn will sound to signify the end of the time out. The key points to remember here are: acknowledging the time out and issuing the warning whistle. But remember, the horn will always end the time out, even if both teams take the court early.
Net Violations
Net violations can occur in the blink of an eye, and while R1 is focused on play above the net, R2 has a better view of the action around the net and on the centerline. If a player contacts the net during play the R2 must be quick to blow the whistle to stop play and signal the fault. The Second Referee's attentiveness to net violations is paramount. And First Referees should not be too quick to blow their whistle if a net violation is noticed, especially if it is on the Second Referee's side of the net.
Centerline Violations
Much like net violations, R2 has the clearest view of the centerline. Any time a player commits a centerline violation it’s the R2's responsibility to whistle the fault. These calls are often subtle and can happen in fast, heated moments near the net, making R2's attention to
footwork critical. As with the NET VIOLATIONS, the R2 should allow the referee on the ground a chance to whistle this important, albeit lesser occurring, violation. But, by in large, this is the R2's whistle.
Illegal Alignment or Rotational Faults
One of the more straightforward instances in which the Second Referee will blow their whistle is during an illegal alignment or rotation fault on the receiving side of the ball during service. When the ball is being put into play, it is the sole responsibility of the R2 to monitor and recognize Illegal alignments and rotational faults that occur on the receiving team's side of the net. If the receiving team is out of rotation or is misaligned at the moment of service contact, the R2 will blow the whistle to signal the fault.
Out-of-Bounds Calls on R2's Side
The least whistled situation encountered by the officiating team is the out of bounds calls on the R2's side of the net. It is the responsibility of the Second Referee to whistle a play dead when it travels beyond the plane of the net outside the antenna on the R2's side. It is also the R2's whistle when the ball contacts any part of the antenna on the R2's side. Additionally, if the ball touches the net outside the antenna or the net supports, the R2 is responsible for stopping play. These calls are crucial because they often happen at angles the R1 cannot see clearly from their position. As an R2, be confident in this call, it is yours to make. As an R1, you have an officiating team... use them. As an R1, you can give the R2 the opportunity to make that call by holding on to that whistle blast for just a moment, especially in situations where it is obvious that the ball has become dead. It is natural to want to move your tongue and let that pressure flow through your whistle, but having the trust and confidence in your R2 will most certainly make for a more cohesive officiating team.
Conclusion
The role of the Second Referee is vital to ensuring the match runs smoothly and that rules are consistently enforced. The R2's whistle serves as a crucial tool for managing substitutions, time-outs, and player violations, all while supporting the First Referee. Knowing when the Second Referee has the call and allowing the R2 to perform their duties will not only foster cohesion in the crew but will present a united front to the players and coaches. As referees, we often swap duties for multi-match events (i.e. R1 for the "A" team and then R2 for the "B" team), so understanding when and why to blow the whistle is key to becoming an effective R2.
We will all undoubtedly find ourselves in a position where both referees blow their whistles for the same fault. Knowing when to blow your whistle is a basic part of officiating, but know WHO's whistle it is to blow can take a little more practice. As an R1, give your partner the opportunity to perform their duties effectively. As an R2, if it's your call to make... make the call.
Stay sharp, stay attentive, and own that whistle; see you on the court...
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