Hawthorn Citz Hawks Umpire Checklist

Before the game:

1. Obtain:
   1. Appropriate clothing. The league will supply a polo shirt, however a white polo shirt is fine for the purpose. Shorts must be white and socks are best to be long and black (or green to match the league supplied shirt).
   2. A best and fairest voting sheet. There is a copy on this website. When you get to that page, RIGHT CLICK on the body of the text (somewhere near the middle of the document) and then LEFT CLICK on ‘Print’. One page with two copies of the form will be printed.
   3. A good whistle. Finger mounted ones are more appropriate for umpiring than those on a chord.
2. Learn the rules and the signals (www.ccjafl.asn.au/signals.php)
3. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the game.
4. Dress as best as you can – tape your socks up – look the part, act the part, be the part!
5. Introduce yourself to the coaches and/or the team managers.
6. Line up the teams one at a time and check the boots (not so important these days) and check for watches, rings, studs etc. (more important these days!)
7. Grab the two captains and toss a coin to decide the direction of play. The away captain chooses heads or tails.

At the start of each quarter:

1. When both teams have lined up, check that there are equal numbers of players from both teams. If there aren’t then check that the ‘depleted’ team’s coach is aware and ask if he wants to even up with players from the opposition team.
2. Hold the ball up in the air and wait for the time keeper to acknowledge the start of the quarter by blowing the siren.

During the game:

1. Check that there are only four players from each team inside the centre square.
2. Officially the boundary umpires cannot enforce centre square infringements (Some umpires enforce this rule it if it is detected).
3. Make sure the rucks keep their eyes on the ball.
4. Pay obvious frees and use the proper arm actions to indicate the type of free you are awarding.
5. Blow your whistle for each mark.
6. No kicking off the ground for Under 10s and below.
7. Wait till the umpire has waved the point flag before allowing the kick out (Some umpires choose not to enforce this rule.)
8. The goal umpire must check for your ‘all clear’ before awarding a score.
9. If someone is hurt stop the game and grab the ball (to make sure the game stops). Restart the game as and when appropriate.
10. Remember, YOU ARE THE BOSS. Make sure no one ever doubts that. Be firm, definite and consistent at all times. If cracks are detected in your armour, those who seek to bring you down will detect those cracks and exploit them to the best of their ability. This goes for players as well as spectators! Sometimes it gets quite heated out there. People’s egos are at stake. Keep control at all times. You will make mistakes. Acknowledge them and move on.
11. Players can be sent off the ground. Normally it is for the rest of the quarter, but you are at liberty to dismiss them for longer.
12. Players can be reported. Make a note of the players club and number and the quarter the incident occurred in. Contact the league for further details (see www.yarrajfl.org.au)
13. Time on can be declared in exceptional circumstances (usually for a seriously injured player). Hold the ball up in the air and blow your whistle. The time keeper probably won’t know what you’re doing so you’ll probably have to pass on the message for them to stop the clock. Be aware that if ‘time on’ goes for a long time you may throw the program out for the rest of the day on that oval! Don’t forget to hold up the ball to let the time keeper know to restart the clock.
14. Towards the end of the game make a mental note of the best 3 players.

At the end of the game

1. Make sure that both goal umpires score cards match the scoreboard and take the score cards from them at the end of the game. The check can also be done at half time.
2. Obtain the team sheets from the team managers and complete them. This is officially meant to be done at half time to ensure extra players aren’t added after half time. Keep both white copies and give a green and yellow copy to each team manager.
3. Obtain the interchange sheet from the interchange steward.
4. Fill in the best and fairest votes.
5. Post the white team sheets, interchange sheet and your best and fairest votes to: Yarra JFL Administration Manager, PO Box 8363, Northland Centre, 3072 no later than the first mail on the Wednesday after the game. Any concerns arising from the game should be notified to the League Administration Manager (see www.yarrajfl.org.au) by midday on the Monday following the game.
6. Throw out the goal umpire score cards.
7. Obtain a well deserved free serve of food and drink from the canteen.

Other:

1. Training sessions are conducted by the League’s Umpire Adviser (see www.yarrajfl.org.au) and are arranged prior to the season. These are conducted at Bulleen Park.
2. Supplementary Umpires are paid the same as League Umpires. Payment is made to the clubs at the end of the season on the basis of club under 10 home games. The 2008 rates are:
   1. Under 10 $38.00
   2. Under 11 $40:00
   3. Under 12 $43:00
3. For any further queries contact the YJFL Umpires Adviser (see www.yarrajfl.org.au)