Developing as an Umpire
Your Journey to Growth, Improvement, and Progress as a Netball Umpire
There are many ways to develop as a netball umpire, from individual self-reflection to formal mentoring. This page focuses on the methods of development, while other pages explore what to develop as you progress on your umpiring journey.
Development Progression: The approaches below are ordered roughly in terms of how easy they are to access, starting with the most accessible methods.
Self-Reflection & Independent Learning
This is the most accessible and important form of development because it's always available.
During Matches
Avoid dwelling on decisions. Whether or not an error was made, distraction increases the risk of further mistakes. Many umpires use a reset trigger such as:
- Snapping wristband
- Pinch of the leg
- Verbal cue
After Matches
Take time to reflect. Consider:
- Patterns (e.g. consistently late to the goal line)
- Incidents (e.g. missed late contact on a GS)
Reflection Process
Reflect on why these situations occurred - was it a matter of positioning, timing, or simply bad luck? Be honest with yourself.
When reviewing patterns, identify moments that went well and consider what you did differently. Think about how you can repeat that success more consistently.
Practical Development Tools
Written Notes
Writing brief notes after a game helps track progress. Whether you prefer to do this:
- Courtside
- In the car
- Later that evening
Aim to do it the same day while the game is fresh in your mind.
Video Analysis
Video analysis, even of short clips, can be invaluable. If league rules allow, ask someone to record some of your umpiring. Watching it back—alone or with another umpire—can reveal habits you may not realise you have.
Implementing Improvements
Before your next game:
- Review your notes and select one or two specific areas to focus on
- Avoid overloading yourself—progress is gradual
- Repetition is key: consistently working on a skill helps shift it from conscious thought to automatic response
Umpiring slightly lower-level games can support this, giving you more time and space to practise under less pressure.
Balance is Important: Occasionally, allow yourself to simply enjoy umpiring without dissecting every detail. Sometimes, improvements come when you're thinking less.
Also make use of online resources (like this site!) and materials from your league or national association.
Learning from Other Umpires
Watching and speaking with other umpires is a powerful learning tool.
What to Observe
At local leagues or in televised matches, observe:
- What's effective?
- What might you do differently?
- What techniques might suit your style?
Focus Areas
Take time to watch experienced local umpires, especially those with strong game control or excellent movement. Don't be afraid to approach them afterward to ask how they do it—they'll likely be flattered and happy to share insights.
Not All Techniques Transfer
For instance, a taller umpire may see over play that a shorter umpire would need to come wider to see. Choose what works for you.
Discussion and Questions
Discussion also helps. Ask questions about rules, positioning, or management. Many umpires are happy to discuss and share their opinions.
⚠️ Caution with Top-Level Umpires
Top-level umpires may deviate slightly from rulebook terminology or signals—they've earned that flexibility.
At most levels, you'll be expected to follow the correct procedures, so learn from them, but stick to the rulebook.
🔍 Don’t Assume It’s Right
Even the best umpires occasionally make mistakes. If something you see doesn't feel quite right, don't assume it's correct.
Discuss it with other experienced umpires before making changes to your own umpiring. Learn from the best, but don't replicate their errors.
Informal Mentoring
Seeking Feedback
If you're comfortable, ask a more experienced umpire to watch a quarter or two of your game. They may spot things you're unaware of and offer practical suggestions.
If umpiring with a more experienced colleague, let them know at the start that you'd welcome feedback. This signals that you're open to input and allows them to observe with your development in mind.
Keep in Mind
They're also responsible for umpiring the game, so while they may offer helpful pointers, they won't be able to watch you continuously and their feedback may be limited.
Giving Feedback to Others
Guidelines for offering feedback:
- It's generally best to avoid giving unsolicited feedback to your co-umpire unless invited
- It's fine to discuss observations from different angles (e.g. a GK holding out of their view)
- Leave more subjective points—like timing or positioning—for when asked
See our Mentoring page for tips on giving feedback.
Processing Feedback
Feedback isn't one-size-fits-all—what works for one umpire might not work for another.
Take on board what fits your style, and seek a range of perspectives to discover what helps you improve.
Formal Mentoring
Many leagues offer formal mentoring, whether through structured programmes or one-off opportunities. Make the most of them.
When Being Mentored
Before the Game
- Arrive early to discuss goals
- Share feedback you're working on
- Be clear about areas you'd like support with
During the Game
- Bring a notebook for notes
- Your mentor may offer feedback at quarter breaks
- Don't forget to rehydrate and check in with your co-umpire
After the Game
- Jot down brief notes on key feedback
- Do this while it's still fresh
- Don't depend on receiving written follow-up
Important Note
Mentors often volunteer their time and may not be able to send detailed feedback later. Take responsibility for capturing the key points yourself.
Assessments
At higher levels, games may be formally assessed. Think of these as an extension of mentoring—focused on development as well as evaluation.
Development Focus
Assessments are not just about evaluation—they're valuable development opportunities with detailed, expert feedback on your performance.
For detailed guidance on working constructively with assessors:
Working with AssessorsSee the Higher-Level Games page for comprehensive assessment guidance
Your Development Journey
Remember that development is a continuous journey. Each method above builds upon the others, creating a comprehensive approach to growth as an umpire.
Start with Foundation Methods:
- Self-reflection after every game
- Observing other umpires
- Building good note-taking habits
Progress to Structured Support:
- Seeking informal mentoring opportunities
- Participating in formal mentoring programmes
- Embracing assessment opportunities
Key to Success: Consistency in applying these development methods will lead to steady improvement and greater confidence in your umpiring abilities.