The aim of the research is to compare the professional competence of volleyball referees of three qualification categories in the PRC across four indicators: knowledge of the rules, decision-making accuracy, emotional regulation, and teamwork.

Methods and organization of the research. The scientific work involved 96 certified referees of the Chinese Volleyball Association (mean age 38.4±8.4 years), evenly distributed into three groups: Category II–III referees (n=32), Category I referees (n=32), and national category referees (n=32). Data collection was carried out during the certification of referees in 2024–2025. Professional competence was assessed using diagnostic tools: a standardized rules knowledge test (50 items, α=0.87), video analysis of decision-making accuracy (40 game fragments, α=0.83), an author's scale for referee emotional regulation (24 items, α=0.81), and an expert scale for teamwork (internal consistency coefficient = 0.79).

Results and discussion. Statistically significant intergroup differences were revealed across all four components using the Kruskal-Wallis test (η²=0.31–0.47). The most pronounced differences when comparing Category I and national category referees were recorded in decision-making accuracy (r=0.65) and emotional regulation (r=0.59). The high correlation between emotional regulation and teamwork (ρ=0.71) indicates their close functional relationship: the psychological stability of the referee simultaneously improves both the individual and collective performance of the refereeing team.

Conclusions. The qualification category is a reliable predictor of the professional competence of volleyball referees in the PRC across all studied indicators. The identified differences confirm the need to implement educational programs that include simulation video modules, psychological training for emotional regulation, and mentoring program activities for Category I referees.

References

1. Hui, Li Self-Efficacy of Volleyball Referees in Shanxi, China / Li Hui, F.F. Rodil. // International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. 2024. No. 6. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.23276
2. Kittel A., Lindsay R., Larkin P., Spittle M., Cunningham I. The effectiveness of decision-making training in team-sport officials: a systematic review and meta-analysis // Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2025. Vol. 79. Article 102841. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102841.

No. 7, pp. 62–62

Received: 25.05.2026 | Published: 26.06.2026

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