Virtual Umpire Development Initiative
USA Field Hockey announced an online Starter and Local Level Umpire Clinic that will run from August 10, 2026, featuring three distinct sessions delivered via Zoom. The program is designed to equip new officials with the fundamentals needed to referee at middle and high school levels as well as junior field hockey leagues.
Each session runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will be recorded, with access to the footage granted for one week after the live broadcast. Participants will receive a link to join the virtual meetings and can revisit the material at their convenience.
The cost structure reflects USA Field Hockey’s tiered membership model: members and current high school or college athletes pay $25, while non‑members are charged $50. Registration remains open until Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, after which no further sign‑ups will be accepted.
The clinic targets individuals with less than five years of high‑level experience who wish to officiate at youth and secondary school competitions. It is also open to coaches, athletes and parents who want a deeper understanding of umpiring standards.
Instruction will cover a comprehensive curriculum including Positioning, Signals and Communication, Infringements, Free Hits, Danger and Aerials, as well as Penalty Corners, Penalty Strokes and Personal Penalties. Brian Tyson, USA Field Hockey’s Officials Manager, will lead the instruction, drawing on his extensive experience in the sport.
For any questions regarding the program, interested participants can contact Brian Tyson directly at btyson@usafieldhockey.com. Additional details about the clinic and registration procedures are available on the USA Field Hockey website.