The USTA Officials’ training and evaluation system is developed and disseminated by the
Training and Evaluation Committee. There are 14 National Trainer/Evaluators, and each Section
has its own Sectional Trainer/Evaluators.
The purpose of the system is to ensure consistency in training, technique, and application of
rules and regulations.
T/Es hold re-certification schools annually throughout the country. About 32 schools are conducted
by National T/Es with the remainder being led by Sectional T/Es. Provisional schools for new
officials are typically taught by Sectional T/Es
In addition, National T/Es conduct Line Training Clinics throughout the year, generally in
association with Challenger-level professional tournaments. Solo Chair Training Schools are held
occasionally.
National T/Es are assigned to evaluate officials, both chairs and lines, upon the request
of Sectional Chairman or the National Chairman. Officials at all levels of experience should consider
these as additional training opportunities. Sectional T/Es evaluate tournaments at the local level.
In addition to the training component, evaluations are used to determine an official’s
appropriate certification level. Basically, an official needs to be evaluated as performing at a level above their current certification level in order to move up.
In the current evaluation system, the following are starting points:
PROFESSIONAL 5.4
NATIONAL 4.4
USTA 3.4
SECTIONAL 2.4
PR0VISIONAL 1.4
Grades below the starting point are indications that an official needs to
improve accuracy, techniques or both.
An evaluation above the starting point shows an above average official for that
certification level, while evaluations of .8 and .0 above the starting point are for officials whose demonstrated skills warrant consideration for promotion.
A Provisional Umpire (with Sectional approval) can move up to Sectional Umpire without evaluations simply by meeting the work requirement (5 days of roving or line work). A Sectional Umpire seeking to move up to USTA Line or USTA Chair Umpire should meet both the work requirement, should
have an average of 2.7 or above from either a National or Sectional T/E and the approval of their Sectional Chair. Separate evaluations are necessary for line and chair evaluations.
To be considered for advancement to National Line certification, a USTA Line Umpire should meet the work requirements and:
· receive a minimum of two evaluations of 3.8 or above on both long lines and baselines and/or serves from at least two different National T/Es.
· not have more than 10 percent below average (3.2 or below) evaluations (with fewer than 10 evaluations, one below average evaluation is permitted).
· have an overall evaluation average of at least 3.7.
· receive the approval of the National Chairman.
To be considered for advancement to National Chair certification, a USTA Chair should meet the work requirements and:
· receive at least two evaluations of 3.7 or above from at least two different National T/Es
· not receive more than one evaluation of 3.2 or lower.
· receive approval of the National Chairman
To be considered for advancement to Professional Line certification, a National Line Umpire should meet the work requirements and:
· receive a minimum of two evaluations of 4.8 or above on both the long lines and baselines and/or serves from at least two different National T/Es
· not have more than 10 percent below average (4.2 or below) evaluations (with fewer than 10 evaluations, one below average evaluation is permitted)
· have an overall evaluation average of at least 4.7
· have at least one service line evaluation of at least 4.4
· receive the approval of the National Chairman
To be considered for advancement to Professional Chair certification, A National Chair Umpire should meet the work requirements and:
· been certified at the National level within the previous two years
· receive the approval of the National Chairman
The National T/E Committee reviews all Professional and National certification levels annually, with recommendations going to the National Chairman. In order to advance to – and maintain – National and Professional certification, an official’s overall work record and evaluations for the previous year must reflect consistent superior performance.
An umpire receiving multiple below-standard evaluations during a year is subject to having their certification level reduced by their Sectional Chairman or the National Chairman.
All officials have a right to know the evaluations they have received. Officials should not hesitate to discuss their performance with T/Es, whose recommendations are often used in the selection of officials for other tournaments.