Players can be human too

How many of you have enjoyed your umpiring this season? ‘Umpire-bashing’ appears to be gaining in popularity. Soon it will be a national sport!!! Before we all get carried away perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves why this may be.

Is it because the players don’t really know the rules but think they do? Surely out of the 8 National League sides and 38 South Wales League sides someone must have read the current rulebook.

Is it because although they have read the rulebook, their interpretation of what’s actually written is different?

Or is it because maybe they have a point?

Well I know this may seem a bit radical, but if we’re going to make progress in the field of umpire – player relationships then we have to be honest with ourselves.

Do we know the rules? Are we interpreting them correctly and consistently?

Are we making the effort to appear ‘professional’ i.e. turning up in plenty of time, wearing a different colour to the two teams etc. etc.

If you can’t honestly answer ‘yes’ to even these few basic questions then maybe you should be asking yourself if you really want to be umpiring.

Take heart though, for every player out there who’s sole occupation seems to be winding up umpires, there are just as many who think you’re doing a good job. Honest!

We have some very good umpires in Wales whose knowledge and interpretation of the rules and ‘feel’ for the game enable some skilful, exciting hockey to be played. All umpires should be aiming to enable the players to play to the best of their ability whatever their standard. It is not up to us to try to influence the game, only to ‘smooth it’s course’ and ensure that it is safe for all involved.

If you commit to umpiring for a club then please don’t rest on your laurels, get out there and watch some good standard games. Watch other umpires and talk to them. Talk to the players in your club about how you interpret the rules. Encourage them to take notice of other umpires who may be assigned to their games. Their interpretations may be slightly different to yours but that doesn’t necessarily make them wrong.

Because there are 22 players doing their utmost to get in your way and a ball only 70ish mm in diameter I think that we would all agree that in any one hockey match no-one is going to pick up absolutely everything that goes on. As player, coach and umpire I think that this is acceptable. However, from a playing point of view, I don’t think it is too much too ask that the umpires apply the rules consistently to both teams. Equally, from a umpiring point of view, I don’t think it is too much too ask for players to be responsible for their actions. You probably didn’t mean to stick tackle but the fact is that you did, and if this causes a disadvantage to the opposition then you should be penalised. If you continue to do it, especially in Division 1 and above, then expect to see a card.

Whatever your role within hockey, you can play a part in cementing player-umpire relationships. As a coach or captain, encourage your players to accept the decisions given without question. As an umpire, accept that wrong decisions are possible.

As a player it would be wrong to blame the umpires for your poor performance. Equally as an umpire it would be wrong to blame the players for yours.

(Anon)

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