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The Game Management Process Before Proactive Advice Proactive Advice Advance Warning Suspension Ordering Off

Game Management for Umpires

A Professional Approach to Managing Player Behaviour

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Effective game management is a vital skill for umpires, especially at higher levels of competition. While we aim to officiate without needing to implement game management measures, there are times when it becomes necessary. This guide outlines how and when to apply game management appropriately and professionally.

Remember: Umpires are responsible for applying game management, but not for the behaviour that necessitates it. If all reasonable preventative steps have been taken, the responsibility for escalation lies with the player.

The Game Management Process

Game management follows a clear progression—often referred to as a "ladder." Once a player is on this ladder, they cannot return to a previous stage. A player may only receive one of each official game management action per match (e.g., only one proactive advice, one warning, etc.).

Communication is Critical: During breaks, especially at quarter time, review any actions taken with your co-umpire and the reserve umpire (if present). At higher levels, the reserve umpire will track all game management actions from proactive advice onward, while scorers only record warnings and above.
Before Proactive Advice
Not an official step

Preventive communication techniques
1 Proactive Advice

First official step on the ladder
2 Advance

Penalty pass advanced
3 Warning

Warning issued
4 Suspension (2 min)

Player temporarily removed from court
5 Ordering Off (4 min)

Final step - player permanently removed from court

Further detail on the rules and their application can be found here:

Rule 18: Game management Rule 19: Foul play

Before Proactive Advice (Not an official step)

Before initiating formal game management, there are techniques umpires can use to signal to players that they need to change their behaviour:

  • Alter whistle tone/volume (e.g., sharper or louder)
  • Change voice tone/volume (e.g., more deliberate delivery)
  • Extend whistle duration
  • Sustained eye contact
  • Terminology adjustment (e.g., "Goal Defence, contact" rather than "Contact, Goal Defence")
  • Tactical pause before announcing the infringement
Key Point: These cues are designed to signal to the player, their teammates, and coaches that their behaviour needs to change. Their effectiveness relies on consistency—maintaining a steady tone, whistle, and terminology throughout the match. If you vary these elements too often, players may not recognise when a shift is intentional.

If behaviour does not improve, this creates a clear justification for moving up the ladder. In some cases, the coach may choose to substitute the player, resolving the issue without formal escalation.

1 Proactive Advice First official step

This is the first official step on the game management ladder. It should be clear, specific, and audible to others on court and on the bench.

Structure
"Goal Defence, you need to..."
Key Points
  • Does not require time to be held
  • Can be issued when playing advantage
  • Must be audible to bench and court
Examples:
  • "Increase your distance when defending"
  • "Take your distance before putting arms over"
  • "Stay onside at the centre pass"
  • "Stay out of the goal circle"
  • "Stop holding players"
  • "Adjust your timing"

2 Advance

The next step after proactive advice is to advance the penalty pass. While the rule book also allows for a free pass to be escalated to a penalty pass, this would usually involve repeated or intentional infringement—situations where a penalty pass would typically be advanced instead.

Procedure:
1. Blow the whistle to penalise the infringement
2. Use a longer or double whistle to signal that the sanction is being advanced
3. Clearly announce that the penalty is being advanced
4. Set the new position up to half a third closer to the goalpost
  • If you are on the sideline, walk along it with your arm outstretched, moving with the infringing player to the new position.
  • If you are on the goal line, simply indicate the position of the new penalty.
Key Points:
  • If the new position is offside for the infringing player, they must stand as close as possible within their area and remain out-of-play
  • If the penalty is advanced into your co-umpire's third, they resume control after it's set
  • You may opt not to play advantage in order to advance a penalty
  • If a goal is scored and the penalty cannot be applied, state clearly that this action will be considered their advance

3 Warning

A warning is issued after an advance or may be given directly for unsporting behaviour or more serious instances of unfair play. Hold time and clearly state both the reason for the warning and the consequences of any further foul play.

Warning hand signal

Warning Hand Signal

Example Wording:

For repeated infringement:

"Goal Defence, that is repeated obstruction. You have already been advanced. This is a warning. Any further foul play and you will be suspended."

For unsporting behaviour:

"Goal Defence, that is unsporting behaviour. This is a warning. Any further foul play and you will be suspended."
Note: The penalty pass is generally not advanced when issuing a warning, but you may choose to do so in cases such as delaying play—especially toward the end of a quarter where it may impact the opposing team's scoring opportunity.

4 Suspension (2 minutes)

A suspension is issued when a player continues to infringe after a warning or commits serious foul play. Hold time and clearly state the decision.

Suspension hand signal

Suspension Hand Signal

Example Wording:

For continued infringement:

"Goal Defence, that is repeated obstruction. You have already been warned. It's now a suspension. Please go over and sit at the technical officials' bench."

For dangerous play:

"Goal Defence, that is dangerous play. It's a suspension. Please go over and sit at the technical officials' bench."

There's no need to inform the player of any further consequences (as with a warning), since they will not immediately return to play and are often substituted out.

Note: If you think an incident is dangerous play and are unsure, you may hold time and consult with your co-umpire. Walk over to where they are positioned on the sideline and briefly discuss the situation. For example:

"I've seen dangerous play and I'm considering a suspension—did you see anything different?"

Clearly state your intended action to give your co-umpire the opportunity to agree or offer another perspective. Be sure to face the court during the discussion to maintain awareness of the players.

This approach serves two purposes: it ensures you're making an informed decision using all available information, and it provides time for any injury to be assessed and for tensions on court to settle—particularly if emotions are high following a late or dangerous challenge.

Suspension Procedure:
During Suspension:
  • Player must not participate in any way
  • No verbal or non-verbal communication with teammates or the team bench
  • At higher levels, the player should sit beside the technical officials' bench, monitored by the reserve umpire if present (see here). At local levels without a designated area, position the player near the scorers/timers or in a neutral corner, away from their team bench.
Return Process:
  • After 2 minutes, timers notify the bench-side umpire (or reserve umpire if present)
  • The team may either return the suspended player to the court or substitute another player. If a reserve umpire is present, it's helpful to confirm the team's intentions before the end of the two-minute period to avoid confusion.
  • Re-entry at next break in play (e.g. goal scored, sanction awarded, or throw-in)
Special Case - Centre Suspension:

Another player must take the Centre position, and the original vacated position must remain empty for the full suspension period. When the suspended player returns, they must re-enter as Centre, and the temporary Centre must revert—unless a tactical change is made after a goal is scored.

Break Overlap: If the suspension overlaps a break, the player may return to the team bench during the break but must resume the suspension position before the next quarter begins.

5 Ordering Off (4 minutes)

An ordering off is the final step in the game management ladder. It may follow a suspension or be issued directly for highly reckless or intentional acts of dangerous play.

Ordering off hand signal

Ordering Off Hand Signal

Example Wording:

Following suspension:

"Goal Defence, that is repeated obstruction. You have already been suspended. It's now an ordering off. Please go over and sit at the technical officials' bench."

Direct ordering off:

"Goal Defence, that is intentional dangerous play. This is a direct ordering off. Please go over and sit at the technical officials' bench."
Procedure:

The procedure is similar to a suspension, with the player sitting at the technical officials' bench for the specified time period. However, once the 4 minutes has elapsed, the player may not return to play for the remainder of the match.

Key Differences from Suspension:
  • Duration: 4 minutes (rather than 2)
  • No Return: Player cannot return to play
  • Must be Substituted: Must be replaced from team bench
Final Step: This is the most severe action available to umpires. The player is permanently removed from the game and must be replaced by a substitute.