Change of Direction Ability (CODA) fitness test

Test 1 for assistant referees is the Change of Direction Ability (CODA) fitness test. This test is introduced in 2016 and the goal is to assess the assistant referee’s ability to change direction. Below you’ll find the procedure of the test.

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Check out the full test for assistant referees.

Procedure

  1. Cones must be set out as illustrated in the diagram below. The distance between A and B is 2 metres. The distance between B and C is 8 metres.
  2. Only one timing gate is required for the CODA (A). The ‘start line’ should be marked out 0.5m before the timing gate (A).
  3. Assistant referees should line up at the start with their front foot touching the ‘start line’. Once the test leader signals that the electronic timing gates are set, the assistant referee is free to start.
  4. Assistant referees sprint 10 m forward (A to C), 8 m sideways left (C to B), 8 m sideways right (B to C) and 10 m forward (C to A). This test is done one time.
  5. If an assistant referee fails the trial, they should be given an additional trial. If they fail two trials, the match official has failed the test.

Change of Direction Ability (CODA) fitness test

Reference times for men assistant referees

  1. International and category 1: maximum 10.00 seconds per trial
  2. Category 2: maximum 10.10 seconds per trial
  3. Lower categories: maximum 10.20 seconds per trial

Reference times for women assistant referees

  1. International and category 1: maximum 11.00 seconds per trial
  2. Category 2: maximum 11.10 seconds per trial
  3. Lower categories: maximum 11.20 seconds per trial

Check out the full test for assistant referees.