The OHSBVA is a self-governing association and follows Ohio High School Athletic Association rules unless exception are made by a vote of its members. A number of such exception have been adopted, which requires the association to publish a unique rule set. In order to play by the OHSBVA rule set, the association created a certification program to ensure officials are properly trained and well versed in its rules. In 2009, a two-year certification program began. All officials must be OHSBVA-certified to call any matches during the 2010 season.
The requirements to become OHSBVA-certified
1. Officials must attend a state or regional rules meeting each year.
2. Officials were grandfathered in 2009 but all future officials need to view a training video and pass the test with a minimum of 70%, pay a $10 fee and be observed two times by high ranking officials.
To download a list of high school boys volleyball officials who completed training, click here.
OHSBVA/OBSVCA created a training video for high school boys volleyball officials. The video is now in four parts. If you need Quicktime to view the videos, click here.
To begin the first section, click here.
To begin the second section, click here.
To begin the third section, click here.
To begin the fourth and final section, click here.
Officials' replacement patches, available to OHSBVA-certified official can be purchased for $10 each from Scott Ebright, 1526 Deercreek Ct., Worthington OH 43085.
To download any of the documents listed below, click on the document's name
OHSBVA Rules Book 2010 — This is the key rules document that parallels the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book. In this document, the OHSBVA rules exceptions are shown in red.
OHSBVA Case Book 2010 — This document parallels the Case Book situations section of the NFHS Case Book and Manual. It contains situations with ruling and comments that reflect OHSBVA’s approach which in most cases is the same as NFHS/OHSAA but in some cases is very different.
OHSBVA Rules Exceptions — This document lists each current OHSBVA rule exception and explains how OHSBVA wants the rule to be interpreted.OHSBVA Techniques — This document details techniques that OHSBVA believes have value and that have proven successful and are considered professional in other rulesets.
Frequently Asked Questions — This document captures a number of OHSBVA differences with a list of common questions and answers that reflect the different approach taken by OHSBVA.
Libero Serving – Powerpoint — This is the training document for coaches/schools to help show how the libero moves from an on-court or off-court position to serve, what the scorer and libero tracker have to do to track the libero serving and what the libero tracker has to do in terms of charting and the libero’s movement onto and off of the court.
Full Rules Comparison: PAVO/NCAA versus USA Volleyball versus NFHS/OHSAA — This document captures the differences between OHSBVA compared with OHSAA/NFHS rules and also compared with NCAA and USA Volleyball rules. PAVO publishes a similar document without OHSBVA rules to show important rule and technique differences.
Short Rules Comparison: OHSBVA Differences — This document captures the differences between OHSBVA rules and NFHS/OHSAA rules and also compares these rules to NCAA and USA Volleyball rules. The document contains commentary on OHSBVA differences in a way that wll benefit a USAV or PAVO official looking to officiate under OHSBVA if the official does not also officiate under NFHS/OHSAA girls' high school volleyball rules
Rules Interpretation Meeting for 2010 Season – This PowerPoint presentation with explanatory notes viewable was used for the initial rules presentation for the 2010 season. The test that new referees must take includes some of the content of this presentation along with what was presented on the Rules Interpretation Meeting for 2009 Season presentation (directly below).
Rules Interpretation Meeting for 2009 Season (goes with video) – This PowerPoint presentation was used for the rules presentation for the 2009 season which with the exception of how to facilitate lineup submission if the lineup is in floor positions is substantially the same as last season other than the changes related to the libero serving and how substitutions are processed. The test that new referees must take includes some of the content of this presentation and some of the content presented at the Rules Interpretation meeting for 2010 (see PowerPoint directly above).
NFHS Rule Changes and Points of Emphasis for 2010 and OHSBVA Interpretations — In addition to OHSBVA rule exceptions, there are new NFHS rules and rule changes. This document details how they will apply to OHSBVA matches.
Special Points of Emphasis for 2010 — Addresses special points of emphasis that derive from the past few OHSBVA seasons. These are issues that need to be addressed, and they include coaches addressing the officials while standing, screening concerns, handling substitution delays, coaches addressing line judges, training issues and unusual situations such as net blocking/interference.
Ball Handling 2010 – This document captures expectations OHSBVA has of referees in terms of approaches to calling ball handling and, with the document entitled “Establishing Standards for Calling Hands,” provides substantive guidance.
What Referees and Coaches Can Do to Benefit Ohio High School Boys’ Volleyball – This document captures reasonable expectations coaches have of referees and corresponding, appropriate expectations referees have of coaches. Together, they serve to promote the improvement of Ohio boys’ high school volleyball as they relate directly to the success of each match through setting standards of professionalism.
Ball Handling 2010 Points of Emphasis – This PowerPoint captures the basic points of emphasis the NFHS offered to its officials for 2009-10.
Informational Tidbits – This document is a key quick review of the basic rules that apply to OSHBVA matches and serves as a refresher, reminder and instructional guide.
Establishing Standards for Calling Hands — The greatest controversy that occurs in most matches involves ball-handling judgments, setting the level that allows teams to play and calling what has to be called, leading to consistency that allows teams to know what will be called a fault and what will be allowed to play. This document offers guidance from experts on how to achieve that elusive consistency while calling the game in a way that conforms to the skills that coaches teach their players.
Acceptable Professional Garb/Equipment — This document catalogs key information to prepare for the 2009 spring season, using a document prepared initially by the NFHS but tailoring it to reflect OHSBVA priorities.
Pre-Match Agenda Task List — This simple yet comprehensive checklist addresses what officials need to remember before each match.
Pre-Match Discussion Checklist — This checklist nails what officials need to discuss with each other before a match. Failure to come to understandings regarding some of the suggested topics may result in problems that could be avoided.
Pre-Season Guide — This document reviews what officials should focus on in their pre-season preparations for officiating OHSBVA matches. The document mirrors the style of the NFHS Pre-Season Volleyball Guide, but is tailored to reflect the focus that the OHSBVA wants officials to have for the spring season. Ball handling is the primary issue and the rest of the document addresses other key points to review to start the OHSBVA season.
Official match line-up sheets can be downloaded as an editable Word document by clicking here
OHSBVA board adopts regulations for photographers and videographers
The OHSBVA now has rules governing photographers and videograpers at matches. To learn what these folks can and can not do, please click here.
Coaches are responsible for providing a professional, competitive, game day environment. For all the forms necessary from line-up sheets to scorebook pages, plus training and tips, click here.