FIFA Change of Direction Ability (CODA) Test
The FIFA Change of Direction Ability (CODA) test is one of the three official FIFA Fitness Tests for Assistant Referees. The agility test assesses the assistant referee's ability to quickly change direction. See also the companion FIFA (Repeat Sprint) Interval Test - Part 1, a repeat sprint test, and the FIFA Interval Test - Part 2, which are the two official tests for field referees.
purpose: The test evaluates an individual's ability to change direction, designed to test the physical demands of soccer assistant referees.
equipment required: about 15m of clear non-slip surface, timing gates, marking cones, measuring tape.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender and test conditions. Measure and use cones to mark out the course. See more details of pre-test procedures.
test setup: start and turn lines are marked on the ground 10 meters apart, also a line 0.5m before the start, and 2 meters after the start line. A timing gate is set up at the start line, which will also record the finish time.
procedure: The participant's front foot is placed behind the starting line, which is 0.5 meters before the timing gates. When ready, they run maximally 10 meters straight, turn and run sideways to the left for 8 meters back, turn and run back sideways right for 8 meters, then turn and sprint 10 meters back straight through the starting gates.
Football refereescoring: the time to complete the trial is recorded. The standard is a maximum 10 seconds per trial. If the standard is not reached, they may have another attempt.
target population: This test was developed specifically for assistant soccer referees, though it may be suitable for other referees and sports people requiring similar side running attributes.
notes:
- If the participant falls or trips, they should be given an additional trial.
- Up until 2015, the official FIFA fitness test for assistant referees consisted of just two tests, the Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and the FIFA Interval Test 2.
- The time between the end of the Change of Direction Test and the start of Repeated Sprint Ability should be 2 to 4 minutes maximum. The time between the end of Repeated Sprint Ability and the start of Interval Test should be 6 to 8 minutes maximum.
The Test in Action
- This test is part of the FIFA Testing for Referees
Similar Tests
- Simple 1-minute Side Step Test
- T-Test — running a T shape course involving forward, lateral, and backwards running.
- SEMO Agility run — run around a rectangular area incorporating forward sprints, diagonal backpedaling, and side shuffling.
- 20m 5-10-5 agility shuttle — run 5 meters to one side, 10 meters back the other way, finishing with 5 meters back to the start line.
- FIFA Interval Test (Part 1) - 6 x 40m sprints with 60 seconds recovery between bouts.
- FIFA Interval Test (Part 2) - alternating 75m run and 25m walk, repeating this for 10 laps.
- Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance Test — an intermittent yo-yo type test involving forwards and sideways running.
Related Pages
- Other agility tests
- FIFA Testing for Referees
- Fitness Tests for field officials (umpires, referees)
- About fitness testing for soccer.
- Nutrition for Field Officials, Referees and Umpires
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Current Events