AFLQ

J F U P C O O R D I N A T O R S M A N U A L

Nicholas LiparotaUmpire AFL Queensla nd [Company Name] @UmpireAFLQ AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Club: ______Season: ______

JFUP Coordinator: ______Email: ______Phone: ______

AFLQ Umpiring Contact: ______Email: ______Phone: ______

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Developing future AFL Umpires

By Andrew Stephens, JFUP Umpiring Ambassador and current AFL Field Umpire

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual. This is a resource for Club JFUP Coordinators to use and to develop their coaching around umpiring.

Children who are encouraged and given the appropriate coaching in their developing years are more likely to fulfill their potential than those youngsters who are less well coached or who only participate in a limited range of physical education and sports activities.

Coaching is enjoyable and one of the most satisfying things we can do. It is a special feeling to see a young umpire displaying their skills in the big games in front of large crowds across the country. At the same time we understand that it was you as a parent, teacher and coach who laid the foundation for their success by first introducing a child to our great game and the skill of umpiring.

The various sections of this manual will equip you with all you need to know to begin coaching effectively. Skill development and activities are provided in each section. The Skills Guide provides clearly illustrated coaching points on each of the major skills of umpiring AFL Football.

Good Luck with your coaching.

Andrew Stephens JFUP Ambassador Current AFL Field Umpire

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Using the Manual

The AFLQ Junior Football Umpiring Program (JFUP) is an introductory program for all junior football players to be introduced into umpiring at Junior Levels.

This AFLQ JFUP Manual provides the framework for managing and coaching junior umpires.

The manual covers a range of areas for coordinators and coaches including the long-standing AFL philosophy, the role of the umpire coach, planning a JFUP training session, safety and teaching techniques to help coaches when assisting children to develop their skills at an appropriate rate.

Towards the back of the book, we have included an extensive compendium of full umpiring training sessions that provide warm-up activities, drills and skills for a variety of different age levels and disciplines.

There are also chapters provided which break down how junior and youth matches should be ran and under what rules.

I encourage all AFLQ JFUP Umpire Coordinators to visit the “AFL Umpires” and “AFL Community Football” sections on the AFL website www.afl.com.au to keep up to date with the latest umpiring and coaching information. You can also receive some very useful information and stay up to date with all umpiring related items and news on the Umpire AFL Queensland Facebook page and on Twitter @UmpireAFLQ.

Best wishes for your coaching this season.

Nick Liparota Community Umpiring Development Manager AFLQ Umpiring Department

4 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Section One: Why children play Sport? Section Two: JFUP Philosophy and Modified Rules Section Three: Role of the JFUP Coordinator Section Four: AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Duties Section Five: Skills guide and drills

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Section one Why children play sport?

In this section

Why children play sport? Characteristics of children Why be Inclusive?

6 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Why children play sport Children play sport for a variety of reasons. Most commonly they do it because they enjoy it. Once enjoyment goes so does their interest in continuing the sport. However, enjoyment can come from a variety of sources. For example, it can come from: • Learning new skills. • Improving skills. • Participating in a range of activities. • Having a good relationship with a coach. • Being recognised by being selected for competition or to demonstrate to others. • Being involved in exciting and close contests. • Being with friends • Being identified with a group whom they respect and whose company they like. • Being able to do something well. • Achieving challenging tasks and performing at one’s personal best. • The desire to be fit and healthy • Being involved in a well organised physical activity. • Being given positive feedback, encouragement and/or awards. • Being part of a friendly, good humored and caring group of people. • Feeling safe, secure and being treated with respect.

To maintain their interest in playing sport children need to be able to learn the skills required and do this in an environment that values them as an individual. Poor coaching generally leads to player/umpire frustration and self- doubt and can promote a sense of inadequacy or failure.

Characteristics of children

All children are different. The AFLQ JFUP program is catered for boys and girls aged between 10 -17 years of age. Coaches need to be aware of the physical, emotional, social and skill-learning characteristics that differentiate children from one another, and the impact this has for their role as coaches.

The most fundamental fact to grasp is that children develop at different rates and that the range of difference can be very significant.

Being sensitive to and making appropriate allowances for individual differences is an essential part of coaching/teaching.

Physical differences in children • Some children have delayed growth, some grow at an average rate and others have accelerated growth. • Children of a younger age are generally less coordinated than older children. • Children of the same age can differ significantly in physical characteristics (e.g. children can differ in height by 40% and be four years apart in physical development) and capabilities. • Girls tend to develop physically at a faster rate than boys do. • Early matures are usually successful at sport in their younger years, but this success may not necessarily continue through adolescence with most late matures catching them up.

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Emotional differences in children Physical maturity does not necessarily produce emotional maturity. Children can be large and well built for their age and yet extremely self-conscious about themselves. Emotionally immature may: • Appear to be hypersensitive. • Be easily distracted. • Lack confidence. • Demonstrate poor emotion control in a variety of situations. • Be easily led by other children. • Not know how to adjust to the different personalities they face in a group or game situation.

Children, who are awkward, not good at motor skills or obese, may face a hard life with peers, and their estimation of self-worth may be seriously affected unless adult guidance is sensitive and wise. A good coach is aware of the different personalities and the differences in emotional maturity of the children in his/her charge.

A coach can build a child’s emotional wellbeing by ensuring that as far as possible appropriate roles and activities are provided for children. This helps to build their confidence and avoids them being exposed to public failure or humiliation.

Catering for differences In order to cater for individual difference: • Coaching approaches and expectancies for skill learning must differ from individual to individual. • Emphasis should be put on the child’s own progress, and not on comparing achievements with those others. • Individualized instruction and individualized challenges should be provided. • A broad array of activities should be planned and presented. • Activities should be of an increasingly complex nature and be challenging but ‘doable’ • Where possible, children of approximately the same skill levels (e.g. beginning, developing, extending) should be grouped together for instructional purposes.

Children who are enthusiastic, learn quickly, get on with others and have a happy disposition are a delight to teach. Fortunately most children display several of these characteristics. But not all do a few do all of the time. A coach’s job is not just to coach the easiest and best children; it is to engage all children in learning.

Look out for those who may need special help Coaches should observe the children they are working with and detect those children: • Who lose concentration most readily. • Who always want to be first or have difficulty sharing. • Who have difficulty remembering or following instructions. • Who give up most readily. • Who are picked on or ignored by others. • Who are quick to anger to express dissatisfaction. • Who express frustration or appear confused. • Who bully or try to dominate others. • Who become withdrawn and reluctant to participate.

These children especially should be assisted to overcome those behaviors that will impede their learning or the learning of others in the group. Ignoring these factors that can disrupt the group and impede learning can result in the teaching/coaching role becoming more and more difficult and children dropping out as a AFLQ JFUP.

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Why be inclusive?

Including children from a range of backgrounds is important in creating a welcoming environment at a JFUP. The important think to keep in mind is that every child, regardless of their gender, disability, cultural or religious background has the right to be involved in sport, especially a sport like Australian Football and the Junior Football Umpire Program.

Below are some of the benefits of inclusion: • More members who can add a richness and diversity to the environment; • Greater connection to the local community; • Increase in volunteers, from either the ‘new’ person or their family and friends; • Gain increased use of council facilities and grounds; • Re-invigoration of ‘new blood’ with fresh ideas; opening up new possibilities.

Including children with disabilities is not hard; it just requires enthusiasm and understanding.

Below are a few suggestions when working with people from a variety of backgrounds with differing levels of ability to encourage inclusion. • People from a range of backgrounds with differing levels of ability to encourage inclusion. • Thank ability, not disability, race or gender- work with what the person can do. Everyone has their own unique skills and abilities, find out what they are and focus on them to get people from a range of backgrounds involved. If appropriate, encourage parents of any child experiencing difficulty to assist. • Modify for all (using the TREE acronym) – any activity or skill drill can be modified to better cater for all participants. Using the TREE acronym helps people remember ways to modify an activity or skill drill to allow all participants to improve their skill level and enjoyment.

> T – teaching/coaching style > R – rules > E – equipment > E – environment (such as playing surface) Consider asking the children what modifications could be made.

• Simple adaptations or modifications of activities will allow greater participation by all. Every effort should be made to keep the activities as true form as possible and any changes should be viewed as temporary, working towards, where possible the original activity. If changes do not work, try another. • Provide activities where children can succeed and develop their self-esteem.

Above all coaching and the general inclusion of people from different abilities and backgrounds is nothing more than good coaching practice. Remember all children must be encouraged to participate in all activities.

Both the AFL and AFLQ are strong believes in inclusion and diversity. With the introduction of the AFLQ Multicurltal Umpiring Academy we are seeing more and more non-traditional Australian entering the game as an umpire to experience the great game of AFL.

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Notes

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Section Two JFUP Philosophy and modified rules

In this section

What is the Junior Football Umpire Program? Rookie and Pro JFUP Program Australian Junior Football Match Policy Under 8’s Modified Rules Under 9’s Modified Rules Under 10’s Modified Rules Under 11’s Modified Rules

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What is the Junior Football Umpire Program (JFUP)? The JFUP is the introductory program for children and parents consisting of education sessions, training sessions and umpiring games of junior football, throughout the season.

The program is structured around the needs of two distinct groups: • JFUP Rookie – a first year JFUP umpire. • JFUP Pro – a umpire who has been through the program already and is in another year of umpiring.

By structuring the AFLQ JFUP program around these two groups it is intended that all umpires are supplied with the correct teaching and coaching around their abilities. By using these two groups it will increase the opportunities to learn, umpire, progress and enjoy everything that Australian Football has to offer.

The JFUP and Modified Junior Football Rules have been developed to build the foundation skills for playing Australian Football and to respond to the needs of children starting and developing their knowledge of the game.

It is vital for the success of the AFL game that any person wishing to participate in Australian Football can do so in a manner which is appropriate to his or her skills, needs and aspirations and which takes account of the facilities available. To use the “full rules” of the game has not always been possible, and frequently not appropriate for many varied and valid reasons.

JFUP and Modified Junior Rules is designed to make the game: • Fun and to be safe • Be designed specifically to maximize participation, skill learning and development. • Be based upon rules and procedures appropriate to the children involved. • Involve appropriate accredited coaches and umpires. • Provide a transition from development level through to competition level for both players and umpires. • Be managed at club level with the guidance from AFLQ

The AFLQ JFUP Coaching Manual describes ideas how to administer training sessions and help with guidance of your JFUP’s.

What is the JFUP policy? The AFLQ JFUP policy is designed to introduce children and their parents to the game of AFL Football through a modified and structured football program. By doing this the JFUP umpire will develop and progress to hopefully one day be the next up and coming AFL umpire.

Volunteers, mainly parents, are responsible for successfully conducting the program. The AFL and AFLQ through coach education and provision of resources, provides important support to all volunteers as well as all Club Umpiring Coordinators.

The Junior Field Umpire Program is: • Fun and Safe • For boys, girls and parents • Managed by the clubs • Development tool • Initial step on the AFLQ Umpiring Pathway

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First Years: JFUP Rookie Program

JFUP Umpires normally between 10 – 12 years of age

At this early stage, all of these children have not spent a lot of time in the game or have experienced what it is like to be in control of a game. During training and games the emphasis should be on:

• Fun and enjoyment of the game. • Enhancing self-esteem and building social skills through individual achievement and group cooperation. • Teaching the basic skills of umpiring. (Running around, blowing a whistle, signaling.) • Teaching basic rules of the game. • Teaching them to be loud and to come out of their shell.

Coaching tips for this age level:

• No contact to any players. • Learning signals (what is what) • Learning about the laws of Australian Football.

Second or More Years: JFUP Pro Program

JFUP Umpires normally between 12 -17 years of age

At this stage you can focus and spend more time teaching the umpires about the laws of the game. As these are your umpires who have completed the JFUP Rookie Program and have come through already having umpired games of modified football. During training and games the emphasis should be on:

• Fun and enjoyment of the game. • Teaching the skills of umpiring. (Running around, blowing a whistle, signaling.) which will be ready to get them to the next level. • Teaching modified tackle rule. • Teaching rules of the game. A greater understanding of the game. • Teaching them to be loud and to come out of their shell. • Teaching who to watch for off the ball incidents and behind play free kicks. • What to look for in regards to illegal tackles. • Teaching how to read the play.

Coaching tips for this age level:

• No contact to any players. For under 9’s umpires only. • Always having an eye open to play. • Learning signals (what is what) • Learning about the laws of Australian Football. • To look and think one kick ahead of the play.

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Australian Football Junior Match Policy

Why do kids need different rules to adults? The young child that joins our game through the AFL Auskick program may make it all the way to the AFL competition or, just as importantly, become the next amateur player, umpire, coach or fan of the game.

The rules and procedures for conducting modified matches at varying development levels are designed specifically to maximize participation, skill learning and development. We need to ensure their journey is the best one possible.

Fundamentally, any person wishing to participate in our game should be able to do so in a manner which is appropriate to his or her skills, needs and aspirations.

For too long we have allowed eight-year-old kids to play on the same size field and under the same match conditions as professional players – it’s simply not right.

It is essential that young players are introduced to the game through modified rules and regulations that consider their physical, psychological and emotional needs. In other words, young players have different needs to adults.

Junior Policy 1. Playing ground, zones, time and equipment Kids can’t kick as far, run as fast or process the same level of match information as adults – so why make them play on the same size field? The AFL Junior Match Policy is committed to a reduced playing area, playing time and suitably modified equipment to take the emphasis away from endurance and allow for greater skill development. With smaller grounds, the player are encourage to concrete because the ball is never far away.

2. Use of Zones The AFL Junior Policy embraces “zones” for the younger children as an excellent teaching practice. First, the use of zones prevents ball-chasing and subsequent congestion where all players congregate around the ball. Second, it enables groupings of players of similar size and ability to play within a zone.

3. Team composition and player rotation Reduced numbers allow individuals players to have more frequent and longer contact with the ball while play is more open, even when played on a reduced-size oval. Children should experience playing in a variety of positions. The practice of rotating players through different positions and the interchange enables the development of a solid foundation and adds variety and interest to matches.

4. Contact Deferring the introduction of full tackling is based upon the need to provide players with the best possible conditions to learn, develop and improve their disposal skills by reducing congestion and pressure on the player in possession. All skills are eventually taught and learned, but there is an appropriate sequence for doing so. The physiological and emotional readiness of children’s bodies to resist the pressure of tackling also needs to be recognised in the assessing when to introduce tackling. The “age of readiness’ will vary from child to child, but generally is recognised as being around the 11-12 age group.

5. Marking, bouncing and kicking off the ground Awarding marks over any distance in the development phase recognises that many youngsters cannot consistently kick the ball beyond 10m. Restricting the number of bounces prevents players running excessive distances with the ball, encourages disposal skills and enhances team play. In a player’s development years, the ability to enhance the skill of picking up the ball takes precedence over 14 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

the need to kick it off the ground.

6. The coach on the ground. The absence of stringent competition conditions should enable the coach to provide praise, teaching and feedback when warranted or as errors immediately they occur.

7. Premiership points competitions and awards The match environment in junior football must be one of encouragement, learning and development over a focus of “winning”. Where winning overrides such aims, and encouragement is replaced by a fear of failure, the program for children is inappropriate. Any awards should not replace or detract from the fun and enjoyment gained by participation in the program and the learning that is an integral part of it.

8. Training The AFL recommends the following framework be adhered to when setting pre-season and regular season training programs. It has been based on advice provided from experts involved in the ongoing study of skill acquisition and training and performance principles.

Age Group Pre-season Training In-season Sessions Length of Sessions Focus U8-11 4-6 sessions 1 per week 60 min Fun Skill U12-14 6-8 sessions 2 per week 75 min Skill Team Play Minimum Fitness U15 -16 8 -10 sessions 2 per week 75 min Skill Team Play Tactical Minimum Fitness U17-18 10-12 sessions 2 per week 75 – 90 min Skill Team Play Tactical Physical Preparation Senior 15 – 20 sessions 2 -3 per week 90 min Skill Team Play Tactical Physical Preparation

The above table is based on complete training session for the week. As a JFUP Coordinator the AFLQ Umpiring Department encourages you to conduct 1 (one) training session with your JFUP umpires a week. This must be done within the training guidelines of the above table to not over work or burnout a child.

9. Age Policy A player must be seven by June 30th for the player to be allowed to play in an under 8’s competition. The AFL understands that the starting point for children along the participation pathway can differ from player to player and philosophically believes in a policy that caters for a range of individual circumstances.

Recent data shows that the birth rate has increased by more than a quarter over the past decade resulting in a growing number of children starting school aged four. The impact of this societal trend has led to school peer groups being split up due to the AFL’s minimum age policies not aligning with the standard school age policy in each state/ territory. While there will be children wishing to participate in junior football that fall either side of the policy dates, we

feel the core principle of maintain school peer groups as a local retention strategy outweighs this

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occurrence.

10. Mercy Rule The AFL encourages leagues, clubs and coaches once an unassailable lead is reached during a game (60 points) to appreciate that it serves no purpose to inflict massive losses on teams. In these instances, a mercy rule should be applied that suits local competition circumstances. - Once a team is 60 points ahead in any AFLQ Junior game the scoreboard will stop counting the score.

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Under 8’s Match Program

THE BALL A synthetic size 1 football should be used. PLAYING TIME Maximum of 4 x 10- minute quarters with no time-on. BREAKS 3 minute quarter time, 6-minute half time, 3 minute three-quarter time. THE TEAM Teams must play with the same amount of players per team (Lending players may be required) >>> Nine-a-side means: 3 forwards, 3 centers, 3 backs + bench players Rotating of bench players may happen at anytime. PLAYING GROUND AND OFFICALS The size of the playing field should be no bigger than 80m x 60m and divided into three equal zones (thirds) identified by markers on the ground. The field is a maximum size with flexibility needed depending on the players per team, age and ability level. A filed umpire is needed. There are no boundary throw-ins (No boundary umpires required), but to goal umpires are required. ZONES Backs are restricted to the back zone. Centers are restricted to the center zone. Forwards are restricted to the forward zone. Players should be rotated so they get opportunities in several positions. SCORING Only forward zone players can score. TEAMS WILL NOT KEEP SCORE. THE POSSESSION RULE The ball is possessed by the act of controlling it by catching it, grabbing it or laying two hands on it when it is on the ground. Once the ball is possessed, all other players must back off to the side of the player in possession, so that the player may kick or handball uncontested (there is to be no blocking or standing in the pathway of the player in possession). When in doubt a ball-up will be called. >>> A player must knock, palm or punch the ball to a teammate from a ball up; a ruckman will then not touch the ball until another player has touched it. SCRIMMAGE AND FIELD BALL-UPS When a scrimmage develops, unless awarding of a free kick is possible under the spirit of the game: >>> the umpire shall stop play, send players back to their zones and nominate two opponents of approximately equal size to contest the ball-up. >>> Players should be encouraged to pick up the ball and will be penalized for diving on the ball. CONTACT/TACKLING There is absolutely no contact or spoiling whatsoever except accidental and light “shoulder to shoulder” contact while running to and at the ball. Players cannot: >> hold an opponent with their hands; >> steal the ball or knock it out or of an opponent’s hands; >> push, bump or barge another player (incidental contact only is permitted); >> smother an opponent’s kick; >> shepherd an opponent.

ff theff behind ground bounds Penalty Scoring Barging ups Ball Marking Stealing Del rush rush Del Tackling Distance Distance Bumping Bouncing Throw ins Throw Smothering Shepherding Deliberate of of Deliberate Kicking o Kicking

meters meters

attempt reasonable ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ 10 ✖ ✖ Any distance distance Any If any doubt

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Under 9’s Match Program

THE BALL A synthetic size 2 football should be used. PLAYING TIME Maximum of 4 x 10- minute quarters with no time-on. BREAKS 3 minute quarter time, 6-minute half time, 3 minute three-quarter time. THE TEAM Teams must play with the same amount of players per team (Lending players may be required) >>> Twelve-a-side means: 4 forwards, 4 centers, 4 backs + bench players Rotating of bench players may happen at anytime. PLAYING GROUND AND OFFICALS The size of the playing field should be no bigger than 100m x 80m and divided into three equal zones (thirds) identified by markers on the ground. The field is a maximum size with flexibility needed depending on the players per team, age and ability level. A filed umpire is needed. There are no boundary throw-ins (No boundary umpires required), but to goal umpires are required. ZONES Backs are restricted to the back zone. Centers are restricted to the center zone. Forwards are restricted to the forward zone. Players should be rotated so they get opportunities in several positions. SCORING Only forward zone players can score. TEAMS WILL NOT KEEP SCORE. COACHES The coach is allowed on the ground during play for the sole purpose of providing immediate feedback to players, they must not pressure, instruct or make a comment to or about officiating umpires or decision that they make. The coach must nut pressure, instruct or make comment to the opposition team. OUT OF BOUNDS From a kick – a free kick is awarded against the player who last kicked the ball. If there is a doubt, or if the ball came off hands or body, the umpire shall call a ball-up 5m in from the boundary. Full possession at the ball-up is not permitted. CONTACT/TACKLING Players can perform a modified tackle. A player in possession of the ball may be tackled by an opponent wrapping both arms around the area below the top of the shoulders and on/above the knees. The tackle may be from either side or from behind providing the tackle from behind does not thrust forward the player with the ball. (Push in the back)

Players cannot: >> steal the ball or knock it out or of an opponent’s hands; >> push, bump or barge another player (incidental contact only is permitted); >> smother an opponent’s kick; >> shepherd an opponent.

behind ground bounds Penalty Scoring Barging ups Ball Marking Stealing Del rush rush Del Tackling Distance Distance Bumping Bouncing Throw ins Throw icking off the Smothering Shepherding Deliberate of of Deliberate K

meters meters

✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ max 1 ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ Modified Modified 10 Any distance, distance, Any shows control showscontrol If any doubt

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Under 10’s Match Program

THE BALL A synthetic size 2 football should be used. PLAYING TIME Maximum of 4 x 10- minute quarters with no time-on. BREAKS 3 minute quarter time, 10-minute half time, 3 minute three-quarter time. THE TEAM Teams must play with the same amount of players per team (Lending players may be required) >>> Twelve-a-side means: 4 forwards, 4 centers, 4 backs + bench players Rotating of bench players may happen at anytime. PLAYING GROUND AND OFFICALS The size of the playing field should be no bigger than 100m x 80m and divided into three equal zones (thirds) identified by markers on the ground. The field is a maximum size with flexibility needed depending on the players per team, age and ability level. A filed umpire is needed. There are no boundary throw-ins (No boundary umpires required), but to goal umpires are required. ZONES Backs are restricted to the back zone. Centers are restricted to the center zone. Forwards are restricted to the forward zone. Players should be rotated so they get opportunities in several positions. SCORING Scoring is allowed within this age group. COACHES The coach is allowed on the ground during play for the sole purpose of providing immediate feedback to players, they must not pressure, instruct or make a comment to or about officiating umpires or decision that they make. The coach must nut pressure, instruct or make comment to the opposition team. OUT OF BOUNDS From a kick – a free kick is awarded against the player who last kicked the ball. If there is a doubt, or if the ball came off hands or body, the umpire shall call a ball-up 5m in from the boundary. Full possession at the ball-up is not permitted. CONTACT/TACKLING Players can perform a modified tackle. A player in possession of the ball may be tackled by an opponent wrapping both arms around the area below the top of the shoulders and on/above the knees. The tackle may be from either side or from behind providing the tackle from behind does not thrust forward the player with the ball. (Push in the back)

Players cannot: >> steal the ball or knock it out or of an opponent’s hands; >> push, bump or barge another player (incidental contact only is permitted); >> smother an opponent’s kick; >> shepherd an opponent.

behind ground bounds Penalty Scoring Barging ups Ball Marking Stealing Del rush rush Del Tackling Distance Distance Bumping Bouncing Throw ins Throw Smothering Shepherding Deliberate of of Deliberate Kicking off the the off Kicking

d

✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ max 1 ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ Modifie 10 meters meters 10 Any distance, distance, Any shows control showscontrol If any doubt

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Under 11’s Match Program

THE BALL A Synthetic or Leather size 3 football should be used. PLAYING TIME Maximum of 4 x 15- minute quarters with no time-on. BREAKS 5 minute quarter time, 10-minute half time, 5 minute three-quarter time. THE TEAM) >>> Fifteen-a-side means: 5 forwards, 5 midfielders, 5 backs + bench players Rotating of bench players may happen at anytime. PLAYING GROUND AND OFFICALS The size of the playing field should be no bigger than three quarter length of a full size ground. The field is a maximum size with flexibility needed depending on the players per team, age and ability level. A filed umpire is needed. Boundary and goal umpires are also required. SCRIMMAGE AND FIELD BALL-UPS Conducted between two players of equal size selected by the umpire. Before the throw up, the umpire should clear the area by sending players back to their positions. No more than three players from each team shall be closer to the ball-up than approximately 20m. SCORING Scoring is permitted in this age group. COACHES The coach is not allowed on the ground. Messages may be delivered by a runner. However, the runner must abide by the procedure of going directly to the player involved, delivering the message and returning directly to the coaching bench. OUT OF BOUNDS Where boundary umpires are available, the rules as per Australian Football can be applied. CONTACT/TACKLING Full tacking rules as per the laws of Australian Football can be applied.

behind ground bounds Penalty Scoring Barging ups Ball Marking Stealing Del rush rush Del Tackling Distance Distance Bumping Bouncing Throw ins Throw Smothering Shepherding Deliberate of of Deliberate Kicking off the the off Kicking

max

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 2 ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✔ 25 meters meters 25

Any distance, distance, Any must catch ball catch must

20 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Ground Size and Positions

21 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Notes

22 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Section Three The role of the JFUP Coordinator

In this section

The JFUP Coordinator Communication with parents Season’s plan Planning a training session Structure of a training session Positive Coaching The S.P.I.R Method Match day coaching Two-way communication Progression Progression Critiea

23 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

The JFUP Coordinator At all levels of Australian Football, the coach/coordinator has significantly more influence upon players and umpires than any other or person connected with football.

The JFUP Coordinators primary role, given that safety and legal ethical responsibilities apply to coaches/coordinators at all levels, is to arrange the best possible teaching and learning conditions for children learning to become umpires in a modified setting. With the additional primary role or appointing and scheduling umpires for games on a match weekend.

As such, all coaches/coordinators need to acquire basic coaching and communication techniques for instructing and managing the learning of children and teenagers. They must have well-developed strategies for group organization, discipline procedures, reward mechanisms and an understanding of the uniqueness of children compared to adults.

The fundamental message of the JFUP is that developing umpires will only preserve with their learning if they enjoy it. The JFUP must be fun and rewarding for all participates and must be structured to enable youngsters to progressively develop and apply their sporting skills as an official.

By following the advice and skills given in the JFUP Coordinators manual, JFUP Coordinators will be able to provide learning environments that develop the skills and attitudes to developing umpires who need to keep enjoying and progressing with their umpiring and football journeys.

The JFUP aims to provide boys and girls with a fun teaching program that offers them maximum opportunity to learn and officiate Australian Football.

To meet this aim, the program: • Relies on the club/community to provide the coaches and other support. • Provides advice and training for JFUP • Is structured around sequenced skill development sessions delivered in drills and games that engage and challenge children. • Provides match experiences that emphasis safety, learning and fun.

Communication with parents The relationship between the JFUP Coordinator, the umpire and the umpires parents has an important bearing on the outcome of the JFUP program. Parents can have a positive and negative impact and to ensure that support for the program is secured, it is essential for the JFUP coordinator to effectively communicate with parents.

It is important that the program’s aims and the Coordinators philosophy, role and goals are communicated to parents. One of the most effective ways to do this is for the Coordinator to conduct a parent’s orientation meeting before the commencement of the season. A typical orientation program could cover the following topics: • Welcome and introduction. • Overview of the topics to be addressed. • Major goals of the program. • An outline of the coaching philosophy. • Codes of behavior and behavior expectations • Parent roles and responsibilities • Involvement with the JFUP team and in the club. • Assisting with training and with other activities. • Administrative arrangements (season schedule, special events, transport, safety.) • Questions and answers/group discussions (e.g. parent expectations) To sustain communication, the season should include social activities involving parents, a parent feedback survey and opportunities to review the success of the program. Make sure you are staying in communication with parents via weekly or fortnightly emails.

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Invitation to parents Here is sample letter to parents inviting them to an orientation meeting.

Dear Parent,

Thank you for signing up your child for the Junior Football Umpire Program.

I have been appointed as the JFUP Coordinator for this coming season at the club.

I want to invite you to a Parents’ Orientation Meeting at which I will have the opportunity to outline the club’ JFUP learning philosophy and provide you with other essential information.

Currently I have been the JFUP Coordinator at the club for ………… and my main goal with the JFUP is sill development, fun and working as a team.

My aims include enabling all umpires to learn basic skills of umpiring and to become as good as they can. I also believe that forming friendships, developing a feeling of belonging and learning to share experiences with other are important to children and our community.

All players will be given an equal opportunity to umpire games during the season. We will ask the umpires that they attend training regularly or at least inform us in advance of the circumstances that prevent you from attending training.

At the meeting, in addition to outlining the club’s JFUP philosophy, we will also discuss:

- Program details including training and game fixtures. - Your hopes for what your child should get from their involvement with our team. - Transport to and from games and practice/training. - Safety, including club rules, injury management and first aid arrangements. - Parental duties – assistance required.

The meeting will take no more then 1-hour and will be held at (venue) commencing at (time). Tea and coffee will be provided.

I look forward to meeting you.

Yours, sincerely,

JFUP Coordinator.

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Season’s plan

The JFUP coordinator will develop an annual JFUP training plan with guidance and assistance from the AFLQ Umpiring Development Coordinator. This is an essential planning tool and lets everybody involved in the program – umpire, parents, coaches and other helpers – know what commitments are required from them for the Junior AFL Season.

This plan will outline the number of weeks the program or season will run, season times, dates of special events, program breaks (e.g. for school holidays) and so forth. The JFUP coordinator will need to contribute to the plan because it is the schedule of events that they will be responsible for implementing,

The JFUP Coordinator is also responsible for planning each JFUP session. To gain a sense of where the program is going and how the various skills will be covered in the season, planning should cover the 10 or so sessions. Naturally, the planning for the first or next few sessions will be done in greater details than will the planning for sessions that are several weeks away.

The coaching advice related to children of different ages and the suggested learning activities outlined later in this guide have been designed to enable the coach to quickly plan their sessions so that there is a strong fit between the planned teaching programs with the learning needs of the umpires.

Planning a training session

When planning a session or a batch of sessions, coordinators should consider: • The present skill level of players. • The resources and equipment available. • What goals are achievable? • When various skills need to be covered. • What the coach will do and what assistants will do.

In each session it is important to plan for: • Optimal activity. • Appropriate progressions. • Variety • Short and frequent drills for new skills. • Competition – like practices • Individual differences.

If a coaching plan for a session is not working when put into practice, the coach should be flexible and change what is being done to make it a more effective learning experience for children. Delegation of tasks is part of good planning. Plan to use assistant and helper coaches effectively.

A plan is a guide to what to do. It should not restrict coaches from doing things that they see as necessary to make the session a fun learning experience for all. Without a plan, however, a coach may fail to teach the full scope of skills and to appropriately sequence skill-learning opportunities.

Good planning underpins good coaching.

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Structure of a training session

JFUP coaching sessions are usually the last thing clubs worry about. However, if you can plan coaching sessions during the week or before games, your umpires will benefit from this training.

Here are four components to a session.

Session Component Activity 1. Warm up (5 -10 minutes) Warm-up game or activities 2. Skill teaching (20 – 40 minutes) Skill drills based on umpiring skills 3. Game (10 -20 minutes) Games, which involve the skills, learnt 4 Cool down (5 – 10 minutes) Cool down activities and stretching

Tips for planning effective and inclusive sessions

Plan sessions so as to: • Maximise the practical work time – less talk more activity. • Minimise the time moving between activities – have equipment on hand, issues clear instructions. • Increase repetitions of skills nominated in each task activity set for the session, so that learners get many repeats. • Increase the variety of activities in a session – change the drills every five to 10 minutes and have something new each session. If they lose concentration change the drill. • Use football at all times – extra laps and sprints are NOT a part of JFUP training. – Improve running stamina and speed with the skill drills. • Activate the players by avoiding long queues and having ample equipment.

ID the session is not working as planned, change it by modifying the activity or skill drill. An effective way to modify activities to better cater for all participants is to remember the TREE acronym; The TREE acronym helps people remember ways to modify an activity or skill drill to allow all participants to improve their skill level and enjoyment. v T- teaching/coaching style > Modify whether you coach through visual or verbal cues > Use a questioning approach rather than an instructive approach. > Pair players up to work together. > Use older or more skillful children to mentor others v R- rules > Modify the number of children in an activity. > Modify the size of a goal. > Modify how you score v E – equipment > Use lighter or smaller balls. > Use bright coloured cones to mark out boundaries and zoned. > Use bibs or bands to distinguish teams. v E – environment > vary the distance of targets or distance between cones. > Play on different playing surfaces such as indoors > Vary size of activities

If you are unsure how to modify an activity, consider asking the children, or their parents, what modifications could be made. 27 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

Positive coaching Characteristics of a good teacher/coach Coaches need to remember that children play sport for a variety of reasons and that their enjoyment generally increases as their learning increases.

Children want and deserve a coach who applies the principles of good teaching/caching and is: • Well organized. • Energetic and enthusiastic. • Patient and understanding • Encouraging and supportive. • Fair and consistent • Good at delegating tasks to assistants and older, more skilled players. • A careful observer and thoughtful planner. • Creative and flexible. • Knowledgeable and committed to improving their coaching • Caring and interested in umpires’ wellbeing. • Fun to be around

A positive coach says and acts in ways that makes players feel good, important, happy and successful.

A good coach is a good teacher. The art of good teaching is to plan and organize learning situations that enable and encourage learners to progress through a series of learning experiences.

Good teaching depends on: • Matching the learning experience (the practice activity (the practice activity) to the player’s stage of learning. • The clarity of the demonstration and communications used in the session. • The ability to analyze and modify errors in performance. • Developing a rapport with the umpires. • Using the process of encouragement and guidance during the activity.

Good teaching engages the learner’s senses of hearing (listening), sight (showing) and touch (doing what has been heard and seen). So when the coach is: • Telling children what to do, they must be settled, focused and listening carefully and the coach should be able to see them all. • Showing children what to do, they must be in a position to see and be carefully observing what is being shown. • Getting children to practices, they must be provided with appropriate equipment and space to enable them to demonstrate back what they have learned from listening and watching.

The S.P.I.R method A particularly successful teaching method for assisting children to learn a new skill is the S.P.I.R method.

Name the Skill S Show Demonstrate three times Provide three coaching points (maximum) Have players practice immediately via an appropriate activity P Practice Give feedback on their performance based on what they have I Instruct been taught. R Reward Encourage and reward effort and achievement

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Match-day coaching

Match day coaching and feedback is a very important part of the JFUP Coordinators role. As you are coaching children who are still developing their understanding for the rules and the game it is really important that the same message and a clear message is given out to the group. Further develop and coaching points can be given to further develop an umpire.

Here are a few match day tips that can help your coaching: • Ensure that all umpires know where their game is, what time to arrive and to make sure they have a way of getting to the ground. • Ensure umpires are aware of the modified rules (if applicable) • Provide appropriate warm-up exercises, which can be a mix of training drills and game drills. • Encourage umpires to encourage each other. • Focus on teaching the umpires the game and the rules. (Always relating to the rule book) • If you are addressing umpires, as a group makes sure you do not address the group for longer then 60 seconds. (use individual chats for longer feedback.) • Encourage umpires to do their best. • Make sure all players are attentive and focused when being spoken to. • Be positive and encouraging. • Ensure positive feedback is provided. • Give umpires one or two areas to improve • Message should be clear and concise • Ensure the umpires are engaged in a two-way conversation.

Comments during the game breaks could refer to skill strengths and areas for improvement, position during play, good efforts and plans for the next quarter. Also get feedback from the umpires themselves, open the lines of two- way conversation with the umpires and the JFUP coordinator.

Post-game comments could review what was well done, what needs improvement, what can be learned from the game, what an umpire did well, what was learnt, the extent of satisfaction, what needs to be worked on and what an umpire can do to do better. Also get the feedback from the umpires themselves, open the lines of two-way conversation with the umpires and the JFUP coordinator.

Two-way conversation

Two-way conversations is a great tool that all umpiring coaches and Australian Football coaches use to give feedback to their umpires or players. The great thing about two-way conversation is that it engages all parties in the conservation and allows everyone a chance to speak and have their say about what they believe has occurred in the game.

Some questions to use in developing a two-way conversation with an developing umpire: • Tell me about what happened at this stage of the game? • What did you believe you saw with that decision? • Is there anything that you could of done differently? • How do you believe your game went? • What could you of done differently?

Two-way conversations are opened ended questions that will allow the developing umpire/s to answer in depth. This conversation can be done as a group or as an individual feedback session.

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Progression

Progression is a key to developing and retaining anyone who umpires in an Australian Football game. Progression is one of the key areas the JFUP is developed to do.

Using the modified rules a developing umpire will begin their umpiring career at a development level and only once they have managed to show the skills required to progress they can then progress to the next age group. Which again is a game with slightly different modified rules. However, this age group is still in the development phase of play.

Once the umpire has progressed through the development stages of the game the umpire will then develop their umpiring skills in the competitive age groups. Only once the umpire has fully understood the requirements of the development stages they will then progress to this level.

To make this process easier and more consistent for all junior clubs and JFUP Coordinators we have now outlined the requirements for an umpire to progress through the Junior Umpiring Pathway.

This Progression Critiea can be found on the next page. This outlines the basic requirements or an umpire to progress to the next age group. As you will have developing children be aware that every child develops at different rates. As long as someone has met all the Critiea they will then be recommended to progress to the next age group.

In this section you will also find a JFUP Progression Report Card. This sheet can be used to assist you when determining that an umpire is ready to progress. In assessing an umpire during a game you can have this report sheet with you and highlight if the umpire has met the Critiea. You can keep this report card on file so you can refer to it during training sessions and other umpiring education sessions.

An umpire can enter the JFUP at any age. If a JFUP umpire is progressing faster then other umpires and is capable of umpire at AFLQ level, please contact the Umpiring Department so that they can assess the umpire and outline the progression to AFLQ level. Or if you have any other questions relating to progressing of an umpire contact the Umpiring Department so they can assist you.

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Progress Criteria

Age Group Must have to Progress Ways to progress

Under 8’s - Show a Basic understanding of the rules. If you believe a umpire meets these

- Loud whistle requirements then you can progress - Strong signals the umpire straight up to under 9 - Strong voice level. - Can show they understand when and where to run during the game. - Pay correct free kicks / limits the amount of ball

ntroductory ups I - Can understand a bump / body contact / and understand a modified tackle Under 9’s - Show a intermediate understanding of the rules If you believe an umpire meets these - Understand the basics of a modified tackled. requirements then you can progress - Have a strong whistle, voice and signals them to Under 10 level. If you are in - Communicates well with the players a position to run 2 umpires, run this - Can demonstrate they know when and where to run during the game umpire with a PRO JFUP umpire to - Pay correct free kicks / limits the amount of ball help and mentor them during the ups. game. Under 10’s - Must show a strong understanding of the rules of If you believe an umpire meets these the game requirements then you can progress - Completely understood the modified tackle rule to under 11’s then you can contact - Shows a strong sense of game control the AFLQ Umpiring Department who

Development - Has a strong whistle voice and signals - Can show that they are aware and understand will then asses the umpire. If umpire when and where to run during a game. is up to progressing to under 11 football they will be watched by either a AFLQ Umpiring Staff member or a Club JFUP Coordinator in their first CLUB Junior Football Umpire Program (JFUP) LEVEL (JFUP) Program Umpire Football Junior CLUB couple of games. Under 11’s - Must show they understand all the rules of Progression is up to the AFLQ (1 umpire) Junior/Youth Football Umpiring Department. The umpire will - Aware of rules in AFL football remain in under 12’s until they show - Understands working with another umpire in a all the required points. Once an team. - Understands when and where to run with 2 umpire is ready to progress they will umpires on the field (if applicable) begin in div 2 and then work there way up. - Ability to get into a good position majority of the game. - Shows complete control of the game - Has a strong whistle, voice and signals

- Communicates well with players, coaches and other officials on the ground. - Can work through a game situation with limited adult assistance. Under 12’s - Must show complete understanding of all AFL Progression is up to the AFLQ (1 umpire) rules. Umpiring Department. The umpire will Competitive - Know the Youth Football rules and Regulations (or remain in under 12’s until they show have a hard copy on hand) all the required points. Once an - Ability to get into the correct position for the majority of the game. umpire is ready to progress they will AFL Queensland Umpire - Understand the Red and Yellow Card AFLQ Policy begin in div 2 and then work there - Work well with fellow umpires on the ground way up. - Shows complete control of the game. - Has a strong whistle, voice and signals. - Communicates well with players, coaches and other officials on the ground. - Can show that they can be left alone and handle a situation without adult assistance. If you have any doubt or would like to progress an umpire to AFLQ level please contact the Umpiring Development Coordinator or League Umpiring Department

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JFUP Umpire Progress Report

Umpire Name: ……………………………………………. Season Start: ………………………………………… Club: …………………………………………………….. Coordinator Names: ………………………………

Under 8’s Level Umpire shows a basic understanding of the rules of the game Yes No Umpire has a loud whistle Yes No Umpire has strong signals Yes No Umpire uses a strong voice Yes No Umpire shows they know where to run and when to run Yes No Pays the correct free kicks and limits ball ups Yes No Understands the difference in body contact / bumps / tackling Yes No General Feedback

Under 9’s Level Umpire shows a intermediate understanding of the rules of the Yes No game Umpire understands the basics of modified tackling and pay Yes No free kicks when seen Umpire has a strong whistle, loud voice, strong signals Yes No Umpire Communicates with players Yes No Umpires demonstrates they can run into the correct spots on Yes No the field to pay decisions Pays correct free kicks and limits ball ups Yes No General Feedback

Under 10’s Level Umpires shows a strong understanding of the rules of Junior / Yes No Youth Football Umpire understands the modified tackle rules and applies it in Yes No a game. Umpire has a strong whistle, loud voice and strong signals Yes No Umpire demonstrates a strong sense of game control Yes No Umpires demonstrates they can run into the correct spots on Yes No the field to pay decisions General Feedback

General Umpiring Feedback

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AFL Queensland Umpiring Pathway

Standard Pathway Development Pathway Notes

AFL

AFL Rookie NEAFL selection will be limited and will have an invite only process. NEAFL selection is based on fitness trials NEAFL

NEAFL Rookies will spend majority of the NEAFL Rookies year in QAFL but can umpire NEAFL games.

Used as an Elite Development Step. QAFL Seniors

QAFL Reserves & AFLQ Senior Community AFLQ Umpiring Football Academy

Nomination process for the AFLQ Umpiring Academy. Designed to fast track a talented AFLQ Colts umpire. Umpires aged between 16 and 24.

AFLQ Juniors Field Umpiring Female Umpiring Program Programs are designed to introduce umpiring U/11, U/12, U/14, U/16 to new groups and increase umpiring numbers from juniors up. These umpires will be encouraged to try Field, Boundary and Goal Umpiring. Multicultural Umpiring Program Junior Football Umpiring Program U/8, U/9, U/10 33 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual Notes

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Section Four AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Duties

In this section

JFUP Coordinators Duties Recruitment Cost to Clubs Uniforms Registration JFUP Education

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JFUP Coordinators Duties

- Attend Junior Football Umpire Program (JUFP) training courses (both education and training based) with the clubs JFUP umpires. - Appoint junior umpires to home U/8 – U/10 games > JFUP umpires to be paid by club. > Maintain a database of the clubs JFUP umpires. (Both Rookie and Pro) > If assisting or required assistance from another club regarding JFUPs liaise with the club umpire Coordinator and AFLQ Umpiring Development Coordinator. - Complete umpire assessment forms. (Coaches can assist with assessment) > return the assessment forms via email weekly to AFLQ Umpiring Development Coordinator > Use progression Critiea to progress umpires. - The modified rules differ between age groups. To increase umpiring consistency of junior umpires, it has proven effective when umpires have regularly umpired at the same age for a few weeks. - Progress JFUP umpires through the modified age groups and ensuring that JFUP Umpires are suited for age group they are umpiring. (Follow Progression Critiea and use JFUP Progression Report Card) - Encourage Umpires for future years at club, and provide guidance for existing umpires. - Learner umpires with existing umpires for the U/8’s games to assist with future development of Umpiring, and providing confidence. - Sign on Days: have a computer at the club to enter new umpire details, and process bank details at same time for processing payments. - Intra club meeting or newsletters to keep umpires and families updated. Ensure JFUP umpires have still got a good understanding of different modified rules during the season. - Check regularly with modified coaches on the standard of JFUP umpires for each age group.

Recruitment

The recommended minimum age for JFUP participants is that they are 12 in that year or older. Reason being we want these umpires to be at least 2 years older than the kids they are umpiring and hopefully they have already come through the Junior Modified Rules System as players (8’s, 9’s and 10’s). However, if you believe that someone younger has the capability to umpire then contact the AFLQ Umpiring Department to help assist. Clubs should recruit umpires from their club in the U/14, U/16 and U/18 age groups. Clubs can do this through advertising in your club newsletters, on the club websites and social media pages, also word of mouth. If you have a contact list from the 2016 umpires, it would be worth a call or email to see if they are interested to umpire again in 2016. If your club does not have any youth players, you may need to recruit through parents of players in the U/8 –U/10 age groups. These parents can receive basic training through our training program. If you have no luck we would recommend you build relationships with neighboring clubs to see if any of their umpires may be interested. For contacts of neighboring JFUP Coordinators please contact the AFLQ Umpiring Development Coordinator. On the completion of the Season the Umpiring Coordinator will send a emailed Certificate and letter congratulating the JFUP umpire for their season. This information will come from the JFUP Ambassador (Andrew Stephens). This letter will also encourage the umpire to return to the following season.

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Cost to Clubs

The following costs apply for involvement in the JFUP: - Uniforms: $65 for a uniform pack, including white umpiring shirt, navy umpiring shorts and navy umpiring socks. - Course Participation: the JFUP course is free. A fee of $30 will be paid for all first years to supply them with an JFUP Starter Kit which includes bag, whistle, cap and sweatbands), training, education and support throughout the year. Additional JFUP packs can be purchased for $30. - The price is the same per participant that is registered with your club.

Uniforms

Once umpires are registered and the Umpiring Department emails the JFUP coordinators the contact database for the club, The JFUP can select which umpires require uniforms and email back with details. Alternatively, due to the close proximity to the season, The JFUP Coordinators are welcome to email the Umpiring Department with sizes or uniforms required. - Sizes of uniform packs come in S, M, L and XL. Sizes of shirts and shorts cannot be mixed/matched. - Having placed your order, the Umpiring Department will organize your order and advise when your are welcome to pick up the order.

Clubs can choose to either provide umpires with a uniform each or purchase a few to be shared between the umpires. This is at the discretion of the club and the JFUP coordinator.

Registration

All JFUP club umpires must be registered before the first session to receive their umpire packs. All club umpires need to be registered to collect contact details, to be covered by insurance, for the organization of uniforms, and to be applicable for compulsory accreditation. The direction from AFL Queensland is that unless umpires are registered, they are not permitted to umpire. The registration process will take no more than 5 minutes, so please be proactive and encourage your umpires to register. Registration has been moved online, making it safe and convenient. To register your umpires or to have them register themselves, please contact the league to supply you will the current JFUP Umpiring registration link.

Once registered and prior to the season, the UDO will create a database for each club and email the contact lit of the umpires to individual coordinators/clubs. However, it is important you keep an up-to-date contact list.

JFUP Education

As part of the JFUP program all Rookie JFUP umpires are required to attend the 3 education sessions provided by AFL Queensland. These education sessions have been planned out to help assist all umpires who attend these sessions. The main focus during these education sessions will be on Umpiring Skill Development and allowing the JFUP umpire to make the correct decision when their game is on.

It is highly recommend that all JFUP umpires attend these education sessions as well as the JFUP Coordinator. This will allow all questions to be answered and will help develop all JFUP umpires.

A Rookie JFUP umpire needs to attend all 3 Education Sessions to complete their JFUP Course.

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Notes

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Section Five Skills guide and drills

In this section

Signals (what is what?) Law Interpretations and Signaling Positioning – Side on to play Positioning – Set kick control Positioning – General Play Boundary Umpiring Goal Umpiring

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1 Law Interpretations and Signaling Session

Teaching points for law interpretations and signaling 1. Keep eyes on the ball and the players at all time at 2. Make sure you are blowing a whistle with a strong, short, sharp blow 3. Look up at the where the decision has been made Session overview

Whistle Drill (“Umpire Says”) The coach will get an umpire to be the controlling umpire. All the others will run around within the area 15m x 15m. When the whistle blows the umpire must instruct the others to do an activity. (e.g. skipping, hopping, star jumps,

WARM UP WARM etc.) Make sure all umpires are moving around and rotating turns at being in control.

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 Blow, Show and Go Simulation Drill Around the What’s your square Signals decision? Race - Set up 6 cones in a zigzag - Groups of 4. - Divide the group up into 2 to 4 - Sit the group down and run formation roughly 15 meters - Get 3 people to contest a even teams. through decisions. apart and 20 -30 meters long. lose ball. They can tackle or - Each group starts on a different - Cover all free kicks and how to point of the square. signal and pay the free kick. - When an umpire gets to the if using modified rules play cone they are to blow their - One umpire per group at a under modified rules. The time. Decisions whistle, signal a free kick and other umpire will umpire and - When an umpire reaches the - Holding the ball then move backward to the next pay what they see. first point of the square they - High Tackle cone. - After every free kick the blow for a free kick they then - Holding the man umpires swap around. move to the next point of the - Kicking in danger square and make a different - Running to far decision. - Mark - The team who has all members - Play on to get to the start wins. - Ball up - Sling tackle

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - Keep head and eyes up. - Keep head and eyes up. - Keep head and eyes up. - Knowledge of the rules. - Short, sharp, loud whistle and - Short, sharp, loud whistle - Short, sharp, loud whistle - Sit the group down and voice. and voice and voice. throw the group all the - Clear signals. - Clear signals. - Clear signals. rules. - Knowledge of the rules. - As the umpire tires they - Use the law Australian (Incl. modified.) need to stay upright. Football Law book. (law 15.1)

SESSION GAME

Divide the group up into 2 teams. Get the umpires to play a modified game of football with 1 umpire officiating the game. (Do not worry about the position of the umpire.) There is to be no ball ups in this game. Just free kicks and marks are to be awarded. Keep the game interesting by rotating umpires every 2 – 3 minutes and change the rules for older umpires.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 10 cones, Whistles (umpire to supply), 4 -6 footballs

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2 Positioning – Side on to play Session

Teaching points for Positioning and getting side on to play 1. Keep eyes on the ball and the players at all time at 2. Make sure you are blowing a whistle with a strong, short, sharp blow when paying a decision. 3. Making sure you are always watching inside and outside of the pack. Session overview

Stuck in the mud Within the designated area, all umpires have a ball except for 2 umpires who are “IT”. The aim of the game is to tag others. When a person is tagged, they must stand with ball above head, legs apart. To free others, a ball must be

WARM UP WARM rolled through a tagged person’s legs and regathered. Variation – handball the ball.

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 Skirting the pack Mark and Move Ball up and kick Pack and Mark

- Use spare players to stay with - Use players to contest the ruck - Set up three players/umpires in - Using the whole ground a a conned area. (5m x 5m). and 2 players to be rovers. different locations around the ground. player will start the drill by - There will be 1 umpire who - The umpire balls the ball up in - Get the players to contest for the kicking the ball to another player. balls the ball up within the area. the middle of the ground, backs ball in a pack situation. - The umpire will call for a mark - Players play within the area out watching the ruck contest. - One umpire is umpiring the play. and then continue to move with passing and contesting the ball. - There is then a quick kick out - The umpire is to stay 15 to 20 the kick and the ball. - The umpire is to keep on of the center where the umpire meters away from the pack. - The ball goes from one end of moving from side to side will then pay a free kick or mark. - The umpire moves from side to side the ground to the other. looking for the best view. - The umpire must back out from and pays a free kick if there. - The umpire is to use their - On a whistle from the coach the ball up fast and then run fast - Rotate umpires after a free kick has change of speed to get to the the ball will be kicked and the to where the next kick will land. been paid. contest. umpire must run fast to get to - Rotate umpires around. - Rotate umpires around. the side of the contest.

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - Keep head and eyes up. - Keep head and eyes up - Keep head and eyes up. - Short, sharp, loud whistle - Short, sharp, loud whistle and when running. - Short, sharp, loud whistle and voice. voice. - Short, sharp, loud whistle and voice. - The umpire needs to back - Clear signals. and voice - The umpire needs to move out 15 to 20 meters from - Moving from side to side to get - Get to the side of the backwards fast and then the pack a clear view of the ball. marking contest. move fast to a contest. - Move side to side

SESSION GAME

Divide the group up into 2 teams. Get the umpires to play a modified game of football with 1 umpire officiating the game. (Do not worry about the position of the umpire.) There is to be no ball ups in this game. Just free kicks and marks are to be awarded. Keep the game interesting by rotating umpires every 2 – 3 minutes and change the rules for older umpires.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 10 cones, Whistles (umpire to supply), 4 -6 footballs

43 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

3 Positioning – Set kick control Session

Teaching points for Positioning around set kick control 1. Making sure you are watching the mark. Spend 20% of the vision on the mark and 80% on the player. 2. Make sure the umpire backs back to an area that they will expect the next kick to go. Session overview

Rob the nest Divide umpires into four groups of even numbers. Place all balls in the middle of the playing area, spacing them well apart. At a sound of the whistle, the umpire can go steal the ball from the middle and then take them back to their nest. Once all the balls are collected from the middle umpires can then “rob” WARM UP WARM another teams nest. To stop the game the coach will blow the whistle. The team with the most amount of balls in their nest wins.

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 Mark Control Kick Out Kick for Goal Control the mark

- All umpires to line up around - A player from the middle of the - Set up three to four players/umpires - Have two players in the goal the large center circle facing the ground kicks the ball into the in different locations around the square. One player kicking the boundary line or fence line. forward line. ground. ball out and one standing the - On the coaches command the - The umpire then pays a mark - Get one player to kick the ball to mark. umpires will then sprint out 25 or free kick to the forward player. another player and then get the - The umpire is to control the meters, blow the decision and - The umpire runs in fast to set umpire to pay the mark and set the mark and watch the goal square. then set the mark on that spot. the mark and to put the kicker mark and player on the correct line. - Once the ball has been kicked - Slow jog back to the center inline with the middle of the goal. - The umpire then backs away the umpire will then pay a mark circle. anticipating where the next kick will or free kick where the ball lands - The umpire then backs away go. or is marked. watches the mark and the kick. - The marker then kicks it back to - Rotate the umpires around. - Rotate the umpires around. start where the drill is repeated.

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - Keep head and eyes up. - Keep head and eyes up - Keep head and eyes up. - Short, sharp, loud whistle - Short, sharp, loud whistle and when running. - Short, sharp, loud whistle and voice. voice. - Make sure the umpire is and voice. - Clear signals. watching the goal square. If - Umpires vision is 20% on - Speed between the kicks and the player kicks from the line the mark and 80% on the into the mark. it shall be a ball up. player.

SESSION GAME

Divide the group up into 2 teams. Get the umpires to play a modified game of football with 1 umpire officiating the game. (Do not worry about the position of the umpire.) There is to be no ball ups in this game. Just free kicks and marks are to be awarded. Keep the game interesting by rotating umpires every 2 – 3 minutes and change the rules for older umpires.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 10 cones, Whistles (umpire to supply), Enough footballs for everyone.

44 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

4 Positioning – General Play Session

Teaching points for Positioning around general play 1. Make sure umpires are getting side on to as many contests as possible. 2. 15 to 20 meters away from play. Bigger fields require umpires to be 20 meters away for best possible sight of the contests 3. Always staying on your toes. Session overview

Rob the nest Divide umpires into four groups of even numbers. Place all balls in the middle of the playing area, spacing them well apart. At a sound of the whistle, the umpire can go steal the ball from the middle and then take them back to their nest. Once all the balls are collected from the middle umpires can then “rob” WARM UP WARM another teams nest. To stop the game the coach will blow the whistle. The team with the most amount of balls in their nest wins.

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 3 Ump Shuffle Center Bounce General Play Circle Work Cut Simulation - Get into groups of three. - Set up around the ground - Umpires set up in a line across - Start with ball up in the in a circle. Kick the ball in a the field in their groups each - Set up cones in the middle of the ground midzone to simulate general clockwise or anti clockwise 20m apart (General play control - Umpire to back out 20m direction distance) play scenarios. - Run either right or left to - One umpire to control in - The Umpire in the middle mimics - Combination of forwards contest at the top of the 50m the middle of the ground as the outside umpire as if it where a backwards, sideways - Work hard to get side on. the play moves around. match day movement. Keep running. readjusting to the play. - Include balls ups and or - After a period of time swap to the boundary throw ins. other umpire. . - After two minutes rotate within the group.

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - Umpire continues to adjust - Back out to appropriate control - Movement around the grounds - Umpire adjustment. maintaining 20m control distance. distance - Change of pace - Distance from play - Change of pace - Change of pace - Eyes and head up - Eyes and head up - Get side on for next contest

SESSION GAME

Divide the group up into 2 teams. Get the umpires to play a modified game of football with 1 umpire officiating the game. (Do not worry about the position of the umpire.) There is to be no ball ups in this game. Just free kicks and marks are to be awarded. Keep the game interesting by rotating umpires every 2 – 3 minutes and change the rules for older umpires.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 10 cones, Whistles (umpire to supply), Enough footballs for everyone.

45 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

5 Boundary Umpiring Session

Teaching points for Boundary umpiring 1. Throws need to be contestable and favor no team. 2. Boundary umpires need to try and stay up with the play as much as possible. 3. Loud, strong whistle with a clear signal to get everyone’s attention. Session overview

5-star handball

1 Place 5 cones in a star shape. Then divide your umpires equally over the 5 cones. Start with one ball at the starting point. The idea is for a umpire to run directly to the cone and handball or pass the ball to the next umpire who will 4 3 handball or pass the ball to the next person. The idea is that the ball travels in 1 1 WARM UP WARM a star pattern. Cone 1 goes to 2, 2 goes to 3, 3 goes to 4, 4 goes to 5, 5 goes 2 5 to 1. 1 1

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 Boundary Throw In Line Decisions Bomb the target Goal Run Back

- In pairs get the umpires to - In groups of four. Get one - Divide the umpires into even - Divide the group into two. stand 10 – 15 meters apart. umpire to kick or roll the ball into groups. - Have one group on one point a contest of two players. post and the other on the other - Make sure the umpires use - One at a time the umpires are - The players will contest the ball point post. their legs to get the power for to boundary throw in the ball at a near or on the line and the target. - Have someone kick a ball the throw ins. boundary umpire must call the - If the ball lands inside the through for a goal. - The ideal ball release is just decision if it crosses the line. target they get 50 points, The - One boundary umpire will run below nose height to allow the - The boundary umpire will then ball lands in the outer circle they to the 15-meter spot on the ball to gather height. throw it in or pay out of bounds get 5 points. ground and signal to the field on the full and set the mark. - The team with the most umpire that they will take the - Rotate the roles around. amounts of points wins. ball to their side of the ground. - Target is to be 12 – 15 meters - The other umpire collects the apart. ball and then runs to the other umpire and hands the ball off to the other umpire and runs to their side of the square.

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - To get really good at throwing the - Make sure you group is making - The key to this drill is for the - Make sure the umpires move ball in the umpire just needs to keep it hard for the boundary umpire, umpires to develop a consistent out of the way of the players. on practicing their throw ins. lots of kicking off the ground and throw in action. - Make sure the field umpire - make sure they are using their legs close decisions on the line. - if you have a large group divide sees the boundary signal. to push themselves and drive up - Make sure the umpire doesn’t the groups up into smaller - Early pass offs are always - try to get the umpire to avoid get too close to play. 10 – 15 groups. easier the manage then later twisting when they throw in. meters away. ones.

SESSION GAME

If you found the group responded well to the “bomb the target” drill then you can make this drill into a game. You can get the teams to compete against each other and the losing sides have to do whatever the winning group would like. If they didn’t respond to this drill you can always playing a game of football with all umpires required. Using modified rules and normal rules.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 20 cones, Whistles (umpire to supply), Enough footballs for everyone.

46 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual

6 Goal Umpiring Session

Teaching points for Goal Umpiring 1. Reading the ball off the foot – Picking up where the ball is going early to get under the ball. 2. Awareness of the players – to straddle the line or not to straddle the line. 3. Being on the move – Keep on your toes – always aware and not being flat footed Session overview

Rob the nest Divide umpires into four groups of even numbers. Place all balls in the middle of the playing area, spacing them well apart. At a sound of the whistle, the umpire can go steal the ball from the middle and then take them back to their nest. Once all the balls are collected from the middle umpires can then “rob” WARM UP WARM another teams nest. To stop the game the coach will blow the whistle. The team with the most amount of balls in their nest wins.

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 Mirror Running Look into my Eyes Catch the egg What’s your Decision? - Set up 4 cones so that they are the - Split the group into 2 even - Using a tennis ball and tennis same size as a set of goals. teams. Each team will start on a racket. Get the umpires to line - Set up a group of kickers and - Get umpires to pair up. point post. up behind a cone. one goal umpire. - One umpire is in charge of the pair. - The first person will then race - One at a time hit the tennis ball - Kickers will have shots at goal - The umpire is in control of the drill the other team to the middle of in the air allowing it to go high. and the goal umpire must react and will act as if umpiring in a game. the goal line. - Get the umpire to get under the to the flight of the ball and call - The goal umpire can signal for a - Once the umpire has reached flight and find the landing zone the decision. goal and behind and move from side that point they are to “straddle” of the ball. - A set of flags will make this to side.| the line facing the direction they - The coach will then call out a drill complete. - After 30 seconds swap who is in just came from. catch or straddle. - Umpires then rotate around control. - Once there they “straddle” and - if a catch is called the umpire allowing everyone to be a kicker - Repeat activity. place their hands behind their must catch the ball. If straddle is and goal umpire. back indicating a mark. called the umpire must straddle - Continue until all the line has a spot under the correct flight done this drill. path.

COACHING POINTS (what to look for in the skill drills)

Skill Drill 1 Skill Drill 2 Skill Drill 3 Skill Drill 4 - This will allow the goal umpire to - The aim is to make sure the - The aim of this drill is to allow - The aim of the drill is to improve their flexibility by working on umpire is keeping their eye on the umpire to find the drop zone simulate match day. their change of direction. the ball and the direction it and understand the flight of a - This drill can progress with - This will also allow the umpire who travels. ball. packs of players in the goal is not in control work on their reaction - to try and get to the line before - Late catch calls will add an area. time. a ball is kicked. element of surprise.

SESSION GAME

Divide the group up into 2 teams. Get the umpires to play a modified game of football with 1 umpire officiating the game. (Do not worry about the position of the umpire.) There is to be no ball ups in this game. Just free kicks and marks are to be awarded. Keep the game interesting by rotating umpires every 2 – 3 minutes and change the rules for older umpires.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 20 cones, Flags (umpire to supply), Enough footballs for everyone.

47 AFLQ JFUP Coordinators Manual Notes

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