Question Number: 14355

Law 5 - The Referee 11/4/2006

RE: College

Jillian Dickson of Glasgow, UK asks...

I am just starting a research project looking at fitness levels of FIFA referees. Apparently FIFA have introduced a new fitness test this season that all FIFA referees must complete and I have been asked to compare this new test to the old test. Could you please give me any info on both the old and new tests?

Many Thanks
Jillian

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The old test was a 12 min run, 2 200s and 2 50s. From what I know, the new test requieres them to run it on field. The old test was done on a 400 meter track. The new test simulates running in a game more with period of running and walking where as the old test was how far can you run in 12 minutes?

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Yes Jillian , There is a new test and it consists of 6X40 meter runs which varies in times for Men FIFA Assistant Referee (6 seconds) to Men FIFA Referee (6.2 Seconds) FIFA Women Assistant Referee (6.4 sec) and FIFA Women Referee (6.6 Sec).

The 2nd portion of the test is the repeated high intensity run which is done on a track and consists of 150 meters run in certain times: Men FIFA Referee @ 30 Seconds, Women FIFA Referee @ 35 Seconds.

This is followed by 50 meters of recuperation with the corresponding allotted times for Men FIFA Referees @ 35 Seconds, Women FIFA Referees @ 40 Seconds.

Esfandiar Baharmast
Director of Advanced and International Referee Development:
United States Soccer Federation

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