What do Certification Levels Mean?

Certification Levels

This page provides guidelines as to what it means to be Recognized, or Certified at Level 1, 2, or 3. We hope that this helps officials understand their path towards advancement, and helps others to understand what an official’s level means.

We expect all officials to improve with time and practice, so many officials at one level may be performing at, or close to, the next level. Anyone staffing officials for games should continue to solicit feedback from other officials in order to better understand the current performance of an official.

KNOWLEDGE-BASED

Recognized

  • Basic understanding of roller derby, the rules, officiating, standard procedures, verbal cues, hand signals, paperwork, etc.

PERFORMANCE-BASED

Level 1

  • Adequate understanding of roller derby, the rules, officiating, standard procedures, verbal cues, hand signals, paperwork, etc.
    • Basic competency in their position.
      • For paperwork positions, complete paperwork to minimum necessary for a stats book.
    • Has the stamina/focus to complete a specific position in a game.
    • Understands the role of positioning and technique for their specific position(s).
  • Ability to relay important information needed for gameplay to other officials and participants.
  • Can be relied upon to explain how they handled a scenario.
  • Can be relied upon to explain what they have witnessed in a scenario.
  • Familiarity with the game of roller derby and positions of officials.
    • Can officiate roller derby without creating problems for the game in at least one position.
    • Has a “local” view of gameplay and officiating.
    • Will grow as an official by working regional tournaments.
    • Can maintain performance at an adequate level throughout a single game or double-header event.
  • General knowledge of the rules of roller derby and how to apply them in the game.
    • Has the wherewithal to ask for help in rare gameplay scenarios.
    • Defers appropriately to others’ opinions, based on the chain of command and experience in the sport.
  • Maintains composure/demeanor in difficult or tense situations.
  • Is always polite and respectful towards all participants in the game at all times.
  • In stressful situations or tense games, may become less accurate as an official but will not “lean” in one direction.
    • Might make more errors, but is not systematically overcalling or undercalling.

Level 2

  • Meets all requirements for Level 1.
  • Deep understanding of roller derby, the rules, officiating, standard practices, verbal cues, hand signals, paperwork, etc.
    • Understanding of the roles of each family of positions, both on and off skates.
    • Advanced understanding and consistent execution of at least one role across multiple styles of gameplay.
    • Completes paperwork, hand signals, and verbal cues correctly, to the level necessary for sanctioning, in positions of expertise.
    • Capable of being reassigned with short notice before a game.
    • Has the stamina/focus to adequately perform, mentor, train, or support all working positions.
    • Understands and the importance of positioning and technique in all positions.
    • Correctly positioned in positions of expertise, except in the most surprising scenarios.
    • When working in a position of expertise, has a holistic view and understands the interaction between all roles that their position comes into contact with. Able to support another official in a related role.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with all other participants.
    • Can be relied upon to explain a course of events from their perspective to other officials, athletes, and bench staff.
    • Respects the perspectives of others in communications.
    • Communicates efficiently; knows what contributions are valuable for the context.
  • Thorough understanding of the game of roller derby, positions of officials, and the procedures, requirements, and expectations of those positions, including both the positions in which they officiate, and the positions with which they interact when officiating.
    • Can notice and correct their own mistakes to rectify problems for the game.
    • Has a broad view of gameplay and officiating; knows and supports the general direction in which roller derby officiating is moving.
    • Will grow as an official by working in unfamiliar environments, with unfamiliar peers of varying skill, and by mentoring others.
    • Can perform well in a full-day or multi-day event, and is aware of their limits as an official to minimize the risk of underperformance.
  • Complete knowledge of the rules and proven ability to apply them in games.
    • Has experience with some rare gameplay scenarios.

Level 3

  • Meets all requirements of Level 2.
  • Advanced understanding of roller derby, the rules, officiating, standard practices, verbal cues, hand signals, paperwork, etc.
  • Established as a role model for other officials, in terms of skill and conduct.
  • Exemplary in at least one position, capable of high performance in every position.
    • Has the stamina/focus to perform in multiple positions in a full-day or multi-day event, and is aware of their limits as an official to minimize the risk of underperformance.
    • Can adapt technique and positioning to more effectively perform under varying conditions.
    • Calm, polite, and respectful under all conditions of gameplay, even when tensions are high and unexpected events occur.
  • If staffed as an Alt, capable of stepping into any position without impact to gameplay.
  • Exceptional ability to communicate with all participants, including conveying detailed information in a concise manner.
    • Can synthesize the perspectives of a crew and provide a cohesive narrative to other officials, players, and announcers.
    • Empathetic and respectful communications to everyone in the game.
    • Via their communication and behavior, helps others remain calm and collected in unpredictable and unexpected scenarios.
  • Inherent, holistic understanding of the game of roller derby, positions of officials, and the procedures, requirements, and expectations of those positions, including both the positions in which they officiate, and the positions with which they interact when officiating. This also includes positions in which they do not officiate.
    • Can correct others’ mistakes to rectify problems for the game.
    • Has a “global/inclusive” view of gameplay and officiating.
    • Acts as a leader and role model for those with less experience than them at unfamiliar levels of gameplay and officiating.
    • Can be trusted to perform in a leadership position planning and staffing a multi-day event and will follow through with all necessary work after the event.
    • Can both “step up” to support and “step back” to give space, as needed, based on the circumstances.
  • Excellent knowledge of the rules and proven ability to apply them with appropriate discretion, at all levels of play, including the highest level, and in complex situations and scenarios.
  • Can respond to unique and novel circumstances in gameplay in a way that ensures a game result is fair, appropriate, and still fun for its participants.
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