Now Live: 2026-27 USQ Officials Tests, Rulebook
Officials certification and the rulebook for the 2026-27 US Quadball season are now live.
Every USQ game requires a full officials crew to keep play safe, fair, and on schedule. Increasing the number of trained, experienced officials improves game quality and helps events run more effectively.
Officiating also gives players and coaches a stronger understanding of the rules and an opportunity to earn money throughout the season. Certified head referees earn $20 per official USQ game, while certified lead assistant referees and Tier 3-and-above flag runners earn $10 per official USQ game. For players already traveling to tournaments, working assignments between games can help offset costs like gas, food, lodging, and future travel.
USQ continues to require each USQ-official team to certify officials across several roles, with requirements varying by division and each requirement filled by a different individual. Teams should not wait until the month of their USQ National Qualifier to meet those requirements. Getting teammates certified now gives them the fall to work games and build experience before the competitive season. The assistant referee, seeker referee, flag runner, lead assistant referee, and Quadball.One operator tests for the 2026-27 season are now available.
Take the tests and learn how to become a USQ official.
HEAD REFEREE TIER SYSTEM UPDATE
The USQ Officials Team has also updated the head referee tier system. The tiers have been expanded from 1-4 to 1-5 in order to better represent an official's experience and ability, as well as allow USQ to allocate game assignments at USQ National Qualifiers and USQ Cup more effectively. More info on each tier along with an updated rubric will be available later this month.
Questions about officiating can be directed to referees@usquadball.org.
USQ RULEBOOK
As for the rulebook, many sections were re-written for clarity but with no intended rule changes. The following list highlights the rule changes that were intended and why the changes were made.
4.1.3. Awarded Goals
Was: Nonexistent
Now: A goal is awarded to the offensive team if a defensive player illegally prevented a player from scoring, who was actively attempting to score and whose attempt was reasonably likely to result in a goal being scored, by recklessly dislodging hoops or illegally blocking or deflecting a quadball that was headed toward the hoops
Why: Improves pace of play by not forcing a stoppage and foul sequence in situations where a goal is often automatic; rewards offense that works its way to a near-certain goal only to be denied by an illegal act where the reward is often much higher than the risk
7.5.2. Boundaries and Balls
Was: Blue card to either: (1) propel a ball off an opponent with the intent of sending the ball out of bounds; or (2) use a dodgeball to propel a quadball with the intent of sending it out of bounds
Now: Penalty removed for both acts
Why: These are skillful, entertaining plays that referees frequently let go uncarded anyway
7.5.4. Inbounding Procedure
Was: A beater could enter and exit at various points on the boundary line while retrieving a dodgeball and bringing it back
Now: Like quadball inbounding, beaters must now exit the pitch at approximately the place where the dodgeball crossed the boundary line and inbound at approximately that same place
Why: Creates a cleaner, more consistent look for fans and makes the procedure easier and more uniform for referees to officiate
USQ Rules Manager Justin Cole began playtesting a number of potential rule changes this summer and will continue to do so throughout the USQ season. If your team is interested in testing out our ideas, email justin.cole@usquadball.org.
If you’re interested in joining the USQ Gameplay Department, you can review the openings here.
