Accreditation Grid
USAFL Umpires Association
Accreditation Grid
June 2025
Purpose
The purpose of this Accreditation Grid is to show what skills and knowledge are expected of an umpire for each level of accreditation for each discipline.
IC – Introductory Certification, DA – Development Accreditation, AA – Advanced Accreditation
FIELD
| Description | IC | DA | AA |
| Whistle Use – for start and end of the period, marks, infringements, and out of bounds | X | X | X |
| Signals – proper signals for infringements, goals/behinds, throw ins | X | X | X |
| Ruck Contests – ensure fair contests (no pushing, holding) | X | X | X |
| Marking contests – call and signal play on if no infringement, reward free kick with a whistle and signal if infringement | X | X | X |
| Basic Positioning on field – stay within tramlines, keep 20-25 yards from play and from partner | X | X | |
| Communication with partners – voice and non-verbal signals to maintain which partner is in control | X | X | |
| Blow-Show-Go – perform all three features, including “go” to next contest position as appropriate | X | X | |
| Decisions: Holding the Ball – proper use of decision-making process to determine when to call play on versus an infringement | X | X | |
| Decisions: 50m Penalty – correct application and administration of 50m penalty (distance, who gets kick) | X | X | |
| Player Interaction – proper communication with players (show respect, maintain control) and when (behind play, after goal/behind, during break) | X | X | |
| Protected Zone – proper application of the protected zone for players with head over the ball | X | ||
| Field Positioning – anticipate where play will be next and get side on to contest | X | ||
| Dangerous Tackles – applying rules regarding dangerous tackles (free kick, 50m penalty, card) | X | ||
| Teamwork: Tap-through – proper use of tap through signal to switch with partner | X | ||
| Advantage Call – correct use of advantage call and signal when infringement is called and same team can advance | X | ||
| Yellow/Red Card – proper use of Yellow for a “cool off”; proper use of a Red for a reportable incident; proper administration of penalty | X | ||
| Player count – proper application of rules for player count and administration of result | X | ||
| Support (teaching, coaching, mentoring) of junior umpires – senior umpires help grow junior umpires | X |
Boundary
| Description | IC | DA | AA |
| Whistle Use – For out of bounds, touched out of bound, and out on the full | X | X | X |
| Signals – For out of bounds, touched out of bound, and out on the full | X | X | X |
| Throw-in Height: Provide consistent contest ensuring the ball drop is between 12 & 2 o’clock as a guide | X | X | X |
| Correct set play positioning – Centre Ball Ups | X | X | |
| Correct set play positioning – Ball Ups / Stoppages | X | X | |
| Correct set play positioning – Set Shots on Goal | X | X | |
| Positioning – Create “safe working distance” from acts of play within 10m of boundary line. Safe working distance = 15-20m from any act of play within 10m of line | X | X | |
| Throw-in Distance: Provide consistent contest: the throw-in to land between 15-18m from the boundary line. The Umpire does not need to throw from the line to achieve this. | X | X | |
| Throw-in Direction: provide consistent contest by throwing towards center of the ground | X | X | |
| Correct Positioning – 2, 3 or 4 umpire system | X | ||
| Proactive Positioning – anticipation of play – not being reactive to transitional phases of play – Free Kicks, Turnovers, Clearances, Marks, Switches in play, entering/exiting 50m zone | X |
GOAL
| Description | IC | DA | AA |
| X | X | X |