Everyone must remember that you are there to support your child and their team. Parents of a volleyball player have a shared responsibility with the player. A few of the biggest responsibilities are encouraging good sportsmanship and responsible behavior, support and encourage your child to win or lose, providing support financially and assist with transportation. Parents also have the responsibility to conduct themselves in a reasonable, responsible manner. Parents must be aware that they have as much, if not more, influence on the chemistry of their team than the coach

Spectator/Parent Code of Conduct

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The Keystone Region is committed to the SAFETY and WELL-BEING of every participant and spectator at this event and will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, abuse, or misconduct. By entering this event, you AGREE to abide by the following STANDARDS of behavior:

I WILL:

  • I will always display good sportsmanship.
  • I will educate myself on the unique rules of this facility and abide by them.
  • I will be polite and respectful to everyone.
  • I will immediately notify the event director if I witness any harassment or discrimination.
  • I will acknowledge that the spectator seating around the courts is for the primary use of those watching the match in progress.
  • I will acknowledge that spectators may rightfully choose to remain in a seat for an entire match without switching sides of the court if/when teams switch

I WILL NOT:

  • I will not exhibit any behavior that is unruly, disruptive, threatening, or violent in nature, including verbal or physical harassment toward anyone.
  • I will not display signs, symbols or images, or use language or make gestures that are threatening, abusive or discriminatory toward an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation.
  • I will not bring and/or carry any weapons including, but not limited to, knives, concealed weapons, and firearms into the event.
  • I will not use tobacco, vaping devices or e-cigarettes, marijuana, illegal drugs, or controlled substances at this event
  • I will not bring on site or consume alcohol while inside the venue of any youth/junior volleyball event.

Any violation of this Code of Conduct will result in you being asked to leave the site/facility and may result in you possibly being banned from attending future Region sanctioned events. The Tournament Director has the final say regarding their individual event. Local law enforcement will be contacted if necessary to resolve any disputes or altercations. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Keystone Region office.

WARNING! There is risk of injury from volleyballs or other objects at this event. Attend at your own risk. Please pay close attention to your surroundings and be on alert at all times, especially during active play.

Volleyball 101

Be Good Sports! The Keystone Region has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to unsporting behavior. With the rise of unsporting behavior in gyms, on athletic fields, and professional sport arenas around the USA and abroad, we ask parents to model and nurture good sporting attitudes and behaviors for their young athlete(s). It is your responsibility to ensure that our youth learn positive behaviors for future translation off the court. We ask that you offer praise and encouraging words for all athletes, including your child’s opponents. Never openly berate, tease, or demean any student athlete, coach, or referee while attending a USA volleyball event in the Keystone Region or around the country. And remember, the work crew is comprised of children the same age as your child. Treat them the way you would want your child to be treated. An individual exhibiting a pattern of poor behavior is subject to sanction by the Keystone Region, up to and including removal from a facility, a monetary fine to the affiliated club, or being banned from attendance at Keystone Region events.

Work Crew Responsibilities: The work crew consists of six players from a team that is not playing in the current match. That team will provide a second referee, a scorer, an assistant scorer, a scoreboard operator and two line judges. Ideally the second referee and scorer should attend the pre-match coin toss with the first referee. The entire work crew must be report to the first referee no later than the final four minutes of the timed warm-ups. No electronic devices (cell phones, MP3 players, iPods or other media players) are allowed courtside or at the score table. The work crew is required to faithfully fulfill the duties to the best of their ability.

The coach from the work crew must be at the scorer’s table throughout the entire match and must be available to assist at the score table if necessary. Should a junior player not be able to fulfill the duties of a scorer or second referee, the player’s coach must assume this responsibility.

Individuals not listed on a team’s roster may not fulfill any of the work crew duties. USAV membership is required. To ensure that work crews abide by the Keystone Region policies regarding pre-match arrival time and electronic devices, there are penalties for non-compliance that may be assessed to the work team by the tournament director.

Team Warm-ups: During the warm-up period prior to a match, spectators or other individuals not listed on the team’s roster may not be on the court for any purpose, including ball retrieving during a team’s hitting/serving warm-ups. However, these individuals may choose to stand around the outermost perimeter of the playing area to prevent errant practice balls from interfering with a match on an adjacent court. Only registered USAV members who are on the team’s roster may participate in warm-up drills and activities on the court.

First Referee Responsibilities: The first referee has the ultimate responsibility for the administration of the match. The R1 has the authority to over-rule other members of the officiating team, if necessary. In the Keystone Region, referees are encouraged to work with all members of the support crew, and to teach them how to properly assist with the officiating of a match. Only in extreme cases may a referee find it necessary to replace a member of the support crew. Because the first referee is located approximately 8-10 feet above the court, they will typically have the best view of the play, thus providing the best position to make the correct call. Line judges usually have the most advantageous view when it comes to calls involving a court boundary line. They are positioned to be looking directly down their respective sideline or end line. But in all cases, it is important to remember that while a play may have seemed clear or obvious from your vantage point courtside, the official (referee, line judge) on the court may be been screened by a player(s) on the court, among other things.

Visual Score: The visual scoreboard or flip score is not the official score. The official score is recorded on the score sheet. The visual score is a courtesy for the fans. It is there for your pleasure. If the score is not pleasing to you, please do not look at it or complain about it.