USA Wheelchair Football League Officials Training
Become a USA Wheelchair Football League Official
Officials Requirements
Since 2020, more than 700 athletes and coaches have participated in USA Wheelchair Football League programs, growing their skills and love for football. Officials are an essential part of the game and preside over the field of play and ensure our athletes have a fun, safe and fair experience.
All officials should:
- Have a working knowledge of football and willingness to become proficient and knowledgeable with the USAWFL rulebook to enforce the rules and field safety in a consistent and unbiased manner
- Experience coaching or officiating football preferred, but not required
- Complete Online Training Certification (coming Spring 2023)
- New Officials are encourage to attend the May 12 in-person training in Lake Forest, IL
- Complete SafeSport Training and a Background Check (paid for by Move United)
- Commit to at least 1 full tournament in 2023
Benefits for Officials
USA Wheelchair Football League officials are compensated in line with industry standards.
All officials receive:
- $60/game for Black Hat Roles or $75/game for White Hat Role
- Officials average 7 games per tournament
- Reimbursement for travel to tournament (must follow Move United travel policies)
- Officials Shirt and Hat
- Officials must provide own whistle, stop watch (if needed) and flags/bean bags.
- Opportunities to participate in future championship games
- Knowledge that they’re supporting adaptive athletes to achieve a high quality sports experience
2023 Tournament Opportunities
August 18-20 in Chicago, IL
September 8-10 in Tampa, FL
September 29-October 1 in Buffalo, NY
October 20-22 in Las Vegas, NV
Where & When
Taking place in partnership with the Great Lakes Games, hosted by GLASA.
Location: Lake Forest, IL
Host hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Mettawa. A link to book will be provided at registration.
Training will take place at hotel during the day and then Lake Forest High School for Scrimmage Location
When: May 12, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
See specific schedule in the “What You’ll Learn” section
What You'll Learn
The USA Wheelchair Football League Officials Training will focus on the following topics:
- Rules of Emphasis
- Officials Roles
- Safety & Field Management
- De-escalation and Behavioral Management
Friday, March 12:
9:00-10:00 – Breakfast* (optional) and Check-In
10:00-12:00 – Training
- About the USA Wheelchair Football League/Move United
- Principals of Officiating
- Pre-Requisites of a Good Official
- Basic Disability Etiquette
- Game Management & Working with Coaches & Athletes
- Field Mechanics and Position Specifics
12:30-1:30 – Lunch*
1:30-4:30 PM – Training
- Risk Minimization (Tackling, Clipping, Targeting & Unnecessary Roughness, Snap & Muffed Snap, Etc.)
- Line of Scrimmage & What to Look for
- Blocking/Illegal Blocks
- Passing/Pass Interference
5:00-5:45 – Dinner*
6:00-8:00 – Hands-On Officiating Experience with GLASA Wheelchair Bears Scrimmage
Cost of Training
This training is FREE for all attendees.*
Move United will also provide:
- Lunch and Dinner
- Officials Shirt and Hat for those that complete full training and officiate during the season
- Background Check & SafeSport Training Codes for those that complete full training and are assigned to officiate during the season
*Travel costs are at the expense of the trainee. Veterans with disabilities may apply for up to a $1,000 scholarship to cover those costs. CURRENTLY ALL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED. YOU MAY JOIN THE WAITLIST IF STILL INTERESTED.
Scholarships for Veterans with Disabilities
CURRENTLY ALL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED. YOU MAY JOIN THE WAITLIST IF STILL INTERESTED.
Move United is committed to providing opportunities for Veterans and active duty military service members with disabilities, and encourages participation at all levels of sport, including coaching and officiating.
The first 10 Veterans with disabilities will qualify for an up to $1,000 travel scholarship to support participation in training.
- Must attend and participate in the entire training
- Must commit to officiating at least one tournament in 2023
- Must complete Background Check and SafeSport Training (paid for by Move United)
Register Today!
Thank you for your interest in the 2023 USA Wheelchair Football League training camp on May 12. We are overwhelmed by the interest in this training, and have currently reached capacity. If you are still interested in attending and would like to be placed on a wait list, please email football@moveunitedsport.org. Online training courses will be made available in June of 2023 for those that are unable to attend in-person.
Questions?
Still have questions or want to officiate, but can’t make the in-person training?
Email football@moveunitedsport.org.
