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Stories from the Field
Are there ways that players, fans, and coaches can evaluate umpire performance in a way that will benefit the sport? The simple answer, yes.
As this is likely to be an article read by non-umpires, there are two terms used in this article that need to be defined for the laymen.
- Managing/Lead Umpire
The “managing” umpire is the umpire in the most credible position to make any given call (has closest proximity to the ball). The managing umpire is being “pushed” up the competition service by the ball. They often look like they're running away from the approaching play.
- Support/Trail Umpire
In contrast, the “support” umpire is the umpire who looks like they are “chasing” the play up the competition surface and, actually, they are!
NOTE: There is another term, “Head Umpire”, given to identify the umpire on the table side of the competition surface in games governed by the rule modifications published by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The Head Umpire has certain administrative responsibilities in those games but they do not, for example, out-rank the other umpire. Both umpires have exactly equal responsibilities for calling the game and managing coaches.
Here are some situations and observations that playes, fans, and coaches could make and report.
1.a. Positioning for Play Entering the Attacking Third
When the play is in close proximity to and moving toward the 25 yard line (21 metres) on attack, the umpire should be closer to the end line than the ball. Error to report .. allowing play to pass and then follow play into the circle. Error to report .. taking a position between the circle and the 25 yard line when play is inside the circle.
1.b. Positioning for Circle Play
The most important line on the competition surface is the goal line. When play is in the circle, the managing umpire should be near the goal line. Period. End of report. The umpire is in a credible position to answer the most important question that can arise during play, "Is the whole downward plane of the ball across the whole upward plane of the goal line?" The support umpire, for most high school play, should be at least as close to circle as the 35-yard line. Further, an umpire positioned near the goal line can easily look up and see the support umpire. Error to report .. managing umpire taking position at the top of the circle. Error to report .. support umpire at the center line during circle play in the managing umpire’s circle. Positives to note .. managing umpire taking a position between the play and the end line or taking a position outside the end line when play is on the umpire's side of the cage.
1.c. Positioning Leaving the Attacking Third
When the play is exiting the Attacking Third, are the umpires in transition, following the play away from the end line? Error to report .. standing and watching play go up the competition surface from the umpire’s outstanding position near the goal line. [PUBLISHER: That describes my favorite bad habit when I’m not concentrating!] Error to report .. taking position even with or ahead of hits out of the Attacking Third (16s, free hits, side ins). The umpire should be positioned behind these plays so they can be in a righteous position if (when) the ball is intercepted.
1.d. Positioning in Midfield
Generally, the umpire should be as far away from the sideline as the nearest athlete. In many high school games this means that one umpire might often be positioned 30 yards away from the side line, between the goal cages. Error to report .. taking position near the side lines (hugging the side lines), incredibly wide of the play (and athletes).
2. Partnership
You should be able to observe whether or not the umpires are constantly looking at each other, if for no other reason than to constantly be checking for the position of the support umpire. A good time to look is when play is exiting the circle. The managing umpire should sanity check that they didn’t miss anything important as play is beginning to transition. Error to report .. one umpire blowing whistle for plays that the other umpire is in a more credible position to make (commonly referred to as, “blowing under you partner’s nose.”). Error to report .. when play is in the circle the support umpire shows signals before the managing umpire looks for assistance. Error to report .. managing umpire never looks/hardly ever looks for assistance. Error to report .. the umpires didn’t meet in the center of the competition surface during time outs and half time. Error to report .. managing umpire never looks/hardly ever looks for assistance. Error to report .. the umpires didn’t meet after the award of and prior to the taking of a penalty stroke (the reason for the award of a penalty stroke should be affirmed). Very important error to report .. support umpire blowing whistle when play is inside managing umpire’s circle.
3. Management
Error to report .. umpires participating in a conversation with one but not both team coaches (conversation = something obviously more extended than a one-sentence "it's nice to see you" exchange). Error to report .. one umpire participating in a conversation with one or both team coaches without their partner. Error to report .. generally, umpire(s) participating in conversations with coaches -- only captains, even in high school, should be approaching the umpires with questions and/or comments. Error to report .. no whistle tone variation -- every foul “sounded” like a carding. Error to report .. apparent lecturing of players or coaches during cardings. Error to report .. coaches not managed out of the officiating space (within 5 yards of sideline).
4. Rules Knowledge
One has to be careful not to confuse “Rules Knowledge” with “Judgment or Interpretations”. Reporting errors/lapses in rules knowledge would be for things like, “The umpires awarded a penalty stroke because the ball got stuck in the goalkeeper’s pads.” That is a misapplication of the rules and demonstrates a lack of rules knowledge (by BOTH umpires and the team's captain if the stroke is allowed). However, “The umpire allowed a goal that was a dangerous shot.” That could simply not be how the umpire saw the play and because it is a judgment call, one wouldn’t report on it in this section.
5. Judgment and Interpretations
Things in this area are almost exclusively subjective. Judging whether “that” was actually an obstruction; who fouled who (if anyone) on a very loud “collision” of opposing sticks; whether “that” was a dangerous hit; etc., etc., etc., are all subjective. Only nationally certified umpire coaches should make assessments about an umpire’s judgment and interpretations.
If fans, players, and coaches begin to assess and report on umpires on even just positioning, the sport in the USA will improve. If umpires know that they have to get themselves in better position they’ll get in better shape and, because they’re in a better position, they'll call a better game.
Having thousands of educated and critical eyes on proper positioning will help to encourage improvement in umpire fitness and, in the end, the umpires who are demonstrating to the positive these OBJECTIVE measures will be appointed to the top games.
As it is now, hardly any player, fan, or coach uses objective measures to assess umpires with and so we see umpires with “yesterday’s skills” being rewarded because “yesterday” is when most fans and coaches played the game.
An educated fan base that is constantly reporting and commenting on officiating based on the OBJECTIVE measures listed above will have a positive impact on the sport.
Further, if coaches use these objective measures to build lists of umpires they would prefer to see officiating their top games, it will allow a preference list system to actually mean something substantive and valuable.
With a valid preference list system that forces umpires to start officiating to meet objective measures, we will have umpires in better shape, in better position and calling a better game.
In the end, better umpires help to improve the level of play.
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