Umpire's Handbook - International Hockey Federation

INTERNATIONAL UMPIRES HANDBOOK 2005 4. Check List for Tournament Preparation1. Start your fitness programme early and build up to the tournament. You need to beconfident in your ability to pass a fitness test2. Discuss with senior umpires / national team coaches playing styles that you mayexperience. Where possible, use videos of international hockey to get an impression ofwhat to expect. This is very important for your preparation as some of the games areoften far quicker than national hockey.3. Be aware that your training should be appropriate to the weather conditions in thecountry you are visiting, and make any necessary adjustments accordingly.4. Make sure you are match fit by regularly umpiring appropriate standard matches in theweeks leading up to your event.5. To improve your understanding of playing styles and techniques as well as improvingyour understanding of tactics, it is recommended that where possible you attendnational team training sessions or top club training sessions. You will also find this willhelp you to develop your management skills and rapport with the players.6. Make sure you re-read the current International Rules book, are aware of currentinterpretations and have read any relevant Tournament Regulations.7. Role of Neutral Umpire or experienced umpire(i)At events where there is no UM appointed the TD may ask you to take on therole of 'Umpires’ Team Captain'. The TD should announce this to the umpiresgroup and will explain what they wish you to do. This will normally involveacting as a link between the TD and other umpires and possibly some'coaching' of the less experienced umpires. Be aware that this role is not anobligation, and that it should not be allowed to adversely affect your ownumpiring performance.Even if the TD does not ask you to become 'Team Captain' as the NeutralUmpire you may well find that the less experienced umpires look to you forpractical advice.(ii)At smaller events you may find that the TD decides to give fewer appointmentsto you and more to less experienced umpires. The TD will normally explain thisto you. This is a good way of providing development opportunities for newumpires.These are just some of the responsibilities that come with being a ‘neutral’ or anexperienced umpire. Remember the kind of help that you would have liked at your firstTournaments!