Skills and Techniques

BOUNDARY UMPIRES

Throw-ins

The boundary umpire shall, when directed by the field umpire, throw the ball in without waiting for the players to take up positions, at the spot where the ball crossed the boundary line. The boundary umpire should stand on the boundary line with their back to the arena and throw the ball in over their head towards the centre of the ground. The ball should be thrown in to a distance of between 10-15 metres and not less than 3 metres high.

If the ball is not thrown in to a reasonable height and distance, the field umpire may stop play and request that the ball be thrown in again. The boundary umpire must not climb over the fence to retrieve the ball. If necessary, they will request players or officials in the vicinity to retrieve it. (Seek assistance from the field umpire if required).

Running

There are times during the game when the boundary umpire needs to alter their running form. Performances are enhanced by changing speed where the need arises.

Acceleration Points - when to sprint/increase your pace:

Set shot for goal - When a player is having a set shot at goal, it is necessary to sprint to the behind post to assist the goal umpire. Watch player with ball at all times, run backwards if necessary.
Ball Up/Throw-in in the vicinity of goals - Sprint to behind post to assist goal umpire.
Relaying the ball back to centre after a goal - Both boundary umpires must sprint whilst relaying the ball back to the centre.
Around the ground/general play - Boundary umpires will often need to accelerate in order to keep correct position, i.e. 'staying up with the play', e.g. a quick passage of play.

Whistle

How and when the boundary umpire uses the whistle will be an indicator as to the quality of their performance.

It is highly recommended that two new whistles be purchased each season. They wear out with use.

They should be looked after and maintained in good condition in the manner that any proud sportsperson would look after their equipment.

The finger clips are normally covered with soft plastic sleeves. If not, they should be wrapped with water proof adhesive tape. The steel clips will lacerate fingers; plastic sleeves, or alternatively, wrapping with tape, will prevent such laceration.

After use, the whistle should be washed in hot water, then soaked in boiling water containing a disinfectant (such as Pine-O-Clean).

If possible, it is wise to soak the whistle in hot water prior to a match, this causes the pea to expand which results in a louder sound.

It is recommended that the whistle be smeared with a lubricant jelly (such as Vaseline) or taped (to minimise the risk of chipping teeth) prior to the match. This will help prevent the umpires; lips from sticking to the whistle when blowing it. Tearing the skin off the lips is very painful. Many umpires smear their lips with Vaseline as extra protection.

Boundary umpires should always carry a spare whistle during a match which is prepared and ready for use. Whistles have been known to fly off the fingers, or break off the finger clips, or the pea split.

The whistle is worn on the back of the first and second fingers leaving the plam free for ball handling.

The whistle should always be blown strongly - a strong, long whistle reflects confidence. Short, sharp, soft, weak whistles can be indicative of a lack of confidence in the decision, or of hesitancy or uncertainty. A motto which emphasises this is:

"If you have to blow it - blow it strong and long".

Indications

When the ball goes out of bounds the boundary umpire will blow his whistle and give the appropriate signal. However, it is the boundary umpire's responsibility to recognise when potentially volatile situations exist at or near the point where the ball went out of bounds and to keep their eyes on the relevant players long enough to either see that no reportable offence occurs or to detect any reportable offence occuring in relation to that act of play, before turning towards the field umpire to obtain confirmation of the out of bounds signal.

Out of Bounds

When the ball goes outside the boundary line after having touched the ground or having been touched by a player (out of bounds) the boundary umpire shall blow their whistle loudly and extend one arm straight up with an open hand.

Should the ball be touched prior to going out of bounds on the full, the boundary umpire shall blow their whistle loudly and indicate as above, then tap the back of their open hand in the upright position three times.

The boundary umpire shall face the field umpire until the field umpire indicates that the ball should be thrown in (or pays an overriding decision).

Upon receiving confirmation from the field umpire, the boundary umpire will then retrieve the ball and throw it in from where the ball crossed the line.

Out of Bounds on the Full

When the ball goes outside the boundary line on the full directly from a kick and not having been touched by a player (out of bounds on the full) the boundary umpire shall blow his whistle loudly and extend both arms horizontally straight out from the shoulder with open hands, parallel to the boundary line.

The boundary umpire shall face the field umpire until the field umpire confirms the free kick (or pays an overriding decision). Where appropriate, the boundary umpire will then indicate, by pointing to the spot, where the ball crossed the line prior to moving to position for the resultant free kick.

The boundary umpire shall indicate the spot where the ball crossed the line whenever he is within 15 metres, and when the ball has been kicked along the boundary line for some distance.

Out of Bounds Directly From Kick Off Line After a Behind has been Scored

When the ball goes outside the boundary line from a kick off after a behind has been scored and without having been touched by a player, the boundary umpire shall blow his whistle loudly and signal out of bounds on the full.

The boundary umpire will face the field umpire until the field umpire acknowledges the signal. The boundary umpire will then indicate where the ball crossed the line prior to moving to position for the resultant free kick.

Returning the Ball to the Centre Square

After a goal has been scored, it is the boundary umpire's responsibility to retrieve the ball and return it to the field umpire in the centre square as quickly as possible.

The Boundary Umpire must not climb over the fence to retrieve the ball. If necessary he will request players/officials in the vicinity to retrieve it. (Seek assistance from the Field Umpire if required.)

The boundary umpires decide who will retrieve the ball (usually the boundary umpire closest to the ball). The other boundary umpire will indicate to the field umpire which side of the oval the ball is to be returned and then position himself approximately half way between the goal line and the end of the centre square.

The boundary umpire who retrieves the ball will run to the second boundary umpire who will, by then, be running at the same pace, and on reaching him, will relay the ball then sprint to the nearest corner of the centre square on his side of the ground. The second boundary umpire will relay the ball to the field umpire and continue on to the far corner of the square on his side of the oval with the last five paces being run backwards into the point of the square.

Boundary umpires are to remain on the same side of the oval throughout each quarter.

Responsibilities of Boundary Umpires re Kicks From Outside the Boundary Line

Player taking a kick from outside the Boundary Line

A player who takes a kick from outside the boundary line must bring the ball into play from, or behind, the spot where the mark or free kick was awarded.

If a player goes back to take their kick from outside the boundary line and:

(a) Kicks or handballs the ball which does not cross the line into play, the boundary umpire will signal the ball out of bounds and the field umpire will direct that the ball be thrown in by the boundary umpire from the spot the kick or handball had been taken.

(b) The player 'plays on' or attempts to 'play on' outside the boundary line (between the fence and the man on the mark) the field umpire shall call 'play on'. Immediately the play on call is heard the boundary umpire shall signal the ball out of bounds and throw the ball in as directed by the field umpire.

(d) If a player on the defending team takes a kick beyond the goal or behind line and the ball hits either the goal or behind post, another kick will be taken. The boundary umpire will blow his whistle and tell the field umpire what has happened.

If any portion of the ball is on or above the boundary line, it is regarded as having been brought into play even though the ball may pass back outside the boundary line. In such a case, the player would be penalised by a free kick if the ball passed back outside the line on the full. A player may handball instead of kicking it from outside the boundary line.

Player outside the Boundary Line

Although a player who has possession of the ball may be outside the boundary line, the ball is not out of bounds unless the ball is completely outside the boundary line.

A mark shall be awarded to a player who is outside the boundary line but marks the ball before it has passed completely outside the boundary line. The boundary umpire should assist the field umpire by facing him and nodding his head as an indication that the ball had been marked, then move to a position for the next act of play.

If the field umpire is in doubt as to whether the ball had been marked before it passed completely outside the boundary line, they should consult the boundary umpire only after the boundary umpire has blown his whistle and given the touched out of bounds signal.

Out of Bounds Signal not seen by the Field Umpire

If the boundary umpire signals the ball out of bounds and the signal is not seen or heard by the field umpire and play goes on, the boundary umpire should run after the field umpire blowing their whistle and notify them that the ball has crossed the boundary line.
On receipt of the boundary umpire's advice, the field umpire would order the ball to be thrown in, or award a free kick if the ball has been kicked out on the full, unless in the meantime they had awarded a free kick, for a breach of the laws or imposed a 50 metre penalty. In such case the out of bounds decision lapses.

If the boundary umpire observes the field umpire award a free kick or 50 metre penalty, they should immediately resume their normal duties.

Relationships / Responsibilities Between Boundary & Goal Umpires

Boundary Umpire is the sole judge (but cooperation is important)

The boundary umpire is the sole judge when the ball is out of bounds, except when:

The field umpire awards a mark before the ball passes completely outside the boundary line or awards a free kick.
A goal umpire overrules the boundary umpire in relation to a score.
The ball hits or goes directly over the behind post. In this case, the goal umpire directs the boundary umpire that the ball is out of bounds.

The goal umpire may overrule the boundary umpire if:

He considers that the ball has passed across the goal or behind line and the boundary umpire signals the ball out of bounds.
The goal umpire considers that the ball has not passed across the goal or behind line and the boundary umpire is of the opinion that it has.

Ball crosses Goal / Behind Line

In instances where the boundary umpire has been positioned behind the behind post, he must wait until the goal umpire has given his decision before moving away.

When the boundary umpire is at the behind post and a score has been made or the ball has gone out of bounds, verbal communication only is allowed, i.e. "yours" or "mine". Hand signals are not permitted.

Goal Umpire assists the Boundary Umpire

When a goal umpire gives a signal to assist a boundary umpire, it is important to remember that the decision is still the boundary umpire's responsibility. However, when caught behind play or out of position, the boundary umpire should look to the goal umpire for assistance.

Where the goal umpire is giving assistance regarding a normal out of bounds signal (not hitting the behind post) he will not persist in giving the signal if not acknowledged. If the boundary umpire does not see the signal, or chooses to ignore it, the goal umpire is to resume normal position.

If the ball goes outside the boundary line near the behind post and the boundary umpire appears to be 'out of position', the goal umpire is required to assist the boundary umpire by indicating as follows:

Goal Umpire assists ball out of bounds on the full

When the goal umpire is to give an out of bounds on the full indication, he will face the boundary umpire and extend his outside arm straight and level with the shoulder with his fist clenched.

Goal Umpire assists ball out of bounds having touched the ground or being touched by a player

When the goal umpire is to give an out of bounds indication, he will face the boundary umpire and raise his outside arm vertically above his head.

When the boundary umpire is caught some distance behind play and a behind has been scored, the goal umpire will tap his chest three times. This will inform the boundary umpire a behind has been scored. The boundary umpire will then run to the boundary line to position himself for the kick off.

Goal Umpire directs the Boundary Umpire

Ball hits the behind post on the full

When the ball hits the behind post on the full or goes directly over the behind post from a kick without having been touched by a player, the goal umpire shall give the out of bounds on the full indication until acknowledged by the boundary umpire. If the ball hit the post, the goal umpire will hit the inside of the behind post three times with his hand.

(When the Boundary Umpire is stationed at the behind post for a set shot and the ball hits the behind post on the full, the Boundary Umpire will tap the post three times after signalling out of bounds on the full).

Ball hits the behind post having first touched the ground or being touched by a Player

When the ball hits or goes over the behind post, after having been touched by a player, the goal umpire shall give the out of bounds indication until acknowledged by the boundary umpire. If the ball hit the behind post, the goal umpire will then hit the behind post three times.

GOAL UMPIRES

Work Area

Walk, do not march, to your end of the ground.

Place flags in holders and secure against the wind.

Walk 5 metres out past the behind post in both directions checking the ground surface. If, when running hard for a wide ball, you know you are going onto soft ground, you are better prepared.

Kick all tins or rocks etc. up against fence.

Check that all scoring lines are clear. If there is no line, then try to make a line with your boot.

Check in which direction you will have trouble with the sun.

Check wind direction - if side to side make mental note that a dropping, slowing ball will possibly drift with the wind. Best if you have already thought this out before it happens in the pressure of the match.

Check sun location - if you need to stand up on the line for a dropping ball and you have the option as to which post you back up to (i.e. ball is close to centre of goal posts), then you should avoid looking into the sun.

Indication of Scores

Irrespective of a goal or behind decision the indication with the hands and arms shall be crisp and precise.

The hands shall not be raised above the head during the signal procedure and must finish level with hips and parallel with the ground, and in the case of a goal, body width apart.

All scoring signals are to be given within the scoring area.

When giving indications goal umpires are to be stationary and at attention.

Goals
All goal indications are to be given from goal line in the centre of the goal area.

Behinds
Any ball crossing the scoring line near the goal post, or within 2-3 metres into the behind area - indications are to be given from the centre of the goal area (excepting where momentum of goal umpire makes this impractical, then indication can be given on the line from centre of behind area).

Any ball crossing scoring line further than half way into behind area - indication is to be given on line from centre of behind area.

With ball hitting goal post, first movement is to hit goal post three times from inside goal side of post, then indicate behind on line from centre of goal area.

After receiving "all clear" from the field umpire, all indications are to be given facing directly down the ground.

A touched decision is given only when the ball is going through the goal area and has been touched by a player before it crosses the goal line. This is done by hitting one hand with the other above head height. Do not give a touched signal if the ball has been touched by a player prior to crossing the behind line.

If the ball has hit the goal post, the goal umpire will hit the side of the nearest goal post (on the goal side) above head height three times, and then give a behind indication with either hand.

Flag Waving

The first movement is to raise the flag or flags above your head at a position akin to five to 1 on a clock face. The flag movement will be executed above the head and there is not to be any embellishment.

Goal
From starting position flags will be brought across once, back once, and down to sides.

Behind
From starting position across, back and down.

General
From the position of having indicated a score, move smartly to pick up flags, or flag, looking up the field as you do so to detect any incidents that might occur just after a score. Likewise check whilst returning flags to holders.

Umpires should attempt to move together when getting their flags and waving a score, and the umpire at the non-scoring end should attempt to keep in time with his partner.

If the umpire at the non-scoring end is distracted and does not see his partner signal a score, the umpire at the scoring end shall hold his flag(s) above his head ready to start waving until his partner is ready to wave.

If you need to move out to an incident, wave and record the score first.

Cooperation with other Umpires

Boundary Umpires

The boundary umpire is the sole judge of when the ball is out of bounds, except when the field umpire awards a mark before the ball passes completely outside the boundary line or awards a free kick, or a goal umpire over-rules the boundary umpire in relation to a score or when the ball hits or goes directly over the behind post (in which case the goal umpire directs the boundary umpire that the ball is out of bounds).

The goal umpire may over-rule the boundary umpire if he considers that the ball has passed across the goal or behind lines and the boundary umpire signals the ball out of bounds, or the goal umpire considers that the ball has not passed across the goal or behind lines and the boundary umpire is of the opinion that it has.

Scoring

Goals

Record goals on card on returning to the centre of the goal area after replacing the flags.

Behinds

If unable to record the score before a defender prepares to kick in, wait for a kick off and mark the card after the next act of play which takes the ball away from the goal area or on a cessation of play (e.g. out of bounds, free kick).

If the ball goes outside the boundary line near the behind post and the goal umpire is in a better position to see than the boundary umpires and/or the boundary umpire is looking to the goal umpire for assistance, the goal umpire is required to assist the boundary umpire by indicating as follows:

1. (Goal Umpire Assists) Ball Out of Bounds on Full

When the goal umpire is to give an out of bounds on the full indication they will face the boundary umpire and extend their outside arm straight and level with the shoulder.

If the ball was touched before going out on the full, the goal umpire will extend their outside arm straight up and tap the back of their fist three times.

2. (Goal Umpire Directs) Ball Hits Behind Post on Full

When the ball hits the behind post on the full or goes directly over the behind post from a kick without having been touched by a player, the goal umpire shall give the out of bounds on the full indication, as per 1. above, until acknowledged by the boundary umpire. The goal umpire will then hit the behind post three times if the ball hit the post.

3. (Goal Umpire Assists) Ball Out of Bounds - Having Touched the Ground

When the goal umpire is to give an out of bounds indication, he will face the boundary umpire and extend his outside arm straight up.

4. (Goal Umpire Directs) Ball Hits Behind Post - Having First Touched the Ground or Being Touched by a Player

When the ball hits or goes over the behind post after first having touched the ground or having been touched by a player, the goal umpire shall give the out of bounds indication, as per 3. above, until acknowledged by the boundary umpire. The goal umpire will then hit the behind post three times if the ball hit the behind post.

Whilst these indications are to assist the boundary umpire, the decision is still the boundary umpire's responsibility. However, when caught behind play or out of position, they should look to the goal umpire for assistance.

In instances where the boundary umpire has been positioned at the behind post, they must wait until the goal umpire has given their decision before moving away from the behind post.

When the boundary umpire is positioned at the behind post and the ball hits the behind post on the full, the boundary umpire will tap the post three times after signalling out of bounds.

Where the goal umpire is giving assistance regarding normal out of bounds signal (no hitting of the behind post) they are not to continue giving signal until acknowledged. If the boundary umpire does not see the signal, or chooses to ignore it, the goal umpire is to resume normal position and if necessary indicate and record any subsequent score.

When the ball passes across the goal or behind line resulting in a behind, and the boundary umpires are not by the behind posts, the goal umpire will clearly tap their chest three times. This will indicate to the boundary umpires that if the goal umpire receives an "all clear" from the field umpire, they will be signalling a behind, therefore informing the boundary umpires that they do not have to run to the goal area to pick up the ball.

Field Umpires

1. Where a mark is taken on or just before the goal line, the goal umpire shall immediately place his hands behind his back and quickly back away, keeping his eyes on the ball at all times.

2. Where a mark is taken just behind the goal line, the goal umpire shall step up to the line and look to the field umpire for an all clear. If all clear is not immediately given, the goal umpire is to run out to the field umpire and seek all clear, provided a free kick has not been awarded to a defender prior to or at the same time as the score.

3. If the field umpire awards a free kick or a 50 metre penalty to a forward concurrent with there being a score (e.g. a player is downed after kicking but the ball goes through for a score), then:

(i) If the score is a goal, the goal umpire will immediately step up to the goal or behind line seeking the "all clear" from the field umpire. If there is a delay in receiving the "all clear" (e.g. because the field umpire is attending an incident arising from the awarding of a free kick), the goal umpire is to run towards the field umpire to inform him that a goal has been scored. In this case, the field umpire will give the "all clear" at the spot where the two umpires meet and the goal umpire will run backwards to the goal line to give the indication for a goal.

(ii) If the score is a behind, the goal umpire will clearly tap his chest in the usual manner for a behind, or give the touched signal, or the hit the post signal. Seeing this, the field umpire will run directly to the correct position to control the awarding of the free kick. If the forward declines the free kick in favour of a behind being registered, the field umpire will then give the "all clear" while moving towards the goal umpire from the spot where the free kick would have been taken. (This is a very rare event, but the goal umpire should nevertheless be alert for the possibility of it happening).

If there is any doubt in the field umpire's mind about whether a goal or behind has been scored, he will immediately run to the goal umpire to clarify the situation. In this case, the goal umpire should run to meet the field umpire as soon as he realises that the field umpire wishes to confer with him.

4. When the field umpire is 100% sure the ball has hit the goal post, he will give all clear whilst tapping one forearm with his other hand three times.

If the field umpire gives this signal and it appears obviously incorrect (out of context) the goal umpire is to run out and talk to the field umpire before making a decision.

5. When the field umpire sees the ball go out of bounds close to the behind post and the boundary umpire is caught out of position, in order to assist the field umpire will signal to the goal umpire by extending his arm with clenched fist at a 45 degree angle to his body. The goal umpire then makes the appropriate signal to the boundary umpire who will signal out of bounds.

Ensuring Scorecards are Correct

It is most important that all goal umpires correctly record the scores. The following procedures help minimise any scoring problems:

Always record teams on your scorecard in the same order as on the main scoreboard.
To enable a double check that each score is recorded to the correct team, on your scorecard identify with a mark the team kicking towards you each quarter - e.g. M for My end or, if you prefer, an X. Then, as you record a score to one of the teams, you double check that the score was made at your end of the ground, or the other end.
Always record scores 1234 etc. not 1111.
Always record your score before you leave your area to attend a melee, report a player, retrieve your hat if it blows off, or the siren sounds to end a quarter.
Carry a 6 times table in your card holder.

If the goal umpires' cards are not identical, the following will assist in deciding who has the correct scorecard.

If one scorecard is the same as the scoreboard, it is more likely that it is correct.
The goal umpire with the higher score is more likely to be correct as it is easier to overlook recording a score than to enter a score twice.
It is more likely that the goal umpire at the scoring end is incorrect, as his partner is under less pressure and able to immediately record the score in all instances.

Two Score Rule
Be prepared to register two scores. If a forward is infringed after an "all clear", the field umpire can award another kick and another score will be registered.

General Remarks

At no time shall a goal umpire turn his back to the play, even though there is a cessation of some kind. He is never to look into the public area behind him - always inward.

It is advisable when a score is imminent at the opposite end, to concentrate on the other goal umpire and his indications and not the ball.

Do not leave your goal area after the siren sounds to end each quarter until the field umpire signals to the timekeepers by raising arms in the air, and it is obvious that no further act of play is to take place.