Mark Wickham

Effective o bservation is fundamental to accurate evaluation and decision-making: Effective o bservation is fundamental to accurate evaluation and decision-making: Observation Evaluation Conclusion Observation Evaluation Conclusion

Anything less will compromise our ability to gather all of the information required to make correct decisions consistently: Anything less will compromise our ability to gather all of the information required to make correct decisions consistently: Even if you happen to get the decision correct, it is none-the-less a flawed decision! Even if you happen to get the decision correct, it is none-the-less a flawed decision! More on this later…… More on this later……

In the case of the sentence test there were 6 Fs: In the case of the sentence test there were 6 Fs: People dont tend to observe the letter F when it is in the word, of because the mind registers the word as ov. People dont tend to observe the letter F when it is in the word, of because the mind registers the word as ov.

Observation is a skill – like any other - that umpires need to continually develop in order to improve their performance…. Observation is a skill – like any other - that umpires need to continually develop in order to improve their performance….

Research from the USA has indicated that only about 20% of sport officials accurately observe what happens during a given play, and have the skills to evaluate that play accurately: Research from the USA has indicated that only about 20% of sport officials accurately observe what happens during a given play, and have the skills to evaluate that play accurately: How would we know whether we are in that 20%? How would we know whether we are in that 20%?

Observation is not as simple as it seems: Observation is not as simple as it seems: If you try to look at everything, you will miss important details If you try to look at everything, you will miss important details If you dont have a plan to observe, you have a plan to fail to observe If you dont have a plan to observe, you have a plan to fail to observe There are many brain processes, pre- conceptions, and even beliefs that can interfere with our observation and evaluation. There are many brain processes, pre- conceptions, and even beliefs that can interfere with our observation and evaluation. Selective Perception covers most of these… Selective Perception covers most of these…

The hidden Tiger was written on the Tiger itself…but were you were looking for another animal? The hidden Tiger was written on the Tiger itself…but were you were looking for another animal? Why were you looking for another animal? Why were you looking for another animal?

Barriers to Effective Observation: Barriers to Effective Observation: Many observations based on expectations and habit (selective perceptions): Many observations based on expectations and habit (selective perceptions): In this approach, we organise what we see according to our preconceptions (much like the Tiger example…) In this approach, we organise what we see according to our preconceptions (much like the Tiger example…) What are the barriers to effective observation we are aware of? What are the barriers to effective observation we are aware of? Taufels Proper Preparation….. Presentation.. Taufels Proper Preparation….. Presentation..

Better observation takes two things: Better observation takes two things: (a) Knowing what you need to be looking for, and (a) Knowing what you need to be looking for, and (b) Knowledge about the possible variances in what you are observing (b) Knowledge about the possible variances in what you are observing

This part takes patience and practice! This part takes patience and practice! What is it that I need to observe effectively as a cricket umpire? What is it that I need to observe effectively as a cricket umpire? Be a thorough student of the Laws and Playing Conditions Be a thorough student of the Laws and Playing Conditions Understand how to observe all relevant information consistently throughout the day Understand how to observe all relevant information consistently throughout the day …not as easy as it sounds – anyone ever miscounted an over because of a distraction, unexpected event, or being with a troubled partner on the day? …not as easy as it sounds – anyone ever miscounted an over because of a distraction, unexpected event, or being with a troubled partner on the day?

Understanding what your responsibilities as an umpire are is critical: Understanding what your responsibilities as an umpire are is critical: Time-keeping (when was the batsman out? etc.) Time-keeping (when was the batsman out? etc.) Over-throws Over-throws Running between wickets Running between wickets Players entering the protected area Players entering the protected area Was the delivery legal (height etc.)? Was the delivery legal (height etc.)? Damage to the pitch, and how it occurred Damage to the pitch, and how it occurred Where did the ball pitch? Where did the ball pitch? What other responsibilities do we need to keep on top of? What other responsibilities do we need to keep on top of?

Improving Observation: Improving Observation: Increase your patience in order to slow down, relax and watch Increase your patience in order to slow down, relax and watch Ask questions of your observation: Ask questions of your observation: e.g. How did the ball get there? e.g. How did the ball get there? e.g. How is the bowler using the crease in their delivery stride? e.g. How is the bowler using the crease in their delivery stride?

Simply put, memory is the mental activity of recalling information that you have observed, learned or experienced. Simply put, memory is the mental activity of recalling information that you have observed, learned or experienced.

How memory and decision-making works: How memory and decision-making works: Observation Evaluation Conclusion Observation Evaluation Conclusion (Perception) (Memory) (Decision) (Perception) (Memory) (Decision)

You are the driver of a public bus. You leave the bus depot with no passengers on board. First up, you drive the bus 5km east, where you stop and you pick up 5 passengers (2 men, 1 boy and 2 women). Next, you drive the bus 6km north, where 3 people get off the bus (1 man and 2 women) and 6 people get on (1 man, 2 girls, 3 women – one of the women has a seeing-eye dog). Next, you drive the bus 5km west, where 5 people get off (2 women, 2 girls and 1 boy) and 7 people get on (3 men, 3 women and 1 boy). Next you drive 4km south, where 4 people get on (4 men). Lastly, you drive the bus back to the bus depot where all of the remaining passengers get off the bus.

Regular exercise Regular exercise Increases oxygen to your brain. Increases oxygen to your brain. Reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. May enhance the effects of helpful brain chemicals and protect brain cells. May enhance the effects of helpful brain chemicals and protect brain cells. Managing stress Managing stress Cortisol, the stress hormone, can damage memory if the stress is unrelieved. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can damage memory if the stress is unrelieved. Stress makes it difficult to concentrate. Stress makes it difficult to concentrate. Good sleep habits Good sleep habits No smoking! No smoking! Good/Planned Nutrition Good/Planned Nutrition

Back to the case about the bus driver: Back to the case about the bus driver: Using your memory – answer the following: Using your memory – answer the following: How old is the bus driver? How old is the bus driver?

You are the driver of a public bus. You leave the bus depot with no passengers on board. First up, you drive the bus 5km east, where you stop and you pick up 5 passengers (2 men, 1 boy and 2 women). Next, you drive the bus 6km north, where 3 people get off the bus (1 man and 2 women) and 6 people get on (1 man, 2 girls, 3 women – one of the women has a seeing-eye dog). Next, you drive the bus 5km west, where 5 people get off (2 women, 2 girls and 1 boy) and 7 people get on (3 men, 3 women and 1 boy). Next you drive 4km south, where 4 people get on (4 men). Lastly, you drive the bus back to the bus depot where all of the remaining passengers get off the bus.

Correct Decision Incorrect Decision Good Decision Bad Decision You guessed correctly; You guessed correctly; You didnt see all of the relevant information; You didnt see all of the relevant information; You used the appeal to help you make your decision You used the appeal to help you make your decision You feel relieved that you got away with that one! You feel relieved that you got away with that one! You guessed incorrectly; You guessed incorrectly; You didnt see the relevant information; You didnt see the relevant information; You used the appeal to help you make your decision You used the appeal to help you make your decision You are unhappy that you got caught out with that one! You are unhappy that you got caught out with that one! You saw all of the relevant information and could recall it; You saw all of the relevant information and could recall it; You applied the appropriate law accurately and consistently; You applied the appropriate law accurately and consistently; You reviewed your decision before giving it. You reviewed your decision before giving it. You know that you didnt see all of the relevant information; You know that you didnt see all of the relevant information; You applied the appropriate law accurately and consistently; You applied the appropriate law accurately and consistently; You reviewed your decision before giving it. You reviewed your decision before giving it. You are honest with yourself and the players You are honest with yourself and the players

The human mind is a reprogrammable computing device: The human mind is a reprogrammable computing device: If you make a point to regularly practice your observation skills, observation/evaluation/conclusions will get easier and more accurate. If you make a point to regularly practice your observation skills, observation/evaluation/conclusions will get easier and more accurate.

How can we improve our individual performance? How can we improve our individual performance? How to we recognise our current levels of performance? How to we recognise our current levels of performance? What can we do day-to-day/week-to-week etc. to improve the levels of our performance? What can we do day-to-day/week-to-week etc. to improve the levels of our performance? Do we set goals for improving our observations? Do we set goals for improving our observations? Einstein: If you always do what youve always done. You will always get what you always got! Einstein: If you always do what youve always done. You will always get what you always got!

Self Assessment: Self Assessment: This will allow you to go back and check your own performance. This will allow you to go back and check your own performance. We must set specific and measurable goals for our self-assessment, and reflect honestly about what we NEED to improve to move forward. We must set specific and measurable goals for our self-assessment, and reflect honestly about what we NEED to improve to move forward. Mentoring Programme? Mentoring Programme? Wednesday Evening Umpire Meetings/Discussions Wednesday Evening Umpire Meetings/Discussions Captains Reports (with a grain of salt of course…) Captains Reports (with a grain of salt of course…) Fellow Umpire and/or Match Observer Reports Fellow Umpire and/or Match Observer Reports Video Documentation Video Documentation Club Net Sessions? Club Net Sessions?