For field hockey umpires, by field hockey umpires
A common positioning mistake is for umpires to get caught ball-watching on difficult decisions like aerials. Without knowing exactly where she began at the 15m free hit, it’s likely the umpire a too high at the outset. This may be partially due to the play going predominantly in her partner’s direction up during Q1 and…
This is an example of when possession isn’t accompanied by opportunity, so the better remedy is to blow your whistle. Although the ball carrier may have had the skill to dribble away from the situation and create something, the quick whistle at worst prevents the fouled player from working too hard, and at best may…
Two instances within 45s of the same team playing the ball after the whistle and breaking down play. In both examples, the fouling player subtly moves the ball further away from the spot of the foul after the whistle has blown. Interestingly, a green card is shown in both cases, which are the first cards…
This tackle shows the fine line between a well-executed block and tackling illegally with body contact. The defender is tracking body-to-body and is able to get his stick completely flat and cleanly take the ball as the attacker tries to shift to his right. Without using the misleading phrase “he got the ball first”, the…
Showing patience inside the circle when little incidents occur can show dividends when an umpire has a thorough understanding of the skill level of the players involved. There is a minor bump by the defender on the initial reception, but the attacker collects the ball well and recovers better than the defender from that contact,…
On this penalty corner, the goalkeeper makes a save that sits directly in front of her pads. An attacker comes in and places her stick against the ball, and eventually pushes it up against the pads and over the goalkeeper, after which it hits the leg of a defender standing behind. A penalty stroke is…
