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.

Thirdly, effective control is demonstrated by handling players and situations in an appropriate manner.

Umpires will achieve good results in this aspect of their performance if they simply treat players as they, themselves, would like to be treated.

Umpires need to stay cool, irrespective of how animated or heated players' behaviour may be.

Goal Umpires - When going for, or returning, flags to holders look down the ground and observe players for any likelihood of reportable offences. After a goal has been scored all other umpires are busy.

Effective control is demonstrated by:

• making decisions, having the courage of your convictions.

• confidence in decision making, blowing the whistle strong and long, strong visual communication.

• appropriate responses to players and situations, staying cool.

Being Alert

Whilst the ball must be kept under observation at all times, it is important for umpires to be alert for potentially volatile situations.

Potentially volatile situations would be a player knocked down after disposal, or after taking a mark, or when shepherding. These situations should be trigger points to be alert.

On most occasions, field umpires will try to keep the match in progress, however, there will be occasions when the play has been stopped by the field umpire and your assistance is required to attend to a volatile situation.

Boundary Umpires - When play is in progress, your first priority is to remain with the play. Watch the ball and follow the play.

Goal Umpires - Remember you must never leave your goal area if there is the possibility of a score occuring. Being alert includes being aware of what is going on around you in the immediate goal area. If you find a player is shaking a goal or behind post to put a player "off" who is shooting for goal, then that is reportable. If the ball hits the moving post, the "hit the post" decision stands i.e. goal post - a behind, behind post - out of bounds.