Summer 2017

Plan for this evening Preparation Physical Mental Technical Pre-tournament agreement Tournament outcome

9th October – Appointment from FIH 6th December – EHB pack 1 9th December – 1st UM contact Congratulations 17th February – 2nd UM contact Down to business 2nd March – ECB pack 2 17th March – UM 3 Preparation plan Delighted with appoint – Semi-final is qualifier, London UM2 – social media set up

My Preparation Plan Physical Preparation My physical preparation includes 2-3 fitness sessions per week. This is the same schedule as I have been working to for the last 12 months. Session 1 Sprints, interval and circuit training. A lot of the exercises are based around those highlighted in the FIH umpires fitness training manual as well as other sources. I complete this session with a training partner. Session 2 Cardiovascular training – this session is mainly continuous running, around 5-8 km depending on current workload and match schedule. Session 3 Additional circuits or cardio/interval training. This session is normally completed at the weekend and is usually substituted for a game during the domestic season. This is normally a lighter session to re-enforce the work done in the week. Game Preparation England Hockey Men’s Premier League – umpired consistently during the domestic season which finishes 26th March 2017. a England Hockey Play-Offs (22-23rd April 2017). The end-of-season finals tournament to be played at Lee Valley. Appointed as a national umpire to the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament (April-May 2017). Test matches/practice games from visiting international teams – a full programme is not available for the teams visiting before June, however, it is anticipated that there will be games available. Delighted with appoint – Semi-final is qualifier, London UM2 – social media set up

3/4 FIH fitness tests per year Yo-yo test 5 x 50 metre sprints Physical 3/4 FIH fitness tests per year Yo-yo test 5 x 50 metre sprints Height, weight, hip-to-waist ratio Tournament challenges 5-7 games in 7-10 days Heat, humidity, rain… Reserve 2-3 sessions per week Circuits/interval training/cardiovascular Fitness was good. Needed to push myself further

Teams, colleague, importance of match Mental Relaxed but focussed Confidence Visualisation Game incidents Delivery of decisions Stadium Teams, colleague, importance of match Delighted with appoint – Semi-final is qualifier, London UM2 – social media set up

Technical Have I read the rules again? Do I know what the tournament regulations say? Do I know what rules we are actually playing…..?! Styles of play Umpire agreement VU process

Tournament Objectives Decision making is crucial VU Positioning (relates to decision making) Management Picking the right tool at the right time Simple, sharp, clear with good decision making

4 KEY PILLARS/ASSETS Malaysia 6 games in 8 days Temperature around 30-32 °C High humidity Interesting selection of radio headsets Storm at 4pm everyday Final v 5/6 play-off Umpiring with colleague who doesn’t speak english

4 KEY PILLARS/ASSETS

HWL Round 3, London “Local” umpire World Cup Qualifier Unknown number of places for the World Cup 7.5 days in 11 days Coming on a reserve umpire Temperature Holiday Inn, Westfield Shopping Centre

17th – 30, 18th – 32.1, 19th – 32.4, 20th – 31.4, 21st – 34.5

China National Games, Tianjin Played once every 4 years Premier sporting event in China Chinese Olympics 6 games in 8 days 5 draws 3 shootouts GF, SF, F

BALL POSSESSION and TACKLING SKILL We need to protect skill to promote exciting sequences PRESENTATION The manner in which we manage the play and work with the players FAIR, ATTRACTIVE ENTERTAINING HOCKEY FLOW We need to celebrate the advantage rule BALL POSSESSION and TACKLING Deliberate actions to break down play or dangerous actions that effect player safety will be carefully considered and responded to

PROTECTION OF SKILL PROMOTION OF FLOW POSSESSION/TACKLING Eliminate dangerous tackles – enhance player safety Strictness around physical aspects Use of appropriate personal penalties Common sense approach to free hit management Reasonable actions in 5m situations from both attackers and defenders are encouraged Breaking down of play understood, taking the context and influence on the game into consideration When and where (parts of the field/stage of the game) “illegal” actions take place by both attackers and defenders will determine the appropriate technical and/or personal penalty Distinguishing between poor, deliberate and dangerous actions Acknowledge skill and/or flow when ball is played in the air Note: There is a difference between the game becoming more physical versus physical play eliminating skill

Break-down of play / Poor tackling Look at the game for clues! Numbers behind the ball? Possible outcomes and attacking potential Accidental v deliberate? Context. There is a difference between our game becoming more physical and physical play eliminating skill Technical and personal penalties - green to 5min yellow to 10min yellow. What are the differences?

Video

Take home message Rules and regulations Positioning and anticipation – be in the photo! Whistle timing and advantage Game Management Preparation

Video Ratman yellow card Geoff YC Ratman Goal – positioning Award PC position Injury bully Final GC Ruhr YC! Arg sliding Breda u21 stick hold Quick whistle

PRESENTATION OF THE HOCKEY BRAND Abusive outbursts and misconduct are not the best advertisement for our sport. We must be mindful of the negative impacts of these types of actions in terms of the marketing of our sport. The crowding of players around an umpire to request a referral is not permitted. One player may approach an umpire for a referral – the umpires have been instructed to award a green card for this type of action A personal penalty will be issued to any player interfering with the video referral process

Key Areas Tackling and breakdown of play Circle play and accuracy (VU) Aerial Balls Presentation of the sport

Presentation of our sport Crowding in circle situations and penalty corners will be dealt with using the green card Time wasting at a PC – use of green card if team is not ready Off-the-ball incidents – team work, co operation, communication – be brave! Nasty, unsavoury, unsporting, audible swearing and other examples of misconduct should be dealt with appropriately to preserve the image of the sport

In conclusion How does your umpiring craft contribute? Visual teamwork – audiences cant hear your radio communication! You have to visually show you are connected. Find solutions to off-the-ball situations Positioning – stationary decisions in the right place. Anticipate using game clues Circle accuracy – get to the right post early. Remove the need for the video umpire! Get the decision on the field if possible - teamwork Communication and management – you are striving for fairness. Build relationships. Work with the teams. Express yourself.