CVOA and NFHS permit the use of headsets, but they can only be used if both referees agree to do so. Do not pressure your partner.
When considering a headset purchase, please note that the CVOA Executive Committee has not verified the information in the following resources. Before spending a significant amount of money, we recommend that you do your own research. These resources are intended as an introduction only.
The NHFSLearn video linked below provides more detailed information, but some basic suggestions for headset use are:
– Be sure to verify communication, including volume level, before the start of the match.
– Less is more. This means speaking only when you have something important to say. The main reason is that, in a noisy gym, it’s often difficult for your partner to hear everything you say. So, if you say something unimportant and your partner doesn’t catch it, he or she may think they’re missing something important. In aviation, this is known as the “sterile cockpit” rule, which prohibits non-essential communication during critical phases of flight. For us, it’s a sterile cockpit during play. (During timeouts or between sets, it’s fine to chat more freely, always keeping it professional.)
– During a rally, the R2 should help by repeating a single word, such as “down”, “good”, “touch”, “four”, a few times (since, again, it’s hard to catch every word clearly), while still showing the informal help signals (4-hits, ball down, touch).
– Good uses while not in a rally include verifying captains, timeout counts, set point, shoe being tied, injured player, problems at the benches, and requests for sanctions.
We still don’t have a decision about whether headsets will be allowed during the State Championship tournament.