Guidelines for Bridgwater Hockey Club Umpires
From our very own President and Umpires Secretary, Geoff Banham. Available as a handy download below.
Essential Equipment
- Whistle
- Stopwatch
- Cards (Green, yellow and red)
- A top, ideally yellow, but which is a different colour to the two teams. Ideally it should be the same colour as the other umpire
- Trousers/track suit trousers (ideally not shorts) ideally black
- A pencil (and a spare) to log score & any cards given
- A notepad (or write on cards)
- A coin (to toss up)Additional Desirable Equipment
- String to tie up any holes there might be in the nets
- A cap (to cater for strong sunlight)
- A long sleeved top or rainjacket (colour see above - umpire can’t perform if frozen!
- Gloves if required, as above
- Alternative sounding whistle (in case of 2 games side by side)
Preparation and The Game
- Discuss the game/colour to wear with fellow umpire before the start
- Check position of goals & repair any holes in nets with string
- Clear hazards (spare goals etc) around edge of pitch•Decide who will take which side of pitch
- At Chilton the more experienced umpire should take the side near the dug-outs (to control any subs and coaches)
- At Chilton any player or coach in front of the fence to be under umpires’ jurisdiction. Everyone else should be behind the fence
- Agree who will time first half, the other takes second half (both monitor time also)
- Establish who are actually the captains
- Introduce yourself to the captains latest at the time of doing the toss
- Establish how many players each team has nominated. Should ideally have a list of names before the game
- Remind captains they have overall responsibility for the behaviour of players, both on-field players and substitutes
- Toss and give winning captain option of choice of end or starting
- Remember what the selection was
- Ensure an acceptable match ball is provided (and spares in the event of loss of it)
- Check only 11 players for each side are on the pitch
- Ensure both teams (especially goalkeepers) ready before starting
- Log goals scored as game proceeds
- Log cards handed out per player’s number and per card colour (by both umpires
- Discourage fellow club members calling you by name rather than by “umpire”
- If you lose anything, time etc, stop the game at appropriate point and consult
- Your jurisdiction continues until the teams leave the pitch area
- Sign match card at end, giving your umpire number
- Get your own umpire log signed if required
- Report to the league any red card awarded on official document (available on website (ashua.org.uk)
- Try and enjoy home team’s post match hospitality!