What are best practices for communication between the caller and the inputter?
- Most touches are called out loud, but the caller can assist the inputter by knowing which touches are not entered and not calling them.
- Generally, the caller should call the team color or team name when the ball crosses the net to them, and then jersey numbers when players make contact.
- Callers can also call "Dig" "Set" and "Attack" if they wish if it helps them to maintain consistency and organization.
- Using terms like "Over" and "Continue" is recommended, even though those calls are not entered into the software.
- Callers should also know when to call “Skip” to bypass a setting attempt, such as when a player attacks on the second touch.
- Examples…
- Rally ending with a kill: 7 Red serving; Blue 10, 4, 16; Red 5, 11, 15; Point Red - Watch instructional video HERE
- Rally ending with an attack error: 7 Red serving; Blue 10, 4, 16; Red 5, 11, 15; Point Blue - Watch instructional video HERE
- Block Assist: 7 Red serving; Blue 10, 4, 16; Block Red 11, 5; Point Red - Watch Instructional video HERE
- Service Ace: 7 Red serving; Blue 12; Point Red - Watch instructional video HERE
- Service Error: 7 Red serving; Point Blue - Watch instructional video HERE
- Setter attacks for a kill on second touch: 7 Red serving; Blue 16, Skip Set, 4; Point Blue - Watch instructional video HERE
- “Over” and then an attack error by the serving team: 7 Red serving; Blue 10, 4, Over; Red (ignore Over reception), 11, 15; Point Blue - Watch instructional video HERE
- Attack with a continuation that is kept up for a kill: 7 Red serving; Blue 10, 4, 16, Continue, 4, 12; Point Blue - Watch instructional video HERE
- Errant pass over the net which results in an unassisted kill: 7 Red serving; Blue 14; Red Skip Set, 9; Point Red - Watch instructional video HERE
In general, we are calling and entering every touch, but which touches should be ignored and not entered?
- Touches by blocking players, unless they result in a Block.
- “Covers” following a continuation, when an offensive player keeps the ball in play after it is blocked back into their court, unless they are setting or attacking.
- A player who is playing an “over” or a free ball with no intention of attacking.
- The first touch by a player receiving an “over” or a free ball, unless they are setting or attacking.
Should I use a mouse or a touchscreen?
- Either method works well. It’s really a matter of personal preference.