Officiating Program

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Pickleball Canada Officiating Program are:

to provide a development and training environment for individuals wishing to become pickleball game officials, and
to maintain a high level of officiating.

The Officiating Program consists of the following:

Levels
Process
Responsibilities
Support Material [PCO members only]

Officiating Levels

There are three recognized levels in the PCO Officiating Program

Level 1 Official

Level 1 is designed to give individuals adequate education, practice and vetting to be confident to officiate tournament matches up to certain levels

Level 2 Official

Additional experience and higher compliance rates will be expected and verified through a more stringent vetting process. Fewer match type restrictions and less supervision will apply. This stage may be the ‘destination’ for many individuals wishing to officiate pickleball matches.

Level 3 Official

Level 3 Officials are also known as PCO Certified Referees. This stage will be achieved through more stringent practice conditions, rules and best practices compliance and vetting. Match restrictions and supervision needs are virtually eliminated.

The specific criteria for each level are outlined as follows.

Officials Level Criteria	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Requisites	Current PCO Membership	Current PCO Membership	Current PCO Membership
Requisites	General knowledge of pickleball	Six months as Level 1, with 15 tournament matches	Two years as Level 2, with 30 tournament matches
Jurisdiction*1	All tournaments, non medal matches, non stacked, no line judges	All tournaments including medal matches without line judges	All tournaments All situations
Supervision *2	Conversation with Head Official or Tournament Director prior to every match	Guidance from Head Official or Tournament Director at beginning of each day	Discussion with Head Official or Tournament Director at the beginning of each day
Education / Training Requirements
IFP Rules *3 Self Study	70 % on Test	80 % on Test	90 % on Test
Best Practices *3 PowerPoint & Handbook study	70% on Test	80 % on Test	90 % on Test
Line Judge Work*3 PowerPoint & Handbook study			90 % on Test
Court side Demo*4	Minimum two games	Not Required	Not Required
Game Experience Prior to Vetting
Doubles	5	10	20
Stacked		2	5
With Line Judges			2
Vetting / Evaluation
Observed Games	2	4	2
Vetting By	Level 2 Trainer	Level 2 Trainer	Panel of 3 Level 3s
*Before Every Tournament 5**
Retake Officials Rules Test	Yes	Yes	Yes
Review Officials Handbook	Yes	Yes	Yes
Review Best Practices PPS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maintenance Qualifications
Minimum Matches/Annum*6	5	10	20
Every 6 Months
Review Officials Handbook	Self Study	Self Study	Self Study
Review Best Practices PPS	Self Study	Self Study	Self Study
Retake Officials Rules Test	Achieve 70 %	Achieve 80 %	Achieve 80 %
Retake Best Practices Test	Achieve 70 %	Achieve 80 %	Achieve 90 %
Retake Line Judges Test			Achieve 90 %

Notes:

1	Tournament Director or Head Referee may increase depending on circumstances
2	Designed to instill confidence, uniform approach and methods
3	Take and show evidence of online tests.
4	Court side demonstration is a necessity for Level 1 participants and should be done as soon after the classroom session where Best Practices are discussed. While not required for Level 2 and Level 3 - reviews are a good practice
5	To be current and fresh, a review prior to each tournament is required
6	If insufficient games / matches are officiated, additional refreshing and re-evaluation may be required.