Click here for more information (handout) on Umpiring Requirements.
The umpiring certification requirements were updated on January 2017.
Apprentice Umpire
Description:
An apprentice umpire is one who is starting to learn how to umpire. Apprentices may umpire C League and School League games with a mentor only, until they are recommended for testing at which time they may be given permission to umpire C League and school games unaccompanied.
Requirements:
- Attend a minimum of one theory session
- Score at least 70% on the Level 1 Beginner Theory written test – open book test
- Gain practical experience by umpiring a minimum of 6 times at practices
Code of Conduct
The umpire shall have:
1. Basic knowledge of the official rules
2. A voice and whistle that can be heard by all players
3. Good coverage of the court
Interpretation and Application of Rules
The umpire shall begin to recognize:
- Obvious contact
- Obvious obstruction
- Footwork
- Three seconds
- Short pass
- Playing the ball
- Over one third
- Offside
- Breaking
- Centre pass not taken correctly
She/He shall begin to:
- Award correct penalties
- Correctly distinguish between free and penalty passes
- Award correct throw-ins
- Be able to control the centre passes
- Give correct toss-ups
- Correctly administer stoppages/substitutions
Demonstration of Rules
Candidates taking the practical test will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the rules.
Level 1 – Beginner Level Umpire
Description:
The beginner level umpire will meet the basic requirements to umpire at C League and school matches until they are recommended for Level 2 at which time they may umpire B Grade games with permission & accompanied by a mentor.
Requirements:
- Apprentice a minimum of three game
- Have scored at least 70% on the Level 1 Beginner Theory written test – open book test. The Level 1 Beginner Theory exam is valid for two calendar years. If the Practical Exam is not successfully taken within this time, the Theory exam must be rewritten.
- Have to be recommended for testing by the Umpiring Committee to advance from Apprentice Umpire
Code of Conduct
The umpire shall have:
1. The ability to control a level C grade game
2. Basic knowledge of the official rules
3. A voice and whistle that can be heard by all players
4. Good coverage of the court
Interpretation and Application of Rules
The umpire shall recognize:
- Obvious contact
- Obvious obstruction
- Footwork
- Three seconds
- Short pass
- Playing the ball
- Over one third
- Offside
- Breaking
- Centre pass not taken correctly
She/He shall:
- Award correct penalties
- Correctly distinguish between free and penalty passes
- Award correct throw-ins
- Be able to control the centre passes
- Give correct toss-ups
- Correctly administer stoppages/substitutions
Demonstration of Rules
Candidates taking the practical test will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the rules.
Level 2 – Intermediate Level Umpire
Description:
The Intermediate level umpire will meet the basic requirements to umpire B League games as well as at the BC Winter Games
Requirements:
- Attend a minimum of two Theory sessions (prior to taking written or practical exams).
- Score at least 80% on the Level 2 Theory Exam – open book test. The Theory Exam is current for two calendar years. If the Practical Exam is not successfully taken within that time, the Theory Exam must be rewritten.
- Umpire for one full season as a Level 1 Beginner, with a minimum of ten C League games.
- Be recommended by the Umpiring Committee.
- A candidate who fails on her first attempt to pass the Practical Exam may apply to be retested upon the recommendation of the Tester.
Control of the Game
The umpire shall have:
1. The ability to control an Intermediate grade game.
2. Knowledge of the official rules
3. A voice and whistle which can be heard by all players
4. Good positional movement of the court
Interpretation and Application of Rules
The umpire shall recognize:
- Personal contact & Contact with the ball
- Obstruction with and without the ball
- Footwork
- Three seconds
- Short pass
- Playing the ball
- Over one third
- Offside
- Breaking
- Centre pass not taken correctly
- Use of advantage rule
He/ She Shall:
- Award correct penalties
- Correctly distinguish between free and penalty passes
- Award correct throw-ins
- Be able to control the centre pass give correct toss-ups
- Correctly administer stoppages/ substitutions
- Use correct hand signals
Demonstration of Rules
Candidates taking the practical test will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the rules.
Level 3 – Advanced Level Umpire
Description:
The Advance Level Umpire will meet the basic requirements to umpire A League, BC Winter Games, Western Canadian Championships, and Provincial matches.
Requirements:
- Attend a minimum of two Level 3 Advanced Theory sessions. (Prior to taking written or practical exams)
- Score at least 80% on Level 3 Advanced Theory Exam – no book.
- Umpire for one full season as a Level 2 Intermediate umpire with a minimum of ten games at B Level.
- Be recommended by the Umpiring Committee.
- A candidate who fails on her first attempt to pass the Practical Exam may apply to be retested upon the recommendation of the Tester.
Control of the Game
The umpire shall have:
1. The ability to control Inter-Provincial and Level A grade game.
2. Excellent knowledge of the official rules.
3. A voice and whistle which can be heard by all players.
4. Correct positioning to see all infringements
Interpretation and Application of Rules
The umpire shall recognize:
- Personal contact & Contact with the ball
- Obstruction with and without the ball
- Footwork
- Three seconds
- Held ball
- Playing with the ball
- Over one third
- Offside
- Breaking
- Centre pass not correctly taken
- Good application of advantage rule
She/He Shall:
- Award correct penalties
- Correctly distinguish between free and penalty pass
- Award correct throw-ins
- Be able to control the centre pass give correct toss-ups
- Correctly administer stoppages/substitutions
- Use correct hand signals
Demonstration of Rules
Candidates taking the practical test will be required to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the rules.
Level 4 – National Umpire
Description:
The Level 4 Umpire will meet the basic requirements to umpire at the National level.
Requirements:
- Be recommended by the Umpiring Committee.
- Attend a minimum of two Level 4 Theory sessions.
- Pass Level 4 External Theory Exam.
- Umpire a full season at Level 3, with a minimum of six games at inter provincial or comparable standard.
- Demonstrate a willingness and a capacity to render service to B.C. Netball in the area of Umpiring.
- Conduct a minimum of 2 Level 1 Theory and/or Practical Clinics
- Test a minimum of 2 Level 1 candidates for Level 1 Practical
- Pass the Practical Level 4 Exam at the National Tournament
Click here for a handout version of Umpiring Requirements. The umpiring certification requirements were updated on January 2017.