Officials development program
Level 2 referee
Course conductor manual
Version 1.1, Septembre 2008 © Speed Skating Canada
Course conductor manual – Level 2
Forward
Over the past several years, SSC has published a number of resource documents for coaches and officials. Works aimed at officials include the Level One Officials Manual, first issued in the early eighties, then revised in 2007. More recently, a succession of documents dubbed Level Two Manuals have been published, one for each of several positions. Referee is the only specialty for which a Level Two Manual has not been published, and no such manual is forthcoming. The amount of and breadth of information required by referees would result in a thick book that would need to be updated almost annually. Furthermore, the interpretive coaching that referees need lends itself much more readily to verbal communication than to detailed and convoluted written explanation.
This publication is dedicated to those who train prospective Level Two referees. It is not intended to dictate that all Level Two Referee Clinics be conducted exactly as depicted in this book. Rather, it provides background material that can be moulded and arranged to suit individual conductors’ styles, and different audiences. Branches with no Long Track program could, for instance, expunge that portion of the workshop. Care should be taken, however, to ensure that any Level Two Referee Clinic follows on from the Level One Officials Clinic in a progressive process that may lead to Level Three or higher certification.
The Level Two Referee Clinic is perhaps the most demanding of all officials workshops. It is probably also the longest one: fully two and one half days are needed to cover the material in this manual. Level Two Referees can be chief officials at Branch-sanctioned competitions. This clinic is the first time that candidates are exposed to information strictly from the referee’s viewpoint. Especially, it is racing rules in a formal setting. This clinic, then, is a teaching workshop. Higher level clinics will progressively assume more of a discussion focus.
The present manual is structured in three parts. Part One, by far the most important section, states the knowledge and performance requirements of Level Two referees. That information alone is sufficient to develop a clinic. It is expressed in a taxonomy common and appropriate to the teaching of practical skills, that is to training as opposed to education. It is the same taxonomy that was used in the Level One standard, and the Officials Development Committee will retain the same terminology in developing programs and standards for more advanced levels in all specialties. It is therefore important that conductors respect that standard in designing and giving clinics. The emphasis given to specific topics remains at the discretion of individual conductors, subject to the needs of their audience. Level Two Referee clinics should be given by senior Branch Referees certified at Level 3B or above.
Part Two of the manual is one example of a Level Two Clinic that meets the Level Two Referee standard. It has been developed by Guy Chenard, present Member of SSC’s Officials Development Committee and one of SSC’s senior referees. The clinic is purposely not sectioned into lesson plans in order to facilitate re-sequencing of the material. Also, information specific to the Ontario Branch should be replaced by place holders. Clinic conductors using the example should insert their own Branch information as appropriate. Users of this manual may use the material as is or modify it to suit their needs, provided that proper credit is given to SSC and to Mr. Chenard.
Part Three contains Conductor’s Notes, Handouts, and an example of examination questions suitable for this type of clinic. Suggestions are also offered on what knowledge and skills should be tested. These should be used in conjunction with the standards found in Part One when developing additional questions. The Level 2 examination should be marked by the Conductor, and discussed individually with each candidate.
Officials development program
Levels of knowledge
1. Acquaintance. The lowest level of learning. Implies peripheral knowledge and broad awareness of a subject.
2. Familiarity. Implies comprehension to the extent that specific principles, concepts and generalizations can be recalled.
3. Understanding. Implies the ability to articulate the principles, concepts and theories presented. Generally, this is the level required of a competent practitioner.
4. Mastery. The highest level of learning. Implies the ability to use, analyse, synthesize and evaluate the material presented. This level would be required of a clinic conductor, with respect to the material taught at the applicable clinic.
Levels of performance
1. Level 0. Cannot perform the task on his/her own. Requires physical assistance to prevent critical mistakes.
2. Level 1. Requires frequent verbal assistance to prevent critical mistakes.
3. Level 2. Consistently performs the task to an acceptable level, on his/her own, without making critical mistakes. Practice will improve performance. May require occasional verbal assistance to analyze specific problems or situations, but remains able to deal with these same situations without making unacceptable mistakes. Level 2 is the minimum level require of any chief official.
4. Level 3. Performs the task confidently and effectively at all times. Can maintain this level of performance indefinitely without requiring outside verbal or other assistance. Quality of performance continues to improve with practice and experience. This is the terminal level required in all tasks.
5. Level 4. Flawless performance. The ideal official under the circumstances. The incidence of Level 4 performance should increase as one progresses in grade, but it is unreasonable to expect this level of performance continuously and in all tasks from any official.
Officials development program - Level two referee
Aim
The purpose of the Level 2 Referee Course is to impart sufficient knowledge to permit trainees to perform as referees at club and Branch level competitions or as assistant referees at SSC sanctioned Short Track, Long Track Mass Start and Olympic Style competitions.
Knowledge requirements and standards
Niveau / Élement de connaissance (KI)2.01
Familiarity / Rule Books and resource materials used by officials in Short Track and Long Track.
2.02
Familiarity / a. SSC’s Officials Development Program
Understanding / b. Applicable Province’s Officials Development Program
2.03
Familiarity / Competition formats for Long and Short Tracks
2.04
Familiarity / Types of tracks and track layout for:
a. Short Track
b. Long Track Mass Start, and
c. Long Track Olympic Style
2.05
Understanding / Age classes
2.06
Understanding / Distances:
a. Short Track (Age Class and Open)
b. Long Track (Mass Start & Olympic Style)
2.07
Familiarity / Sanctions, the sanction process and implications thereof.
2.08
Understanding / Role, responsibilities and purpose of officials (as opposed to athletes, coaches and parents).
2.09
Understanding / Basic principles of officiating.
2.10
Understanding / Role, responsibilities, powers and duties of all Officials.
2.11
Familiarity / Procedures and processes, including paperwork related to:
a. Meet coordinating, including pre and post-meet paperwork
b. Starting
c. Clerking
d. Track stewarding
e. Lap recording
f. Recording, and the meet paper flow
g. Announcing
h. Timing, Place Judging, and
i. Other positions are practicable
2.12
Competition rules, general and specific, including but not necessarily limited to seeding, advancement effect of disqualification, re-skates, compilation of results, protests and award practices:
Understanding / a. Branch specific rules;
Familiarity / b. General and SSC specific rules;
Acquaintance / c. ISU rules
2.13
Refereeing procedures and practices such as checks and checklists, behaviour, positioning and reporting:
Understanding / a. Branch specific rules;
Familiarity / b. General and SSC specific rules;
Acquaintance / c. ISU rules
2.14
Familiarity / Racing rules
Performance standards
Referee assessments currently (1998) report performance under the following headings:
§ Meet preparation;
§ On-site preparation;
§ Competition management;
▫ Knowledge and understanding of rules,
▫ Application of rules,
▫ Positions, and
▫ Control; and
§ Post-competition administration
Level 2 performance is the minimum required of Level 2 referees, under all heading.
Certification
To become certified at Level 2, a candidate must attend an appropriate clinic, and perform satisfactorily as chief referee at two or more Branch sanctioned competitions, and in an assistant capacity at one or more appropriate provincial-level SSC-sanctioned meet(s). Certification at Level 2 is a Branch responsibility.
Currency requirements
In order to retain currency at Level 2, an official must work at least one appropriate competition each year. Inactive referees are downgraded to Level 1 after two years of inactivity, and de-listed after three years.
Upgrade requirements
Level 3 performance, under most assessment headings, would be expected of a Level 2 referee as a chief at provincial-level competitions, and level 2 performance as an assistant at a national-level meet before considering advancement to Level 3B.
*Slides*
Announcements/Warnings
p Warnings (OS)
§ To whom?
§ Where?
p Disqualifications
§ To whom?
§ Where?
§ How?
Racing Rules – Olympic Style
p General Rules
p Racing Fouls
§ Snow lines
§ Cross over
§ Lapping
§ Pace making
p No Race
Racing Rules – Mass Start
p Mass Start General Rules
p Racing Fouls
p Advancement
p Other Infractions
Appeals and Protests
p Who?
p What?
p When?
p How?
§ Appeals
§ Protests
Compiling Results
p Age Class Mass Start
p All-Points
p Olympic Style
Other Officials
p Starter
p Timers
p Place Judges
p Lap Recorders
Second Takes
p Restart/Rerun
p Re-skate
§ Skater requests
▫ Pursuit
▫ Olympic style
§ Referee offers
▫ Pursuit
▫ Olympic style
DQ Consequences
p Pursuit
p Age Class Mass Start
p All-points
p Olympic Style
Progression
p Pursuits
p ST Age Class
p ST All-Points
p LT Mass Start
p LT Olympic Style
Seeding Pursuits
p Groups
p Pairs
p Re-skates
Seeding Olympic Style
p Draw for Sprint
§ First day
§ Second day
p Draw for All-Round
§ First two distances
§ Third distance
§ Last distance (Quartets)
Seeding Mass Start
p ST basic (times)
p ST SSC (province)
p ST All-points
p LT Mass Start
Review of Rules
p Seeding
p Advancement
p Effect of disqualification
p Re-skates
p Rules concerning other officials
p Compiling Results
p Protests
Long Track Checks
p Mass Start
p Olympic Style
Short Track Checks
p Pursuits
p Age Class
p All-points
Always Check
p Facilities
p Eligibility
p Classes
p Distances
p Order
Before the Competition
p Review the “Bibles”
p Checklists
§ Always
§ Short Track
§ Long Track
Introduction
p Role of the Referee (N2-101 to 105, ISU 216 to 220, 290)
p Certification at Level 2 (O2-102, diagram at the end of Section O)
p Progression to Level 3 (O2-103, diagram at the end of Section O)
Level Two Referee Clinic
p Introduction
p Before the Meet
p General Rules Review
p Racing Rules
Introduction
p Role of the Referee (N2-101 to 105,, ISU 290)
p Certification at Level 2 (O2-102, diagram at at the end of Section O)
p Progression to Level 3 (O2-103. diagram at the end of Section O)
Before the Competition
p Review the “Bibles”
p Checklists
§ Always
§ Short Track
§ Long Track
▫ Hierarchy of “Bibles” Review any special rules applicable to the meet
Always Check
p Facilities
p Eligibility
p Classes
p Distances
p Order
§ Always
▫ Facilities (ISU 203, 204, N1-100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106)
▫ Volunteers/Officials
▫ Administrative arrangements (tsp, meals times, etc)
▫ Equipment (see Rule Book, ISU 226, 227, 280, Memorandum if applicable, N14-101)
▫ Officials
▫ Eligibility (K20-101)
▫ Movement
▫ Classes (K21-100, K3-100, K3-102)
▫ Distances (K22-100)
▫ Order (K26-100, K8-100 ISU 200, 201, 282)
Short Track Checks
p a - Pursuits
p b - Age Class
p c - All-points
a) Pursuits
§ Rules
§ Starting
§ Ice Temperatures and maintenance (must maintain consistency)
b) Age Class
§ Entries (for seeding)
§ Distances
§ Advancement
§ Access to ice
c) All-Points
§ Rules
§ Groups
§ Distances
Long Track Checks
p a - Mass Start
p b - Olympic Style
a) Mass Start
§ Lane width
§ Seeding and advancement
§ Bibs, etc.
§ Weather, wind chill, etc.
▫ Clerk station
▫ Officials roster
§ Safety precautions
b) Olympic Style
§ Weather
§ Program
§ Padding, etc.
§ Lane marking (ISU 203 to 206), N1-101)
§ Armbands
Review of Rules
p Seeding
p Advancement
p Effect of disqualification
p Re-skates
p Rules concerning other officials
p Compiling Results
p Protests
Seeding Mass Start
p ST basic (times)
p ST CASSA (province)
p ST All-Points
p LT Mass Start
Seeding Olympic Style
p Draw for Sprint
§ First Day
§ Second Day
p Draw for All-Round
§ First two distances
§ Third distance
§ Last distance (Quartets?)
p Seeding Olympic Style
Draw for Sprint HP Bulletin (yr.)
§ Pairs in order of ranking for each distance
§ Draw pairs within groups
§ Slowest group goes first
§ Second day, pair iaw results after 2 & 3 dist, change lanes, slow pair first
p Draw for All-Round
Seed groups of 8 to 16 based on last ranking
§ First and Third distance (500, 1500) (500, 3000)
= Draw pairs, skate in order drawn, slow group first
§ Second distance (1000W, 1500M)
= Pairs based on total points after 2 distances (ties: use first dist pts)
= Starting order of pairs opposite to ranking
§ Fourth Distance (3000W, 5000M)
= 12 only, (may be more)
= pairs based on points after 3 distance finish (ties: 3rd dist time)
= if 1-6 in 3rd dist not there, they replace 12…etc.
= starting order opposite to ranking
§ Quartets