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Pre-Season

Umpire Coaching Day

at

Caterham School

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6th September 2025

Sarah

John

Philip

Jane

Development Team

1. John Moss – Group Lead
2. Jane Binner – Group Deputy Lead
3. Sarah Chapman – Level 2 Lead
4. Ian Hay – Level 1 Lead
5. Gary Stent – Assessor & Coaching Lead
6. Philip Hook – Club liaison Lead
7. Duncan Wood-Allum – Monday Mixers
8. Malcolm Wain – Data Lead
9. Jamie Pinder- Level 2 Lead (Training)

Gary

Duncan

Malcolm

Ian

Jamie

SE Umpire Pre-season coaching session

Agenda

10.30 Welcome, introductions, key focus is communication (JM)

10.35 - 11.00 Panel leads (SC and IH)

11.00 - 12.00 Beyond the whistle - Margaret Hunnaball

12.00 - 12.30 Video clips and feedback

12.30 - 13.00 Communication plus other things! (GS)

13.00 - 13.40 Oxted coach Nick Giles presentation and questions

13.40 - 14.40 Lunch and Awards (PS)

14.40 - 15.00 Junior umpires and Club umpire development (PH/GS/DF)

15.00 - 16.30 Match Oxted V Wimbledon Men’s 1Xl

16.45 - 17.10 Ask the umpires

17.15 Depart

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Panel Leads

• Panel leads – Sarah Chapman/Jamie Pinder ( A,B* and B level 2 umpires), Ian Hay (B, C* and C Level 1 Umpires). Gary Stent ( A* and Prem umpires)
• Role is to oversee umpires within their panels
• Liaise with Coaching and Assessing for umpire development
• Monitor umpire performance
• Carry out panel review for promotion and demotion
• Set priorities for umpire support
• Monitor umpire support
• First point of contact for all umpires (new and old)
• Monitor umpire appointments
• Recruit / Develop future development team members
• Contact details are available on SE website

SE Umpires Panels

• Umpire appointments impacted by various issues
• Availability, match/league status, Development opportunities/location, Colleague
• You may not always be appointed to the games as described
• Be accommodating and flexible
• Umpires can, as a preference, umpire one gender only
• Occasional appointment opportunities to other gender, if willing
• For development equally on both genders discuss with Panel Lead
• New members –
• Always welcome, introduce a friend, use development team as point of contact

Priorities in Season 2025/26

• Support all umpires for progression to next level and continual review of umpires' panel.
• To maintain performance of ALL SE umpires.
• We aim to see every umpire at least twice a season.
• To increase the numbers of Coaches and Assessors.
• Enhance club umpire support.
• Succession planning for development committee.

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Umpire well being

• Ian Hay contact
• What is it?
• Why do we think this is important?
• You want assistance or support
• We are here to help

Jackie Gibbs (Vice chair – Officiating) ��Introducing our guest speaker

Maragret Hunnaball – FIH Umpire Manager, UM for Paris Olympics�

Beyond the whistle: effective communication for hockey umpires

Awarded Euro hockey Diploma of merit 2025 plus more!

BEYOND THE WHISTLE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR HOCKEY UMPIRES

MARGARET HUNNABALL

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

• The Cs of communication
• Components of your communication
• Noticing one aspect of your communication
• Don’t be a robot

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WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

7 CS OF COMMUNICATION

CLEAR

Clear signals, short instructions

CONCISE

Messages short and to the point

CONCRETE

Blow what you see (not what you think)

CONCRETE

Officials should base decisions on specific rules and observed actions, not assumptions. Referring to exact rule violations adds weight and credibility to their calls.

CORRECT

Know the current rules and interpretations

COHERENT

Be consistent in decisions and words

COMPLETE

Explain enough for players to understand (eg. cards)

COURTEOUS

Always remain respectful, calm and professional

MORE C WORDS FROM LUKE PEARCE

CS OF COMMUNICATION

Clear signals, short instructions

Messages short and to the point

Blow what you see (not what you think)

Know the current rules and interpretations

Always remain respectful, calm and professional

Explain enough for players to understand (eg. cards)

Be consistent in decisions and words

Collaborative

Connected

Cohesive

Composure

Constructive

Which Cs are your strengths? Which do you need to work on?

HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE?

VERBAL

NON-VERBAL

PARALANGUAGE

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

• Choose your words carefully
• Be open and honest
• Be courteous and polite
• Remember: The best way to earn respect is to give respect

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• Pitch of voice
• Tone
• Speed of speech
• Be firm with a normal, relaxed voice
• Shouting indicates a loss of control (of yourself and the game)

“It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it”

PARALANGUAGE

• Physical appearance (professional demeanour)
• Posture
• Touching behaviour (hand shake)
• Gestures (pointing, hands behind back)
• Facial expressions

BODY LANGUAGE

SELL YOUR DECISIONS

SELL YOUR DECISIONS

GESTURES

TOUCHING

TOUCHING… NOT PHYSICAL!

NON-VERBAL

BODY AND FACE

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS�NOTICE THEM!

We can say so much without words!

NOTICE! WHAT DOES THIS FACE SAY?

CASE STUDY - ALISON

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fts62lbfyrA

Alison Keogh on the Hard Work of Changing Face

LET’S PRACTICE! WHAT DOES THIS FACE SAY?

Whoa!

Calm down

My fault

YOUR TURN

Show us:

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DON’T DO THAT AGAIN

Show us:

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THANK YOU, I LIKE THAT

Show us:

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SORRY

Your ultimate goal is to communicate with your colleague in a way that results in the highest level of umpiring for the game.

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• Support and encourage
• Make eye contact as often as possible
• Use the radios to add value (not for a chat)
• Offer honest opinion
• Work as a team

DURING THE GAME

PLEASE!!!

AN AVOIDABLE INCIDENT?

• Focus on the umpires’ communication
• What did they do well?
• What could they have done better?
• How did the players respond?
• What feedback would you give them post-match?

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Smile

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Eye contact

WHAT’S YOUR COMMS PLAN?

• How can you improve your communication skills?
• Verbal
• Paralanguage (tone, pitch, speed)
• Body language
• Whistle, signals, cards
• Radios

OWN THEM

DON’T BE A ROBOT

Personality

DON’T BE A ROBOT

BUT DON’T BE A STAND-UP OR A POLITICIAN EITHER!

BEYOND THE WHISTLE �EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR HOCKEY UMPIRES

THANK YOU

HAVE A GREAT SEASON

Key Characteristics of High Performing Umpiring�

How can I get above panel

How to improve my performance

COMMUNICATION

DECISION MAKING

FITNESS

GAME UNDERSTANDING

Consistency

Use these traits to support the key items Poise, Presence, Composure, Resilience and Empathy

A and A*

High level correct, set standards, maintain throughout

Advantage v possession, add value, correct penalties, read game with controlled movement

NPUA test, Proactive timely movement

Good communication, use of all tools, relationship building

Satisfactory on reports, appropriate positioning for decision making

Satisfactory on reports, movement to suit game play

Mostly understands Advantage v Possession and demonstrates occasionally. Correct penalties applied

Majority correct decisions, demonstrate knowledge to set standards

Good level correct, maintain control, shows empathy

Elements of communication, to assist play

Communicates to improve flow, uses all tools

Plays advantage where possible to gain better flow, penalises poor play

B and B*

C and C*

Umpire skill set

Equipment

Smile

Knowledge

Confidence

Decision making

Body language

Signals

Gestures

Verbal Skills

SE Umpire KPI review

Today’s focus topic – Communication –

• What is it?
• Why do we need to Communicate?
• When do we need to Communicate?
• How do we Communicate?
• In groups of 4, take a few minutes to discuss each question

RFU Guidelines for communication

All the “C” - 14 areas!

RFU Guidelines for communication

All the “C” 14 areas!

Crisp and Concise

Cohesive

Clear

Correct

Courteous

Concrete

Consequences

Collaborative

Coherent

Connected

Constructive

Complete

Composure

Close

SE Umpire Preseason coaching session

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• Effective Communication
• Types – vocal, mannerisms, gestures, whistle tone and volume
• Intensity – soft, firm, light and dark, variations
• Facial expressions – smile, eyebrows, eye contact, head movement
• Body stance and stature – step in, hold ground, calmness, relaxed, stand strong, create space
• Voice – language, volume, closed comments, avoid chat, banter, encourage, assist,
• Key characteristic – empathy, composure poise and presence and resilience (fairly important)

Verbal�communication

Physical Communication

Mannerisms

New guidelines from EH

• Blow whistle for restart at PC. No need to say ‘play’, BUT do manage them
• Match durations 35 mins x 2, 17.5 mins x 4, SE Premier ONLY
• Disciplinary new guidance. (Martin Lewis)
• Use of helmets highly recommended for PC
• Aerial ball NO difference from last season, EH are ONLY changing in NHL Premier League. Talk through briefly.
• Refer to EH officiating guidance

Aerial reminder

• Phase 1 – Prior to ball receipt, MAY be deemed deliberate, PC outside circle or PS if inside circle and DELIBERATE.
• Phase 2 – Occurs after receipt of ball but prior to ball under control (on the ground). This should NOT be deemed as deliberate. Should NOT lead to higher penalty.
• Example – Attacker receives ball in D and defender encroaches 5m before receipt but backing in not facing attacker. DECISION TIME
• reduces distance before under control?
• reduces distance after under control?

SE Pre-season Coaching Session

• Any questions?

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• If you have any issues or concerns regarding progression, please contact the development team at dev.umpires@southeast.hockey

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• Monday Mixers dates will be circulated for the new season.

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Guest Speaker – Nick Giles

• Playing –
• Formby NHL, Brooklands & Hampsted, Westminster NHL Premier.
• England: age groups at U16, U18 and U21.

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• Coaching –
• Oxted since 2018,
• Head of Hockey at Trinity School Croydon,
• England U16 Coach (3 Years)

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Preparation for the match

6 groups with development lead – 3 key characteristics

Groups 1 & 2

 Vocal

Communication skills 

Groups 3 & 4

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Physical communication 

Groups 5 & 6

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Mannerisms

Post match observations facilitators:

Jackie, Margaret, volunteer from audience.

Lunch break

• Could I ask all new members and juniors please join the development committee for lunch
• Awards will be handed out during lunch break
• Do mingle amongst your colleagues and enjoy the one time we can all get together.

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SE Umpire Awards

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2024/2025

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AWARDS – SEASON 2024/2025

• Most improved Level 1 umpire – Glen LeGrys
• Most improved Level 2 umpire – Will Mewis
• Junior umpire – Charlie Hart
• Indoor umpire of the year – Josh Kidman
• Award for contribution to umpire support - Duncan Wood-Allum
• SE Area member who makes contributions to officiating in SE Area – Alan Grey
• Services to SE Area officiating - Sarah Chapman
• Dan Quinton Services to SE Hockey

EH Awards 24/25 – Area volunteer

• Natasha Hookway Sussex Junior umpiring

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Junior umpire development

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• New Development lead David Fitzgerald
• National award for Sussex development – Natasha Hookway
• Junior events working with Sussex young umpires (Marden and Eastbourne!)
• Junior umpires at national finals – Harry Musson

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SE Club Liaison and development

• 50 No level 1 passes
• Umpire coach level 1 and 2
• Club days at Lewes, Holcombe and Maidstone
• Next Season further club umpire coaches, more club days planned
• Established a group to coordinate club umpire liaison

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