Levels of Umpiring

 

In addition to demonstrating the qualities that encompass an umpire's current rating, an umpire should demonstrate all qualities included in the advanced rating that she/he is attempting to earn.

 

Junior Umpire: A Junior Umpire is defined as a person who is 18 years of age or below or in high school who may only officiate Youth games for players below her age level. The National Umpire Committee recommends that a Junior Umpire officiate at least two age levels below her age. As Youth programs are developing, each area should define the specific guidelines for assigning Junior Umpires while taking into account their state's regulations regarding minimum age levels for sports officials and working papers. In all cases, adequate supervision should be provided. Youth Umpire is defined as any adult official who umpires games below the high school level.

 

Junior Umpire qualities

 

  1. Score an 80 or above annually on the Youth Rules test using the open rule book.
  2. Must attend a basic training clinic given by a District or above rated umpire that includes on-field practice (with feedback) during any manner of play (such as scrimmage, half field, or indoor).
  3. Practical examination to be done by one National, one District, or two Local judges.
  4. A Junior rating is awarded for one year. If a rating expires, the candidate will no longer carry a rating.
  5. A Junior umpire should work to:
    1. Have a working knowledge of the rules and game procedures (i.e., the draw, the throw, etc)
    2. Know how to check basic equipment, playing area and goal area
    3. Have a strong whistle and a pleasant but commanding voice.
    4. Demonstrate a sense of confidence - be poised, be pleasant.
    5. Have a sense of field positioning
    6. Be able to recognize fouls and enforce the rules with little regard for holding the whistle.
    7. Demonstrate correct placement of players after a foul has been called; make an accurate estimation of 4 meters and place the offending player in the correct direction from the person with the ball.
    8. Recognize boundaries and call consistently to ensure the safety of the players.
    9. Adequately cope with injuries, misconduct. Etc.

 

Apprentice Umpire: In training to control a lower level game calmly, firmly and safely.

 

  1. Score and 80 or above annually on the written examination using the open rule book.
  2. Must attend a basic training clinic given be a District or above rated umpire that includes on-field practice (with feedback) during any manner of play (such as scrimmage, half field, or indoor).
  3. Practical examination to be done by one National, on District, or two Local judges.
  4. An Apprentice rating is awarded for one year. If a rating expires, the candidate will no longer carry a rating.
  5. Be a member in good standing with her Local Board by attending required meetings and providing service as set forth by the Local Board Service Standard.
  6. An Apprentice umpire should work to:
    1. Have a working knowledge of the rules and game procedures (i.e., the draw, the throw, etc)
    2. Know how to check basic equipment, playing area and goal area
    3. Have a strong whistle and a pleasant but commanding voice.
    4. Demonstrate a sense of confidence - be poised, be pleasant.
    5. Have a sense of field positioning
    6. Be able to recognize fouls and enforce the rules with little regard for holding the whistle.
    7. Demonstrate correct placement of players after a foul has been called; make an accurate estimation of 4 meters and place the offending player in the correct direction from the person with the ball.
    8. Recognize boundaries and call consistently to ensure the safety of the players.
    9. Adequately cope with injuries, misconduct. Etc.

 

Local Umpire: Secure in controlling any high school game.

 

  1. Score and 86 or above annually on the written examination. Failure to pass the written test will mandate a retake of the test.
  2. Practical examination done in the renewal year with approval of one National, one District, and two Local judges. Candidate must be judged during a true game (competitive situation). No game length is specified; however the candidate must have an opportunity to meet with the judges and be judged again in the second half of a game or in a second game. Judges must be satisfied with the amount of play in which the candidate has been involved.
  3. A Local rating may be awarded for two years, renewals may be granted for a maximum of 3 years. If a rating expires, the candidate will no longer carry a rating.
  4. Be a member in good standing with her Local Board by attending required meetings and providing service as set forth by the Local Board Service Standard.
  5. A Local umpire should work to:
    1. Begin to develop a fine line of interpretations for the judgment calls (dangerous shot, dangerous check, blocking, charging, delay of game, etc.)
    2. Make the players feel confident in her ability to call the game safely.
    3. Demonstrate good positioning in the midfield and an understanding of correct positioning in the goal area (tangent)
    4. Have a working use of arm signals indicating direction and begin using the signals for fouls.
    5. Be consistent and correct in placement of players when administering fouls both in the midfield and in the critical scoring area. This should be done without wasting a lot of time.
    6. Begin to demonstrate ability to hold whistle when appropriate and consistent use of flag in slow whistle situations.
    7. Consistently and appropriately penalize any misconduct.
    8. Use commons sense to cope with unusual situations confidently and calmly.

 

District Umpire: Capable of umpiring most collegiate level games.

 

  1. Score and 90 or above annually on the written examination. Failure to pass the written test will mandate a retake of the test.
  2. Practical examination with approval of one National and one District, or two National umpires at District competition, or NUC approve event. Candidate must be judged during a true game (competitive situation). No game length is specified; however the candidate must have an opportunity to meet with the judges and be judged again in the second half of a game or in a second game. Judges must be satisfied with the amount of play in which the candidate has been involved. Practical examination on the three person system should be included.
  3. Candidate must have held a multiple year Local rating for at least one spring season.
  4. Initial ratings are awarded for two years, although the rating committee may award a one year rating if warranted. Renewals may be granted for a maximum of 3 years. In the event a District rating is not earned, the rating awarded will be determined by the raters. Ratings expire on December 31st of the expiration year. If a rating expires, the candidate will drop to a 1 year Local rating.
  5. Be a member in good standing with her Local Board and Region by attending required meetings and providing service as set forth by both the Local Board and Region Service Standards.
  6. Any District candidate who wishes to go outside of their home Region to be rated/re-rated must receive approval from the Super Region Chair prior to the out-of-region rating session.
  7. Must complete and submit a District Application
  8. On-Field a District Umpire should:
    1. Be able to react to the game and hold the whistle.
    2. Leave little question in the minds of players, coaches, etc. what the call was.
    3. Have good communication/eye contact with other umpire(s) and players.
    4. Be able to position expertly at midfield and at the goal circle.
    5. Be able to handle most problems which might arise and control any problems not immediately covered in the rules.
    6. Be able to interpret the rules according to the skill level and experience of the teams
    7. Be familiar with the three person umpiring system.