This program has been put together to assist the progress of all umpires, regardless of their current standard. Yet basically it has been designed to help and aid the new umpires of association and low level state panel standard.

Remember as a coach you are an educator of young people and what information you pass on to them will stick. Hence refrain from overloading them with loads of useless or irrelevant material.

The roles of an umpire coach
 

• Responsible
• Credible
• Educative
• Supportive
• Informative

One of the most important things is to be up to date with the current rules, directions and all coaching methods and techniques. Also as an umpire coach remember that you are dually required to be an examle and a guider yet also a team member, for it is overall team work that helps develop umpires both as a whole and individually.

Table Of Contents
 

1. Knoledge of the game
2. Knowledge of the rules
3. Application of the rules (control, Game Flow/ Advantage)
4. The qualities of an umpire
5. General coaching framework
• Whistling
• Mobility/Positioning/Fitness
• Communication - Verbal and Visual
• Rough and Dangerous Play
• Advantage
• Obstruction
• Aerial Ball
• Penalty Corners/ Corners
• Control
• Rapour

1. Knowledge of the Game

Basically it comes down to the ability to look and learn about the system, game styles, tactics and aproaches teams use in hockey. The ability to remember important points, breeches, incidents and situations during a game and apply the knowledge gained to future matches is irreplaceable. This bank of knowledge and experience will increase with time allowing umpiring to become progressively easier and decisions more automactic and spontaneous.

What things should we be looking for with reference to an umpire's knowledge of the game of hockey?
 

• Game speed
• Skill level
• Tactics (attacking/defending)
• Cards issued
• Player behaviour
• Penalties/free hits

What is the role of an umpire?
 

• To control the game, aply the rules and directions in order to protect the safty and skill level of the players.
• To be sole judges of fair play and substitutions weather on or off the playing surface, including suspensions.
• To be responsible for decisions given and also responsible for the field as a whole.
• To be responsible for ensuring that the agreed time is played, and also that gaols scored, warnings and suspensions are to be recorded.

2. Knowledge of the rules

What do umpires know?
 

• The use of a theory examination
• Use of the rule book
• Lecture and discussion nights
• Simple tests and questions on the rules
• Watch games being played noting how rules and directions are applied by fellow umpires
• Direction to Umpires
• FIH Umpire Briefing (outdoor)

3. Application of the Rules

How do umpires apply the rules and directions to specific siuations and to th game as a whole?
 

1. Consistency with your co-umpire

• Discuss the match with your co-umpire (pre-match talk)
• What will you do to aid, assist, help, guide and direct each other
• LEAD  vs  TRAIL umpire

2. Rules  vs Common Sense

• Use common sense in application of the rules and directions
• Don't overact
• Don't one-down
• Don't be padantic
• Know when to engage and when to diengage

3. Decision Making

• Have the courage to make hard decisions
• Don't be intimidated or persuaded
• Be consistent
• sell your decision
• Take risk
• Fairness/Hold for advantage
• Blend in

4. Factors Involved in obstructions

• Player proximity
• Intent of the tackler
• Speed and skill level of the player with the ball
• the position the player make after receiving the, direction the player takes, use of the body

5. Advantage and Non-Advantage

• Long  vs  Short advantage
• Control  vs  Possession
• Going back to original decision
• Double advantage/contradictions
• When to exercise non-advantage/control

6. Misconduct

• Stand inside goals (goal-line)
• Standing on the backline nearest the post
• Running around the itself

7. Tackling and Stick Checking

• Got the bal  vs  Playing for the ball
• The stopping or break down tackle
• Body as a secondary line of defence
• The sliding and diving tackle
• Protection of players (skilled)

8. The Aerial Ball

• Where danger occurred
• Blow quickly if players are congested in the danger zone
• Where to take the free hit
• General Play vs  Free Hit
• Path in which the ball takes

9. Misconduct and Time Wasting

• Hitting the ball away
• Throwing the ball in the air/walking through the play in the pall area
• Issuing of cards
• Professional Foul

10. Rapour and Relationships with Players

• Players don't bite (or at lease not often)
• Be prepared to discuss your match (civilly)
• Don't be aloof, arrogant or stuck up
• Try to develop a positive interaction with players it will aid the game as a whole

11. Using your whistle

• Use your whistle as a form of communication
• Use it to givedirections and instructions
• Don't be monotonal
• Use tone to suit breach or incident

12. Varying your aplication of the rules

• Does your application suit the rules?
• Vary things according to conditions
• Umpiring interstate/overseas