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]
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 |
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.
|