1. Summer 2017

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

3. 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

4. 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 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 4 KEY PILLARS/ASSETS Malaysia 6 games in 8 days
Temperature around °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

10. 4 KEY PILLARS/ASSETS

11. 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

12. 17th – 30, 18th – 32.1, 19th – 32.4, 20th – 31.4, 21st – 34.5

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?

17. Video

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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. 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.