FIFA Interval Test - Part 2
This is part two of the FIFA Fitness Tests for Referees and Assistant Referees, also called the FIFA Fitness Interval Run Test. The test involves 150 run, 50 walk, 150 run, 50 walk, repeating this for up to 10 laps. See also the FIFA Interval Test - Part 1, a repeat sprint test.
- purpose: The test evaluates an individual's ability to repeatedly perform intervals over a prolonged period of time, designed to test the physical demands of soccer referees.
- equipment required: 400m athletics track, marking cones, measuring tape, whistle or pre-recorded audio cd (make your own), cd player.
- procedure: Use marker cones to indicate on the track the start of each run (at the mid point of the bend) and for the end of each run (the end of each straight) 4 cones are used to mark out a 'walking area' (3 m in front, and 3 m behind the 150 m mark). On the test leader's first whistle, the referees must run 150 m in a set time (and arrive in the walking area), they then have to walk 50m to the start of the next run. On the next whistle, referees must again run 150 m followed by another 50m walk. This cycle is repeated until at least 10 laps are completed. The referees may not start their next run before the next whistle. Assistants are positioned at the start positions with a flag which they use to block the lane - when the whistle sounds they quickly lower the flag so that the referees can begin running.
- timings: The 150m run time requirement is 30 seconds for all males, and 35 seconds for all female referees. The walk time differs for the level of referee. International male referees have 35 seconds for the 50m walk recovery, international assistant referees and national referees 40 seconds and national assistant referees 45 seconds. For females, International referees have 40 seconds for the 50m walk recovery, international female assistant referees and national referees 45 seconds and national assistant referees 50 seconds.
- scoring: If a referee fails to put 1 foot in the walking area in time, the observer signals and the referee must stop, and the test is failed.
- target population: This test was developed specifically for soccer referees, though it is suitable for similar sports teams which are intermittent in nature.
- comments: the referees can run in small groups comprising a maximum of 6 people, and if possible, 4 different starting positions can be used, with each and every subgroup being monitored by an individual observer throughout the test. For referees below national level, the Cooper 12 minute run is often used to assess aerobic fitness.