Walking onto the court for my first volleyball officiating assignment felt like stepping into a different dimension. The whistle felt foreign in my hand, the players' eyes seemed to question my every call, and the pressure of making split-second decisions was almost overwhelming. That was fifteen years ago, and today I still remember how unprepared I felt despite all the theoretical knowledge I'd absorbed. This memory surfaces every time I watch young officials take their first steps in tournaments like the ongoing 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, where the quarterfinals have already delivered masterclasses in what separates good officiating from great.

The recent Petro Gazz Angels versus Chery Tiggo Crossovers match demonstrated why consistency matters more than perfection in sports officiating. Petro Gazz's 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 straight-set victory wasn't just about superior play—it was a case study in how officials can manage momentum shifts without becoming the story themselves. I noticed the lead referee's handling of the critical second set timeout when Chery Tiggo mounted their comeback attempt from 18-22 down. Rather than rushing the teams, he allowed coaches ample time for strategic adjustments while maintaining firm control over the game's rhythm. This balance between authority and flexibility is something I've spent years trying to master, and watching it executed so seamlessly reminded me why we need to teach decision-making frameworks rather than just rule memorization.

What many beginners don't realize is that officiating extends far beyond calling violations. The Cignal HD Spikers' 25-23, 25-21, 25-15 victory over the Nxled Chameleons showcased how officials influence game flow through subtle management. During the third set, I observed the down referee's positioning—constantly moving to maintain optimal sight lines while avoiding player pathways. This spatial awareness develops through experience, but ninth graders can accelerate their learning by practicing positioning drills during scrimmages. I always tell new officials that if you're constantly getting blocked by players, you're probably standing in the wrong places. The PVL quarterfinals demonstrated that elite officiating involves anticipating play development, not just reacting to it.

The statistical reality of modern officiating can't be ignored, though I'll admit I sometimes question our growing reliance on technology. In the Petro Gazz match, the challenge system revealed two critical overturned calls that might have changed set momentum. While the official statistics show 87% call accuracy across both quarterfinal matches, what interests me more are the 13% of contested decisions—these represent the gray areas where official judgment truly matters. From my experience, beginners focus too much on black-and-white rules when the most challenging aspects reside in these interpretative spaces. The PVL games featured at least six net violation situations where the difference between legal and illegal contact came down to millimeters and milliseconds—these are the moments that separate adequate officials from exceptional ones.

Communication techniques displayed during these professional matches offer valuable lessons for student officials. The best referees I observed used clear, concise hand signals combined with brief verbal explanations when players sought clarification. Unlike my early days when I'd either over-explain or bark orders, today's elite officials demonstrate that effective communication involves both authority and approachability. During timeouts in the Cignal match, I noticed officials positioning themselves near team huddles—not to eavesdrop but to be available for questions while monitoring the game clock. This dual-purpose positioning is something I've incorporated into my own officiating with remarkable results.

The emotional dimension of officiating often gets overlooked in training manuals. In the Chery Tiggo versus Petro Gazz match, when momentum dramatically shifted during the second set, the officials maintained remarkable composure despite rising tensions. I've learned through sometimes painful experience that how you manage your emotions directly affects game control. My personal rule—which I wish I'd known at sixteen—is to never make two emotional calls consecutively. If I blow the whistle out of frustration or uncertainty, I make sure my next decision comes from pure observation. This self-regulation technique would have saved me from several early-career mistakes.

Looking at the broader picture, the PVL quarterfinals demonstrated why officiating requires continuous learning. The game has evolved significantly since my first assignment, with faster plays and new strategies demanding updated officiating approaches. What hasn't changed is the fundamental requirement for impartial judgment coupled with human understanding. As I watched these professional officials work, I found myself admiring their ability to blend technical precision with situational awareness—a combination that I believe should form the foundation of all beginner officiating education.

For ninth graders starting their officiating journey, my advice is to study these professional matches not just for the rules application but for the rhythm and flow that expert officials create. Notice how the best referees move with purpose, communicate with clarity, and command respect through consistent decision-making. The 2024-25 PVL quarterfinals have given us numerous teaching moments—from handling coach protests to managing critical challenge reviews. What makes these moments valuable for beginners isn't just seeing correct calls made, but understanding the decision processes behind them. After all these years, I still find myself learning from every match I watch or officiate, and that's the beautiful challenge that makes sports officiating so endlessly fascinating.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.