Umpiring is a challenging and exciting activity which can, and does, provide a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Good umpiring enhances the game as a spectacle and contributes to the enjoyment of players, officials and spectators. Poor umpiring detracts from the game and invariably results in dissatisfaction and frustration for players, officials and spectators.
It is in the best interests of the game and the participants for us all to promote and enhance the image of umpiring as an attractive sporting endeavour. In this way, it will be possible to attract good people to umpiring and encourage them to stay.
The coach has an important role in this regard. The coach is the most influential role model for the players. Their behaviour toward umpires will be reflected in their players’ behaviour.
YOU AND THE UMPIRES
Complete the following assessment which will provide a guide as to your behaviour towards umpires.
Your answers to these questions will give you an indication of how you behave toward umpires. As a coach you are an influential role rodel and your players will more often than not emulate your behaviour.
1. Knowledge of the Laws
Do you read the ‘Laws of the Game’?
Do you encourage your players to read the ‘Laws of the Game’?
Are you familiar with the ‘Spirit of the Laws’?
Do you discuss the ‘Spirit of the Laws’ with your players?
Do you invite umpires to training to assist in developing a better understanding of the Laws?
Do you actively teach and encourage players to play within the Laws?
2. At the Match
Are umpires made welcome by your club?
Do you seek input as to how your club looks after umpires?
Does your club appoint someone to look after umpires?
Do you welcome the umpires when they visit your rooms before the match?
3. During the Match
Do you shout at the umpires?
Do you shout comments about decisions in earshot of your players or the umpires?
Do you refer to the umpires when you address your players?
Do you refer to the umpires so as they can hear during your address to the players?
Do you permit your players to dispute decisions or back chat umpires?
4. After the Match
Does your club look after the umpires after the match?
Do you thank the umpires after the match?
Do you encourage your players to thank the umpires after the match?
Do you tend to ignore the umpires after the match?
Spirit of the Laws
Umpires are encouraged to interpret and apply the Laws in accordance with the Spirit of the Laws which, in fact, determine the manner in which the game should be played.
Within the Law
The successful coaches are those who educate players to develop their individual and team skills in accordance with the Laws.
The coach is a role model for their players on match day and set the example through their words and actions. It is important that coaches develop a responsible and professional approach for the benefit of the game.
