Growing and Supporting Pickleball in Europe
Growing and Supporting Pickleball in Europe
EPF REFEREE LEVEL 2 COURSE
March 2026 - Germany
HOW IS THE COURSE STRUCTURED? AND WHAT DO I GET?
Part I – Online Course:
- You must access the EPF website, download the new version of the Rulebook and learn it thoroughly. In order to access most officiating material such as the Officiating Handbook and Casebook for example, you must become an EPF member (10€ per year).
- We will create a WhatsApp group and communicate through there.
- Two online classes with Gail/USAP team will be scheduled for the 1st and 8th of February (Sundays at 7pm CET). If you miss a class, you may later watch the recording.
- Homework tasks will be sent to you via email. They must be completed and delivered to Gail within the expected deadlines. Some homework tasks have several parts.
Make sure you score 100% on all 4 USAP Tests (Player Test, Referee Test, Line Judge Test and Officiating Procedures Test) and send the results to maria@epfpb.org or Gail between the 15th of February and the 8th of March! The tests can be repeated many times.
- If your EPF Visual Acuity Form has expired, you must deliver a current one (available on the EPF website) to maria@epfpb.org or Gail.
- Before the end of February, referee a minimum of 12 recreational or competitive matches and submit one reflective essay (Guide & Example) to Gail describing your experiences.
- Send a video (audio included) of yourself refereeing a game to Gail.
- Once everything has been received by the organization before the deadline, the 8th of March (!) and the payment for Part II has also been transferred, you will then receive a confirmation that you have been accepted to attend Part II of the course.
Part II – On-site Course in Burgholzhausen, GERMANY:
Continue practicing your refereeing before coming for your on-court assessment.
A maximum of 10 participants will be assessed at this tournament. This part of the course takes three days: one day for oral assessment and scenarios, one day for on-court practice and one day for the on-court assessment itself.
- Bring plain, black clothes and shoes for the tournament. Scoresheets will be provided, but bring your referee equipment.
- On Friday evening, the 13th of March, participants will go through an individual, oral assessment covering different topics which will include non-standard time-outs, penalties for inappropriate behaviour, match withdrawals, retirements and forfeits. Different scenarios will also be displayed on-court to test your knowledge.
On Saturday, the 14th of March, Gail and her team will be supervising and coaching you as you referee matches.
- On Sunday, the 15th of March, Gail and her team will observe your competencies as a referee using the complete USAP Tiered Referee Rating Form.