The level of officiating has little to do with the amount of stress. Each high school official is most often assigned volleyball matches at his level of performance. So to each official in every match there is some level of stress. The pressure to perform well is an expectation of volleyball officials at all levels in all matches. The effects of stress can be evident in physical symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, tiredness and the tightening muscles.
Anxiety can reduce an official's concentration and diminish decision-making ability.
Constant evaluation and criticism by coaches, players and fans are challenges to the official's spirit and self worth. Official's achievements go relatively unnoticed because fans and players tend not to notice them if they are doing a exemplary job. However, an official's mistakes and failures are often noticed, examined and criticized. Even correct decisions are sometimes perceived to be wrong because others are not aware of the contemporary rules. The fear of inadequacy is based on a perceived lack of ability or failure to sufficiently prepare for the match.