Junior Umpire Registration

Expectations of our Junior Umpires and how you can support them

Our umpires are learning too just like your players, the umpires are all learning about the game of hockey. It is everyone’s responsibility to make this a positive learning experience for all players and umpires. Nurturing these young umpires allows them to build confidence and better apply the rules to your game.

It is important for all players, coaches and spectators to understand that umpires do not deliberately make mistakes. They are trying their best to apply the rules as accurately. Often the pressure that can piled on an umpire by players, coaches and spectators after he or she makes a mistake can lead to the umpire losing their confidence, leading to more mistakes.

Signs an umpire is lacking in confidence:

Because the umpires are still learning, their confidence levels may not be very high.

• Not blow the whistle very loudly (sometimes they are too scared to blow it at all)
• Not make any decisions
• Perform the wrong arm signals
• Not move with the game

Your encouragement and positive reinforcement will only help the umpire to build this confidence. 

What an umpire will/will not penalise and why Umpires will not penalise all infringements that you may see:

E.g. the umpire will not penalise every foot that he or she sees. Feet are only penalised if the ball is kicked forwards to the players advantage, if a shot at goal is stopped by a foot, or if the player intentionally kicks the ball to gain an advantage.

If you still believe that a penalty should have been awarded, it is possible that the umpire has missed the infringement.

While this is not a desirable situation, umpire mistakes are a reality and happen at every level of sport.

Reasons an umpire can make a mistake:

• Sometimes the umpires can be in the wrong position to see an infringement
• This can also work in reverse; sometimes you may be in the wrong position to see an infringement (this may be why the umpire blows penalties that you have not seen). Not everyone has the same line of sight
• Due to players bunching, the umpire may not be able to see the ball at all
• Sometimes the umpire can be taking in a lot of sensory information and become overwhelmed. This can cause the umpire to make basic errors
• The umpire may simply be confused about the ruling

If you believe that the umpire may be applying the rules wrong, please approach the Junior Umpire Coordinator with your concerns rather than talking to the umpire yourself. This means the Junior Umpire Coordinator is aware of the concerns and can work with that umpire to help he or she to better understand the rules. If you consider the above reasons why an umpire may make a mistake it might help for you to explain what you saw in relation to the above so our Junior Umpire Coordinator can assist all our youth umpires development.

6 A-side Handbook for New Umpires

If you are new to umpiring 6 A-side Hockey this year, our Junior Umpire Handbook is a useful resource to learn all you need to know!

This book is specifically made for our young umpires and handy to keep in their umpire jacket pocket when they need a reminder!

All junior umpires are encouraged to read and the umpire handbook before umpiring. We also encourage parents and supporters to take the time to read this guide to best support their child as an umpire or player!

CLICK HERE to view the 6 a-side Handbook

If you are new to umpiring 11 A-side Hockey this year, this handbook is your rule guide reminder!

Covering all of the basic rules in an easy to read format, you won’t miss a thing on the turf with this in your back pocket. ​​​​​​​

All umpires are encouraged to read this guide before umpiring this season. We recommend coaches/supporters take the time to learn the rules as well to bets support their child as a player or umpire!

CLICK HERE to view the 11 a-side guide.