Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials — Tasks

Task statements

• Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
• Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
• Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
• Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
• Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
• Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
• Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
• Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
• Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
• Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
• Start races and competitions.
• Compile scores and other athletic records.
• Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations, such as starting order or handicap number.
• Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
• Direct participants to assigned areas, such as starting blocks or penalty areas.
• Research and study players and teams to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.