American-Polocrosse-Umpireprogram

Umpire Program

Leading the Game with Consistency, Safety & Integrity

The APA Umpire Program exists to support the growth, professionalism, and consistency of polocrosse officiating throughout the United States. From first-time players at local tournaments to elite competition at Nationals and international test matches, APA umpires play a vital role in protecting the safety of horse and rider, upholding the rules of the game, and ensuring fair competition on every field.

More than simply enforcing rules, APA umpires are educators, mentors, leaders, and ambassadors for the sport.

A Collaborative, Committee-Based Program

As the APA continues to grow, the Umpire Program is evolving from a structure that relied heavily on a single Chief Umpire role into a more collaborative, committee-based model.

This shared-responsibility approach strengthens:

Communication and accountability
Consistency across regions and tournaments
Umpire education and mentorship
Long-term sustainability of the program

The program is supported by a team of experienced contributors working together in the areas of:

Tournament umpire coordination
Education and certification
Rules and standards
Umpire development and mentoring
International and IPC communication

The Chief Umpire continues to serve as the program’s subject matter expert and final authority on rules interpretation and officiating standards, while the committee structure allows operational responsibilities to be shared across multiple individuals.

Umpire Education & Certification

The APA is committed to developing knowledgeable, confident, and consistent officials through an ongoing education and certification process.

The Umpire Education Program combines:

  1. Online learning and testing
  2. On-field experience
  3. Tournament mentoring
  4. Direct feedback from experienced Tournament Umpires and certified officials

Umpires progress through certification levels as they gain experience, demonstrate rules knowledge, and develop the leadership and communication skills necessary to officiate effectively at higher levels of competition.

The APA believes that umpire development happens both formally and informally. While clinics and testing are important, some of the best education occurs during tournaments themselves. Tournament Umpires are expected to actively teach and mentor on-field umpires throughout events, helping newer officials improve positioning, consistency, communication, and confidence.

The long-term goal of the education program is to:

  1. Create clear development pathways for umpires
  2. Improve consistency nationwide
  3. Support newer officials and growing regions
  4. Develop future Tournament Umpires and international-level officials

Tournament Umpires

Tournament Umpires (TUs) are responsible for helping maintain the quality, consistency, and professionalism of officiating at APA events.

In addition to overseeing umpire scheduling and standards during tournaments, Tournament Umpires are expected to:

  1. Mentor and support on-field umpires
  2. Reinforce APA standards and interpretations
  3. Provide feedback and recommendations for umpire development
  4. Help create a positive and professional tournament environment

Different tournaments require different styles of officiating leadership. Large, highly competitive tournaments require experienced rules experts and proactive game management, while developmental tournaments often benefit from a more educational and mentorship-focused approach.

Rules, Standards & International Alignment

The APA Umpire Program works to maintain consistent application of the rules and standards of play across all regions and levels of competition.

Tournament reports, umpire feedback, and ongoing discussion within the umpire committee help identify:

  1. Areas needing clarification
  2. Potential rule improvements
  3. Opportunities for additional education and consistency

The APA also works closely with the International Polocrosse Council (IPC) to help maintain international alignment in officiating standards and rule interpretation, particularly in preparation for test matches and World Cup competition.

View Standards of Play

Interested in Becoming an Umpire?

Whether you are brand new to officiating or looking to continue developing your skills, the APA welcomes members who are interested in becoming involved in the Umpire Program. Umpiring is a great way to deepen your understanding of the game, support the growth of polocrosse, and become more involved in the APA community.

To learn more about:

Umpire education and certification
Mentorship opportunities
Tournament umpiring
Clinics and development pathways
How to get started

Please contact the APA Chief Umpire for more information at
chiefumpire@americanpolocrosse.org