AFL Umpire Coach Professional Development Program E-Newsletter 2009 Week 11 Visit the AFL Umpiring Development website for the latest umpiring info - http://www.afl.com.au/umpiring Through the AFL Umpire Coach PD program the Australian Football League along with each State Umpiring body is continuing to commit to its promise of providing stronger support and training to Umpire Coaches throughout Australia. The AFL sees Umpire Coaches as having the greatest influence over the environment in which an umpire participates in, and sees the coach as the key person in providing support for all umpires within their group. Footyweb Umpiring Database Promotion The AFL s Footyweb Umpires Database has gone live and is set to improve and consolidate the way in which we store all umpire accreditation details, whilst also providing vital information on umpiring throughout Australia. Recently a promotion was held inviting groups to accurately update their group s information. Congratulations to the winners of the Footyweb umpiring database promotion. The following umpiring groups were selected after entering all of their group s data into the Footyweb system. Each group will receive umpiring packs to the value of $400. PORT PIRIE FOOTBALL LEAGUE UMPIRE'S ASSOCIATION SA YARRA JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE UMPIRES - VIC SOUTH GIPPSLAND UMPIRES ASSOCIATION VIC SENIOR COMUNITY UMPIRES GROUP - WA TFUA TAS The AFL would like to encourage all groups to continue to update their information through the Footyweb system. If you have any enquiries please contact your State Umpiring Development Manager. Enhancing Coaching Effectiveness through Umpire Communicators Article by Rod Threlfall, VCFL Umpire Development Manager (03 5444 2115) The WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League recently provided umpire coaches involved in the AFL Umpire Coach PD Program an opportunity to provide observation and feedback to the umpires who officiated at the AFL Victoria U16 Carnival. This carnival, held in Bendigo over three days is one of the main development programs that AFL Victoria conducts and it draws players from the regionally based TAC Cup development squads. Field, Boundary and Goal umpires from regional umpiring groups are invited to umpire across the weekend. A feature of the umpiring program this year was the use of the umpire communicators. Coaches, Greg Sidebottom (GVFUA), Geoff Curtis (NEUB Wangaratta) and Austin Diffey (NEUB Albury) worked with the umpires (6 from each discipline). The coaches were able to speak to each of the umpires during games and provide them with corrective advice and positive feedback on their performances. The coaches were really pleased with the response of all umpires in accepting the challenge of wearing the communicators and listening too and implementing the changes to improve their individual games.
Umpires were able to provide the following comments, Wearing the communicators did not affect my running and movement during the game I was able to make adjustments to my position on the ground immediately and therefore be in a better decision making position It was nice to hear the positive message after I did something well We believe these communicators provide a wonderful opportunity to develop coaching and ensures umpires are provided with the latest technology allows for them to hone their skills whilst actively umpiring in a game of football. Boundary Umpire Coach Geoff Curtis, NEUB speaking to umpires Luke Frost and Jake Robertson (Jake is wearing the communication device) For further information on the umpire communicators please contact Rod Threlfall, VCFL Umpire Development Manager on 03 5444 2115. Essentials of World Class Coaching Over the next 10 weeks we will delve into 10 essential characteristics for world class coaching. Wayne Goldsmith from www.sportscoachingbrain.com has found that successful coaches across various sports share similar characteristics. Umpire coaches should take the time to consider whether they have each characteristic and how they can enhance this characteristic in their coaching. The 1 st essential characteristic of a world-class coach is a commitment to continuous improvement. Source: Wayne Goldsmith, www.sportscoachingbrain.com
Coaching Topic Positioning for General Play one umpire system This week we continue the 16 part series that takes an in-depth look at the key skills involved in umpiring. These should provide coaches with practical advice about the key teaching points of each skill. The 10 th umpiring skill to be examined in this 16 part series is positioning for field umpires in general play under the one umpire system. Positioning for General Play one umpire system Learning Outcomes The objective is for the umpire to be in good position to have a clear side view of contesting players and then to move quickly for the next act of play. The basic rules are to position yourself 20-25m inside play travelling along the flanks outside play travelling up the centre, or upfield or downfield from play travelling across the field Inside means you are closer to the major axis than the play When running to catch up with forward play, you should run towards a position that is 25m to the side of the next contest. When the play travels across the field, you should run to a position to the side of play, that is, upfield or downfield (at 45 degrees of play). Activities ACTIVITY ONE - Skill drill on the oval: One person acts as umpire while the others in the group move the ball randomly down and across the field by kicking, handballing and running. The umpire must continuously adjust his/her position to the random play. Call a stop after one minute to highlight the need for any improvements. Each person takes a turn as umpire for 3 minutes. It may assist if the learner runs with an experienced umpire so he can shadow his movements. Equipment required: Ball, whistle ACTIVITY TWO - Whiteboard work: Use magnetic pieces on a whiteboard so each umpire can show and explain his movement to position each time the coach moves the pieces representing the ball and contesting players. Equipment required: Whiteboard with magnetic pieces and markers ACTIVITY THREE DVD View AFL DVD s on positioning Equipment required: DVD, DVD player monitor Method How do you adjust your position when: After a centre bounce, the play heads directly away from you toward the far boundary? SPRINT TO THE SIDE OF PLAY: DON T FOLLOW You are close to the kicker when he kicks forward? SPRINT FORWARD AT 45 DEGREES TO GET A SIDE VIEW The ball is kicked along the major axis? RUN TO 20-25M EITHER SIDE OF AXIS Play comes directly at you? REVERSE QUICKLY AT 90 DEGREES TO GET A SIDE VIEW Play travels along the wing? RUN WITH PLAY 20-25M INSIDE The ball is kicked towards leading players in the forward zone? RUN WELL TO THE SIDE OF LEADING PLAYERS A scrimmage occurs? STAY BACK 20M AND CIRCLE IF NECESSARY FOR BETTER VIEW You are 20m in from the boundary wing and the ball is kicked 40m to centre half forward? RUN TOWARDS MAJOR AXIS TO GET SIDE VIEW OF LEADING PLAYERS Players chase the ball across the field towards the boundary? RUN TO THE SIDE OF PLAYERS PATH; DO NOT FOLLOW Key Points Run to a position 20-25 metres to the side of play Umpire Coach Advice
This week we have been provided with some advice from Eden Stubbings from the Geelong Football Umpires League. The article shows how Geelong FUL has embraced technology and the Facebook revolution to communicate with their umpires. It is important that privacy is protected when using Facebook. The best way to do this is to set up an invited group for the umpires to join (eg. WA Umpires). The administrator of the group page (could be the coach or an umpire; usually someone who is Facebook literate) invites the umpires to join the group. This ensures that only the relevant people have access to join. It also means that the umpires don t all have to be Facebook friends with each other to access the information. FACEBOOK During the 2008 AFL Umpire Coach Professional Development Program National Conference, the topic of Generation Y was discussed. A suggestion which came out of the discussions about how best to deliver information and communicate effectively was by embracing technology. The Geelong Football Umpires League coaching panel set about joining the Facebook revolution and becoming friends with their umpires. This has opened up a new and instant line of communication. Contact time at training offers limited opportunities for coaching staff to talk with individual umpires about how they performed during their previous match, what they did well or what areas they want to concentrate on either at training on when thinking about their game plan for the following weekend. Evidence so far suggests that providing both parties with an extra means of communication has also strengthened the coach/umpire relationship and allowed for more effective and positive dialogue in both directions. The GFUL boundary umpire coaches post a weekly 2-3 minute video called Game Trends, which is a brief wrap of what the coaches saw during observations on the weekend. Eden Stubbings Assistant Boundary Umpire Coach Geelong Football Umpires League If you have any coach advice you would like to submit to the network of umpire coaches please email them to Umpire.Development@afl.com.au. We encourage umpire coaches to submit their advice. TELSTRA ASSITANCE FUND LAUNCHED FOR 2009 The Telstra Assistance Fund (TAF) has been launched for 2009. The TAF provides a great opportunity for community football clubs and umpiring groups to receive 1 of 250 equipment packs valued at $1000 each. The 2009 Telstra Assistance Fund offers local Australian Football, Swimming and Surf Life Saving clubs the chance to access a share in $1 million worth of sporting equipment. Former AFL star Scott West, Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan and Ironman Zane Holmes officially launched the 2009 Telstra Assistance Fund, which offers local sports and community clubs the chance to access a share in $1 million worth of sporting equipment. Scott West said, I encourage all eligible clubs, including those who have applied in the past, to apply for the chance to receive financial assistance for their clubs. This is a fantastic initiative from Telstra providing local Australian Football clubs with essential equipment to help promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage participation, West added. Our local sports and community clubs play a critical role in so many people s lives, from the grass roots level, to helping develop and support our future sports stars. All Australian Football clubs are invited to apply for their share of the fund, West said. The Telstra Assistance Fund has already contributed over $6 million worth of sporting equipment to more than 5000 sporting clubs nationally, since its inception in 2003. Clubs can find more information about the 2009 Telstra Assistance Fund and apply online at www.telstra.com/beinvolved. Clubs that have registered for the Telstra Assistance Fund in previous years are also eligible to apply again for assistance. Applications are open from 4 May to 14 June, 2009.
AFL Cairns Pink Footy Day - Saturday, 10th May 2009 A team effort to tackle Breast Cancer Article by Ray Hocking, AFL Cairns Umpire Development Manager There will be something different about the AFL Cairns matches this weekend. Round 6 is Pink Footy Day in support of Breast Cancer Network Australia. As a show of support for women with breast cancer around Australia a bright pink football will replace the traditional red one in Senior matches in the AFL Cairns competition this Saturday. The Pink Footy Day initiative has been instigated by the AFL Cairns Umpires Association, who on Saturday will don Pink shirts and socks and will also donate their match payments to Breast Cancer Network Australia in support of the cause. AFL Cairns Umpires Development Manager Ray Hocking is delighted the association have pledged their full support for the day, along with AFL Cairns and its Clubs. Every community is touched by breast cancer, and AFL Cairns football is no different. Pink Footy Day is a recognition to women who contribute so much to footy, and a show of support for those women and families in our community who are on their cancer journey. Monies raised at the 3 AFL Cairns matches through various activities, including the auctioning of the pink footballs, will directly assist Breast Cancer Network Australia to continue their work ensuring Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer have the very best information, treatment and support possible. For further information, interviews and photo opportunities, please contact Ray Hocking, Umpires Development Manager, AFL Cairns on 07 4042 3000. Who is Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)? BCNA is represented by the pink lady silhouette which depicts the organisation s focus women diagnosed with breast cancer. BCNA works to ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families, receive the very best treatment, care and support possible no matter who they are or where they live. The My Journey Kit is a free comprehensive resource developed especially for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. For more information about BCNA and breast cancer support visit www.bcna.org.au or call 1800 500 258.
Umpire Coach Activity If you have any coach activities you would like to submit to the network of umpire coaches please email them to Umpire.Development@afl.com.au. We encourage umpire coaches to submit their activities. Umpire coach activities from last year can be found on the AFL website by clicking here. Ask the Ump In this section coaches are invited to send in questions which are answered by the AFL Umpiring Department (Jeff Gieschen, Rowan Sawers and Peter Howe). The idea is that this provides an opportunity for umpire coaches from across the country to seek technical advice on any area of umpiring they may be interested in learning more. Please send your questions to Umpire.Development@afl.com.au.
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