The 3 W’s of the Green Card by Andrew Barnes EMHUA Chief Coach WHAT WHEN WHY

How many Green cards do you give in your matches? How many GC do your colleagues give? Are you lower or higher? If different ; Why is this?

Evidence suggests in Region more GC are given by neutral panel umpires Evidence suggests more GC are given the higher the level of hockey Why is this?

Key Learning Points Understand the importance of the GC to control Understand the importance of the GC to complement management Understand how effective use will decrease the number of YELLOW Cards

What Rule 14 - Personal penalty GREEN and Triangular and used to WARN Players = Temporary Suspension of 2 minutes actual playing time. Team plays one short

When Please think first about Prevention. Can you Manage the game better to stop the breach happening in the first place? Be pro-active. Watch how the players start. Set the standards with good communication.

Use your voice as well as your whistle to Communicate. Be confident, Assertive but not Aggressive Recognise and take the Management opportunities the players give you.

If the umpire leaves a gap the players will move in REMEMBER U M P I R E If the umpire leaves a gap the players will move in INCIDENT PLAYERS PLAYERS

Typical Game Ladder Short Whistle Players Happy – Playing Hockey Minor & Accidental Offences

Typical Game Ladder Some Reckless Tackles -Players Muttering Medium Short Whistle Medium Whistle Some Reckless Tackles -Players Muttering Players Happy – Playing Hockey

Typical Game Ladder Medium Whistle Green Card Any of the below Reminder of caution. Use Captain or both captains More Reckless Tackles players appealing and reacting Long /Loud Whistle + Verbal Caution – you have had enough. “Line in sand” Strong body language. Loud Whistle More Reckless Tackles -Players appealing Some Reckless Tackles -Players Muttering

This is not a Control Tool! By doing nothing – the players will move in This is not a Control Tool! Doing Nothing Leave a Vacuum

You set low standards for those watching or playing in the match By Doing Nothing You will have to continue to move up the ladder and will not bring the game back under control You set low standards for those watching or playing in the match You detrimentally affect consistency You fail to educate the players

The Control Ladder You may need a slightly different Control Ladder to deal with Verbal offences directed towards other players, yourself or your colleague.

Place finger to lips Reverse the hit PC Upgrades

What other additional Control Tools are there before a GREEN CARD? Stop time to create brief conversation moment with colleague or specific player Spot the offence first time not the second. e.g Aerial, 5m & Knock aways Use radio to inform colleague Use Radio to reinforce management plans with colleague

Snakes and Ladders Control Curve (snake) Aim to reduce player reaction and drop down the snake Continue to use control tools to maintain equilibrium to stop the climb back up the ladder Use GC again if the players do not listen and cross your “line in the sand” = Drop down the snake or Sadly if that fails then we move to the YC My message is that these are MUST Do’s and not options

Does Your Control ladder look like this? Long Whistle Green Card ? Medium Whistle Does Your Control ladder look like this? Dangerous tackles Players appealing and arguing USE the extra tools? Some Reckless Tackles -Players Muttering

USE the extra tools? OR….. Does your Control Ladder Look like this? Yellow Card Green Long Whistle Medium Whistle Short Whistle USE the extra tools?

How you use the Control Ladder should come from your own Personality Which Tools Work Best for You?

How can You make the tools work best for you? The Control Ladder How can You make the tools work best for you? Plan in your mind which tools you will use for each event so that you have the best course of action clear in your mind. Remember to use the tools calmly and slowly so that the players remain confident in your Management of their game.

So why do we have the GC in our toolbox? “Umpires need a method of control that bridges the gap between a CAUTION and the YELLOW to keep the game safe and ensure repetitive penalties or dangerous penalties receive suitable punishment”. We need a reactive control tool to prevent an escalation of or persistence of penalty breaches.

Consistent use week to week will educate players on what to expect Effective use will make your umpiring easier and thus more enjoyable Consistent use week to week will educate players on what to expect Level 2 umpires use more green cards FACT so lets close that gap for the improvement of the game