Control of Behaviour
As an umpire, how can we control players, spectators and officials behaviour?
You probably can’t totally as there is a degree of self-control that is out of your hands.
But there are steps you can use to minimise it. Offenders are ‘controlled’ by self-control, peer control, free kicks, reversing free kicks, 25 metre penalties, yellow cards and red cards with a report.
With players it is easy as it happens in front of you.
- You warn them – self control.
- Their team mates tell them – peer control.
- You award a free kick against them.
- Reverse the free kick if a team mate has one.
- Give them a 25 metre penalty if they or a team mate ‘argue’ – not question (give a quick explanation)
- If they need a ‘breather to calm down’ – yellow card them (no replacement for 10 minutes)
- If really bad – red card them and report them (no replacement for the rest of the game.
YELLOW CARDS MUST BE WRITTEN ON THE UMPIRES SHEET
RED CARDS MUST BE WRITTEN DOWN AND PHONED TO ANNETTE THAT DAY
Team managers MUST get a copy of what you have written.
For spectators (hecklers) and officials, basically the same as above, but no yellow card.
- You warn them by telling the Team Manager.
- They continue – free kick and point to the officials causing the problem – this can embarrass them. Make a talking motion with your hand – can even shout at the bench why. Tell the runner when he comes out why. Communicate to them in a CALM manner that it is NOT ACCEPTABLE
- They continue – same again, free kicks, reversing free kicks and 25 metre penalties. BUT USE COMMON SENSE. They WILL get the message.
- If it is a Boundary Umpire, Goal Umpire or Runner – replace them and report them.
- Too much – report them!
Remind them that this is KIDS FOOTY not AFL nor UFC.
Use your Umpires Report Sheet to write down attitude/problems in the comments.
The Tribunal and Executive will handle it from there.
Treat people like how you would like to be treated, don’t copy their attitude nor their language. Be civil and be respectful and they should reciprocate.
Wet Weather
We have had some wet and wild weather which we have not been used to.
To avoid the ball-up after ball-up after ball-up, quickly blow a free kick as the pack starts to form. There will be one there as the player comes in. Most of these would be ‘too high’ or ‘holding on to the player without the ball’. You give a free kick and watch the players spread. Suddenly the game starts to flow more freely and you then have more of a ‘dry weather’ game instead of a mud wrestle.
Ray Austin; Mark Barnett; Simon Johnson 29/7/16
