Umpiring

Umpire Development at Old Cranleighan HC

Umpiring is an invaluable role within the club. Put simply without umpires our games can’t progress. We are lucky enough to have a number of experienced volunteer umpires across the club BUT we are always keen to encourage individuals of all ages (age 13+) and hockey experience to pick up a whistle and start their umpiring journey.

Our in-house umpires officiate London League games for the adult section on a Saturday, where we have 17 teams, plus Junior league and friendly matches on a Sunday from U7s through to U18s.

Detailed below are the steps to becoming a Level 1 Qualified umpire and / or alternatively learn to officiate In2Hockey matches for U7s-U12s.

The speed at which you progress is entirely up to you but we’ll be here to support you.

 

Steps to becoming a Level 1 Qualified umpire for 11-a-side game:

This is the England Hockey standard qualification and required for most adult league and Age 14+ Tier 1 or 2 junior matches.

Step 1: Sign up to the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’. All the resources you need are on this site.

Step 2: Complete the FREE online Rules of Hockey Course via the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’ (Officiating Section). This gives a brilliant overview of the rules whilst testing you as you progress.

Step 3: Gaining experience and seeking mentoring support via our dedicated Umpire Development Lead. Email: ochcumpiredevelopment@gmail.com

Step 4: Complete the online Umpire Level 1 Course. This takes approx. 3.5 hrs and there are plenty of dates available to book via the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’. Completion of the course means that you have achieved Level 1 unassessed Umpire status. The cost is £30 but that is the only cost to becoming an umpire as all other assessments are free.

(On occasions and where we have the right level of interest we may run OCHC member only online courses via England Hockey – if you would prefer this please contact our Umpire Development Lead ochcumpiredevelopment@gmail.com)

Step 5: Following the course continue to gain experience and directly seek mentoring feedback.

Step 6: In conjunction with your mentor request a Level 1 assessment from club’s Level 2 and 3 qualified umpires.

Step 7: Congratulations on becoming a Level 1 Assessed Umpire!

 

Steps to becoming an volunteer umpire for In2Hockey (U7s-U12s):

This will allow those qualified to confidently umpire and understand the 6-a-side or 7 a-side games for U7s-U12s.

Step 1: Sign up to the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’. All the resources you need are on this site.

Step 2: Complete the FREE online Rules of Hockey Course via the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’ (Officiating Section). This gives a brilliant overview of the rules whilst testing you as you progress.

Step 3: Complete the FREE online In2Hockey Umpire Development Course via the England Hockey’s ‘Hockey Hub’. A 30 minute course with the use of video resources which includes a simple test at the end.

Step 4: Congratulations on passing the course. Download your certificate for your records and keep a hold of the website link so you can also step back into the course to refresh your memory.

Step 5: Gaining experience and seeking mentoring support via our dedicated Umpire Development Lead. Email: ochcumpiredevelopment@gmail.com

 

Gaining Experience

We have plenty of ways to nurture your umpiring skills as you start your journey. Whether this be through umpiring younger junior friendlies or league matches on a Sunday; or lower league matches on a Saturday or the friendly Summer League environment that runs on week nights.

If you already have experience and want to develop further as a coach we can help with that too through appointments to higher league games.

 

Mentoring Support

Our experienced Level 1, 2 and 3 umpires are readily available to mentor those who want support. This can be providing guidance on what matches are suitable for you to umpire; arranging experienced umpires to be paired with you or even themselves and linked via radio, observing matches you’re umpiring with instant feedback during the game through the radio headsets and post match in a 1:1 session.

 

Equipment Needed

All umpires will need a whistle, a set warning cards, pen or pencil and a match score card as minimum. A stop watch is also required, using a mobile phone is not recommended for timing matches. An Umpire’s Card Wallet can be purchased HERE or via other retailers.

In regards to clothing umpires tops must not clash with either of the playing teams. It is recommended having 2 or 3 brightly coloured plain polo shirts. London Hockey’s preferred officiating tops are orange and green.

 

Radio Communications

Our more experienced umpires officiating on higher league 11-a-side matches both on a Saturday and Sunday are often linked via our club radios. It allows both umpires to connect readily throughout the game and discuss decisions quickly without the need to stop the game for long periods.

The club’s radios remain at the club. Ear pieces are given free of charge to more regular umpires but we do have them available at all times.

 

Online Resources

England Hockey’s online ‘Hockey Hub’ provides a range of programmes designed to target specific areas of knowledge, under their Officiating section. This includes Personal Brand; Communication Styles; Emotional Intelligence; Conflict Management etc…

 

Rules Resources

 

Volunteering to Umpire

You don’t need to be a fully qualified Level 1 umpire to volunteer to umpire. There is an opportunity to umpire at every level.

All our umpires are volunteers and so whilst we do not pay our umpires we do offer post most teas and / or drinks to all umpires.

For those that regularly umpire on a Saturday for league matches discounted memberships fees.

Please get in touch with our dedicated Umpire Development Lead to discuss how you can volunteer for both junior and adult matches. Email: ochcumpiredevelopment@gmail.com

 

How much time do I have to commit?

We will be guided by you. There is no pressure to volunteer each week either at junior or adult level. However the more you umpire, the more experienced and confident you become.

For the adult section we have an umpiring co-ordinator that appoints all the umpires matching the level of experience to the level of the league game. All umpires are added to the Umpires WhatsApp group which is a useful way to link in with other umpires, ask the stupid (but it never is) question, listen to the feedback of other umpires on decision made especially where there is video evidence.

For junior matches are aim is link umpires to certain age groups, again linking experience and the game level. That allows the umpire to grow as the players game develops too.

May 23, 2024