Observer Guidelines

The observer’s job is to facilitate roundnet matches by settling disputes, ensuring adherence to rules, and promoting sportsmanship. While the observers are responsible for making a number of active calls, the responsibility for fair play and sportsmanship remains on the players. Here are the Official Rules of the Spikeball™ Roundnet Association which observers will follow.

Active Calls - When an observer sees any of these infractions take place they are obligated to stop play and take the proper course of action:

Foot fault
Encroachment over the service line
Illegal service toss
Illegal net contact
Illegal ball contact - lift, carry, catch, double hit, etc.
Incorrect rotation or serving order
Incorrect score

All other calls are in the hands of the players.

Passive Calls - If players cannot come to an agreement about a call, they can go to the observer for a decision. Once a call goes to the observer, the observer’s decision is final. If the observer is unable to make a definitive call, the point will be replayed. NOTE: For all non-active calls, players should always try to settle the matter among themselves before going to the observer. The observer should never add their input on a passive call until the players ask for the observer’s perspective.

Non Calls - If teams continue play after a possible infraction, they cannot ask for an observer to make a decision.

Scenarios

In the middle of a point, two players from opposite teams run into each other. After the collision, Team A is unable to get the ball back on the net. Team A calls a hinder on Team B. Team B does not believe a hinder occurred. Team B asks for the observer’s decision. If the observer calls a hinder, the point is replayed. If the observer declares a hinder did not occur, Team B is awarded the point.

A serve flies through the hand of a player on Team A. Team A calls the serve too high. Team B does not believe the serve was too high. Team B asks for the observer’s decision. If the observer calls the serve too high, then Team B will have one fault and gets a second service attempt. If the observer calls the serve legal, Team B is awarded the point.

Team A thinks that Team B might have hit the rim on a shot. They play out the point and Team A ends up losing the point. Team A says they should replay the point because of the possible rim shot. Team B disputes the fact that it hit the rim. Team A asks for the observer's decision. The observer states that they cannot make a decision because the infraction occurred mid-point. Team B is awarded the point.

Recommendation for Official Tournaments
Remember, we are dependent on the availability and quality of observers. Both teams should agree to the observers to prevent conflicts of interest.

Quarterfinals - one observer per quarterfinal game
Semifinals - two observers per semifinal game
Finals - three observers for finals game + one observer to track score and serving order

Positioning + Roles

One Observer: When using one observer, the observer should position themselves to the right of the server with a clear view of potential foot faults.

Two Observers: When using two observers, they should be position themselves opposite of each other. The observer positioned to the right of the server is primarily focused on watching for foot faults or illegal toss violations. The observer positioned to the right of the receiver is primarily focused on watching for pockets and height violations.

Three Observers: When using three observers, one will line up to the right and behind the server. This observer's primary job is to watch for foot faults. The second will line up to the right and behind the receiver. This observer's primary job is to watch for pockets and height violations.The third will line up on the server’s side to get a clear view of encroachment over the 6-foot boundary and illegal tosses.

Whose call is it: Whichever observer has the best perspective on the play in question is the one who should be making the call. When observers huddle, the first objective is to determine who had the best view on the play. If multiple observers have an equal perspective on the play and cannot come to a consensus, the point should be replayed.

How to become a Certified Observer:

In order to become a certified observer, you must pass the Observer Certification Test with a minimum score of 85%.

Who is a Certified Observer:

Alex Ceccanese
Alex Gong
Alex Harris
Alex Perry
Alli Kauffman
Andrew Gasaway
Andrew Shock
Anthony Rentsch
Arman Cabral
Austin Rawlings
Becca Graham
Ben Dantowitz
Ben Naber
Benjamin Hamilton
Blake Rock
Bradley Thompson
Brandon Spector
Brooks Anderson
Bryce Johnson
Caleb DeRuiter
Caleb Heck
Charles Henri
Chris Guerra
Chris Hornacek
Clark Marshall
Colton Urbaitis
Connor Francis
Connor Harte
Connor Holloway
Cowan McCormick
Cyrus Hadavi
Dan Abrams
Daniel Dantowitz
Daniel Lindeen
David Najmon
David Roedema
Devin Matson
Elijah Sather
Elissa Alarie
Emerson Dean
Erik Schlick
Ezra Dantowitz
Fredric Hinkle
Frederick Eskens
Gabe Packevicz
Gabriela Mlcochova
George Rizk
Ian Donaghey
Ian Timan
Jackson Brasfield
Jackson Harris
Jackson Stanek
Jarratt Rouse
Jason Ebright
Jesse Showalter
Joe Barnhart
Joel Graham
Joey Pierron
Jonathan Allison
Jonny Dariano
Jordan Davis
Josh Kaplan
Joshua Swimm
Josue Hernandez
Julianne Zussman
Kai Pham
Kasey Shibayama
Kenny Ortega
Kristen Davis
Kyle Ackermann
Luis Brito
Luke Marshall
Mark Borunda
Mathieu Guilbert
Matt Bohnen
Matthew Chorney
Matthew Kozak
Max Model
Maximus Russo
Micah Corbett
Mike Bobay
Mike White
Miles Plant
Murray Noble
Nate Evensen
Nathan Preeters
Nic Dewey
Nicholas Rankin
Nicholas Stinson
Nick LoPrinzi
Nick Gonzales
Nick Sant
Noah Brady
Pop Kanjanakantorn
Preston Bies
Quentin Brown
Reid Schroeder
Richard Tarpey
Rui Conde
Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Oswalt
Samuel Elkaim
Scott Donaghey
Sean Kussinen
Skylar Shibayama
Skyler Boles
Stephen Ernst
Tobey Bigelow
Travis Core
Tripp Pierson
Tyler Cisek
Vinny Bonta
Wendell Diefenbacher
Wout Geeraerts
Zac Vance
Zachary Paszkeicz

*updated 1/17/19