Time to celebrate: everyone’s a referee!

25 February 2024

This post is also available in: Dutch

At Sovicos, we believe in teamwork, both on and off the court. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that all our competitive players have successfully obtained their referee certifications. But that’s not all – we’ve also welcomed 13 new V4 referees and trained 4 new association experts.

Why We Emphasize Referee Certification

Obtaining a referee certification is more than just a requirement – it’s a commitment to the sport and the club. Teams are assigned matches based on referees with the necessary certifications. But it’s not just about that; it’s also an opportunity for our members to deepen their understanding of the game. With a referee certification, you become qualified to officiate youth and senior matches at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th division levels. This knowledge ensures both new and existing members are well-versed in the volleyball rules.

For those playing in the 2nd division or higher, achieving the V4 code is necessary. However, we encourage members of all levels to consider pursuing the V4 training. If you’re interested, please contact us at vc@sovicos.nl.

Referee Instructions at a Glance

To further support our referees, we’ve provided a set of pre-game, in-game, and post-game instructions to ensure smooth officiating:

Before the match:

  • Arrive at the court 30 minutes prior to the start time.
  • Check the height of the net and antennas.
  • Verify player names on the digital match form (DWF) using your phone.
  • Allow captains and coaches to verify player information.
  • Get to know the team captains and the scorekeeper.
  • Allow the visiting team’s captain to choose between serving or field position. In case of a 5th set, Sovicos’ captain may make this decision.
  • Supervise teams’ warm-ups, ensuring they adhere to time limits.
  • Start the match on time whenever possible.

During the match:

  • Maintain eye contact with the scorekeeper, especially after substitutions, timeouts, and at the start of each set.
  • Wait for the scorekeeper’s signal before commencing play.

After the match:

  • Confirm player participation based on information from the captain or coach.
  • Check if the match result and set scores are accurately recorded in the DWF.
  • Let the captains confirm their own data.
  • Finally, click on agree.

Read more here about being a referee at Sovicos.

We’re Proud!

We’re incredibly proud of the dedication of our members to enhance their volleyball experience through referee certification. Together, we’re raising the standard for sportsmanship and proficiency on the court.