Pickleball Magazine 1-2 | Page 12

FROM THE USAPA USAPA TRAINING COLUMN REFEREE CERTIFICATION POISED FOR LAUNCH BY LYNN & LINDA LAYMON – USAPA TRAINING CHAIRS I t’s on the launch pad. Are you ready? That’s the question every referee seeking USAPA certification should be asking. The first step, The Referee Rules Test, has been online for over a year. The required Phase II training materials, the Referee Handbook and Referee Trainer Guide, contain the USAPA referee standards and procedures. They have been available to members since December 1, 2015. So what’s next? Phase III of the USAPA Referee Training and Certification Program, the part that involves proving that one has fulfilled the prerequisites, applying for certification, and passing an on-court evaluation, is poised to blast off. But before you submit your application, there are a few things to consider. Referee Rules Test. First, a certified referee needs to possess unquestionable command of the official IFP/USAPA rules. Although a score of 90% on the Referee Rules Test is passing, answering every question correctly leaves little room for doubt. As a final confirmation, a certification candidate should retake the test just prior to applying for certification. Referee Training Course. The next item is to complete a Referee Training Course administered by a USAPA registered trainer. Registered trainers have agreed to teach the USAPA Referee 10 Standards and Procedures as presented in the official Referee Handbook and Referee Trainer Guide. These standards and procedures are the foundation upon which the referee certification program is developed. Once the training is acquired, it’s time to practice the newly learned skills until they become second nature. After training, a candidate must apply the USAPA referee standards and procedures while refereeing 30 matches (and at least 15 of them in USAPA sanctioned tournaments). This is a prerequisite to applying for certification. Professionalism. While beta-testing the evaluation process, the committee found that experienced referees often have difficulty breaking old habits that do not conform to the newly documented standards and procedures. One of those is professionalism. Certified referees are expected to maintain a professional demeanor. Social interaction with players and spectators while on the court is discouraged. The game is about the players and the match, not the referee. Tracking Servers. Another common sticking point is the method used to track servers. USAPA procedures strongly encourage referees to simultaneously use multiple techniques. Using a backup system ensures that the referee is always on spot with who should be serving and whether he/she is first or second server. TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 724.942.0940 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM Some experienced referees find it easier to continue using the simpler, but less accurate, methods with which they are comfortable. The certification evaluators are expecting referees to use backup systems. Referee Handbook. The Referee Handbook contains numerous procedures and standards that many experienced referees have not before seen. Potential certification candidates have at least 30 matches to get used to following the new standards and procedures before being eligible to apply for certification. Observation. Once the candidate has completed the required number of matches, it is recommended that the candidate’s trainer observe him/ her in action. This gives the trainer the opportunity to offer constructive suggestions and provides grounds for making an objective decision regarding whether the candidate’s performance warrants applying for certification. If the trainer feels the candidate is following the USAPA standards and procedures, the trainer will recommend the candidate by signing off on the application. Application. At this point the candidate completes the online application, provides the required backup information and pays the fee. Although the process is not yet in place,