The Umpire

The Role of the Umpire

Australian Football is influenced by the standard of umpiring more so than any other sport. The unique roles of the umpires in Australian Football causes significant impact on the manner in which the game is played.

Good umpiring enhances the game as a spectacle, adds to the enjoyment and pleasure of players and spectators and contributes to the safety of players. Poor umpiring detracts from the game as a spectacle, mars the enjoyment of participants and can put the safety of the player at risk.

The Laws of the Game bestow upon the umpires the responsibility to manage the match both on and off the ground on behalf of the Controlling Body. This is indeed a significant responsibility and places the field umpires, in particular, in the position of being the most important and influential official at the match.

Whilst the field umpires play the leading role, umpiring is a team game and field umpires rely heavily on their support crew, the boundary and goal umpires. Team-work is an essential factor in a good umpiring performance.

The boundary and goal umpires, whilst being part of the support crew and therefore playing supporting roles, should never underestimate their importance to the presentation and quality of the game.

To the players, coaches, officials and spectators, the match in which they are participating is the most important match played that day. They look to the umpires to manage it accordingly.

Whilst this places great responsibility upon the umpire, it also provides one of the most exciting challenges in sport. That is, to take on a demanding and critical task and succeed!

It is meeting this challenge that provides people with the motive to be an umpire. Umpiring is not for everybody, it is only for those who like to take on challenges and to keep taking them on. Every football match provides its own unique and special challenges.

The importance of the role of the umpire cannot be overstated.

There are a great number of factors that make up a successful umpire. The first of those is to understand the role of the umpire, which can be very simply put as follows:

Field Umpire

Apply the laws and their interpretations according to the spirit of the laws, and
Attend to the administrative requirements necessary for the successful staging of the game.

Boundary Umpire

Apply the laws relating to boundary umpiring and their interpretations with common sense and in accordance with the spirit of the game, and
Be the sole judge of when the ball is out of bounds.

Goal Umpire

Apply the laws relating to goal umpiring and their interpretations with common sense and in accordance with the spirit of the game, and
Be the sole judge of scores.

Code of Ethics

The Australian Sports Commission supports officiating on a national scale. It does so through the National Officiating Committee which has the responsibility of developing and implementing the National Officiating Program.

The Mission Statement for the Program is:
to develop the quality and status of officiating at all levels of Australian Sport.

The National Officiating Committee believes that the responsibility for the ethical conduct of sport rests EQUALLY with:

Officials
Players
Administrators
Coaches
Spectators
Media
Educators
Parents
Governments
Sponsors

Sports officials (umpires) then have a major role to play, and in fulfilling that role, they have the right to have certain expectations of "sport", equally, "sport" has the right to have certain expectations of officials.

Sports officials have the right to expect that:

their health and safety are paramount
they are treated with respect and openness
they are appointed to a level of competition appropriate to their level of competence
they have access to self improvement opportunities

Equally, sports have the right to expect that the official will:

place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else
accept responsibility for all actions taken
be impartial
avoid any situation which may lead to a conflict of interest
be courteous, respectful and open to discussion and interaction
value the individual in sport
seek continual self improvement through study, performance appraisal, and regular updating of competencies
encourage inclusivity and access to all areas of officiating
be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance

Attitude

Attitude is often the reason why some people are successful and some are unsuccessful. Most successful sportspeople say that a positive, enthusiastic and responsible attitude was a key factor in their achieving success. Certainly, most successful umpires say that.

A positive, enthusiastic and responsible attitude towards umpiring is usually demonstrated by the following indicators:

At Training Sessions

Regular attendance
Providing prior advice of non-attendance if possible, if not, providing advice as soon as possible after the session
Displaying an enthusiastic approach to training
Carrying out the Training Supervisor's instructions willingly and without complaint
Encouraging and assisting colleagues at training
Ensuring all work is completed to schedule and to the required standard

At Coaching Sessions

Regular attendance
Providing prior advice of non attendance if possible, if not, providing advice as soon as possible after the session
Displaying an enthusiastic approach to coaching sessions, acknowledging them as an opportunity to learn and improve levels of knowledge and understanding
Paying close attention to the person conducting the session
Participate in sessions willingly and without complaint
Participate enthusiastically in session activities when requested

Social and Association Activities

Attending and participating in social functions
Being a member of the Association and ensuring all financial obligations are met on time
Being prepared to stand for Association office should the opportunity arise
Participating in Association affairs
Supporting the Association at all times
Attending Association meetings and being prepared to contribute sensibly to debates

General

Accepting any feedback/criticism in good spirit, recognising it as an opportunity to identify weaknesses and overcome them
Accepting all appointments in a positive manner
Encouraging and supporting colleagues on match days
Never criticising colleagues, advisers, coaches or observers
At all times talking positively and enthusiastically about umpires and umpiring
Always doing your best - remembering that the match you are umpiring is the most important match that day for those players, officials and supporters
Urging friends and acquaintances who you consider may have potential to umpire, or assist umpiring in some way, to become involved

Presentation

Good presentation is important for umpires and umpiring. All umpires have a responsibility to contribute to the creation of an image which portrays umpiring in a positive light and as an attractive sporting career to other people.

People associated with football have certain expectations of umpires. They expect them to be:

trustworthy - a person who is honest and impartial
mature - a person who does not exhibit extremes of behaviour
responsible - a person who has integrity and takes the role seriously
fit - a person who is physically prepared for the task
competent/knowledgable - a person who is mentally prepared for the task

They expect the umpire to be a person who they can trust.

It is important that umpires fulfil the expectations held of them.

In fulfilling these expectations, umpires will earn the respect of officials, coaches, players, spectators and their umpiring colleagues.

In aiming to fulfil those expectations, umpires should be aware that first impressions are often lasting impressions. Behaviour and appearance are crucial factors.

Behaviour should be courteous and respectful, and that includes the language used. It should be respectful for all members of the community including those of the football community i.e. Coaches, Players, Administrators. Dress should be clean, neat, tidy and appropriate. There are specific occasions when consideration of your dress standards are important. These are:

When attending a tribunal hearing
Off field on match day
On field on match day

Behaviour and appearance in the extreme does not create a good impression. Best results are achieved by staying within the "expected norm" - not too conservative but not too radical either.

Another part of presentation, on match day, is to ensure you arrive at the ground with plenty of time to spare prior to commencement of the match. This will enable you to complete all your pre-match duties without being rushed and will give the impression to officials that you are in control of proceedings relative to the game.

At tribunal hearings, apart from your dress and grooming, presentation is also measured by the way in which you present the story to your case. Being positive and honest when giving evidence will help the Tribunal panel assess the report and arrive at an appropriate decision.

It is important to remember that the majority of footbball officials, administrators, coaches, umpires' advisers, observers and board members are generally from an older generation and they are the people who could have a significant influence on an umpire's career.

It is also important to remember that the match in which the umpire is officiating is the most important match that day to those participating in it.

Interpersonal Skills

Effective interpersonal skills are attributes which are common to successful umpires.

Interpersonal skills are demonstrated when communicating, relating and interacting with other people.

The people umpires mostly interact with on match day are the other umpires and officials, players, coaches and Club officials.

There will be many opportunities on match days to practice interpersonal skills. These occur before, during and after the match, some examples are:

Before the match

asking a home club official where the umpires' room is
meeting other umpires and officials (time keepers)

During the match

responding to questions from players
directing players in certain situations
resolving conflict between players

After the match

when club representatives visit the umpires' room to collect paperwork
in a social situation

There are some fundamental aspects of behaviour which are indicators of effective interpersonal skills. These are:

Off Ground

When meeting club officials, coaches, or other umpires for the first time, and on subsequent occasions when it is appropriate to do so, introduce yourself and shake hands. Stand up straight, look the person in the eye, use words like "My name is......., I'm an umpire for today's match". Use a strong, firm grip when you shake hands. Smile.
When team officials visit the umpires rooms, stand up when talking to them.
Retain eye to eye contact with people when talking with them.
Use words like "please" when making requests - "would you arrange for a drink to be brought to our rooms please".
Use words like "thanks" when people assist you - "thanks for providing those drinks".
Be polite, show respect.

On Ground - General

When communicating with players, use a strong, firm and clear voice. This portrays composure.

Avoid screaming as this conveys a lack of composure which creates anxiety in players. Players who experience anxiety with umpires quickly lose confidence in them. Umpires who are composed, cool but firm, will win the confidence of players.

Using words such as "please" and "thanks" when asking something of a player never goes astray.

Player reaction to communication from umpires will mostly be determined by what the umpires say and how they say it.

Cooperation With Other Umpires/Officials

The five important roles performed by umpires/officials are:

Field Umpiring
Boundary Umpiring
Goal Umpiring
Timekeeping
Supervising Interchange (Steward)

The important aspects of these roles are as follows:

Field Umpiring

(a) Apply the laws and their interpretations according to the spirit of the laws.
(b) Attend to the administrative requirements necessary for the successful staging of the game.

Boundary Umpiring (Read Law 16.6)

(a) Be the sole judge of when the ball is out of bounds (subject to Law 16.6.1)
(b) Throw the ball back into play after it has gone out of bounds (unless it was kicked out on the full).
(c) After each goal, bring the ball back to the field umpire in the centre of the ground.
(d) Police the centre square at each centre bounce.

Goal Umpiring (Read Law 16.7)

(a) Be the final judge of a score.
(b) Keep a record of, and signal, all scores.

Timekeeping (Read Law 17.2)

(a) Sound the siren at the start and end of each quarter.
(b) Keep the time of each quarter.

Interchange Steward (Read Law 3.2)

(a) Supervise the interchange of players.

Cooperation between umpires/officials

(a) Introduce yourself to all other officials prior to the match.
(b) Have eye to eye contact when using verbal and visual indications to the other umpires.

Entering and Leaving the Field

(a) When entering the oval with one Field Umpire, the Boundary Umpires will stand either side of the Field Umpire with the Goal Umpires behind, then walk to the centre circle.

(b) When entering the oval with two Field Umpires, the Field Umpires will form the front row, followed by the Boundary Umpires in the second row and the Goal Umpires in the third row. All Umpires will walk to the centre circle.

(c) Boundary Umpires - When the siren has sounded to indicate the end of the quarter, the Boundary Umpire will sprint to the nearest Field Umpire. If a player is having a shot for goal after the siren, the Boundary Umpire will take up position behind the behind post. After the kick the Boundary Umpire will then move to the Field Umpire and walk off in the same order as the commencement of the game, i.e. Boundary Umpires either side of one Field Umpire, or two Field Umpires in the first row and Boundary Umpires in the second row.

(d) Goal Umpires - When the siren sounds to end the second quarter and to conclude the match (unless a player is taking a shot at goal after the siren) the goal umpire shall gather their flags, walk to the centre of the ground and compare scores. After signaling the correctness of the scores to the scoreboard attendant, they shall walk off the oval together. Where a player is having a shot at goal after the siren, the goal umpire will await the "all clear", from the field umpire, signal the score, then continue with the above procedure for leaving the ground.

Warm Up on the Oval

(a) The two Boundary Umpires will run 3-4 laps of the oval to warm up. This may also include some faster work in the last lap. The Boundary Umpires may then choose to do additional warming up individually or as a pair.

(b) Practise throw ins at this time are acceptable.

Coping With the Umpiring Environment

Pre Match

MEETING PLAYERS/OFFICIALS

It is important to project yourself to players and officials in a firm, friendly and confident manner.

During Match

PLAYERS/OFFICIALS/SUPPORTERS

(a) It is very important to get on with players during the match. Abuse from players/officials warrants some action from you. Offenders should be spoken to and if serious enough they should be reported.

(b) It is important to block out the comments from outside the boundary line, much of which will not be supportive or complimentary. Umpires need to be aware that supporters get emotional and vocal with their support for their team and players and that generally the verbal attack on players and umpires is not meant as a personal attack.

Post Match

PLAYERS/OFFICIALS/SUPPORTERS

After a match feelings can run high and umpires should avoid becoming involved in any argument about incidents during the match. Sensible discussion about the match is to be encouraged.

(a) It is good practice to join the players and officials for a drink after the match, especially if invited.

(b) Politely avoid people who wish to belittle umpires.

It is a good opportunity to discuss the match and get to know the players and officials from participating clubs better in a more relaxed environment. If the atmosphere turns a little tense, excuse yourself and leave.

Summary

Supporters will barrack and abuse decisions which the umpire makes.
Abuse is generally not meant as a personal attack on umpires.
Umpires need to ignore the abuse/barracking from the sidelines - it is essential to concentrate on the match.
Players will not always agree with all the decisions you make. Sometimes on the spur of the moment they will react verbally. If abusive language/disputing decisions is directed at you, action must be taken. Offenders need to be spoken to, cautioned and if serious enough, reported.