UMPIRE PREPARATION

[Prepared by ROB RUSSELL ]

CONCERN OF FIH: The game is becoming too slow and not enough hockey is being played. More contesting of the ball is encouraged and umpires must allow the game to flow as much as possible.

The most important part of umpiring is that you are able to get the correct decision. Players expect this of you. A good understanding of the game, its flow and the team strategies will assist you in getting to the correct decision. You also need to ensure that you are in the correct position to enable you to make the correct decisions. Players are also looking for consistency. By getting decisions correct and being consistent, you will go a long way to ensuring that the game is played in the spirit it should be.

Together with correct decision-making, the importance of management skills is vital. You need to co-operate with your co-umpire and you need to set the standard early in the match, failing which the game will be difficult to control. There are various options avail to use and it is important of you to understand which options should be used and when.

The following notes should assist you in the preparation of a tournament and also during any game:

Before the tournament begins:
Ensure that you are fit and not injured. You owe it to the players and officials to be at peak fitness and well prepared. Fitness is a vital part of umpiring. With the developments of the game and the speed at which it is played you cannot be a successful umpire if you are not FULLY fit.
(Set yourself realistic goals.
Examples:

Improve positioning within the circle and/or 23

Blow the dangerous ball consistently

Look to manage deliberate offences and blow them correctly

Correct use of the whistle and voice to manage the players and to reduce (unnecessary) usage of cards)

It is important that you "hit the tournament running", that is that you blow at your best from day 1. It is no good to start poorly and aim to improve your blowing as the tournament progresses - that will put you at a disadvantage compared to other umpires. You should be blowing consistently well from your first game. Remember the aim of the tournament should be to increase your experience and improve your umpiring skills. Do not be offended if you do not improve grade. That should not be your primary objective. To improve your grading, you have to blow consistently well, above the standard you were prior to the tournament and show an improvement in your umpiring throughout the tournament. [Remember not everyone will get a new grading].

Before the game: What to agree to and how to blow discuss all issues with your co-ump and be clear in your mind what you are going to blow and how you are to achieve it

• Stick to it
• Decision making critical
• Once you are ready, get hold of the captains, toss and discuss any issues with the captains.
• Find a match ball!

Management:

• Must develop skills - to help the players understand what you/they are trying to do
• Be progressive and change
• Get involved with managers iro rule interpretation and manage situation
• An important tool is the ability to talk to the players. Let them know what you want and tell them when you are not happy with their play and conduct. (Use the whistle to assist you in determining standards.). Set standards early.

Small points that can go a long way to assist you are:

• Get the players 5 metres
• Talk and blow hard before you hand out cards and play gets out of control.
  
  

Flow of the game: Encourage players to contest ball and keep ball in play. Don't tolerate deliberate infringements. Players breaking down play must be severely punished.

TACTIC: Watch for deliberate breakdown by defence, just before play enters the 23m area to avoid giving away a possible short corner or prevent attackers entering the circle

Going to get clashes - expected - but watch for the deliberate ones and penalise
Timing of decisions:

• Know when to blow - it is important
• Get the feeling of the game
• Encourage advantage and blow well.
• Well "not" blown - let them play and contest it
• Don't blow because you hear lots of noise or because players put up their hands!!

A growing trend is for the offending side to “get in the way” after conceding a free hit, to prevent the opposition from taking a quick hit. Be alert to this and ensure it is stamped out. Examples include moving the ball, getting in the way and not retreating 5 metres to shut down angles for the opposition, picking up the ball and throwing it to the opposition. The players must leave the ball alone and get away from it. Consistent offending of this rule should be harshly treated, and if needs be penalties up to a yellow card, or short corners, should be considered.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - GET THE DECISION CORRECT AND BE CONSISTENT
DON'T LOOK FOR OFFENCES - LET PLAYERS CONTEST AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM RESOLVE - if in doubt, don't guess, don't blow.

[Ensure that hockey is the winner - don't get over pedantic and ruin a spectacle by blowing inconsistently and too technically!]! (NB Remember this situation - short corner at end of the game for side not being 5m and conceeding the game to a goal - was game won on a technicality by you/players , or was hockey the winner?)

Presentation:
Important how you present your decisions.
Keep within defined parameters - so they are not offensive.
Present your signals confidently and look players in the eyes. This will go a long way to "selling" your decision and letting the players know your feelings.
Try to give your decisions standing still and neatly.

Consistency:
Manage situations:

• Take your time and get it right! If needs be take time and go and chat to co-ump
• MAKE COMMON SENSE DECISIONS
• Set standards - talk to players but don't have huge conversations
• Be able to change your game plan - work out the team strategies and plan accordingly
• Clean up early on esp iro back tackles and breakdown on play

AVOID REPLAYS - Recognise early when the ball is in the incorrect place for free hit - blow whistle quickly to ensure that the side taking the hit is not penalised iro advantage. If the side taking the hit is doing so quickly, do not penalise the opposition if they are not 5 metres. Play the advantage and sort this out later. Remember the ball does not have to be in the exact place, sometimes not critical - ie midfield and ball out of play but be consistent and don't let the side get an unfair advantage.

Flow/advantage :
Sum up the situation - don't ball watch - need as much advantage as possible Sometimes a free hit is more advantageous - it causes less frustration [ie in the 23m area for the defence] Remember - "well not blown" - be consistent in your advantage

Tackling:
Watch carefully - be sure the tackler breaches the rules before penalising
Be strict on breaking down of play and intentional stopping tackles
Don't blow for noise
There is no such thing as the wrong side for a tackle - as long as it is clean and the ball is taken first
NB: Most bad tackles happen after they have lost the ball - players revenge and hack
Tackles can also be done to deliberately break down play - they must be harshly penalised and sorted out. Players sometimes try to breakdown play after a turnover to prevent counter attacks, which are hard to defend. If in doubt don't blow - let players contest the ball New tackling skills: THE SHAVE.
Can be from the back - ball must be taken cleanly - often a clash afterwards - don't blow that! Also ensure that there is NO body contact prior to the tackle taking place.

Obstruction:
Be sure the players are going for the ball - stick in the air is not playing the ball Are players trying to actually play the ball?

• Players appealing for 3rd party is not acceptable - they MUST be trying to play the ball
• There must be a possibility of playing the ball
• There is an active movement to prevent the playing of the ball
• Be aware of intentional shielding
• Watch the ball-carrier trying to block/shield the ball, just prior to the tackle.

BODY SHIELDING - BLOW QUICKLY - DON'T FORCE DEFENDER TO TACKLE (REVENGE/RETALIATE)
Shielding - must be intentional - be brave

Ball off the ground:

• No longer a lifted ball - DANGEROUS
• Don't blow low balls lifted in a controlled manner that hit leg below ½ shin pad
• Don't blow because of an appeal

Blow only on the danger aspect at the time - no such thing as leading to danger

Overhead balls:
Watch the ball on the way up - is it missing the player or going into them - esp an overhead that is thrown at approx 45deg.
Watch the opponent deliberately running into the ball and appealing
(Get the opponent 5m away will avoid a lot of problems on the way up)
Watch the ball on the way down: all others must be 5m away until the ball is safely on the ground. If a player does not stop the overhead or it bounces, then danger comes into play. The side throwing the overhead must be penalised not the receiver, unless it has deflected off the receiver's stick
Into the circle - watch for the last 15m

TACTIC: Defence will throw overhead and attackers will run onto player receiving the ball to give hit away on other side of field. Be aware of this - it must be penalised. If it happens again, warn offenders. Occurs again, hit where overhead was thrown and green card the offender. If it happens again, the yellow card becomes into play and the offending player must be punished !

Defenders receiving the ball: If they are making a genuine attempt to receive the ball and it is played marginally above the shoulder, consider a hit and talking only. [no card] If it is deliberately played well above the shoulder, the following needs to be considered:
Is there an attacker behind the defender, where is the offence:

• In the 23m area: Penalty corner
• In the circle : Penalty stroke
• In midfield: Hit and yellow card.

If there is no attacker behind the defender, a hit to the attacker would suffice, except within the circle, where you should consider a short corner. Once again, a stern talking to the offender would suffice. [See comments about cards below]

Cards: Sum up the situation in the match. Each match is different
One situation in one game may deserve a card, but not necessarily in another game.
Don't devalue the green card - don't use it too early as it sets the tone for later offences.
Remember by awarding a card you have set the standard for the match.
[FIH policy: Yellow card for swearing (discretion - if heard by crowd)]
Talk to the players, use your whistle - cards are a last resort
Remember that a captain is now responsible for his side’s behaviour and if they do not behave, you are within your rights to penalise the captain (ie cards can be considered)
Another point of concern is that there is too much verbal abuse of umpires by players. Do not get too involved in this – point it out to the captain and tell him to manage his side (management skills). If this does not work, then you need to consider penalising the captain and the offending players. Remember – a captain must look after his side’s behaviour. Do not tolerate verbal abuse. Cut it out and be strict on it.

Short corners:

• Watch for attackers blocking the hit and causing obstruction
• Watch for breaking. Blow as soon as the defence breaks*
• Ball hitting defender[Below 1/2 way up shin, within 5m of striker, another penalty. Above 1/2 way up shin,further than 5m of striker, free hit for danger]
• *TACTIC: Breaking can be a tactic to see what the opponents are doing, so penalise it:
• Talk first [at first corner before any breaking happens]
• Green card, if it happens again, then a yellow card and then stroke

Manufactured fouls:
Be aware of the ball carrier manufacturing free hits - hitting ball into opposition with other options available.
Be sure of this and don't go looking for this Watch for diving - dependant on circumstances

Hit outside the circle:
Don't let them drag into the circle and release for a short corner

Co-operation of disengaged umpire at shorties:
MUST be in CORRECT position: near ½ way line in centre of goals

Was runner hit above/below knee?

Was ball going into the goals?

TACTIC: Watch for the defenders running down the bullet. The defender MUST be trying to stop the ball with their stick, not running straight at the ball with stick in air and putting body on the line - penalise

Watch for intentional shielding by attackers - they stop the ball and then set off across the defenders running out to prevent the defenders from getting close to ball.

NB: Ball is missing goals: the defender is hit high on the body: DECISION: free hit for danger Remember the disengaged umpire has a vital role to play - keep your concentration and assist when necessary

REMEMBER: You are not there to impress the umpire manager, crowd and players. You are there to manage 2 teams and ensure that those that start the game finish the game. You are a FACILITATOR and will be remembered not for your antics, but for consistent blowing and getting the decisions RIGHT!

Be fair, consistent and enjoy it. You are going to make mistakes, but do not let them affect your further blowing. REMEMBER; ENJOY IT!!