LESSON 4

CAREERS IN SPORTS OFFICIATING

OBJECTIVES:

1. To teach the students the values about the importance of understanding sports officiating
leading towards a career.

How to Become a Referee, Umpire, and Other Sports Official

A high school diploma and training is usually required to become a referee, umpire, or sport
officiant. Every state has their own requirements and some sporting association even have
guidelines that must be followed. Training sessions or seminars are held before, during, and after
the season so everyone remains familiar with any rule changes, improve their officiating, and
evaluate their current knowledge of the sporting or event regulations.

Some work for high school athletic programs and usually are required to be registered with the
state or other local agency that oversees athletics for educational settings. It is common for
umpires and referees to be required to take and pass an exam once they have been trained to
ensure efficiency and ethical practice.

Job Description of a Referee, Umpire, and Other Sports Official

Umpires, referees and sports officials officiate at competitions, sporting events, and other games.
This means he or she is responsible for judging performances of the competitors to determine
who has won an event.

Officials must inspect all equipment for safety and compliance as well as make sure the
participants are safe to play. They need to keep watch over start and stop times, call attention to
infractions when necessary, and regulate play. All sports officials must be prepared to settle
disputes by participants and enforce any penalties according to the rules of the game. He or she is
expected to be able to anticipate a play therefore place themselves into the best position to
observe and judge a play.

In the case of a sporting event that calls for more than one umpire or referee, one must be able to
give the correct signals in their area of play concerning fouls or other rules of the game to other
sporting officials. This is considered to be a highly stressful occupation because of the
requirement and ability to make split-second and sometimes, unpopular decisions, and rulings.

Most sporting officials work part time and work irregular hours. Weekends, evenings, and
holidays are often required in addition to traveling to various sporting complexes or events. This
can be local, in the state that they reside in, or across the country. They work indoors and
outdoors pending on the sport or event that are working at

REFERENCE:

https://www.yourfreecareertest.com/sports-official/