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Interested in Upgrading?

The following information details the evaluation process for upgrading a referee’s certification. In addition, a candidate for any of these certifications must also fulfill OVR “good standing” requirements for membership registration, clinic attendance, exams, regional officiating activities, and any other designated requirements.

The OVR Training and Evaluation Teams consist of “Referee Coaches” who are USA Junior National, National, and International referees. Some serve with the cadre of USAV Referee Coaches in the National Training/Evaluation/RISE Program, and whose experience and knowledge will prove invaluable to referees throughout the OVR.

NOTE: During an evaluation session for upgrading a certification, referees are not paid for the matches on which they are evaluated. They will be paid the established rate for any other matches. For evaluations taking place at Friendship Tournaments or other non-paying tournaments, upgrade candidates will pay a $30 evaluation fee.

A referee may request to upgrade by filling out the “Express Interest in Upgrading” form below. This will be sent to the regional Referees’ Chair.

The evaluation will include:

• Attendance at a designated OVR Evaluation Tournament or other suitable event as determined by the OVR Referees’ Chair

• At least one formal evaluation as first referee and second referee by a member of the OVR Regional Evaluation Team, with emphasis on the first referee evaluation

• A scoring review during a match

A referee may apply for this certification in the first year subsequent to receiving the Provisional certification with approval of the regional Referees’ Chair.

The evaluation will include:

• OPTIONAL: attendance at an OVR Training Tournament as designated by the OVR Referees’ Chair. A training tournament includes training and feedback to prepare the Regional referee candidate for an upcoming evaluation.

• REQUIRED: attendance at the OVR Girls’ Regional Championships or other designated event as determined by the OVR Referees’ Chair, which will include at least one formal evaluation as first and second referee, as well as a scoring review match; the first and second referee evaluations are pass/fail.

A Regional referee may request to become a candidate for Junior National referee by declaring
his/her intention to the regional Referees’ Chair. A referee may apply for this certification in the first year subsequent to receiving a Regional referee certification. Factors used to determine viable OVR Junior National referee candidates include but aren’t limited to: professionalism, OVR good standing, exam results, and participation in OVR-sponsored events.

The following procedure will be used to prepare and evaluate OVR Junior National referee
candidate(s):

• OPTIONAL: attendance at an OVR Training Tournament as determined by the OVR Referees’
Chair. A training tournament includes training and feedback to prepare the referee for an
upcoming formal evaluation.

• REQUIRED: attendance at the OVR Boys’ Regional Championship or other designated event
as determined by the OVR Referees’ Chair, which will include at least one formal evaluation as first and second referees, as well as a scoring review match.

Areas of emphasis for Jr. National candidates:

First Referee
Professionalism
Mechanics and protocols
Dealing with coaches/players
Ball Handling
Back row issues
Rules knowledge
Unusual circumstances
Presence/Demeanor

Second Referee
Dealing with coaches/players
Alignments
Transition
Court/bench awareness
Mechanics and rules knowledge
Knowledge of scoring procedures
Assistance to first referee
Presence/Demeanor/Professionalism

After review of all prospective candidates, the OVR Referees’ Chair will determine which
prospective candidate(s) will be submitted to USA Volleyball as Junior National referee
candidates representing the OVR. These candidates must be ranked (1, 2, 3, etc.) with the strongest candidate ranked “1” in case all candidates are not accepted due to limited openings at the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships.

The USA Volleyball evaluation forms may be utilized during this process. Copies are available
from the regional Referees’ Chair.

The OVR Junior National referee candidate(s) must receive signed approval from the regional
Referees’ Chair and regional Commissioner. The application, signature page, and application
fee must be submitted by the candidate to the OVR Referees’ chair, who will submit all Junior National referee candidate applications to USA Volleyball by the established deadline each season.

A Junior National referee may request to become a candidate for National referee by applying to the USAV Director of Officials, or her/his designee. In addition to the application, three Recommendation Forms must be submitted to apply for candidacy. Additional information for prospective National referee candidates is found online: https://usavolleyball.org/resources-for-
officials/indoor-referees/ in the Indoor Referees – Applications section. The National referee candidate’s application must be signed by the OVR Referees’ Chair and OVR Commissioner to confirm the candidate’s good standing within the OVR.

The following procedure will be used to prepare and evaluate prospective OVR National referee candidate(s):

• OPTIONAL: attendance at a designated OVR Training Tournament as determined by the OVR Referees’ Chair. A training tournament includes training and feedback to prepare the referee for
an upcoming formal evaluation.

• OPTIONAL: attendance at the OVR Boys’ Regional Championship or other designated event as determined by the OVR Referees’ Chair, which will include at least one formal evaluation as first and second referees, as well as a scoring review match.

Areas of emphasis for National candidates:

First Referee
Professionalism
Dealing with coaches/players
Ball handling consistency
Rules knowledge/Common Sense
Handling unusual circumstances
Presence, comportment

Second Referee
Professionalism
Dealing with coaches/players
Transition
Alignments and player positioning
Mechanics/rules knowledge/common sense
Proficient scoring knowledge

After any prospective National candidates have received training and feedback at a training tournament, they will be offered a formal evaluation at the OVR Boys’ or Girls’ Regional Championship or other designated event to offer additional feedback and critique using the USAV evaluation forms.

The signed application page with three Recommendation Forms and the application fee must be submitted by the candidate to USA Volleyball by the established deadline each season. NOTE: National referee candidates must have a working knowledge of scoring procedures and should have at least a Regional USAV scorer certification.