Sport-specific baselines

Baseline Testing for Referees and Officials

The people who enforce the rules that protect athletes have no brain protection of their own.

April 14, 20263 min read

Referees and officials are physically present in the middle of every contest but have no baseline testing programs, no formalized concussion protocols, and often no sideline medical coverage. Soccer referees are struck by balls traveling at high velocity. Hockey referees are caught between colliding players. Football officials are hit by players running full speed. Basketball referees sustain collisions during fast-break plays.

The people who enforce the rules that protect athletes deserve the same brain protection those athletes receive. At Headquarters, we offer baseline programs for officiating organizations. See also baseline testing for police officers — another population with similar exposure gaps.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Do referees get concussed?

Yes. Soccer referees are struck by balls at high velocity. Hockey referees are caught between colliding players. Football officials are hit by players running full speed. Basketball referees sustain collisions during fast breaks.

Do referees have concussion protocols?

Most leagues have no formalized concussion protocols for officials, no baseline testing programs, and often no sideline medical coverage for officiating crews.

Should officials be baseline tested?

Yes. The people who enforce the rules that protect athletes deserve the same brain protection those athletes receive.

Can Headquarters baseline referee associations?

Yes. We work with officiating organizations to build baseline programs that mirror the protection available to the athletes they officiate.

Baselines for officials too.

Referee and umpire associations deserve the same baseline programs available to the athletes they officiate. We can help.

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