A message to herdvballfan

In a topic titled "Classless fans", you made the following comments:

"A coach is absolutely NOT allowed to go to the stand and confront an offical about a call ....."

".....Coaches are not allowed to approach the official on the stand during a game, that is the job of the speaking captain ONLY."

I'd like to kindly correct your understanding, because your comment is inaccurate. The 2009 - 2010 National Federation of High Schools Volleyball Rules, on pg. 40 - Rule 11 Section 3, Article 1 - Specifically defines those situations in which a head coach IS ALLOWED to approach the first referee's platform.

I'm not going to type out the specific language that governs those situations and I have NO knowledge if that section was appropriately applied in the game you cited ..... but VB Head Coaches ARE allowed to approach the stand.

I am a WV Volleyball Head Coach in the eastern panhandle, so I am fully aware of what my rights are as a Coach. I actually keep that specific Rule, Section and Article reference in my pocket during games, so that if I need to approach the stand, I can make sure that my captain and the up ref know what I am requesting.... it makes it impossible for the official to deny my request for the conference, if I cite the rule that specifically allows my action ! !

Again, I have no knowledge of whether that process was properly applied in the game you describe, but you should know that it IS allowed.

Volleyball's rules are complex, confusing and more involved than what most fans, coaches and some officials realize. Thanks for supporting the game, the girls deserve the support of loyal fans.

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Thanks, I appreciate it. As I

Submitted by herdvballfan on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 21:55.

Thanks, I appreciate it. As I assumed it might be when you brought it up, it is due to rule interperatation, not a jugement call. The incident in the earlier thread was in regards to a judgement call and the coach not agreeing with the call. That should not have been subject to the provision that you so kindly outlined.

I do appreciate your taking the time to post that, I try to completely understand the rules as best as I can. I was mistaken on the coach never being able to approach the stand.

Good luck to your team coach!

Further clarification

Submitted by EERfan on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 11:18.

I appreciate your interest in wanting to understand ... here you go, directly from the current NFHS rule book:

RULE 11
Section 3 - REVIEWING DECISIONS
ART. 1. To review a decision by a referee that may have resulted in an incorrect decision, the head coach may request and be granted a time out, provided the request is made during the dead ball immediately following the situation in which the possible incorrect decision occurred. When a time-out is so granted, the head coach shall confer with the first referee at the first referee's platform. If the conference results in the first referee altering the ruling, the opposing coach shall be notified by the second referee, the revision made and the time-out charged to the referee.

ART. 2. Decisions based on the judgement of the referee(s) are final and not subject to review.

PENALTY: If the referee's decision prevails, the team requesting the conference shall be charged a time-out. If the team has already used its allotted time-outs, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent.

There you go, verbatim from the high school rule book. As I stated earlier, I have NO IDEA if the provision was correctly applied in the game you saw, but the head coach is allowed to approach the platform.

I agree with your assessment of USAV and NFHS rules, there are numerous differences. I was a certified USAV official for several years, and coach under NFHS rules... I have to re-read the rules before the season starts to confirm my personal understanding.

I've always understood the provision to apply to rule interpretation and something being misapplied, not as it would apply to "bad calls" by the official.

I hope that helps.

I would really like to know

Submitted by herdvballfan on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 19:33.

I would really like to know what situations allow it. I do not have a copy of the NFHS rule book, but I did coach club volleyball for several years and a coach is not allowed to approach the stand. All communication with R1 is through the floor captain. I do understand that there are some differences in the rules between USA Volleyball and NFHS. Maybe a question about a rules interpretation would be an exception, but I am still pretty sure that it would have to go through the floor captain first, correct? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I really do like to understand the rules as much as possible. Thanks! It is pretty cool how the sport has grown in popularity through the past several years, I love seeing the people support it.