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Umpire Attributes
Introduction To Umpiring
You Did It!
Yup, time to be super proud. You've finished the course and successfully passed the exam. So what's next? If you're in the CLFHA, contact your team rep or the league coordinator to be appointed to …
Indoor Provincial Exam
Psychological Skills & Tips
Relaxation Physical and mental relaxation can help to manage anxiety. Possible coping techniques include: Deep breathing/breath control that is smooth, deep and rhythmical Slow down; have …
Fitness
Today’s hockey has put an ever-increasing physical as well as mental demand upon umpires. Physical Fitness Players’ standards of preparation and performance have intensified to such a degree …
Whistle Technique
Use of the Whistle the whistle is the main tool of communication for an umpire hold the whistle in your hand until you make a call - this allows you to use your voice and be proactive with …
Maintaining Control
Below are listed some common problems exhibited by umpires. You can improve your control of the game by being aware of these tendencies, and working to eliminate them from your umpiring. Guessing: …
Game Management and Control
Any game at any level can be very stressful for the umpire. The presence of spectators, the tension created by anxious players and coaches and the pressure of the match itself all contribute to …
Penalty Stroke Positioning
As the controlling umpire, you have the lion's share of responsibility for the penalty stroke you have awarded. You are looking for: The stroke-taker is starting behind the ball The goalkeeper …
Penalty Corner Positioning
Penalty Corners The controlling umpire: must be in a position to see the injection and the end line simultaneously to detect any early breaking, must be able to see whether the ball has …
Supporting Umpire Positioning
There are two movements to consider when supporting your colleague, depending on which general side the ball moves away from you. When the ball moves up your near side boards, your priority needs …
Controlling Umpire Positioning
9m Free Push As the controlling umpire, you want to be either behind the last defender playing the ball out, or at least in front of the highest attacker. How far up the pitch you go will depend on …
Turnover Drill
One of the traps we fall into when we're new to umpiring is THINKING. Your brain is deadly; keep it out of umpiring as much as possible. The problem is that when we think--perhaps about the last …
Positioning
"Positioning" means being in the best possible place to see the play, at the right time. The "best" position is the one that allows the umpire to observe everything play closely but doesn't cause …
Pre-Match Chat
The two umpires should always try to have a chat about the game you will umpire, no matter how brief. This will help with your communication, teamwork, consistency in making the calls and your own …
Team Umpiring
Regardless of your experience as an umpire, team umpiring is a must on and off the field. A strong “team” of umpires, united for the match, will do much to contribute towards a well-controlled, …
What Makes a Good Umpire?
The umpire is a very important and necessary part of every game. Each umpire has a responsibility to ensure that games proceed safely and fairly within the spirit of the rules. Careful study of the …
How to Award a Card
Umpires often say that giving cards is the most difficult aspect of the game. A few others actually enjoy giving them and can even struggle to conceal their glee when the opportunity arises. Neither …
The Floors
1. Warning: cautioning by use of words and/or body language and/or whistle tone The first level of communication involves using any combination or all of a loud, sharp whistle blast, hand motions …
The Control Elevator
In addition to the appropriate team penalties described previously, any player may also be given a personal penalty in the form of a card for an offence. Personal penalties should be considered for …
Managing the Penalty Stroke
Managing the Penalty Stroke If the penalty corner is the biggest common call you'll make in the game, the penalty stroke is the rarest of the even bigger calls. Everything that applies for the …
Taking the Penalty Stroke – Rule 13.8
The Penalty Stroke: the signal also indicates time stoppedno undue delay in preparation for the stroke by players be proactive to prevent a goalkeeper from taking off all of their equipment just …
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Penalty Stroke – Rule 12.4
A penalty stroke is awarded when a defender: commits an unintentional foul in the circle which prevents a probable goal from being scored, orcommits an intentional foul in the circle against an …
Managing the Penalty Corner
Managing the Penalty Corner - In Detail The penalty corner is the most common "big call" you're going to make in a game. This is where you can flex your management muscle by having a strong …
Completing Penalty Corners – Rule 13.4-13.6
At The Quarter Ends and Full-Time the game is prolonged to complete a penalty cornerif another penalty corner or penalty stroke is awarded the game will be prolonged again to complete of the …
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Taking Penalty Corners – Rule 13.3/13.7
The Attack the ball is placed on the back-line at least 6 metres from the goalpost on whichever side the attacking team preferswhen the umpire is ready, they will blow their whistle to signal the …
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Awarding Penalty Corners – Rule 12.3
The 5 reasons for awarding a PC are when: there is an unintentional breach of the rules by the defending team inside the circlethe defending team intentionally plays the ball over their own …
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Attacking Free Push Inside 3m Dotted Line – Rule 13.2
For attacking free pushes inside the 3m dotted line: The free push is taken from the spot of the foul. Defenders inside the circle caught within 3m of the free push being taken when the …
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Free Pushes Inside Attacking Half – Rule 13.2
Free Pushes Inside the Attacking Half All players must be 3 metres awayan attacker can only play the ball into the circle after it has travelled 3 metres (including if it is played off the side …
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Taking the Free Push – Rule 12.2/13.1-13.2
Awarding the Free Push A free push is awarded for: an offence by an attacker in the half of the pitch they are attackingfor an unintentional offence by a defender outside the circle Taking a …
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All Field Players – Rule 2.2
A team may elect to play without any type of goalkeeper (for example, they lack a helmet). In that situation, all 6 field players on the court will be in the same colour of shirt and no player has …
Goalkeepers Play Inside Circle – Rule 10.3
Goalkeepers may propel the ball away with their hand/hand protector/ arm/ body/ legs/feet, as part of a goal-saving action or to deny attackers the chance to shoot or gain possession. However, if a …
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Pitch Area and Equipment – Rule 10.1
Fully-Kitted Goalkeeper wears different shirt plus protective headgear, kickers, leg-guards, etc. may only play outside their circle if beyond playing distance of any opponent (safety), and …
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Breaking Down Play – Rule 14.1, 12.8
Intentional stopping of the play that disrupts flow must be removed from the game. It penalises skillIt’s often very dangerousIt’s against the spirit of the game WATCH FOR: the position of …
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Other Dangerous Play
Dangerous Use of Stick Sticks brought over the head of an opponent can lead to injury and is therefore dangerous play and must be penalized. This commonly occurs when an attacker has pushed the …
Danger: Drilling or Slamming – Rule 9.8
Drilling is deliberately playing the ball hard at a close opponent. We are looking specifically to eliminate injuries caused by balls unnecessarily striking hands or being flung off defenders' sticks …
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More Obstructions
Trapped Ball If a player intentionally moves the ball against the boards in a corner of the pitch to shield it and prevent the opposition from playing it, this is obstruction and is an obstruction …
Types of Obstructions
Stick Obstruction When a player puts their stick between an opponent and the ball as an obstruction, if this action is done quickly it can be legitimate; if the stick remains as an obstruction …
Obstruction – Rule 9.13
A player may not obstruct an opponent from attempting to play the ball by: backing into an opponent,shielding the ball from a legitimate tackle with their sticks or any part of their bodies, …
3 Points of Contact / Lying on the Pitch – Rule 9.12
Players must not play the ball while lying on the pitch or with a hand, arm or knee on the pitch other than the hand holding the stickAccidental use of the hand or knee on the floor for balance should …
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Playing the Ball with the Body – Rule 9.11
Players are not allowed to use any part of their body to kick, propel, pick up, throw or carry the ball. However, bear in mind it's not always an offence if the ball hits the foot, hand or body of a …
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Playing the Ball in the Air – Rule 9.10
Players must not play ball in the air – except a player can stop, control, then play the ball if the other team has created the raised ball. However, as a result of a legitimate non-dangerous …
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Raising the Ball – Rule 9.9
Raised Ball: Players must not intentionally do this except for a shot on net. Consider whether there is advantage/disadvantage to the player or opponent. be sure that the lift is either too high or …
Use of the Stick – Rules 9.5-9.7, 9.16
Hitting - 9.5 Hitting or slap hitting the ball is not allowed. Any long motion of the stick along the ground before contact with the ball is made is a slap hit and therefore illegal. Back of …
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When To Apply Advantage
True advantage: when the player has an opportunity to make the same or better play than would be available if the foul is awarded The possibility of applying advantage exists in all areas of play …
When To “Play On”
There are many situations where minor breaches of the rules occur but the umpire should not penalize the “offending” team because the breach did not change the ability of the non-offending team to …
How To Apply Advantage
Anticipate by reading the game: the umpire must look beyond the action of the moment and be aware of potential developments and decide quickly whether advantage existsRecognition & Communication: …
Advantage – Rule 12.1
Advantage: a penalty is awarded ONLY when an opponent breaking the rules has created a disadvantage for an opposing player or team. Interpretation of Advantage: Advantage gives the umpire the …
