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USA Wheelchair Football League Officials Training

USA Wheelchair Football League Officials Training

Register for 2024 Officials Training

Are you someone with a passion for football and adaptive athletics? We invite you to attend this one day training around becoming a wheelchair football official.

WHO:

  • This training is open to anyone interested in officiating wheelchair football. The one day training will be an introduction to officiating the sport of wheelchair football. Those who have a working knowledge of football will get the most out of this experience.

WHAT:

  • This is a one day camp for officials.
  • Half the day will be spent in the classroom, learning more about the role of officiating, studying film, discussing case studies, on-field scenarios and de-escalation techniques for managing game play.
  • Officials will also gain hands-on experience in the evening by officiating a scrimmage with the GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team. You will get the chance to move through all 5 roles on the field to see each one in person.

WHEN:

  • June 14, 2024
  • Training will start at 9:00 AM and wrap up at 7:00 PM
    • Lunch and Dinner will be provided

WHERE:

  • Lake Forest High School – 1285 N McKinley Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
  • This training is part of the GLASA Great Lakes Games. To learn more and register as an athlete, coach or official, please click here.

HOW MUCH?:

  • Training is free for Move United Member Members and those that provide opportunities free of charge for veterans with disabilities.
    • All training, lunch, dinner and Move United giveaways are covered as part of the training.
  • Attendees are responsible for their own travel fees to/from the training.

Officiating FAQs

Move United Wheelchair Football Officials Requirements

Since 2020, more than 1,000 athletes and coaches have participated in USA Wheelchair Football League programs, growing their skills and love for football. Officials are an essential part of the game and preside over the field of play and ensure our athletes have a fun, safe and fair experience.

All officials should:

  • Have a working knowledge of football and willingness to become proficient and knowledgeable with the USAWFL rulebook to enforce the rules and field safety in a consistent and unbiased manner
    • Experience coaching or officiating football preferred, but not required
  • Complete Online USAWFL Officials Exam
  • Complete SafeSport Training and a Background Check (paid for by Move United)

Ideal Officials Physical Skills and Qualities

Officials are responsible for not only knowing the rules of the game, but enforcing them equally, ensuring safety, and managing potential issues on the field. For those new to officiating who may wonder of officiating is a good fit for them, here are some skills that the most highly effective officials have:

  • Excellent Communication Skills
    • Officials are responsible for informing athletes, coaches and their crew of the rules, discussing infractions and settling disputes
  • Good Decision Making Skills
    • Officials must observe plays and make split-second decisions
  • Flexibility and Willingness to Learn
    • Officials must be able to listen to others on their crew and learn the latest techniques and updates within the sport.
  • Ability to Work as a Team
    • No official works on their own. They must be able to cooperate and come to mutual decisions.
  • Physical Stamina
    • Officials are physically on the field for the same length of play as the team. They must be able to move up and down the field for 90 minutes at a time and often for multiple games in a row.

Physical Requirements:

  • Movement
    • Officials must be able to move at the speed of play for the length of a game, often for several games in a row. This can be done standing or in a wheelchair as long as the official can follow the speed of play.
  • Vision
    • Officials must be able to clearly identify all aspects of the game in real time. This could be at distances of anywhere from 1 yard to 30 yards.
  • Breath Control
    • Official must have enough breath control to be able to effectively blow their whistle in the case of a rules infraction or time out on the field.
  • Upper Body (Arm) Movement
    • Officials wanting to be a lead referee, also referred to here as “white hat”, must be able to effectively signal using the standard arm signs for all players, coaches and timing staff to see.

Benefits for Officials

USA Wheelchair Football League officials are compensated in line with industry standards.

All officials receive:

  • $60/game for Black Hat Roles or $75/game for White Hat Role
    • Officials average 7 games per tournament
  • Reimbursement for travel to tournament (must follow Move United travel policies)
  • Officials Shirt and Hat
    • Officials must provide own black pants, black shoes, whistle, stop watch (if needed) and flags/bean bags.
  • Opportunities to participate in future championship games
  • Knowledge that they’re supporting adaptive athletes to achieve a high quality sports experience

2024 Tournament Opportunities

August 3-4 in Tampa, FL

August 24-25 in Chicago, IL

September 14-15 in Minneapolis, MN

October 19-20 in Las Vegas, NV

For each tournament, all officials will be asked to be available starting late Friday evening and then available all day Saturday and Sunday for game play.

To assist with tournament host budgets, priority is given to 1) experienced officials and 2) those that live within driving distance of a tournament. 

Questions?

Still have questions?

Email football@moveunitedsport.org.

Header Image of official and wheelchair football athletes during coin toss.