Umpiring Standard

[dedja]

I think the most frustrating thing for spectators is the difference in interpretation between umpires - how often do you see a free kick paid down one end of the ground, then the identical thing occurs a minute later down the other end of the ground and it's not paid.

If both are free kicks or both are play on, at least the players and spectators know what to expect for the remainder of the game.

You make a good point there ...

[dedja]

Sorry AH, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but surely you can't compare umpiring one U15 game maybe 40 years ago with umpiring at SANFL league standard week in week out.

Go back and read my comments again. I made that very point ... okay with you? Can I ever say anything on this f***ing forum without people such as yourself finding fault with? Geez!!!

Good advice from Wedgie ... and I'm going for the ball, not the man.

Doesn't anyone on the forum have the right to make a comment about your posts ... even if they respectfully disagree? It's not finding fault, it's just an alternative opinion. Please try to assume that is the case and there is no quarrel.

Cheers ...

[JK]

I hate being critical of the umpires because they are a necessity and it's no easy gig, but my biggest gripes with them this year include:

- Decisions based on assumption - too often they are too far away from the play, or looking into the sun, and they are assuming an infringement has occurred when often it hasn't ... Through these same scenario's they miss free kicks which should be paid, but I don't have as much of a problem with that, as they should only pay what they see.

- Influence decisions - I have no doubt I've seen several free kicks paid this year, that were either influenced by crowd or an umpire has taken it upon himself to stamp his mark on a game.

I dont think the standard has been too good on occasions this year, but I dont think it's been any worse than any other year.

[nickname]

Go back and read my comments again. I made that very point ... okay with you? Can I ever say anything on this f***ing forum without people such as yourself finding fault with? Geez!!!

Don't you mean "...finding fault with it?" ?

[mal]

Don't post angry AH!
I think the other factor which I haven't seen mention of is with amount of flooding and zoning now in the SANFL and decline in skills you're going to have more players in a smaller area. Not only crap to watch but it'd also mean more contentious umpiring decisions than you'd get in a free flowing skillful spread out game.

100% correct

Its seemed easier to have umpired an SANFL game in the 70-80s when it was free flowing and open footy and with better players in the comp
Thesedays with more clubs incorporating the flooding and zoning methodology there is more congestion and more decisions to be made on tackling etc

So in essence thesedays the players[and the style of footy] has brought back the umpiring standards to the players levels.


SANFL is still a better spectacle than some AFL games
Most SANFL sides most of the time go forward and not sideways + backwards

UMPIRES
The style of umpiring is OK
The interpretations and consistency are the problems
At least in the SANFL you can touch a player on the jumper and not get pinged like the AFL + NBL

[doggies4eva]

I have sometimes been critical of the umps but it must be acknowledged that it is an essential and often thankless job. I am a little embarassed by a couple of our players who seem to argue with every decision called against them.

I would like to see less free paid and only blatant and obvious ones paid. Footy is a contact game and the ticky-touchwood stuff should just be called play-on.

[Tiger Couple]

I have umpired Basketball at State League Level and it is a hard thankless job and spectators seem to see it slightly different to players and coaches. Having said this if you arn't getting many complaints or blank looks from players you know you are going alright.

The number of times Sunday players from both sides stood there having no idea what the free was for or asked the umpire why or just put there arms up in the air in frustration was amazing. This is a clear sign to me that the players can't work out what is going.

No disrespect in what I am about to write but the only answer I have is put the new umpires on the games that are likely to be blow outs or two bottom ranked teams playing so there is a little less pressure on them.

[bayman]

I think the most frustrating thing for spectators is the difference in interpretation between umpires - how often do you see a free kick paid down one end of the ground, then the identical thing occurs a minute later down the other end of the ground and it's not paid.

hj, that isn't a recent occurrence that's been happening since the 2 umpire system started & probably before that as well

just think about this we sit/stand at the footy & lets say mal & i are at a glenelg v norwood match, i could yell out for ''holding the ball'' & yet at the sametime mal could be yelling for ''in the back''.....& we expect umpires to get it right, yes i've seen umpires make mistakes this year but no more than any other year & personally i'd rather the umpire make a mistake rather than a glenelg player when having a shot on goal