How to become a PIAA Volleyball Official

 

What is required:

Successfully passing the PIAA volleyball test (80%)

 

Completing Criminal History, FBI Fingerprint testing and Child Abuse Clearance:

• Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 as required by PA state law.

  • Act 34 - PA Access to Criminal History (PATCH)

  • Act 114 - FBI Criminal History Clearance

  • Act 151 - PA Child Abuse History Clearance

 

Contacting Berks Chapter President to let them know of your intent

 

Creating a login to Arbiter.com for assignments and payment information

​

Purchase equipment and apparel

• Whistle, red/yellow cards, ball gauge, ball pump, net height chain

• Official PIAA shirt, black pants, black shoes, black belt

 

How to:

Go to PIAA website and get info about “Becoming an Official” (PIAA.org)

 

Follow instructions to apply either on-line or by mail

 

Contacting Berks Chapter President to let them know of your intent (berkscovbref@gmail.com)

• Will provide old tests used for reference and study

 

Complete and pass test - Notification of successful completion is done on-line or by email

 

Inform Chapter president of successful completion (After completion and affiliation with a chapter, the secretary will receive an email automatically)

 

President with provide information on next steps

• Creating login to Arbiter.com

• Next steps in training

 

Check Berks Chapter Website for Chapter meeting information, training and education links (berksvolleyballofficials.com)

 

First year - Chapter dues are waived (typically $25 per year)

 

New Officials Training Plan 2024-25:

Three part training:

1. Learning the rules

2. Learning Mechanics

3. Application of rules

 

Pre-season

Chapter to Purchase of headsets for training

Read rule book - focus on Rule 5 - all sections - officials responsibility and Rule 9 - During Play

Officials mechanics training -

• R1/R2 hand signals, positions, movement - Trainer

 

Attend preseason scrimmages to get hands on training - Veteran players overseeing new officials

 

During Season

Chapter meeting attendance - 4 meetings required by PIAA per year (Plus a rules interpretation meeting)

• Master R1 & R2 responsibilities

• Train on double contacts and held balls  - what to enforce

• Teach rotation positions and what to look for

• Scoresheet training and understanding of responsibilities

 

Attend at least 2 matches to observe working officials with guidance

(2) Observations by Mike Frankhouser

• Use observations for teaching and improving

 

Once completed and training Committee feels that new official is ready for assignment,

Training Chairman will contact President and Chapter Assigner to begin assigning matches