Resources

 

What Goes in the Bag

The Following is a list of CAAVO recommended items that each official have in their bag of tricks to make life more enjoyable on the court.

Must Have Items:

Whistles
There are several types, but the most commonly used is the Fox 40—since it produces a loud shrill without being too large a whistle. MOST officials carry several whistles—since at tournaments, they want the option of being able to differentiate their court from others by the sound. Fox 40 also comes in the MINI size—which is easier to use when using the “move the whistle trick” to track serving team prior to the rally. Carrying extras also comes in handy if ever your whistle breaks (or your partner forgets their's). Finally, the preferred color for the whistle remains as either white or black. Try to get a lanyard for your whistle that matches or is WHITE to match your shirt
Cards
Most ref shops have these. The key here as well is to have 2 sets—one you use and 1 for when you have either a forgetful partner or they fall out on the way to the school… The newest version from the NFHS is erasable—so you can pencil in that the coach got that yellow card in game 1, so the next penalty in game 4 should be red…
Disk or line up card
The rotating line up disk from the NFHS association or suppliers like Honig’s is best for newer officials to follow and recognize position faults; the line up card works as well—especially if that is what you are most comfortable using
Coins
While some of us use the NFHS official flipping coin, a useful tip is to use a coin such as the half dollar piece—which is easy to flip but has substantial weight. Many of us use the trick of after the coin toss putting the coin in our pocket on the side of the serving team, or after a team wins—moving the coin to that pocket. It's a lot easier to "feel" a half dollar than a dime in a pocket. Similarly, with best 3 of 5 game format, many venues will not be able to display this information for you see on the scoreboard (you may want to know there is another game to play before walking out of the gym). Tip: carry 4 coins, putting the appropriate number of them in your front pocket corresponding to the number of games won by that team.
Pencils
A small pencil (mechanicals work really well too) proves best to record info on the disk/card. But, you also need to have extra pencils for the scorekeepers at tournaments - both #2 and RED pencils (used on alternating rotations). Real scorekeepers use pens, but pencils with erasers work best with students
Measure
To accurately measure the height of the net, most officials use a metal chain available from several suppliers. These also can be used to accurately align (plum) the antennas. Even better—also have a 10 foot steel tape—which is used to measure the distance from the end/side lines to the obstructions and bleachers.
Rule/Case Book
Not that you will use it, but it is nice to have it fall out of your bag from time to time.... (NCAA, USAV, NFHS)
Report Form
This is a required form for you to fill out if someone gets hurt or you eject/praise someone. Be sure you have at least 1 copy of it with you—because if you do not—tradition holds that you will be the ref in charge when someone gets hurt. These can now be submitted to the MHSAA electronically.
Gauge
You will need to check the air pressure of the game ball. Mikasa makes a great gauge that is easy to read. Digital gauges are now also available. Extra needles for the gauge may also be a handy item.
Pocket Pump
Now that you know the ball is not correct, you'll want to do something about it.
Carry Bag
Okay, now that you have all this stuff, you would look the part by having it in a bag. Many of us use bags about the size of shaving kit bags - they are not expensive, but offer lots of styles.

Tried and True Suggested Items to Have:

Tape
A roll of 2" athletic tape in your bag will come in handy. There are still lots of gyms that do not have complete centerlines and athletic directors that can't find their athletic tape…
Tool
This has come in handy many times - especially when you least expect that you have to pry open the metal plates on the floor from when the custodian just waxed the floor.
Roster
A fairly current roster of your association members is always handy—it might list the cellphone number of your partner so you can let them know that you're running a little late after running over the neighbor's cat on the way out of the house. If your association doesn’t publish a roster, the MHSAA Officials Directory is helpful.
Stopwatch
You would be amazed how many venues do not havescoreboards/clocks. Having a stopwatch to keep at the scorer's table to time the pre-match and interval between the games will assist the scorekeeper that only shows up with a sun dial.
Name Labels
Since you really want to be sure AD's/coaches give you credit for your fine job, giving them a pretty label that has your name and MHSAA ID# on it is a swift way of letting them know you. These are readily available from places like Checks in the Mail found on the Internet. (Tip: do not try to use labels bearing someone else's name after a bad match—that has been tried…) A vendor that digitizes your picture for your sticker is also gaining popularity.
Band aids
Yup, even officials cut themselves on Red cards. With bandaids, that injured player might get back into the game faster than if you wait for EMS to show up with a bandaid.
Crescent Wrench
You never know when they can’t find a crank for the net. (Optional - small ratchet set.)
Light Meter
For those of us already playing in the dark, there actually is a Rule in USAV that requires 300 lux of light at 39 inches—measuring it rather than estimating it always helpful.
Shoe string
Ever break a shoe lace prior to a match? There are few respectable appearing substitutes for a shoe lace. Be sure the color matches—black shoes with white strings, yikes! That shoe polish kit you took from your last trip to the Holiday Inn is also handy to carry.

Personal Medical Supplies:

 

Other good items to have

MHSAA School Directory
Bought separately, this lists the address for schools and contact numbers for the AD.
Maps
Some Local associations have compiled a booklet of maps to each of the schools they officiate for.
Contracts
Most folks carry their contracts with them, as we often learn AD’s make mistakes too.
Schedule
A copy of your current list of assignments may let you say “Yes” to the AD looking to fill all the rest of their dates.
Towel
Either the kind to shower with, or at least the kind to speed wipe the floor. Again, if the AD forgets to hunt this up for you prior to the match, they are really handy when you need one in a hurry.
Small rubber bands
Flesh colored small rubber bands come in really handy to place on your pinky finger to indicate which side of the court will have service for the first 4 games of a 5 game match. After the initial coin flip—we know which side has serve for these first 4 games.