Getting it Right and Getting Along!

Effective Decision Making for Umpires

Elements of Effective Decision Making

Technical

Environmental

Technical

• Knowledge of the Laws, Spirit of the Laws, Rules, Policies

• Deciding when to intervene – Game Sense

• Interpersonal Skills – effective communication

• Positioning

• Co-operation with other officials, coaches, players

Environmental

• Education, training, preparation – when and how

• Coaching (instruction, feedback, assessment)

• Relationships with coaches, athletes, administrators, other officials, media, sponsors

• Competition support (codes of conduct, tribunals, zero tolerance abuse policy)

• Travel, recognition, rewards

The Expectations of the Environment

Effective Umpiring - Hockey

• Concentration

• Role Models

• Physical and mental fitness, appearance

• Consistency and commonsense

• Sensitivity and confidence

• Co-operation with each other

The Expectations of the Environment

AFL• Be consistent

• Be professional and prepared – fitness, image

• Have empathy for the players

• Demonstrate ‘game sense’

• Bounce straight

• Take control when required

• Let the game flow if possible

Effective Umpiring in the AFL

• Have a sound knowledge of laws

• Make good position

• Remain calm and composed

• Focus on the right things at the right time

• Treat players with respect - do not embarrass them

• Use interpersonal skills - listen, penalise actions not characters, selectively ignore

Laws & the role of the coach/player?

• To understand the rules/laws as they relate to them

• To develop strategies to exploit the rules in their favour

• To compete in a manner that delivers the most favourable result to them

Laws and the role of the umpire?

• To set the boundary?

• To police the boundary?

• To manage the boundary?

‘The spirit of the law rewards fair play’

What is the role of the umpire?

Definitely to manage the boundary – in relation to the laws and their application the umpire is both a leader and manager on the field

‘The spirit of the law rewards fair play’

The best decisions are likely to be made when…

Officials, coaches, athletes and administrators, media, parents….

Know their role

Accept their role

Perform their role

The Coaching Process

Use video whenever possible - Avoid what ifs?

Balance individual vs group feedback

Create a positive environment

Understand how the individual ‘learns’