Demonstrating Control

Whilst the control of a match is a major responsibility of the field umpire, boundary and goal umpires play a very important role in supporting the field umpire.

There are many factors that influence control, the most critical for umpires being the manner in which they go about their tasks.

Umpires need to demonstrate that they are in control, and there are 3 ways in which they can do this.

Firstly, umpires are decision makers. Accordingly, they have to have the courage of their convictions to make the right decisions irrespective of the circumstances, whenever the need to make a decision arises.

Secondly, umpires need to demonstrate confidence in their decisions.

Confidence is demonstrated by:

• A strong, long whistle
  Blow it hard.
• Visual indications being performed in the correct manner on every occasion.
  Show everybody why!
• Then Go. Move promptly to take up position for the next act of play, don't "hang around" waiting to see what happens next, move off, let everyone know that particular incident is over and done with and you are moving into the next phase of play.

Fundamentals of Fitness

Successful umpiring is dependent on being in the best possible position in relation to the play from which to adjudicate. It is therefore extremely important that the umpire has maximum concentration and awareness in order to apply the correct interpretation of the laws.

In football most of the action occurs around where the ball is or will be located. Modern football is based on moving the ball quickly and the boundary umpire must be physically conditioned to keep up with the game. It has been proven beyond doubt that as a person becomes physically fatigued their concentration level drops. The higher the level of fatigue the greater the drop in concentration.

The better conditioned an umpire is for the physical requirements and demands of the game, the greater their resistance to fatigue. This means that concentration can remain at a high level for all of the game.

Umpires need to be physically fit so as to enable them to:

• Consistently maintain the best possible position in relation to play from which to adjudicate.
• Resist the effects of fatigue and maintain optimum concentration levels.

Preparation for umpiring football requires that umpires be physically conditioned to jog, run and sprint to the upper demands made upon them by the game so that there is the least possible build-up of fatigue.

Physical fitness leads to a number of physiological changes that improve athletic performances. These physiological changes are specific to the training that is carried out for any given sport or activity. The most appropriate method for determining those areas and levels of fitness necessary, is to look at the physical demands made by an activity on the performer. The following areas of fitness are specific to umpiring and should be the basis of training.

Position at Commencement of Game

Boundary umpires are to decide which side of the oval they will run in the first quarter. A change of sides is then made at the start of each quarter.

To get to the corner of the centre square for the commencement of the game, the boundary umpires will start by facing opposite each other on the centre circle, then together turn around and run towards the corner of the square. Within five metres of the corner, pivot and run backwards into the point of the square, lifting the knees high. Stain in the point of the corner with hands behind the back.

This is repeated at the start of each quarter.

Centre Square

For every centre bounce (start of each quarter and after a goal has been scored) boundary umpires will position themselves on diagonally opposite corners of the centre square. Each boundary umpire is responsible for supervising the centre square lines that intersect at their corner. Immediately the ball has been bounced or thrown up, the boundary umpire must run forward at an angle of 25-40° from the corner of the square toward the boundary line.

General Play

Boundary umpires must follow the ball from goal to goal, avoid interfering with players and position themselves so that they have a good view of the boundary line when play is close to the boundary line. When play is on the other side of the ground the boundary umpire is advised to move inside the playing area, however, no further than their side of the centre square.

The boundary umpire shall not place themselves between the players and the ball.

Position

Goal umpires must position themselves under the flight of the ball to ensure the correct scoring decision is made.

When the ball is within scoring distance of your goal, the goal umpire should be positioned so that the ball, the centre of the goal line, and the goal umpire form a straight line.

Position (on line situation)

Goal umpires must be astride the goal line and out of the way of players on the following occasions:

(a) dropping ball
(b) ball bouncing along the ground towards goal
(c) player running for close in kick
(d) contest on goal/behind line