OVR Officials' Handbook

Professional officials: the Ohio Valley Region Officials' Handbook covers all aspects of officiating in the Ohio Valley Region. Please direct any questions or feedback to Brian Hemelgarn, OVR Referees' Chair (hemelgarn@ovr.org).

Officiating in the Ohio Valley Region

If you would like to become certified as a new USA Volleyball Official, sign up for information and to attend a clinic. This is for new officials only! Renewing officials must register.

The Ohio Valley Region supports development of officials at all levels to ensure a high standard for OVR-sanctioned events. Visit any or all of the following sections for information on requirements and certification.

Professional Officials		Junior Olympic, Provisional, Regional, Junior National, National, and International officials certified to work USAV events
Junior Officials		Junior players competent to serve as second referee and scorekeeper

Registration

• Your current USAV membership expires on August 31. OVR/USAV registration opens on September 1 at www.ovr.org/register/. You may register online any time between September 1 and November 30.

• Once you have completed the online registration, you must submit your signed OVR-USAV waiver/release, background screen consent form (if applicable) and registration fee ($60 + $20 if a background screen is required) within one week. Please submit to:

  Stephen Donahue
  OVR Verification Officer
  5401 Rochelle Drive
  Stow, OH 44224-5512

• Background Screening: Please review the background screening information on the OVR website. Remember, a USAV background screen is required, and each screen is good for two years. (Other background screens are not accepted by USAV-OVR.) If you did not have a USAV background screen for the 2006-07 season, one is required this season.

• If you have any concern about registering prior to November 30, please contact me at your earliest convenience so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

• Note: If you are also a coach, club director, chaperone or adult player, you must register first as an official by the November 30 deadline, and then be added to your club's or team's roster.

Pre-Season Officiating Clinics

Below are the officiating clinic dates for the 2008-09 season. Clinic attendance is required for all referees each season. Specific times and location details are published on the OVR website in the Clinics & Camps section.

Online Rules and Scorekeeping Exams

Rules: The USAV Form A rules exam is available online at www.volleyballreftraining.com/usavtest/. The OVR password is [registered OVR officials, log in for password]. The USAV exam is not available through PAVO local boards and may not be taken in conjunction with the NCAA exam. All existing referees must take the Form A exam each season. Form C is for junior players or prospective referees only.

Scorekeeping: The Ohio Valley Region is utilizing the online scorekeeping exam this year. All referees, regardless of certification, must take the Form C online exam, which can be found at the following link: www.volleyballreftraining.com/usavtest/. The scorekeeping exam password for the OVR is [registered OVR officials, log in for password]. Please direct any questions to Terry Miller, OVR Scorekeepers' Chair (miller@ovr.org).

If you have any questions about this information or any other topics, don't hesitate to drop me a note. I'll reply to all e-mails as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for your hard work this season, and I'll look forward to working with you this season.