th Field Umpire Coaching – 30 July

1. Communication

Before the Game - Speak on the player and team in the game, players to be aware of, possible match ups - How you will work together as a team – hand overs, back each other up, field/boundary/goal issues that may arise

During the Game - Communicate with players only when necessary, do not make sarcastic or disrespectful comments at any stage - Communicate clearly with the players during the game - Only explain decisions to players who ask respectfully - Do not get engaged in conversations with players on the umpiring

After the Game/Quarter - Discuss with other umpires issues that may have experienced during the game/quarter - Discuss where the games at and whether need to change in the next quarter - Discuss players that are performing well for votes

2. Our Limits

Comments by Players - Penalise any comment that is clearly dissent or abusive towards an umpire with a free kick or 50m penalty - Allow players to question respectfully and offer an appropriate response as necessary

Comments by Officials (runners, trainers, water carriers, etc) - Any comment you feel that the runner needs to be warned, this needs to be a free kick or 50m penalty. We will not accept any abusive or a comment where the dispute the decision from any of these officials and should be penalised on the first occasion.

Comments from Other Club Officials - Make a note of these on the match report for the league to follow up as required

Other Security Issues - Make a note on the match report, eg umpire escorts not able to rectify an issue that has occurred.

2015 AFLNEB Umpire Coaching th Field Umpire Coaching – 30 July

3. Consistent approach to moving the ball on

After a Behind or a Free Kick or Mark around the Ground - Once the player has the ball available for their disposal start the count of 5, then two short blows of whistle, say “Move it on”, then “Play On”. - For kick in after a behind, once the ball is available in the square for the kick in the count starts and continues until it is disposed correctly, does not reset if a new kicker comes in to take the kick

Player have a shot at goal - The player has 30 seconds to start his approach to kick the goal - The count starts once he is in possession of the ball - If you blow , then the count does not start until you blow time back on - Do not blow time on unless a player is injured or the ball has been knocked out of the players possession and is some distance away - Warn the player at the 15 second mark of the count - If the player has not commenced him movement to kick by 30 seconds he is to be called to ‘Play On’.

4. Video Examples

1. Sling – player being tackled has his arms pinned and his head makes forceful contact with the ground. In this instance the umpire did not see the head hit the ground but paid a free kick. At O&M level refer this for video review if you have not seen the full incident, at district you can make a note on the match report regarding a player being knocked out during the play from a tackle, the league may wish to launch an investigation to the incident. Trigger is a slinging tackle where the player leaves the ground and the head makes contact with the ground as a result from the tackle. Report for engaging in rough conduct (Law 19.2.2 (a)(vi)).

2. Spear Tackle – the player is lifted in the tackling motion and is turned and the head is driven into the ground. This should be reported if seen on the day otherwise at O&M level refer for video review or make a note on the match report at district level. Trigger is any player that is lifted off the ground in the tackle, we need to be aware of what happens to the head and any forceful contact to the head should result in the player being reported for engaging in rough conduct (Law 19.2.2 (a)(vi))

3. After the player has kicked the goal he makes unnecessary contact with the player on the mark. This needs to be penalised with a free kick in the centre of the ground. Be proactive in these instances to hopefully stop other reactions later in the game.

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2015 AFLNEB Umpire Coaching th Field Umpire Coaching – 30 July

4. Video Examples (continued)

4. Player with the ball had a prior opportunity and was tackled legally and was paid HTB, which was correct. The player who tackled when pushes the head of the player in to the ground. This contact is unnecessary and is correctly penalised by the umpire. A team mate then makes a comment that is appropriately penalised with a 50m penalty. We need to have the courage to reverse free kicks where there is unnecessary high contact or reaction where a player is knocked to the ground. The penalty will hopefully stop future reactions during the game

2015 AFLNEB Umpire Coaching