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Officiating · Version 1.0

Referee Certification Policy

The national framework for educating, certifying, and developing Typti referees — a five-level pathway from community official to referee educator.

At a glance

  • Five certification levels: Community Official → Referee Educator
  • Level 1 State Referee: 2-day course, 75% pass mark
  • Certification runs on a 3-year cycle with Continuing Referee Education
  • Independent appeals within 30 days of any decision

1Purpose

The Indian Typti Federation (ITYF) Referee Certification Program establishes a national framework for the education, certification, and continuous development of Typti referees. The objectives of the program are to:

  • Ensure fair and consistent application of the Rules of Typti.
  • Develop competent and confident match officials.
  • Maintain the integrity of ITYF-sanctioned competitions.
  • Create a structured pathway for referee development from grassroots to national level.

2Guiding Principles

Every ITYF referee shall:

  • Officiate with impartiality and integrity.
  • Apply the rules consistently.
  • Maintain professionalism on and off the court.
  • Prioritize player safety and fair play.
  • Represent ITYF with dignity and respect.

3Certification Levels

LevelTitleEligible Events
Level 0Community OfficialSchool, club and introductory events
Level 1State RefereeDistrict and State tournaments
Level 2National RefereeNational ranking events and championships
Level 3Chief RefereeNational Championships, Premier Events
Level 4Referee EducatorReferee education and certification courses

4Level 0 – Community Official

Designed for volunteers, teachers, academy staff and beginners who wish to assist at local events.

Duration
4–6 Hours
Assessment
Participation and practical demonstration
Validity
2 Years
  • Introduction to Typti
  • Rules of the game
  • Court setup
  • Match procedures
  • Scoring system
  • Basic player conduct
  • Safety

5Level 1 – State Referee

Eligibility
Minimum 18 years of age; ITYF membership; basic knowledge of Typti; good standing with ITYF
Course Duration
2 Days (16 Hours)
Passing Score
75%
Validity
3 Years

Curriculum covers the official rules of Typti, court dimensions, equipment standards, match procedures, scoring, time regulations, the player code of conduct, referee signals, match administration, tournament operations, dispute resolution, and professional conduct.

Assessment
ComponentWeight
Written Examination40%
Practical Officiating40%
Rules & Scenario Assessment20%

6Level 2 – National Referee

Eligibility
Active Level 1 certification; minimum officiating experience at State-level events; recommendation from State Association or ITYF Technical Committee
Course Duration
3 Days
Passing Score
80%

The curriculum advances into rules interpretation, tournament management, appeals procedures, match documentation, team competitions, advanced dispute resolution, communication skills, video review where applicable, and player-behaviour management.

Successful candidates are eligible to officiate National Championships and ITYF National Ranking Events.

7Level 3 – Chief Referee

This certification prepares experienced officials to lead major tournaments. Responsibilities include:

  • Supervising referees
  • Interpreting complex rules
  • Handling appeals during events
  • Coordinating tournament operations
  • Reporting to ITYF
  • Conducting referee briefings
Passing Score
85%

8Level 4 – Referee Educator

Awarded by invitation or appointment by ITYF. Responsibilities include:

  • Conducting referee certification courses
  • Developing educational material
  • Mentoring referees
  • Assessing certification candidates
  • Supporting state referee development

9Referee Code of Conduct

Every certified referee shall:

  • Officiate fairly and without bias.
  • Apply the rules consistently.
  • Treat all participants with respect.
  • Remain calm and professional under pressure.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest.
  • Not accept gifts or benefits that could influence decisions.
  • Maintain confidentiality where appropriate.
  • Promote the reputation of Typti and ITYF.

10Continuing Referee Education (CRE)

To maintain certification, referees should continue developing their knowledge and skills. Over each three-year certification cycle, referees are encouraged to complete Continuing Referee Education through:

  • ITYF workshops.
  • Rule update seminars.
  • Practical officiating assignments.
  • Online learning modules.
  • Referee conferences.

11Certification Renewal

Certification is valid for three years. Renewal requires:

  • Active ITYF membership.
  • Completion of required CRE activities.
  • Compliance with the Referee Code of Conduct.
  • Payment of renewal fee.
  • No unresolved disciplinary matters.

12Referee Registration

Each certified referee shall receive:

  • Unique Referee ID.
  • Digital Certificate.
  • Referee License Card.
  • Listing in the ITYF National Referee Directory.
  • Eligibility for appointment to ITYF-sanctioned tournaments according to certification level.

13Referee Appointment

Appointments to ITYF-sanctioned events shall be made based on:

  • Certification level.
  • Experience.
  • Performance evaluations.
  • Availability.
  • Conflict-of-interest considerations.

Appointment decisions shall be made by the ITYF Technical or Officiating Committee.

14Performance Evaluation

Referees may be evaluated during tournaments on:

  • Rules knowledge.
  • Accuracy of decisions.
  • Match management.
  • Communication.
  • Professionalism.
  • Punctuality.
  • Report writing.

Performance feedback should be constructive and support continuous improvement.

15Certification Fees (Illustrative)

CertificationFee (₹)
Community Official2,000
Level 1 – State Referee10,000
Level 2 – National Referee15,000
Level 3 – Chief Referee20,000
Renewal3,000–5,000

Fees may be revised by the ITYF Executive Board from time to time.

16Suspension or Revocation

A referee's certification may be suspended or revoked for:

  • Serious misconduct.
  • Bias or repeated incorrect application of the rules.
  • Harassment or abuse.
  • Falsification of records.
  • Bringing ITYF or the sport into disrepute.
  • Breach of the ITYF Code of Ethics.

Disciplinary action shall follow due process, including notice and an opportunity to respond.

17Appeals

Any referee may appeal a certification or disciplinary decision within 30 days. Appeals shall be reviewed by the ITYF Appeals Committee, whose decision shall be final within the federation's internal processes.

18Long-Term Vision

The ITYF Referee Development Program aims to:

  • Certify 500+ referees across India within five years.
  • Establish a State Referee Development Program in every affiliated state.
  • Deliver standardized referee education nationwide.
  • Create a national pool of Chief Referees for premier events.
  • Recognize excellence through annual ITYF Referee Awards.