Men's Officials Training Program - FAQs 

Questions

1. What is the Men's Officials' Training Program?
2. Where can I get trained?
3. How much does it cost?
4. When do I get my training materials?
5. What about a rulebook?
6. Who can participate in the training? Do I have to be a USL member?
7. What are the benefits of the training program? 
8. How does the testing work?
9. US Lacrosse doesn’t have a record for me, or my training is not noted on my record. What does that mean?
10. How do I get proof of insurance as an official?
11. How do I get my game schedule for the season?
12. I’m starting out as a youth official, but what if I decide I’d like to officiate other levels of the game?

1. What is the Men's Officials' Training Program?
US Lacrosse continues to evolve its training and requirments for men's lacrosse officials. Currently, training consists of clinics that incorporate the Officials Training Manual, Officials Training videos, presentations by certified trainers, and practical on-the-field experience and evaluation.

2. Where can I get trained?
Training occurs throughout the year in different areas of the country. For local training information, please contact your District Training Coordinator. You can also check our schedule of local training dates and sites, contact your local chapter of US Lacrosse, or e-mail us at officials@uslacrosse.org.

3. How much does it cost?
The cost of training can vary in different areas based on many variables. The baseline cost is $50 for your US Lacrosse membership, which provides you with certain benefits. This excludes a trainer's fee and other costs involved in the training such as facility charges, association dues, uniforms, equipment, etc. In some instances, your local US Lacrosse chapter or Lacrosse Officials Association may offset the costs of training to help grow the number of qualified officials in your area.

4. When do I get my training materials?
You will usually receive your training materials at your first classroom training session. US Lacrosse is working on providing these materials to you online to facilitate easier access in the near future.

5. What about a rulebook?
Currently, US Lacrosse 'Official' category members whose memberships are current as of September 30 receive the upcoming season's rulebook in December. Current season rulebooks are also available through the US Lacrosse online store. Note: It is important to have the current season’s rulebook when training and officiating.

6. Who can participate in the training? Do I have to be a member of US Lacrosse?
Anyone can participate in the training, including coaches, players and fans simply interested in learning more about the game. However, only 'Official' members of US Lacrosse receive some of the benefits of being a US Lacrosse Official.

7. What are the benefits of the training program?
US Lacrosse officials training provides a sound rules, mechanics and game management foundation and is excellent preparation for officials' responsibilities both on and off the field. Also, once you are trained and certified, you will have access to local youth game scheduling and other Us Lacrosse events that require certified officials.

8. How does the testing work?
US Lacrosse is in the process of updating the requirements for becoming a certified official and the testing and evaluations required to do so. Please check back shortly for more information about the 2012 certification requirements.

9. US Lacrosse doesn’t have a record for me, or my training is not noted on my record. What does that mean?
Be sure you have registered your membership with US Lacrosse. Signing up for training and your membership at same time is a great way to make sure your information is noted in a timely fashion. Once you have met the requirements for certification, your trainer should communicate this information to US Lacrosse. So check with your local trainer if US Lacrosse does not have record of your training within a month of its completion.

10. How do I get proof of insurance as an official?
Your US Lacrosse 'Official' membership includes the insurance you need to be covered comprehensively on the field. Your membership number is your proof of insurance. Visit the insurance section of the US Lacrosse web site for more information on the coverage.

11. How do I get my game schedule for the season?
It is intended that only trained officials who are current 'Certified Official' members of US Lacrosse will be placed on local officiating schedules. Members who have not been trained or passed their certification requirements and are trainees who are not members will not receive a schedule by their local assigning authorities. Your local assigning authorities are responsible for creating the officials' schedules for your area. Your trainer can give you more information about contacting that assigning group once your training is complete.

12. I’m starting out as a youth official, but what if I decide I’d like to officiate other levels of the game?
Experienced officials who can put in longtime service to the youth game are greatly needed and critical to the growth and development of the sport and younger officials. However, there are many opportunities to advance. If you would like to add high school games to your schedule, you should contact your local trainer to inquire about what additional steps and requirments you may need in order to be assigned to those games. In the case of college and post-collegiate officiating, additional training, testing, and most importantly practice, practice, practice will help you get to that level. Ask your trainer to assign you a mentor and to get information about opportunities to prepare for and officiate at other levels of the game in your community.