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Technical Officials Certification Program

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Level 1

v2024.07.07

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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• Understand the development program objectives:

https://www.worldobstacle.org/official-development

• Understand the code of conduct
• Understand the scope of technical officiating
• Understand how to develop as a Judge
• Understand the judges' role and responsibilities
• Understand communication and safety procedures
• Understand competition rules and race categories
• Understand how to manage penalties, and disqualifications
• Understand protests and the appeals procedure

THE ROLE OF JUDGES

• Ensuring a fair and safe competition environment for athletes

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• A serious and professional approach to judging

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• A commitment to excellence

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• Meet the requirements as specified by the International Olympic Committee

ETHICS & CONDUCT

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• Adhere to Code of conduct
• Focus on fair play and safe competition
• Understand the competition rules
• Consistently apply the competition rules
• Remain objective
• Do not show favoritism

JUDGE CERTIFICATION OBJECTIVES

• To grow and develop the sport globally by making Judge certification accessible to all National Federations (NFs) and their members.

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• Providing a certification framework for Judges for NFs to develop obstacle sports in their country with effective Judges from grassroots to world level events.

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• Providing a development system to increase Judge’s competence and effectiveness through international standards.

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• To provide a mechanism by which Judges from all NFs can progress along specific technical pathways: OCR Cross Country, OCR Track and Ninja.

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• Quality assurance by providing standards in a flexible framework that adapts to the large range of obstacle disciplines and events.

CODE OF CONDUCT 1

• Be knowledgeable and abide by World Obstacle Bylaws and Regulations, Code of Ethics, Competition Rules and other World Obstacle policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Be fair, consistent, and impartial to ensure equitable treatment for all competitors.
• Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and procedures for the particular event or position assigned and review them prior to a competition.
• Cooperate with fellow judges to conduct competition in a safe and professional manner. Be courteous and avoid confrontations or making derogatory comments to athletes, coaches, spectators, or other judges.
• Demonstrate respect and courtesy for other judges. Avoid interfering with duties assigned to other judges or publicly questioning the performance of other judges.
• Assist in correctly applying rules and support final decisions rendered by chief judges. Provide and accept performance feedback in a positive manner.

CODE OF CONDUCT 2

• Honor all assignments and agreements made for performance of judging and support duties.
• Do not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, or other protected characteristic.
• Do not engage in harassment by making unwelcome advances, remarks, or display of materials where such would create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
• Do not fraternize with athletes or coaches, provide tips or comments which could be construed as coaching for any athlete, nor cheer for or provide encouragement to athletes or teams during a competition.
• Do not use tobacco products while in the field of competition, nor consume alcohol or drugs before or during a competition.
• Do not seek recognition or attention during a competition.
• Conduct an honest self-evaluation after each competition to identify errors made and areas for improvement and be receptive to suggestions for improvement.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Pre-race support
• Start and finish judge
• Obstacle judge
• Race referee (CTO)
• Timekeeper
• Post race support

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Volunteers and volunteer marshals are not Judges and have no authority to make decisions that effect a race or competition

SAFE SPORT & ATHLETE SAFEGUARDING

Our mission is to make athlete well-being a priority for Obstacle athletes worldwide. All athletes deserve to participate in Obstacle Sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct or any form of emotional or physical abuse.

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www.worldobstacle.org/safe-sport

Safeguarding: Measures and initiatives which are put in place to prevent harassment and abuse:

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1. Psychological abuse
2. Physical abuse
3. Sexual abuse
4. Harassment
5. Neglect

https://olympics.com/ioc/safe-sport

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IOC Resources

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1. Specially developed educational tools and awareness-raising materials, which are free to use
2. IOC Athlete Safeguarding Toolkit
3. IOC Athlete Safeguarding Webinar Series

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SAFE SPORT & ATHLETE SAFEGUARDING

World Obstacle’s Sport Safety Guidelines:

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• Treat everyone with respect, and refrain from all forms of communication, action or behaviour that may be perceived as offensive.
• Avoid body contact that may be perceived as unwanted.
• Avoid all types of verbal intimacy that may be perceived as sexually charged.
• Avoid expressions, jokes and opinions that relate to the athlete's gender or sexual orientation in a negative way.
• Seek to have both sexes represented in the support network.
• Avoid contact with the athletes in private spaces unless there are several persons present or in agreement with parents/guardians or the sports management.
• Show respect for the athletes, coaches and leader's private life.
• Avoid dual relationships. If a reciprocal relationship is established, the situation should be raised and clarified openly.
• Do not offer any form of reward with the purpose of demanding or anticipating sexual services in return.
• Take action and give notice if a breach of these rules is experienced.

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Contents

Start arch

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LEVEL 1: ASSISTANT JUDGE

• Prior experience as a race marshal at 3 events.
• Attend level 1 Assistant Judge training certification.
• Pass the level 1 Assistant Judge test.
• Officiate at a minimum of one (1) NF sanctioned event, supervised by a Level 2+ Judge.
• Be in good physical condition and be capable of standing / walking for several hours.
• Understand the general competition rule: https://www.worldobstacle.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2020-FISO-Competition-Rules-MSD.pdF
• Demonstrate practical knowledge of competition rules.
• Complete re-certification training every 3-years.
• National background check as required to meet national laws.
• Complete Safeguarding / SafeSport training every 2-3-years, aligned to national laws.

LEVEL 2 JUDGE

These criteria are applied to each technical pathway (OCR Cross Country, OCR Track and Ninja):

• Officiate at a minimum of two (2) NF sanctioned events, supervised by a Level 2+ Judge.
• Officiate at one (1) additional National Championship or National Series event.
• Attend level 2 Judge training certification for the specific pathway.
• Pass the level 2 Judge level test.
• Understand the specific competition rules for the specific technical pathway
• Complete re-certification training every 3-years.
• National background check as required to meet national laws.
• Complete Safeguarding / SafeSport training every 2-3-years, aligned to national laws.

LEVEL 3 INTERNATIONAL JUDGE

These criteria are applied to each technical pathway (OCR Cross Country, OCR Track and Ninja):

• Officiate at one (1) International Championship or International Series event.
• Receive a recommendation from a level 3 report at an international event.
• Attend level 3 International Judge training certification for the specific technical pathway.
• Pass the level 3 International Judge level test.
• Complete re-certification training every 3-years.
• National background check as required to meet national laws.
• Complete Safeguarding / SafeSport training every 2-3-years, aligned to national laws.
• WADA or National anti-doping awareness training every 2-3 years.
• Being able to communicate in English

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL ROLES

Senior International Judge (SIJ): FISO SIJs are Senior International Technical Officials (SITO) who are nominated under technical parameters and annually selected from the best Level 3 IJs based upon the previous two seasons. The selected judges will be part of a list prepared by the FISO Technical Officials Committee.

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FISO Technical Delegates (TD): FISO TDs are Senior International Technical Officials (SITO) who are selected by the FISO Event Management Team for major international competitions.

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Both roles require:

• National background check as required to meet national laws.
• Complete Safeguarding / SafeSport training every 2-3-years, aligned to national laws.
• Complete WADA or National anti-doping awareness training every 2-3 years.

COMMON DISCIPLINES & FORMATS

Obstacle sport disciplines

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• OCR

- Track (100m to 800m

- Cross Country (3k to Ultra)

• Ninja:

- Speed

- Technical (furthest fastest)

• Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Discipline

Obstacle sports formats

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• Individual
• Team Relay
• Team Assist

RACE CATEGORIES

Competitive

• Elite: minimum age as specified for the competition
• Youth: 6 to 15 (age on race day)
• Junior: 16 to 19 (age is year of birth / age on December 31)
• Senior: 20-39 (5-year age groups)
• Masters: 40+ to oldest athlete (5-year age groups)
• Adaptive: up to 5 categories PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5

Competitive Age Groups

• Youth: 2-year age groups - 6/7, 8/9, 10/11, 12/13, 14/15
• Junior: 2-year age groups - 16/17, 18/19
• Senior: 5-year age groups - 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39
• Masters: 5-year age groups - 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69
• Veteran: 2-year age groups – 70/71, 72/73 … to oldest competitor

Non-competitive

• Open: youth through adults

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EXPECTATIONS

Judges need to know the competition rules and behave in a professional manner.

Three primary requirements for judges are:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the competition rules
2. Knowledge and compliance with policies and procedures
3. Professional behavior

Judges are held accountable to meet these requirements!

VERBAL & NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

• Be friendly
• Speak with confidence
• Active listening

BEHAVIOUR & PRESENTATION

• Be professional - visible - firm - fair
• Do not disrupt an athlete’s preparation or race
• Do not touch an athlete unless necessary for safety
• Stay focused on your task
• Highlight disagreement professionally to next level of official

RADIO VOICE PROCEDURE

• Use pre-arranged call signs and do not change them
• Use the phonetic alphabet to spell words or to state letters
• Use 24-hour time

RSVP

• Rhythm: use pauses
• Speed: speak slowly
• Volume: speak clearly and direct into the microphone
• Pitch: higher than your normal

CALL FORMAT

• Say who you calling first, e.g. HQ [Headquarters]
• Say who you are. i.e. say THIS IS.
• Confirm when finished speaking, i.e. OVER
• Confirm the conversation is finished by saying OUT

Example call where HQ is calling Judge Alpha Charlie

• Judge Alpha Charlie, this is HQ, over
• HQ, this Alpha Charlie, go ahead, over
• Alpha Charlie, do you know where the course markers are, over
• HQ, they are in the check-in tent, over
• Alpha Charlie, thank you, HQ out
• Alpha Charlie out

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Whistle
• Notepad and pencil
• Basic first aid kit
• Camera / Smartphone
• Sun protection

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• Thermal survival bag
• Hand sanitizer
• Clothing and footwear e.g. waterproofs
• Nutrition & hydration

DANGER = HAZARD + RISK

DANGER is a combination of HAZARD (the ability to cause harm) + RISK (the likelihood of exposure). Hazards can be mitigated through the application of 3 principles, known as the Safety Hierarchy:

1. Hazard Elimination If practical, remove the hazard
2. Guards and Enclosures If you can’t eliminate the hazard entirely, enclose or guard it to protect the athlete
3. Warnings and Instructions If you can’t guard the hazard, instruct or warn the athlete of the dangers

Best practice is to use all three principals:

ELIMINATE – GUARD - WARN

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OBSTACLE DEFINITION

Event organizers are expected to provide an overview for athletes and TOs explaining how obstacles should be completed.

INTENT OF RULES

• Competition Rules specify the conduct and behavior of athletes during competition

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• Create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, equality, and fair play

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• Provide safety and protection for the athletes

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• Emphasize ingenuity and skill without limiting the athlete’s freedom of action

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• Penalize athletes who gain or attempt to gain an unfair advantage

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https://www.worldobstacle.org/competition-rules/

EVENT SPECIFIC RULES

• You should refer to individual event rules for obstacle definitions and competition rules.
• FISO is facilitating alignment of competition rules at a national level while still retaining obstacle and course innovation.

OCR TRACK RULES

• Start: buzzer, gun, air horn, voice

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• Fail an obstacle (red flag + verbal warning):

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• 1^st failure the athlete can try again after going through and around the obstacle
• 2^nd failure: athlete leaves the course

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• Finish: buzzer, lever, button, manual timing

OCR CROSS COUNTRY�3-BAND SYSTEM

• International system approved by World Obstacle meeting international sport and broadcast requirements
• Increases fairness
• Improves course flow
• Easier to judge
• Reduces staffing load
• Each athletes starts with three bands
• If an athlete fails a mandatory obstacle, they lose a band
• If an athlete loses three bands, they are ranked Did Not Complete (DNC) and are ranked below all athlete who finish with bands
• Athletes with at least 1 band when they reach the penalty earn a band back for each loop they complete
• All athletes must finish with three bands to rank and qualify for an award

OBSTACLE FAILURE

• Using non-allowed parts of the obstacle for assistance. e.g., the side of the frame to assist with progress through the obstacle

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• Using the ground for assistance while moving through a suspension obstacle

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• Using other people for assistance if not approved, e.g., climbing over a high wall

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• Not completing the obstacle or touching the start or end point, e.g., not using a step, hitting the bell, or using a required grip

PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS 1

Starting before the starter’s signal

• Recall the athlete to restart behind the field

Failing to follow the prescribed course

• Stop and Go and re-enter the race at the point of departure
• Failure to comply then DSQ (disqualification)

Using abusive language or behavior toward any official

• DSQ and report to race management for possible suspension

Using unsportsmanlike behavior

• DSQ and report to the race management for possible suspension

Blocking, charging, obstructing, or interfering the forward progress of another athlete

• Unintentionally: verbal warning
• Intentionally: DSQ

PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS 2

Unfair contact

• Incidental contact between athletes in equally favorable positions is not a violation
• Unintentional contact that impedes another athlete: verbal warning
• Intentional contact that interferes with another athlete: DSQ

Accepting assistance from anyone other than a technical official or athlete on the same team (team race)

• If it is possible to amend and return to the original location (e.g., start of an obstacle): Stop and Go
• If not: DSQ

PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS 3

Departing the course for reasons of safety, but failing to re-enter at the point of departure

• Unintentionally: verbal warning, and correction – must renter at departure point
• Failure to renter at departure point: DSQ
• Intentional: DSQ

Failure to wear the unaltered race numbers and wrist bands

• Stop and Go, when amended
• If not; DSQ

PENALTIES AND VIOLATIONS 4

Wearing items deemed a hazard to self or others

• Stop, and Go when amended
• If not: DSQ

Using illegal or unauthorized equipment to provide an advantage or which will be dangerous to others

• Stop, and Go when amended
• If not: DSQ

Failure to use mandatory equipment, if required

• Unintentionally: verbal warning, and correct if possible
• Intentionally: DSQ

PROTEST TYPES

There are six protest types, concerning:

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• the course
• obstacles
• application of the rules
• action of an athlete, staff, volunteer, or official
• athlete eligibility
• timing

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PROTESTS AND APPEALS

The Technical Delegate (TD) is responsible for ensuring all aspects of the FISO Competition Rules.

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The Chief Technical Official (Race Referee) is responsible to the Technical Delegate to hear and make final decisions on all rule violations reported by Technical Officials.

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A Protest is a formal complaint by an athlete, coach, team manger, or member of a national team entourage regarding an action or inaction in a competition. A protest must be filed as specified in the FISO Competition Rules and submitted to the Chief Technical Official.

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A protest Appeal can be requested for a Protest decision and is submitted to the TD.

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THANK YOU!