Umpiring in the SAAFL

[w_m]

I don't think I would be in the minority if I suggested that the standard of umpiring in the SAAFL has continued to fall in the last few years. I personally believe it is only going to continually decline given that most of the umpires are not exactly in their youth.

The SAAFL have implemented a policy this year where umpires who regularly attend training are rewarded with games in the higher grades while those who just turn up every Saturday are given the lower grades. This has no doubt had a positive effect on the high grades but made the standard even lower for the low grades.

It is amazing how many people think they would make a good umpire but "cant be bothered" having a go.

I have also noticed that while the standard has dropped there are actually some quite good umpires who are umpiring as club umpires. It would be good to see a mechanism where these umpires could be encouraged to join the SAAFL panel but the incentive is probably not there.

I'm interested to hear any ideas that would encourage the good club umpires and other prospective umpires to consider joining the league ranks.

What would attract more umpires to the job - simply more money or is there more to it?
What prevents them taking up the job?
Have you considered having a go but declined for whatever reason?
Have you seen a club umpire that you believe would make a good league umpire?

[gadj1976]

I don't think I would be in the minority if I suggested that the standard of umpiring in the SAAFL has continued to fall in the last few years. I personally believe it is only going to continually decline given that most of the umpires are not exactly in their youth.

The SAAFL have implemented a policy this year where umpires who regularly attend training are rewarded with games in the higher grades while those who just turn up every Saturday are given the lower grades. This has no doubt had a positive effect on the high grades but made the standard even lower for the low grades.

It is amazing how many people think they would make a good umpire but "cant be bothered" having a go.

I have also noticed that while the standard has dropped there are actually some quite good umpires who are umpiring as club umpires. It would be good to see a mechanism where these umpires could be encouraged to join the SAAFL panel but the incentive is probably not there.

I'm interested to hear any ideas that would encourage the good club umpires and other prospective umpires to consider joining the league ranks.

What would attract more umpires to the job - simply more money or is there more to it? money would be good, but I'd say there would be more to it (stigma perhaps)
What prevents them taking up the job? stigma
Have you considered having a go but declined for whatever reason? still considering it. Reasons why - keep involved in the game, keep fit and to find out how difficult/easy it actually is
Have you seen a club umpire that you believe would make a good league umpire?no

I've always been one to say that "umpiring seems like common sense" (to which they don't actually umpire using any common sense) and I've found that after playing the game I can read situations better than umpires that have never played. So hence I'd like to give it a go. that way I can either say "yep, it's more difficult" or legitimately say "it's easier than they make out".

[Iwasthere84]

I don't think I would be in the minority if I suggested that the standard of umpiring in the SAAFL has continued to fall in the last few years. I personally believe it is only going to continually decline given that most of the umpires are not exactly in their youth.

The SAAFL have implemented a policy this year where umpires who regularly attend training are rewarded with games in the higher grades while those who just turn up every Saturday are given the lower grades. This has no doubt had a positive effect on the high grades but made the standard even lower for the low grades.

It is amazing how many people think they would make a good umpire but "cant be bothered" having a go.

I have also noticed that while the standard has dropped there are actually some quite good umpires who are umpiring as club umpires. It would be good to see a mechanism where these umpires could be encouraged to join the SAAFL panel but the incentive is probably not there.

I'm interested to hear any ideas that would encourage the good club umpires and other prospective umpires to consider joining the league ranks.

What would attract more umpires to the job - simply more money or is there more to it? money would be good, but I'd say there would be more to it (stigma perhaps)
What prevents them taking up the job? stigma
Have you considered having a go but declined for whatever reason? still considering it. Reasons why - keep involved in the game, keep fit and to find out how difficult/easy it actually is
Have you seen a club umpire that you believe would make a good league umpire?no

I've always been one to say that "umpiring seems like common sense" (to which they don't actually umpire using any common sense) and I've found that after playing the game I can read situations better than umpires that have never played. So hence I'd like to give it a go. that way I can either say "yep, it's more difficult" or legitimately say "it's easier than they make out".

Tues and thurs nights at Thebby, come and give it a go gadj1976

[Jimmy_041]

Well, I thought this was going to be another f***wit string, but lo and behold, someone has finally started a positive discussion to try to find an answer to this MAJOR problem.

Just remember everyone, no umpire - no game FULLSTOP

[nuggety goodness]

Well, I thought this was going to be another f***wit string, but lo and behold, someone has finally started a positive discussion to try to find an answer to this MAJOR problem.

Just remember everyone, no umpire - no game FULLSTOP

i reckon when i'm done playin i'll either coach or umpire, it will probably be my kids though so i can stay involved, i couldn't imagine life without footy... devastating!!!

[gadj1976]

I don't think I would be in the minority if I suggested that the standard of umpiring in the SAAFL has continued to fall in the last few years. I personally believe it is only going to continually decline given that most of the umpires are not exactly in their youth.

The SAAFL have implemented a policy this year where umpires who regularly attend training are rewarded with games in the higher grades while those who just turn up every Saturday are given the lower grades. This has no doubt had a positive effect on the high grades but made the standard even lower for the low grades.

It is amazing how many people think they would make a good umpire but "cant be bothered" having a go.

I have also noticed that while the standard has dropped there are actually some quite good umpires who are umpiring as club umpires. It would be good to see a mechanism where these umpires could be encouraged to join the SAAFL panel but the incentive is probably not there.

I'm interested to hear any ideas that would encourage the good club umpires and other prospective umpires to consider joining the league ranks.

What would attract more umpires to the job - simply more money or is there more to it? money would be good, but I'd say there would be more to it (stigma perhaps)
What prevents them taking up the job? stigma
Have you considered having a go but declined for whatever reason? still considering it. Reasons why - keep involved in the game, keep fit and to find out how difficult/easy it actually is
Have you seen a club umpire that you believe would make a good league umpire?no

I've always been one to say that "umpiring seems like common sense" (to which they don't actually umpire using any common sense) and I've found that after playing the game I can read situations better than umpires that have never played. So hence I'd like to give it a go. that way I can either say "yep, it's more difficult" or legitimately say "it's easier than they make out".

Tues and thurs nights at Thebby, come and give it a go gadj1976

I think you've touched on another problem. Training. I've got a two year old and one due next Monday, so my free time is very limited. I've actually been asked by a mate of mine to come out and assist at training but haven't been able to get there either.

If the SAAFL want umpires, or are trying to lure umpires, then they'll struggle to get us on board if they require us to train. Not for a minute am I saying I should be able to umpire without some training, but all I'm saying is that the SAAFL will get to an impasse with attracting umpires because of time commitments.

Also, I live at Modbury, so getting to and from Thebby isn't ideal.

[mypaddock]

I would seriously consider giving umpiring a go after I finish playing, even if it is only umpiring the B grade at my club.
I have always found that the best umpires are the ones who use common sense (as gadg said) and pay only the obvious free kicks, not the ones who go out their trying to 'find' free kicks.

I've noticed over the past 3-4 yrs everytime there is a contest these days a free kick is paid- please umpires, just let the game flow...

[Lightning McQueen]

I would seriously consider giving umpiring a go after I finish playing, even if it is only umpiring the B grade at my club.
I have always found that the best umpires are the ones who use common sense (as gadg said) and pay only the obvious free kicks, not the ones who go out their trying to 'find' free kicks.

I've noticed over the past 3-4 yrs everytime there is a contest these days a free kick is paid- please umpires, just let the game flow...

Umpiring your own club is a fair bit harder than umpiring neutral teams. You tend to take abuse more to the heart from your own supporters, no matter how well you do, you will always have one-eyed supporters that will heckle you because that is the way that they are.
I've gone through quarters where I've only had to pay 1 or 2 frees, the players seem to love it but some of the supporters get annoyed, my main objectives when umpiring are look after anything high and keeping the feet out when it's wet.
If you keep it simple and free-flowing you tend to steer clear of any skirmishes.

[Footy Smart]

The umpiring at Modbury Oval on the weekend was supurb.... Both A and B Grade umpires let the game flow and didnt over umpire the game at all... The B Grade was a close game 2 points and they umpired the pressure contest well and didnt pay tiggy touch frees when both teams were flying in hard.

Then on the other hand you have the TTG C grade umpire who is an absolute cheat!!!!!!!!

[Jimmy_041]

Same at PNU - I didn't notice them which is always a good sign

[gadj1976]

I would seriously consider giving umpiring a go after I finish playing, even if it is only umpiring the B grade at my club.
I have always found that the best umpires are the ones who use common sense (as gadg said) and pay only the obvious free kicks, not the ones who go out their trying to 'find' free kicks.

I've noticed over the past 3-4 yrs everytime there is a contest these days a free kick is paid- please umpires, just let the game flow...

Hey MP, thought you HAD retired? Good to see you back in the game. You're too young to give it away just yet.

Anyway, I agree with your comments. The one thing from my viewing of games is that AFL umpires go into a contest seeing reasons FOR giving free kicks, rather than seeing reasons for it to continue without giving free kicks. When I take over Gieschen's job..... look out!

[Jabber]

I cop it after the game from my own club because i DONT cheat, i've umpired with some absolute shockers that are blatant cheaters, you can tell this because of the way that some of the umps snap back at the players after the players have a go at them.

But just because the dude i'm umpiring with is a cheat, my club has a go at me because i'm not being as dirty as the other umpire!

Then you get a crazy descision from the league saying that club umpires must only umpire thier own back half. Lets loosely translate it: Most club umpires are cheats, so we better stick them in the back half so they don't cause too much damage!

Now when i umpire i've got a fair idea of who is a cheat and who isn't, and most of the guys i umpire with each year know that i don't cheat. So with those particular umpires that i know aren't cheats, we umpire just as you would normally at A Grade level and there is never a problem, umpiring both forward halves and back halves.

I umpired on the panel for a year and training was sooooooo boring, coming from a background of football training, with footballs, to now just boring old running. THAT is a reason why umps drop off training.

[Iwasthere84]

I cop it after the game from my own club because i DONT cheat, i've umpired with some absolute shockers that are blatant cheaters, you can tell this because of the way that some of the umps snap back at the players after the players have a go at them.

But just because the dude i'm umpiring with is a cheat, my club has a go at me because i'm not being as dirty as the other umpire!

Then you get a crazy descision from the league saying that club umpires must only umpire thier own back half. Lets loosely translate it: Most club umpires are cheats, so we better stick them in the back half so they don't cause too much damage!

Now when i umpire i've got a fair idea of who is a cheat and who isn't, and most of the guys i umpire with each year know that i don't cheat. So with those particular umpires that i know aren't cheats, we umpire just as you would normally at A Grade level and there is never a problem, umpiring both forward halves and back halves.

I got offered a fair amount of coin to umpire a close to homes club B grade. There is no way I am ever doing club umpiring because of the other clubs umpire. You simply cannot win. If the other guy cheats and you dont, you are a mug, if you make calls and he doesnt you are still a mug. On the subject of training, how many posts have been put on here ripping into the umps for not getting into the right position because they are unfit. If I stick my hand out for an envelope at the end of the match, I want to have given 100%. Training, whether it be fitness or education is a must

I umpired on the panel for a year and training was sooooooo boring, coming from a background of football training, with footballs, to now just boring old running. THAT is a reason why umps drop off training.

[Iwasthere84]

I cop it after the game from my own club because i DONT cheat, i've umpired with some absolute shockers that are blatant cheaters, you can tell this because of the way that some of the umps snap back at the players after the players have a go at them.

But just because the dude i'm umpiring with is a cheat, my club has a go at me because i'm not being as dirty as the other umpire!

Then you get a crazy descision from the league saying that club umpires must only umpire thier own back half. Lets loosely translate it: Most club umpires are cheats, so we better stick them in the back half so they don't cause too much damage!

Now when i umpire i've got a fair idea of who is a cheat and who isn't, and most of the guys i umpire with each year know that i don't cheat. So with those particular umpires that i know aren't cheats, we umpire just as you would normally at A Grade level and there is never a problem, umpiring both forward halves and back halves.

I got offered a fair amount of coin to umpire a close to homes club B grade. There is no way I am ever doing club umpiring because of the other clubs umpire. You simply cannot win. If the other guy cheats and you dont, you are a mug, if you make calls and he doesnt you are still a mug. On the subject of training, how many posts have been put on here ripping into the umps for not getting into the right position because they are unfit. If I stick my hand out for an envelope at the end of the match, I want to have given 100%. Training, whether it be fitness or education is a must

I umpired on the panel for a year and training was sooooooo boring, coming from a background of football training, with footballs, to now just boring old running. THAT is a reason why umps drop off training.

Try again

I got offered a fair amount of coin to umpire a close to homes club B grade. There is no way I am ever doing club umpiring because of the other clubs umpire. You simply cannot win. If the other guy cheats and you dont, you are a mug, if you make calls and he doesnt you are still a mug. On the subject of training, how many posts have been put on here ripping into the umps for not getting into the right position because they are unfit. If I stick my hand out for an envelope at the end of the match, I want to have given 100%. Training, whether it be fitness or education is a must

[finn]

The umpiring at Modbury Oval on the weekend was supurb.... Both A and B Grade umpires let the game flow and didnt over umpire the game at all... The B Grade was a close game 2 points and they umpired the pressure contest well and didnt pay tiggy touch frees when both teams were flying in hard.

Then on the other hand you have the TTG C grade umpire who is an absolute cheat!!!!!!!!

you speak the truth here - he's a disgrace and one of the reasons they fail in finals.

but on the subject of umpires - perhaps an introduction of rugby union's policy in which only captains can chat to umpires may get a few. the introduction of preferred zones - some people i know were keen on umpiring but had no transport to get to far away games.
i also know, having umpired a bit, that's there nothing like positive reinforcement to make it feel like you've done a good job - when deserved obviously. we quickly jump on them when they make a mistake often forgetting that they're only human and will make one - yes it can cost a game (rarely though) but so can missing from the goalsquare.

[Iron Fist]

Ive umpired a game before!
and the feed back i recieved was all pretty positive, i had played for both sides and I just let the game flow!!
let blokes scrap on bottom of the pack and try and get it out rather then jumping on the whistle!

bad calls get made but aslong as they are even to both sides and not all being handed to one side then I think it is ok.

[Pag]

I started umpiring last Sunday with the CDJFL, and obviously Under 11s and 12s is a bit different to senior footy but I was running around thinking how people could do it without having played the game before? Players know when an infringement actually effects the contest or if it's incidental and has no real bearing. That's how I judged my calls. Not sure how you could do it well without playing before.

[Iron Fist]

I started umpiring last Sunday with the CDJFL, and obviously Under 11s and 12s is a bit different to senior footy but I was running around thinking how people could do it without having played the game before? Players know when an infringement actually effects the contest or if it's incidental and has no real bearing. That's how I judged my calls. Not sure how you could do it well without playing before.

spot on pag
if someone cops a clear high tackle
alot of the time the play almost stops!!!

[ezydoesitbigfella]

As an umpire for the past ten years, and having played SANFL reserves and SAAFL A1 - plus various successful coaching roles - I am still very concerned about the future of umpiring.

AFL - this has become a joke - we don't need to hear them - thats for the players. Maybe (for the benefit of TV) bring up a sound grab if there is an interesting decision or controversy. The recent "push in the side" rule has me completely confused - i listened to Goldspink on the Sunday Footy program trying to explain it - and I simply didn't see the differences he claimed he could. A push in the side, within 5 metres of the ball - with the object of taking possession of the ball has been around for 100 years? Just let it be.

SAAFL
Training - spot on - can't get there - want to be on the panel but life and work simply does not allow - yes, there should be standards of fitness - but couldn't I be "forced" to attend a minimum of 4 sessions a month to stay on the panel - and to be expected to maintain a reasonable fitness standard (maybe 2 kms in 8 minutes - plus 10 x 80 metres in 10 minutes - I maybe off the mark, but you get the idea - to be tested monthly) What about regional training - I umpire junior grades and train on another night with several older umpires - we could recieve information from Barry Oates and have "someone" within our group report to him on attendances and progress?

Decision making - the obvious answer is "you're only ever gonna please 50% of the people, with any decision you make" but even with umpires paying "tiggy touchwood" frees - the old coaches say - play to the umpires interpretation. Consistency is what we would all like, but you pay each decision on it's merits - and it's an immediate reaction to a situation - and, YES, you can get it horribly wrong sometimes. Let's be brutal - if one player had to make as many split second decisions as the umpire does in a game - he would make many mistakes also - no-ones perfect....eh?

Abuse - well - never going to win any arguments here, but I heard a player say to his team, after they had been complaining for 2 quarters about EVERY decision - "guys, we don't deserve a free kick EVERY time we go near the ball" - very well said, I thought it actually shut the rest of them up. It will never be resolved - the umpire has to gain the experience to firstly learn to ignore it, then deal with it in a professional manner to try and curb it if it gets too much, and finally to react appropriately in providing punishment for continous offenders - send off, free kicks - whatever.

Club Umpires - a real dillema - I have only ever experienced three umpires who are clearly biased in the 100 plus SAAFL games I have done - I mostly dealt with them by a quiet word at the break, saying I consider them to be cheating and I will square up, if they don't stop - they look with amazement, but it had the right effect. Why doesn't the SAAFL introduce a self regulating system, where each clubs appointed umpire completes a performance review of his counterpart for the day - and if there is recurring negative feedback about a particular umpire - the club can be advised to fix the problem? But most club umpires work together - it's a thankless task, but an enjoyable way to stay involved in this great game.

JUNIOR Grades - there are some good aspects about umpiring at Junior level - great way to introduce kids who can't play footy for various reasons - and the support and program is quite good. But - it's old blokes who are clearly too fat and lazy - who umpire junior games - they make me so angry - bringing down the standard.....are we that bereft of umpires that we can't demand higher physical standards - and even higher umpiring standards for older umpires? Some of them are doing it simply for tha cabbage - which is very good - and make me very frustrated.

Anyway, thats my two bobs worth.

[w_m]

Training - spot on - can't get there - want to be on the panel but life and work simply does not allow - yes, there should be standards of fitness - but couldn't I be "forced" to attend a minimum of 4 sessions a month to stay on the panel - and to be expected to maintain a reasonable fitness standard (maybe 2 kms in 8 minutes - plus 10 x 80 metres in 10 minutes - I maybe off the mark, but you get the idea - to be tested monthly) What about regional training - I umpire junior grades and train on another night with several older umpires - we could recieve information from Barry Oates and have "someone" within our group report to him on attendances and progress?

Interesting idea. Travel and logistics to attend training is certainly a barrier for many people. If I were to join the panel I would only be interested in doing it properly and umpiring at the highest grade possible. I wouldn't want to be considered a recreational umpire and be forced to umpire the low grades.

I like the idea of training being held at 3 or 4 venues across the metropolitan area. Would mean at least one venue should be reasonably accessible to most people.

Decision making - the obvious answer is "you're only ever gonna please 50% of the people, with any decision you make" but even with umpires paying "tiggy touchwood" frees - the old coaches say - play to the umpires interpretation. Consistency is what we would all like, but you pay each decision on it's merits - and it's an immediate reaction to a situation - and, YES, you can get it horribly wrong sometimes. Let's be brutal - if one player had to make as many split second decisions as the umpire does in a game - he would make many mistakes also - no-ones perfect....eh?

Good point again. So many people suggest that it really can't be that hard and that you "just pay it as you see it". It really is not quite that simple as the game is so quick and you often "see" so many infringements that it is hard to distinguish the "tiggy touch" frees from the genuine ones. There is technically a free kick in almost every contest but you have to be able to distinguish those that affect the outcome of the contest from those that do not and apply those interpretations consistently. Otherwise the game would become a farcical collection of soft free kicks (somewhat like the AFL!).

Club Umpires - a real dillema - I have only ever experienced three umpires who are clearly biased in the 100 plus SAAFL games I have done - I mostly dealt with them by a quiet word at the break, saying I consider them to be cheating and I will square up, if they don't stop - they look with amazement, but it had the right effect. Why doesn't the SAAFL introduce a self regulating system, where each clubs appointed umpire completes a performance review of his counterpart for the day - and if there is recurring negative feedback about a particular umpire - the club can be advised to fix the problem? But most club umpires work together - it's a thankless task, but an enjoyable way to stay involved in this great game.

Unfortunately there will always be a couple who make a joke of it. Provide the opportunity to be biased and unfortunately some will take it. It does tarnish those who go out each week and take it seriously and try to provide unbiased interpretations in the interest of a fair game. The idea of peer evaluation is interesting but is probably open to abuse just as much as the position itself. Definitely worthy of consideration though as it at least forces every umpire to be somewhat accountable for his performance and might make some take it a touch more seriously.

I have umpired nearly 200 SAAFL games and probably only come across 3 or 4 club umpires who I considered to be genuinely cheating. Most make a genuine effort to do it properly even if a little implied bias occasionally creeps in for some.

In the rare occurrence that an umpire is blatantly cheating and letting VERY obvious frees go (such as head high tackles etc), I will usually call the free as the non-controlling umpire. When they question why I am overruling them I will tell them the honest truth - Either they are cheating or they need to re-read the rules as they are not doing the job properly.