San Diego County Tennis Umpires
General Information About Training
- Training Offered Locally by SDCTUA
SDCTUA offers a variety of training opportunities and direction for new officials and experienced officials as well. Occasional special training events take place from time to time, such as clinics for chair umpires, ITA clinics (collegiate), or training for roving officials. SDCTUA also holds training events on meeting nights one hour before the bi-monthly business meeting. In addition, the Southern California Tennis Association (SCTA) conducts training for rookie officials. The USTA supports the work of SDCTUA and SCTA by providing training materials and also provides schools, instructors and materials for the annual certification events held around the country each year. -
National Training Offered by the USTA
The USTA sponsors national training program for officials. Re-certification schools for previously certified officials usually occur towards the beginning of each year (USTA 2003 Officials School Schedule), the last such event scheduled for May. In 2003, successful completion of the Basic Certification School is required of all working officials. The Basic school is for re-certification only and is not intended for new officials. In addition to the Basic school, there are national schools for Referee and Intercollegiate tennis officiating (ITA) usually held the same weekend as the Basic schools. Referee and ITA schools are usually 4 hours each. See USTA Regulations for specific certification requirements for officials.
- Training
Opportunities in Southern California
SCTA offers structured training for new officials, including classroom and on court material. As of this writing the "rookie school" consists of 2 full-day sessions held in a central southern California location such as Fullertion at the CSU campus there. Schools are conducted 3 to 4 times per year and require completion of open book exam on the rules of tennis. Questions come from (and answers can be found in) the USTA Friend At Court; a copy is provided to each participant who takes the exam. Interested individuals should contact the coordinator for training for SCTA if they would like to attend. Once the school is completed, "rookies" are required to complete a 4 day internship, working on court under direct supervision of an experienced official. Once the internship is complete, the new official is clear to work in the section as a provisional official and is certified by USTA.