International player turned commentator, Simon Mason has a thorough way of navigating his own interpretation of the rules.
FIH Official Positions with David Ellcock – Hockey Umpiring Skills – #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Being an Official at an FIH tournament doesn’t just include umpires but an array of positions. David Ellcock takes us through all the official roles.
Creating Angles for Video Referrals with Ayanna McClean – Hockey Umpiring Skills – #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Video referral is a fascinating part of international hockey and Ayanna McClean describes how creating angles affect the decision options.
Infringing 5m to PC Upgrade with Adam Kearns | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
This intentional breakdown is very subtle, but Adam Kearns trusted what he saw and went for the big penalty corner upgrade.
Big Tackles and Bigger Calls with Aleisha Neumann – Hockey Umpiring Skills – #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Check out an excerpt from a 10-minute discussion with Aleisha Neumann around this tackle right at the circle edge and whether the best call was a 23m restart or a penalty corner.
The Demands of the Umpire Manager Role with Soledad Iparraguirre | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
What’s more tiring: umpiring a game or watching one as an umpire manager? Spoiler alert: Soledad explains that umpiring at the top for 20 years couldn’t prepare her for the demands on an umpire manager…
The Power of Your Brain with Whit Ryan | #UmpireAtHome Ep. 23
🗣 Whit Ryan 🇺🇸 Do you want to be better focused on the pitch? This week we’re welcoming Whit Ryan to #UmpireAtHome. Whit is a USA Level III umpire and a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology and holds an MA in Sport and Performance Psychology, who combines his #thirdteam experience with a lot of brain […]
Accidentally Tripping vs Being Reckless with Alison Keogh | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
There is a fine line between accidentally tripping vs being reckless or clumsy with no control over your body. Both situations can have nasty results if you take another player out but need to be managed slightly differently.
Third-Party Obstruction with Lim Hong Zhen | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
An easy to follow description of 3rd man obstruction is summed up so nicely by Lim Hong Zhen as he talks us through this clip from his Aus v Ned game from pro league 2019
Intentional Play Over the Backline with Sarah Wilson | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
In this #UmpireAtHome #TBT, Sarah Wilson explains how to decide if the ball has been intentionally played over the backline.
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 22 with Dan Barstow
🗣 Dan Barstow 🏴 We’re sitting down with Pro League umpire Dan Barstow to talk over the highs of World Cup semi-finals, the lows of Olympic disappointments and everything in between. Bring your best Yorkshire tea and all of your curiosity because we want YOUR questions to banter over! ➕📅 Add to your calendar 👀 […]
Keep Yourself in the Game | David Tomlinson | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Tomo talks about some mental tricks to stay in the game and how talking to yourself, your co-umpire and the players can make a big difference in your mental preparedness for all the possibilities a game will throw at you.
Refocusing After a Mistake | Michelle Joubert | Field Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
We’ve ALLLLLLLL been there: our mind wanders off to pixie land where self-annihilation plays. Do yourself a favour and have a listen to Michelle Joubert as she talks about how she refocuses her mind after potentially making a mistake. She makes a great point that this process can be different for everyone and offers up […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 21 with Jakub Mejzlik
🗣 Jakub Mejzlik 🇨🇿 Fresh off this weekend’s #FIHProLeague ESPvBEL double-header, Tokyo appointee Jakub Mejzlik joins us on #UmpireAtHome. We’re going to talk showing personality on the pitch, batting above your country’s weight on the international stage and, maybe, I don’t know, a couple of things that happened in Valencia. 😉 Have a question, dilemma […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 20 with Céline Martin-Schmets
🗣 Céline Martin-Schmets 🇧🇪 #UmpireAtHome in January continues with more #shedhockey! Céline Martin-Schmets has established herself as one of Europe’s top indoor umpires after the 2020 European Indoor Championships where she took charge of the uber-exciting final between Belarus and the Netherlands with Wales’ Cathy Wright. Make sure to bring your questions (and banter) to […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 19 with Lee Barron
🗣 Lee Barron It’s the return of #UmpireAtHome with English superstar indoor umpire Lee Barron, who will talk over his most recent finals appearance at the 2018 Indoor World Cup Final and all things shed hockey. #UmpireAtHome highlights issues facing hockey umpires right now, and through discussion, explores umpiring skills and how to interpret the […]
David Ellcock on the Regulations | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
You may have noticed that our hockey rule book isn’t very extensive and often the nitty-gritty information of tournaments is in specific regulations for that level or even just that event. But how do regulations relate to umpiring? Here we have umpire and official David Ellcock explain how umpires can fall victim to big errors […]
Simon Mason on Umpire Briefings | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
We’ve always wondered whether our commentary friends were ever involved in umpire briefings to help them with their ability to call the game. Find out whether that’s the case and how commentators like Simon Mason breach the communication gap with umpires in order to provide the most accurate picture to the hockey fan on this […]
Ayanna McClean on Player Reactions and Danger | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
At times player reactions can give you a bit of information to help you feel confident about a decision, but are those reactions visible from the video umpire box? Ayanna McClean, our video umpire guru, talks about player reactions to danger and what she is looking for when it comes to danger and the ball […]
Adam Kearns on Moving Down the Control Elevator | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Sometimes it can be a hard decision between a green or a yellow card. What can make it even harder is when you have already awarded a yellow and then appear to have “gone backwards” to give a green. If you want to learn the subtle differences in breakdown play and how you can apply […]
Alison Keogh on the Hard Work of Changing Face | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Sometimes the hard yards are not done on the field, or even in a gym. You may be doing the work when you receive pointed and seemingly personal criticism, and decide to address the problem head-on. Ali Keogh describes a period of intense self-reflection brought on by comments made by umpire managers about her facial […]
David Ellcock on the 40s Goal Clock – Hockey Umpiring Skills – #UmpireAtHome #TBT
We have discussed this classic BELvGER highlight in several other #UmpireAtHome episodes but we want to bring you another perspective, that of the technical official on the game. In this #TBT, David Ellcock explains his role in getting the teams ready after a goal. Internationally, teams have 40 seconds after a goal which allows for […]
Chats in Quarter-Time Breaks | Lim Hong Zhen | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
“What do you talk about at quarter-time breaks?” It’s a question that’s been on repeat in the #UmpireAtHome episodes, so we thought you might just like to hear a clip from Lim Hong Zhen with his answer that gives you another glimpse into how umpires plan and prepare during these big matches. Check out the […]
The Shoot-Out Behind the Scenes | Sarah Wilson | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Who doesn’t love a good discussion about the shoot-out? But here are a couple of different questions that we at FHumpirs really enjoyed getting Sarah Wilson’s perspective on. For example: can anyone take control of the shoot-out, or is it the responsibility of the umpire who was at that end of the field? Discover how […]
Making Attacking Obstruction Easier | Aleisha Neumann | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Clearly and concisely, Aleisha Neumann talks us through this attacker obstruction call she made in one of the 2019 Olympic Qualifier matches between China and Belgium. She also identifies what she did to make this decision easier and how she sells her decision which in this situation. With a stadium full of Chinese supporters and […]
Switching to the UM Role | Soledad Iparraguirre | Hockey Umpiring Skills| #UmpireAtHome #TBT
After 20 years as a top international umpire it can be a hard jump over the line to being an umpire manager. This is made even more difficult when you’re coaching umpires you were on the field with less than a year ago, and Soledad talks about how this came up during her first appointment […]
Recovering Your Positioning – David Tomlinson | Hockey Umpiring Skills | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Getting caught on a fast break happens to every umpire, and it doesn’t get easier at the top level where the players are inhumanly quick. It’s all about the recovery, and when you hope you can phone a friend when a tough question comes up!
Penalty Corner Positioning | Michelle Joubert | Hockey Umpiring Skills| #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Thomas Briels leads us through a penalty stroke called against his own team in this #TBT clip. Adding to the insight, Raghu Prasad asks Briels live whether he would have expected Prasad to give a card along with the team penalty. Find out what he thinks!
Sharing a Pint with an Umpire | Simon Mason | #UmpireAtHome #TBT
Sharing a beer is the universal language for “let’s be friends,” so Simon Mason’s advice to players at the end of the game is to take a pint and go chat with the umpires. If you spend just a little time trying to learn from them, and even—GASP!—getting to know them, rather than standing around […]
Hockey Umpiring Skills | Gut Instinct vs. Visual Evidence in VR | Ayanna McClean
How often have you heard someone say “well, the trajectory of that ball means it must have been a back stick,” or “it didn’t sound like the ball hit a stick so it must have been a foot”? This logic doesn’t work in the video referral box. Ayanna McClean tells us in this #UmpireAtHome #TBT […]
Hockey Umpiring Skills | How 5m Rules Can Create Tactical Advantages | Adam Commens
Smart players use the rules to their advantage; special players take advantage of their smarts in the big moments. In this #TBT #UmpireAtHome, Adam Commens leads us through the genius of Victor Wegnez in the semi-final of the Eurohockey Championships, who used a fake inside the 23m to create an incredible goal. He notes how […]
Hockey Umpiring Skills | PC Positioning & Vision | Adam Kearns
When you let Adam Kearns talk you learn a bundle. In this clip, he talks about his personal penalty corner positioning and why it works for him, what he learnt at the last World Cup from UM Minka Woolley about men’s and women’s vision, and then onto interacting with players on a PC. This is […]
Hockey Umpiring Skills | Blocking Out Crowd Noise | Alison Keogh
There were several #UmpireAtHome episodes where the question was asked, “how do you block out a crowd?” In this #TBT on a Sunday clip, Ali Keogh talks us through her process. Ultimately, what you pay attention to takes top priority in your mind. Stay focused on the game and the decisions at hand, and those […]
Hockey Umpiring Skills | Green Cards and Progressive Penalties | Lim Hong Zhen
It’s not often we see 2 cards within a minute of each other, and even more rare is in this instance both cards are for the same team for the same offence. We have Lim explain the impact of the small touches of the ball after the whistle has gone and also why in these […]
Hockey Umpires and Skills | Clock Awareness | Sarah Wilson
#UmpireAtHome explores issues facing hockey umpires right now, and through discussion, explores how to interpret the rules of hockey in a way that best serves the game. Ever wondered how you can stay in the game when it is going right to the wire? Well, have a listen to Sarah Wilson talk about how she […]
Hockey Umpires and Skills|Umpiring from a Player’s Perspective | Aleisha Neumann
#UmpireAtHome explores issues facing hockey umpires right now, and through discussion, explores how to interpret the rules of hockey in a way that best serves the game. A fun fact you might not know about Aleisha Neumann: the talented umpire also played in the national domestic league in Australia. She has real insight into how […]
Hockey Umpire Managing Skills | Supporting Your Umpires | Soledad Iparraguirre
If you are an umpire coach at ANY level you need to watch this clip for some brilliant information from the one and only Soledad Iparraguirre. Having umpired at 4 Olympics she knows what it’s like to umpire at long tournaments and dealing with the daily stressors.
Hockey Umpiring Skills | Getting the Basics Right with Radios | David Tomlinson
Have you ever over-relied on radios when working with a colleague? David Tomlinson reminds us that you still have to get your basic skills right, including positioning and signalling.
Hockey Rules & Umpiring | Michelle Joubert – Danger and 3D Skills | #UmpireAtHome
Thomas Briels leads us through a penalty stroke called against his own team in this #TBT clip. Adding to the insight, Raghu Prasad asks Briels live whether he would have expected Prasad to give a card along with the team penalty. Find out what he thinks!
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 16 with Michelle Joubert
Rio Olympic gold medal umpire Michelle Joubert visits #UmpireAtHome next. We’ll make our way through her work during last year’s Pro League matchup between GBR v AUS at Lee Valley, and check in on topics like cards, fitness and why the set-up in SA produces so many top-flight whistlers! 📅 Facebook Live: June 6 14.00 […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 14 with Ali Keogh
We’re back with our #thirdteam peeps as we welcome Irish superstar Ali Keogh to #UmpireAtHome. Ali is going to lead us through a 2019 Pro League match between Belgium and New Zealand, dissecting the challenges she faced with some tough decisions, coach relationships and striking the right balance in management. We’ll also answer the important […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 12 with Ayanna McClean
In every #UmpireAtHome episode we spend a good chunk of time talking about video referral and the role of the video umpire in top-level matches. So why not do a whole show on it? Thanks to Ayanna McClean 🇹🇹 and her brilliant idea, we’re going to do just that in Ep. 12! Make sure you […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 11 with Thomas Briels
Have you ever wanted to know what a top player thinks about umpiring and how it affects the game? 🙋♀️ We shift gears in a major way for Ep. 11 of #UmpireAtHome as none other than World Cup Champion and captain of the Belgian Red Lions 🇧🇪, Thomas Briels, will share his thoughts and answer […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 10 with Adam Kearns
The #UmpireAtHome series continues with Ep. 10 where we get to enjoy the company of Aussie Golden Whistle holder Adam Kearns. Not one to hold back, Kearnsy is going to take us through a hot NZLvESP match-up from his perspective, so get ready for some amazing honesty and blunt self-reflection. Don’t forget, every episode of […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 9 with Lim Hong Zhen
For Ep. 9 of #UmpireAtHome I can’t wait to settle down for a couple of hours of insight and mimosas (don’t judge, I’m quarancoping just fine, thanks) with the wonderful Lim Hong Zhen 🇸🇬. We’ll be working through the astonishing #AUSvNED matchup from Feb 2, 2019 in Melbourne…you will not want to miss this! (But […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 8 with Aleisha Neumann
For #UmpireAtHome Ep. 8 we dive into the weird and secretive world of hockey in China as Aleisha Neumann 🇦🇺 shares behind-the-scenes tales from the emotional Olympic Qualifying decider against Belgium. It’s going to be a doozy, so make sure you have your questions ready (right beside a glass of fine Aussie Shiraz)! 📝🍷 📅 […]
Coach Chat #AMA With The Umpires
In these special times with all of the world having to #stayhome in order to #staysafe and live with #socialdistancing we thought it would be a good idea to ramp up our efforts and try and provide you hockey coaches out there with a weekly Coach Chat. So we present the #AMA series of Coach […]
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 6 with David Tomlinson
#UmpireAtHome Ep. 6 features David Tomlinson 🇳🇿, leading us through last year’s ESP 🇪🇸 v ARG 🇦🇷 #FIHProLeague encounter in Valencia. Don’t miss it!⠀ 📅 April 15 6.00 GMT⠀ 📹 http://fih.live/view/event/48400⠀ 📋 https://tms.fih.ch/matches/12718 #thirdteam #FacebookLive #alwayslearning #hilaritywillensue
World Cup Preview: #thirdteam
In the Edition 6 of the HWN, we took you down the long and obscure path towards understanding the new FIH pathway in umpiring. You all read that article forwards and backwards twice, right? It will come as no surprise to you that this article is a natural segue as we will be reviewing one […]
