A. Organization
The key organizational elements of the Rules and Referees Program are the:
- US Squash Rules and Referees Committee
- National Director of Officials
- District Directors of Officials
- Referee Instructor Trainers
- Referee Instructors
- Certified Referees
- Certified Assessors.
Only US Squash members may hold any of these positions.
B. Responsibilities
1. US Squash Rules and Referees Committee
The US Squash Rules and Referees Committee is the top officiating policy group.
a. Composition.
The committee includes five people selected by the US Squash President:
- A volunteer chair,
- Three District Directors of Officials,
- One active athlete.
b. Responsibilities.
The committee's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Overseeing all aspects of the Rules and Referees Program, including interactions with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), WSF, the Pan American Squash Federation (PASF), and Squash Canada concerning officiating,
- Nominating to the US Squash president one or more National Director of Officials (NDO) candidates,
- Supervising the NDO and regularly reviewing and acting upon the NDO's recommendations,
- Establishing targets for referee development,
- Reviewing and approving nominations for U.S. referees seeking appointment as a WSF referee, tournament referee selections for major U.S. tournaments, and officials representing the U.S. at foreign tournaments.
2. National Director of Officials
The NDO is a highly experienced volunteer referee selected by the US Squash President upon nomination by the Rules and Referees Committee. The NDO reports to the chair of the US Squash Rules and Referees Committee and serves at the pleasure of the US Squash president.
The NDO's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Drafting the referee development targets for the U.S. and recommending them to the Rules and Referees Committee for approval.
- Acting as the U.S. point of contact for international officiating activities including the quadrennial rules revision, and interactions with the USOC, WSF, PASF, and Squash Canada on officiating matters.
- On a day-to-day basis planning, coordinating, and/or implementing national-level officiating policy and initiatives, including:
- Referee Instructor training;
- Assessor certification;
- National Referee certification, revalidation, and retirement;
- The self-test program for entry-level referee certification;
- Coordinating with tournament organizers and tournament referees to optimize rules instruction and referee training/assessment opportunities associated with national tournaments;
- Tracking major Rule 17. Code of Conduct violations and participating in the player sanctions/discipline system;
- Maintaining the database that lists certified referees;
- Nominating to the Rules and Referees Committee: candidates for WSF referee status; officials representing the U.S. at foreign tournaments; and tournament referees for major U.S. events;
- Revising the US Squash Rules and Referees Program process and materials, as appropriate
- Maintaining regular contact with the District Directors of Officials (described in the next section) on matters of mutual interest
- Overseeing the preparation or updating, procurement, and distribution of US Squash materials related to rules training and referee development and certification, including:
- Reference Materials (this handbook, Guide to Understanding the Rules of Squash textbook, International Rules of Squash books and posters, Tournament Referee Guidelines, and Squash Officiating Quick Reference Guide),
- Training Materials (slides, videotapes, CD-ROMs, lesson plans, refresher lessons)
- Test Materials (entry-level examination, answer sheets),
- Required Forms (score sheets, assessment forms, Rule 17 violation reports, certification upgrade booklets, nomination and report forms),
- Recognition Items (referee and assessor certificates, pins, shirts, uniform emblems).
- Recommending material for inclusion on the US Squash website.
3. District Directors of Officials
District Directors of Officials (DDOs) are certified referees appointed by the US Squash district squash racquets associations. Their responsibilities at the state, city, or intercollegiate level parallel those of the NDO at the national level.
Three District Directors, selected by the US Squash President, sit as members of the Rules and Referees Committee. Those DDOs operate on a regional basis as primary conduits for officiating matters between the NDO and the membership. They nominate candidates to the NDO for appointment as Assessors. (See Section 7.a, below.)
4. Instructor Trainers
USSRA-certified referee Instructor Trainers (ITs) conduct Instructor Courses for referees who wish to become certified referee Instructors. The NDO schedules these courses and maintains records of course completion. To facilitate that process, instructors submit attendance data directly to the NDO within 10 days after course completion.
5. Instructors
Certified referee Instructors conduct Rules Clinics for players and Referee Certification Courses to produce novice referees. Instructors schedule these clinics and courses in consultation with the appropriate DDO(s) and submit attendance data directly to the NDO within 10 days after clinic or course completion.
6. Certified Referees
Certified Referees are US Squash members, who are interested in officiating, attend a Referee Certification Course conducted by a certified referee Instructor or take the entry-level open-book examination, and subsequently work matches as an official.
Once certified, US Squash specifies a referee's level of technical competence and experience on an ascending rating scale from "Club Referee" to "National Referee" (also referred to as "D-" to "A-level.") A "National Referee" (A) is an official of the highest competence. A "Regional Referee" (B) is a very experienced official capable of handling the early rounds of a national championship. A "State Referee" (C) is a competent official capable of handling tournaments at the state or district level. A "Club Referee" (D) is a novice.
Typically a referee will enter the certification process as a "Club Referee" (D) and progress higher through a series of evaluations conducted by certified assessors while the candidate referee works matches.
All certified referees may conduct US Squash Rules Clinics for players and are encouraged to do so and report the attendance data to the NDO.
7. Referee Assessors
a. Certified Assessors.
Upon the recommendation of the NDO, the Rules and Referees Committee will designate Certified Assessors. These assessors are authorized to assess referees and recommend upgrading up to the assessorís own level, consistent with the prescribed upgrading procedures.
Minimum requirements for appointment include designation as a Referee Instructor, willingness to serve, nomination to the NDO by a DDO, and Regional Referee (B) or National Referee (A) certification.
b. Other Assessors
All certified referees are authorized to act as examiners for upgrading candidates currently certified two levels below the examiner's own level, e.g., a Regional Referee (B) can examine Local Referee (D) candidates seeking to become State Referees (C).