Officiating Program

Squash Doubles is one of the most fun and entertaining variants of squash, but with two more players on the court than singles, there is inherently more interference. The presence of knowledgeable and qualified referees enhances safety and ensures consistently fair outcomes. The goals of the US Squash Doubles Officiating Certification Program are:

  • Provide a pathway for players and squash enthusiasts to become trained squash doubles referees.
  • Improve overall awareness and understanding of rules among squash doubles players.
  • Populate a stable of qualified doubles referees to officiate tournaments of all levels starting with the national championships and professional events and working all the way down to club and league matches.
  • Ensure fair outcomes for the highest percentage of doubles matches possible increasing the enjoyment of squash doubles for everyone.

US Squash members can seek training as a Club, Regional, National, then Professional Doubles Referee. Certifications must be earned in order, and trained individuals are listed on the US Squash Doubles website. Requirements for each level include passing a written exam, providing and receiving assessments and serving as a referee at various levels of doubles events. If requirements aren’t met annually, certification will expire. Safesport certification must be completed for regional referees and above. 

US Squash recognizes Squash Canada’s Provincial and National Certifications as eligible to officiate accredited competition in the United States consistent with the Regional and National eligibilities listed below.

Club Doubles Referee

Requirements

  • Active US Squash Membership
  • Pass Club Doubles Referee Exam (accessed on the Training tab of candidate’s Club Locker Profile)
    • Training expires after 4 years at which time the club level exam needs to be retaken and passed
Eligibility

  • Eligible to compete in National Championships
  • Eligible to referee club and state matches
Expectations

  • Serve as a tournament referee for one state or club tournament per year
Regional Doubles Referee
Requirements

  • Active US Squash Membership
  • Complete Club Doubles Referee training
  • Attend accredited doubles officiating clinic once
  • Passing grade on one assessment by a National Doubles Referee per year
Eligibility

  • Eligible to officiate club, state, and regional competitions
  • Eligible to officiate early rounds of National Championships
Expectations

  • Serve as a tournament referee for one regional tournament per year *(see tournament definition below)
  • Serve as a volunteer referee at one National Championship per year
Certified Regional Referees
National Doubles Referee
Requirements

  • Active US Squash Membership
  • Complete Regional Doubles Referee Certification
  • Teach one doubles clinic per year
  • Receive passing grades on at least five assessments per year, two of which need to be difficult or exceptional passes
  • Provide five assessments to other referees per year
Eligibility

  • Eligible to officiate all competitions including National Championship finals and early round professional matches
  • Eligible to assess other other referees
  • Travel expenses can be covered for National Championships
Expectations

  • Serve as a tournament referee for one National Championship per year
  • Serve as a volunteer referee at one professional event per year
Certified Regional Referees

 

Professional Doubles Referee
Requirements

  • Active US Squash Membership
  • Complete National Doubles Referee Certification
  • Teach one doubles clinic per year
  • Receive passing grades on ten assessments per year, five of which need to be rated as difficult or exceptional passes
  • Provide ten assessments to other referees per year
  • Serve as head tournament referee for at least two National, Regional, or Professional Championships per year
Eligibility

  • Eligible to officiate all competitions and finals at all levels
  • Eligible to assess other other referees
  • Travel expenses can be covered and a $150/day stipend paid for National Championships
Expectations

  • Maintain a consistent presence at doubles events around the country serving as head tournament referee and providing frequent assessments for candidates at lower levels
Certified Regional Referee-=\

Doubles Officiating Clinics

Schedule
Materials

Contact doubles@ussquash.com if you are interested in hosting an officiating clinic in your community.

If you're interested in becoming a trained doubles referee or participating in the program, please click the button below:

Doubles Officiating Interest Form

 

Assessment Methodology

  • Assessment is based on an overall score that is derived from a Call Score and a Skills Score.
  • Total Call Score is calculated by applying one point for each percentage point of points awarded/points possible.
    • Points Awarded – Possible to earn 10 points per call based on the below criteria:
      • Difficulty of the call: rating of 0-5
        • The assessor should assign the rating with 0 being a no-brainer, easy call and 5 being a extraordinarily difficult and non-obvious call.
      • Correct call: rating of 0-2
        • 0: Referee makes a completely incorrect decision
        • 1: Referee’s decision is not ideal
        • 2: Referee’s decision is correct
      • Handling of the decision: rating of 0-3
        • 0: Handled poorly
        • 1: Could have been handled better
        • 2: Handled adequately
        • 3: Exceptionally well handled
      • At the end of the match, total call points are tallied and divided by the total possible (10pts x # of calls).
      • The resulting percentage is the Call Score
    • Total Skill Score is calculated by dividing the number of points earned in each category by the total number of points possible, which is set at 100.
    • Overall score is the sum of the Call Score and Skills Score.
      • 140-159 is a pass
      • 160-179 is a difficult pass
      • 180-200 is an exceptional pass

 

Accelerated Certification

To meet the need for assessors during the infancy of this program, candidates can apply for accelerated National Referee Certification. Candidates should be well known in the doubles community with years of playing experience. Approved candidates may need to complete the following:

      1. Pass Club Doubles Referee Exam
      2. Receive a difficult or exceptional pass on one assessment

Accelerated status will be granted for one year after which, the full National Referee criteria must be satisfied yearly.

* A tournament referee (TR) is the head referee for a squash tournament assigned by the tournament director. The TR assigns officiating duties to other referees serving at an event, oversees officiating by tournament players, and has the final say for any rules confusion, controversy, or conduct issues.