1. SDJFUA Positioning & Roles: Two Umpire System 2018
By Jack Fahey-Gilmour
Special thanks to Dean Margetts and Daryl Sinclair for the base template

2. Centre Bounce 1 2
Number 1 is responsible for bouncing/throwing the ball up. They should then back out 20-25m to get an appropriate view of the contest and adjust their position based on the ball. Must ensure that no.1 and 2 are on opposite sides to get a better view of the ground.
Number 2’s job is to observe the square to ensure there is only 4 players from each team in the square, while ensuring there are no off-ball free kicks (e.g. holds, blocks etc). Further they must have their head on a swivel to ensure that there are no other infringements across the ground.

3. Centre Bounce in Square1 2
Number 1 is responsible for throwing the ball up, they should then back towards the ‘centre axis’.
Number 2 should position themselves 25-30m from the contest, a rough kick. Therefore being ready for a handover from a quick kick, or providing support at a potentially volatile situation. Number 2 should position themselves so that they have a different angled view of the contest to number 1. There is no point having the same view point. No. 2 should be focusing on observing what is happening around the ground, as well as the periphery to the contest.

4. Field Bounce 2 1
Number 1 is to throw the ball up, and back out to the centre axis. Ensuring they move quick enough to get 20-25m away from the contest to sufficiently adjudicate.
Number 2 needs to be on the same side of the ground as no. 1 ready to provide support if need be. They are also critical to observation as per the previous two slides. It is likely that the majority of players will be situated by the ovals, so it is imperative that no. 2 is ready to adjust/observe to these players.

5. Boundary Throw in - Mid Zone1
20-25m 2
30-40m
Number 1 needs to control the boundary throw in. This includes coordinating with the boundary, ensuring rucks are 1m apart, adjudicating the ruck contest etc. No.1 needs to time their run so that they hit the ruck contest side on to give them the best view of the contest. This momentum will then carry them through, all the way back to the centre axis. Appropriate distance from the rucks is 20-25m when tracking around the outside.
Number 2 needs to position themselves on the same side of the ground and 30-40m away from the contest. Close enough to still have an influence, but also maintain observation on the spots no.1 can not see (eg. opposite side of the contest, either goal ends etc.) No.2 will back towards the centre axis after the boundary throw in, therefore making sure they are in the most efficient spot possible to adjudicate and move across the ground. It is important that the no.1 & no.2 are on the opposite sides of the throw in.

6. Boundary Throw in – End zone1 2
25-30m
15-20m
Number 1 needs to control the boundary throw in. Note that even though the throw in is occurring inside the 50m arc, no.1 is still ‘goal side’. This is important to ensure that both umpires are opposite to each other, thus giving different views of the contest (as indicated by the black arrows).
Number 2 is once again in an observational capacity , and massive area of influence. As the contest will be inside 50m it is likely a large proportion of players will be in this area given the propensity to score. Hence, no.2 must have their head on a swivel with an open stance, allowing them to see the contest for off ball free kicks as well as opening their vision to the rest of the ground. After the throw in no.2 needs to work their way back to the centre axis as an initial movement.

7. Set Kick Control Goal Line – Defender Kick1 5m 2
Number 1 is in control of ensuring that the player disposing of the ball does so in the right manner. It is important they ensure that the attacking player standing the mark is 5m off the line when the defending player is in possession at a set kick within 2m either side of the goal line, and 5m out from the goal line. No.1 must be wary of the defending player going over the goal/behind/boundary line and kicking into various posts/kicking through different regions. Easy way to remember is to come back over the line you crossed. No.1 must ensure they have verbal contact with the player on the mark & the player taking the kick. 5-10m is recommended.
Number 2 is responsible for observation once again. Ensuring they have wide vision as demonstrated with the head on the swivel. No.2 should also anticipate where the defender may kick it. As the ages progress, this kick from defence may become a handover.

8. Boundary Throw in – deep end zone - CORRECT2 1
Number 1 completes the throw in, ensuring they set up closest to the goals. No.1 must aim to get back to the centre corridor and get a side on view of the ruck contest – as per normal.
Number 2 sets up on a different angle so they have an opposing view of the contest to no.1. They also need to have a larger view of the ground given that no.1 is occupied deep inside the 50. They should then move back to the centre axis.

9. Boundary Throw in – End zone INCORRECT!1
No. 2 observes the pack from different position to ensure no infringements. In this case have the same view as no. 1 = No point! 2
As no. 1 no point circling all the way around to end up in the same position as in correct method. Involves 3x as much work and obstructs no. 2 eyes on the ball. Can also get caught skinny side if the ball comes towards the boundary line.

10. Kick in from a Behind 2 1
Number 1 needs to set up 5-10m behind the man on the mark, this allows them to have a verbal and physical presence with the man on the mark and the player kicking out from behind. No.1 should hold to 40-45m especially when wide of the ground towards the pockets.
Number 2 needs to observe the remainder of the ground and try to set up opposite to where the pack is forming, no.2 should read the player to see which direction the ball is likely to transition to. No.2 should be standing side on and open (unlike the no.2 in this image), this way having strong observation of the ground around them.

11. Kick in from a Behind set up & hand over
HOLD
BORDERLINE 2
5-10m 5m 1
Number 1 is responsible for controlling the kick out. To the right side of the line no.1 should hold. To the left side they should hand over. In the ‘grey’ area this can change depending on the positioning of the umpire, the grade being played and the umpires involved. Make sure you and your partner discuss this before each game, and then as it progresses.

12. Positioning full forward in general play2 1
20-25m
Number 1 is controlling general play.
Number 2 is observing where no.1 can not, as well as reading the play as to whether they need to adjust into position for a hand over.

13. Positioning full forward tight angle set kick2 1 5m
Number 1 needs to set the mark. Set the player kicking the ball on goal on the correct line. After this, no.1 needs to ensure that the 5m protected area is set and the players lining up are 5m away and not encroaching on the 5m protected area. No.1 needs to back out perpendicular to the mark to ensure that this is managed correctly.
No.2 is responsible for ensuring that everything behind the play is being observed. It is likely that there are still a large number of players in the other half of the ground. Should position themselves around the 50m arc.

14. Positioning for contest in forward line2
20-25m 1
20-25m
No.1 needs to stay high
Number 1 has just received a handover from number 2 where there has been an entry kick. No.1 has to ensure that they get to being side on at the contesting of the ball. This gives them the greatest ability to adjudicate the contest. In order to get the right positioning, when no.1 is setting up inside the 50 they need to stay ‘high’ as it is easier to run onto the contest rather than look up bums when trying to adjust.
Number 2 must ensure there is clear signalling on the hand over as well as ensuring there is no infringements after the player has disposed of the ball.

15. Kick into attacking 50, set up as no.2 CORRECT1
Number 2 has to set up nice and high on the ground so that they are positioning themselves for the lead out of the goal square. In this position here they are set up for that lead, if the ball goes deeper then they can just run onto it, while still being side on while the ball is in the air. It they set up to deep then when they attempt to get side on for the low short kick into the fwd 50, they will not be able to get side on, and will be stuck looking up ‘bums’ without a good look at the contest.

16. Positioning skills after siren1 2
Number 1 is responsible for ensuring the player kicking the ball for goal does not deviate off their line (otherwise it will be play on and time). They must also ensure that the player on the mark does not cross over the mark or a 50m penalty will ensure.
Number 2 must watch for infringements in the goal square where there is likely to be the majority of players. No.2 must also ensure that if the ball does not carry all the way through for a score, that if it is touched by the defending team and goes through for a behind it is still a behind, if touched by the defending team then it will be no score.

17. Switching in the 50m 2 1
No. 2 hands the ball over to number one who calls the mark/free kick. If it looks like the player will have a shot on goal then number 1 can switch number 2 through by patting the side of their shorts on the side of the no.2 umpire. No.2 will then trigger through and set up where the black arrow ends ready to assess infringements in the goal square.
We should be aiming to switch these ones that are 35-50m on the angle. Can and should be switching shots on goal in the blue area. This can change varying on the age group, i.e. in year 7 you are unlikely to have a player kicking on goal from 50m out so can just use a ‘push down’. Ensure you discuss this with your partner prior to each game so that you are on the same page.

18. Switching in general play1 2
Sometimes in general play it is a good idea to switch. Classic examples include out of zone free kicks, out of bounds on the full decisions, yellow/red cards and spectator warnings. This process ultimately ensures clear control in situations that have the potential to get ‘messy’ if not controlled well. The above example is a switch of an OOBOF with the 2nd ump switching through ready for the handover.