OVR Junior Players:

Your work with the OVR referees during tournament matches is very important!  We need you to be well-prepared to fulfil the work team duties and responsibilities. If you will be working as a second referee, scorer, assistant scorer/Libero tracker or a line judge when your team is the work crew for matches at OVR tournaments, you need to review online training modules to help you prepare for these duties and responsibilities.  Even if you were certified last year, it is important that you review these modules again because some things have changed.

Instructions for accessing and reviewing the online modules is posted on the OVR homepage.  Once you are on the homepage, scroll to the middle of the page beneath the NEWS box.  You will see three big blue boxes:  "NFHS Concussion Course," "SafeSport" and "Junior Official Training."  Click on the Junior Official Training box to retrieve the instructions document(https://www.ovr.org/docs/OVR_Jr_Officials_Online_Course_Instructions.pdf).  The instructions document will tell you which courses to review and how to access them.  You do NOT receive a certificate of completion once you are finished.

To become a certified junior second referee or scorer, one of the referees assigned at your tournament must complete an evaluation form when you are the second referee or scorer.  You must have at least two evaluations as R2 or scorer in order to receive a certification card from the referee(s).  Prior to warm-ups for each match when your team is the work crew, please report directly the first referee, ideally before the coin toss.  The referees will give some pre-match instructions to make sure you are ready for the job.  If you need an evaluation as R2 or scorer, let the referee know at this time.

Junior second referee and scorer certificaiton cards are good for two seasons.  Line judges and assistant scorers/Libero trackers do not receive a certification card.

When you are playing in a tournament, you and your teammates want good line judges, scorers and second referees.  Remember this when it's your turn to be the work team!  Do a great job for the other teams because you'll be expecting the same from them when it's their turn to be the work team.

And remember, NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES may be used by the work team during the match.  This includes ALL work team members - second referees, scorers and line judges.  If a member of the work team is discovered using a cell phone, iPod, or other electronic device during the match, their team may be assessed a 10-point penalty at the start of their next match!  Don't cost your team any points - leave cell phones, iPods and everyting else with your parents, in a gym bag, or with your coach.

Have a great season in the OVR, and good luck on the courts!

Brian Hemelgarn, OVR Referees' Chair & Junior Official Development Director (hemelgarn@ovr.org)