UMPIRES - DO’S AND DON’TS

What equipment do you need to start umpiring?


  • a white top, preferably a white sports top or white rain jacket (if required);
  • good, comfortable sports shoes;
  • a good whistle, ideally a hand-held whistle;
  • hair band (to help you remember the direction of the centre pass);
  • wrist watch.

Game Preliminaries:
Report to the Umpire’s Window to collect the score sheet.

Umpires must check players off the court for:

  • Short fingernails, they should not be jagged or have sharp edges;
  • No jewellery (players may wear a wedding ring/and or Medical alert bracelet provided they are taped);
  • Correct uniform;
  • Correct footwear;
  • Collect the team sheets and make sure that they have been signed by each player and are completed correctly.

Remember: you can ask a player to cut fingernails or remove jewellery before they can be allowed to play.



Before the game bring both captains together and find out who has won the toss for centre pass or goal end.  It is your responsibility to announce which team has the centre pass.

Check to see that someone is going to keep score, you may need remind each team that they need to provide someone to score and to share the responsibility with the other team.

To start the game:


  • There should be two umpires present;
  • A team must have no fewer than five players for a game to start;
  • Wait for the “hooter” to sound and blow your whistle loudly to start the game;

During the game:
Captains ONLY may approach an Umpire to have any rule explained


  • Only during an interval or:
  • after a game

If a team is unsure what an umpire is penalising for they should approach the umpire only during an interval.  A Captain may only ask a question of the umpire.

As an umpire you should:


  • Use a clear, firm voice to make your calls;
  • Blow your whistle with a good, loud, definite sound;
  • Use hand signals with your announcements;
  • Move up and down the court with the game and remain focussed on the game at all times;
  • Make sure you are behind the goal line as the play travels to the goal circle; make sure you can see the players clearly;
  • Make sure you return to the Centre Third quickly once a goal has been scored and clearly indicate the direction of the centre pass
  • Keep off the playing area (outside of the court) and use your voice and hand signals to control the game.

Injury Breaks:
HPNC has decided that there will be no injury time during games unless there is a serious injury which does require the game to be stopped.

A player may still call time if they have been injured and feel that they cannot carry on playing until the end of the quarter or need to receive first aid.  If a player does call time then the player must leave the court and be replaced by a substitute immediately.  The injured player may then receive treatment and re-join the game at the start of the next quarter.

Scoring:
At the end of each quarter meet up with the other umpire and collect the score card from the scorer and work out who will be taking the centre pass at the start of the next quarter.

If there are disputes with score remember the official score card has the only score that will count.

How to deal with disputes or issues from the side-line:
In the first instance, and if you feel able to, try to sort out the issue yourself with the captain of the two teams during the next available interval.  Alternatively, you should stop the game and speak with the Manager or Coach of the team to deal with the situation before the game can re-start.

Issue are often resolved after a short discussion.

If the issue cannot be resolved DO NOT DELAY THE GAME any further ask someone to call for an Umpire Delegate to come to the game.

At the end of the game:


  • Collect the scorecard and check the score;
  • Announce the score to the teams and spectators;
  • Take the scorecard immediately to the umpire’s window.


ENJOY THE GAME!!