The BNL Umpiring Course - A Review of day 1

This is a review of some but not all of the many topics covered on day one of our umpiring course. Some of the points differ greatly from previous practice so please take some time to read through the notes.

1 The Court

Day one started with a classroom session where GST our instructor covered the basic dimensions of a netball court and the umpires areas of control.

· We learnt the correct terminology for the areas and lines of the court including the goal line, goal circle, transverse line, centre circle, goal third, centre third and side line. These can all be found on page 4 of the rulebook.

· We learnt that the lines on the court form a part of the netball court and as such a player would only be offside if their foot was over the line. The opposite is true when taking a throw in. If you touch any part of the line then you would be deemed to be stepping on the line.

· It follows, that if a ball or foot has not landed/touched the floor beyond the court, it and they are still in play.

· Any line within the court is ‘shared’ between the two areas.

· We learnt that the term ‘goal post’ includes the post, ring and net. This means that if the ball touches any part of the goal post, including the net, the person that threw the ball could re-catch the ball and not be infringing by means of re playing the ball.

Other key points relating to the play on court that were highlighted:

· No member of the team other than the captain can approach the Umpire. Even in this case the Captains are only permitted to request a clarification of the rules and not to ask the umpire to “keep an eye on…” or question a decision.

· A late arrival may enter the court after a goal is scored and must take up the remaining position/s on court.

· Scorers should also keep a track of the centre pass. If the two umpires disagree as to who’s centre pass it is then the scorer is called to clarify this. The problem is between the two captains and not the umpires.

· The rules of netball apply even between centre passes or when players retrieve balls at throw ins. Offside rules or obstruction or contact rules can be applied.

· If all players break then play continues- this actually is poor umpiring there should be no delay of the whistle by the umpire.

2 Playing advantage

There was some important clarification on the way that ‘advantage’ rules were interpreted.

· You play ‘advantage’ if you feel that the player being infringed upon continues to play and is unaffected by the action of the infringer. The ‘advantage’ is only for that moment of play and does not apply to the player making for an example a successful shot at goal or pass to a team-mate.

This aspect is important because it ensures a much smoother free flowing game that we have not had in some matches where ‘advantage’ rules were not applied.

3 Discipline

· If an umpire needs to discipline a player they should first warn them and then on subsequent infringements they may be penalised using whatever action is considered appropriate under the rules of the game, this may include advancing a penalty.

· You can advance a penalty up to the edge of your controlling area. That is, you can only take an advanced penalty as far as the centre line (not marked on the court), or the line that bounds your controlling area.

· In order to get a clear message across to players you need to be consistent in using the following formula for infringements:

1. Who

2. Name the infringement

3. What you’re awarding

4. To whom

5. Where

For Example:

1. Wing Attack (who)

2. Stepping (name the infringement)

3. Free pass (what your awarding)

4. Patana Tigers (to whom)

5. In line with me (where)

This wording is used in all international matches and should be used in league matches as well.

4 Toss Ups

We were shown how to take a toss up according to the rules and were surprised at actually how high the ball was in the starting position. It should be just below the shoulder of the shorter player when in a normal standing position.

5 Controlled possession

I was surprised to hear that there is no out of hands rule and the game is more about controlled possession. If a player has the ball by her fingertips momentarily and an opponent knocks the ball out of her fingertips and gains possession then play continues.

6 Footwork

We should all be familiar with the footwork rule but it important to note that if you cannot decide which is the grounded foot then you must not penalise that player for stepping. Let it be!

We then moved on to the major infringements obstruction and contact.

7 Obstruction

It was demonstrated to us that there are many forms of obstruction.

· We were told that we were to penalise the obstruction, as it occurs not to wait to see if a goal is scored or a pass is successfully received.

· We learned that a player must be 3ft away from the ball carrier’s grounded foot and this applies to the original grounded position if the ball carrier decides to step onto their pivoting foot.

· The defending player does not have to have been in position prior to the step in.

8 Contact

The final rule covered was ‘Contact’ and it’s modern interpretation in terms of the game.

· We learnt that netball is a non-contact sport but if you take the court believing that if your player touches you only by a tiny amount she’ll be penalised, then you’re in for a shock!

· ‘Contact’ in terms of the rules of netball must involve interference with the play of the player being contacted - to be penalised.

· Both players may contact each other in a fair contest for the ball but if one gains advantage by interfering with the play of their opponent then they should be penalised for contact.

The final session of the day included some on court training

9 Umpires tools

1. The whistle

2. Band for centre pass indication

3. White shirt (BNL umpires shirt)

4. Your voice - loud enough for all to hear

5. Your arms - to visually indicate infringements

· We were told to keep slightly ahead of play and “square the court” this means holding your head and body square to the court to gain maximum field of view.

· We need to continuously readjust our position to get the best angle on the play and bending or tiptoeing to see better is not giving the best view. Move long the sideline and along the goal line to obtain the best position.

More of the second day’s session are to come.

Jenni Jones – Umpiring Co-ordinator