Umpires Handbook

Cricket Umpiring: Eastern Cricket Association

Welcome to the Eastern Cricket Association (ECA)

The ECA has a long and successful history with 60 member clubs and over 8,500 players. We are the largest cricket Association in Victoria and we run competitions for juniors (mixed), girls, senior women and men, and Veterans.

Our umpiring section is made up of a group of passionate and knowledgeable cricket lovers and the ECA values their great contribution to the game across the Eastern Suburbs. The importance of having a strong group of Umpires is well recognised by the ECA Executive so that we can deliver a professional and well-run Association.

The 2024-25 season promises to be a very successful season and your contribution as a new umpire will be extremely important. I wish you well in the coming season and I hope you enjoy the camaraderie with your fellow umpires and the players.

Good luck and I wish you a long and enjoyable time with the ECA.
Neil Dalrymple
President ECA

1. Introduction
2. The Role of the Umpire
3. Contacts
4. Welcome to the ECUA
5. Umpires Equipment
6. Umpire Signals
7. Preparation for Umpires
8. Tips for New Umpires

Introduction

We provide this document with the information and contacts you need to begin your journey as an ECA umpire. Our umpire’s association provides umpires to stand in one of Australia’s largest cricket associations centred in the east of Melbourne on both Turf and Synthetic wickets for Men’s, Women’s and Junior cricket teams in all levels of ability.
We provide training using established methods and have senior umpires as mentors and friends. 
Umpires attend monthly training meeting where they will learn from basics through to a level where you could progress on the pathway to Premier cricket and beyond.
Our methods teach you not only the Laws of the Game but also skills in communication, people management techniques and conflict resolution. 
Our monthly meetings are both educational and social.

The Role of the Umpire

On each match day the Laws of Cricket state that “umpires shall be appointed to control the match with absolute impartiality”. This statement acknowledges that a sound knowledge of the game’s Laws, and complete impartiality and integrity as a centre piece to being a cricket umpire. Understanding the Laws of Cricket is a central skill to umpiring but only one of the attributes. Umpires need to exercise sound judgement and decision-making, excellent communication and people management skills. Honing these skills builds confidence and rapport with the players. Teamwork is important for umpires to build confidence in decision making. It is clear to the players when umpires are working as a team. Clear communication is paramount between umpire, players and officials. Umpires need to use clear signals and umpire in a calm manner. Players realise when umpires are not working together, and this will lead to a breakdown in the relationship within the game. Players look to umpires with confidence when they are a team.                            Umpires needs to apply the ECACA Rules and Laws of Cricket with fairness and common sense and within the spirit and traditions of this great game. Umpires need to look, speak and act in a professional manner that earns the respect of players. ECA umpires apart from managing the game also need to keep the safety and welfare of the players in mind. These relate to pitch and ground conditions and covers including weather conditions e.g., bad light, wet weather, heat and lightning. 

Contacts

Welcome to the ECUA

I hope you will enjoy your time umpiring in our association.
I encourage you embrace our coaching methodology and strive to develop your knowledge enhancing your skills to become the best umpire you can be.
Attendance at our monthly meetings sessions is a great way to gain the knowledge required to become familiar with the ECA rules and the Laws of the Game. It is also an opportunity to get to know your fellow umpires and develop a repour that you can take into matches. As we grow in life, we develop life skills which are needed to be a successful umpire. Some of these are Integrity, Patience, Confidence, Impartiality and Courage, add to these good communication skills. How you look and handle yourself from when you arrive at the ground is so important. “You do not get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression.”  - you set the tone for the day before the first ball is even bowled. A friendly and confident disposition goes a long way in setting the standard for the day ahead.  Good rapport here means establishing mutual respect as players will always prefer a calm and confident umpire who maintains a respectful distance. Umpires are the sole judges of Fair and Unfair Play, and this will always be easier to enforce if you have already established the basis of mutual respect with captains and players. Under the Spirit of Cricket respect for each other in a non-negotiable and must be maintained.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of good teamwork and respect. On match day everything that is done on and off the field e.g. discussing an incident, speaking with captains, evaluating weather conditions or ground/pitch conditions need to be done together as a team. 
To successfully umpire cricket, we need a level of health and wellbeing. Before each season it is worth having a medical which should include eyesight and hearing test.  As well as good eyesight and hearing we need to build our stamina in the months leading up to the start of the season as we will stand for long periods where we will need good mobility to move around to be in the best position for making decisions. Good general health will enhance your ability to focus and concentrate for long periods of time during match where you remain calm under pressure.  A thorough knowledge of the Laws of Cricket is essential and umpires need to be prepared for ongoing study on the Laws by attending monthly training and coaching sessions.
Umpire Manager

Umpires Equipment

Being hydrated and SunSmart is extremely important to your wellbeing

Umpire Signals

Preparation

Before the Season Starts
• Physically prepare for the season (daily exercise/walking) 
• Look for clubs who are playing practice matches and offer to umpire
Preparation and Match Day 
• Obtain your appointment from the Officials HQ which arrives by automated email and if nothing has arrived in your in box contact appointments officer
 • Check if you have a partner, if so, make contact and discuss your appointment 
• check which teams are playing in your match
• Research the location of the ground 
• plan route to arrive 1 hour prior to the start of the match 
• available car parking or public transport 
• match & arrival time
 • weather forecast 
• playing conditions 

Night before your match
• eat healthy 
• hydrate 
• re-check playing conditions 
• ensure you get sufficient sleep in preparation for a day on your feet 

Morning of your match
 • eat a healthy breakfast 
• continue hydrating 
Arrive at ground
• arrive 1 hour prior to the start of the match

 At the ground 
• introduce yourself to the captains and scorers (check where the scorers will sit) 
• locate match equipment (match balls, stumps, bails) 
• conduct ground inspection (with partner). Look for potential risks (uneven ground, holes, fence-line/guttering, sprinkler heads, surface water/mud) 
• inspect the pitch and ensure crease markings are correct. Ensure pitch and outfield meet competition playing conditions (dimensions, boundary distance, fielding circles if required) 
• set up wickets
 • conduct pre-match captains meeting to exchange team sheets, discuss interval times (drinks and meal intervals), local conditions, re-confirm playing hours (start time) and any playing conditions that need further clarification
• conduct the coin toss and re-confirm which side is batting or fielding then inform scorers and request match ball
• return to changerooms for final preparations (uniform and equipment check)

After the Match – 
• Shake hands with all participants at the end of the match 
• Confirm match scores with scorers, captains and your colleague 
• Debrief with your colleague 
• discuss any unusual situations 
• things that went well 
• things that didn’t go well 
• any learning opportunities 
• Complete all match day required by the ECA  
• Umpires reports (e.g. pitch and outfield reports, player votes) 
• code of behaviour reports if applicable

Tips for New Umpires

Umpiring is a great way to meet people, stay fit and ultimately be involved in cricket. As with any job in life, preparation is the key – ensure your body and mind are ready for the challenges that umpiring provides. And above all- have fun and enjoy your umpiring experience. To help you in your umpire journey when you are new to umpiring here are a few tips to ponder in your early games.
 1: Know the Laws and Playing Conditions that the game will played under 
2: Arrive early and prepared. Do not allow yourself to be the type of umpire who rushes to game and does not arrive relaxed before the start of play. Wait for your partner to arrive before becoming a match day umpire 
3: Tell your partner and on-one else that you are new to umpiring and they will help you. But do not tell anyone else. Act like you’ve been doing this your whole life. An air of confidence does a lot to gain the respect from players and club officials. 4: Get in the habit of checking the field; how is the ball condition? In limited overs game with field restrictions, constantly monitor the fielders inside or outside the circle. Watch when players leave and return to the field. Always ensure you put the right player on strike after a dismissal. Relax You may have butterflies before your games, most umpires get them. As the game begins, take a deep breath and try to relax. 
4. Get into the flow of the game as quickly as possible.
 Concentrate as distraction will always lead to Disaster. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by anything. Focus on the game and your umpire partner. It’s very easy to let your eyes wander to activities outside the playing arena. Stay alert and concentrate on all of the happenings inside the game.  A lot of things can be explained by making eye contact with your partner together with some simple signals.
 5: Forget about mistakes quickly We have all made mistakes. As will you. When you make a mistake, remind yourself to review why it happened after the game and then forget about it during the days play. Ignore things being said or happening outside of the arena. Never switch OFF or turn your back on play, particularly at the changeover of ends; this is the time when things may flare up. Do not go missing because together with your partner, you both must manage player movement by remaining in a position to hear and see anything that might be reportable or would start a problem. 
6.Ask for help and feedback. You will only improve to a small degree without feedback. 
7.Assess your game.  
Did you enjoy your day? Were you comfortable? When did things go a little bit off track how did you cope? How did I go with my routine today? 

If you have any concerns, then speak to Umpire Manager and seek assistance.