Match Protocols
Communication with Co-Umpire and Reserve When Should Umpires Hold Time? Injury Stoppages Concussion Rule Clarification at Breaks Captain Identification

Match Protocols for Umpires

Know the Protocols. Manage the Game with Confidence.

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Match protocols apply at all levels of netball. Knowing them—and applying them consistently—helps you manage games smoothly and professionally. This guide covers the essentials every umpire should follow.

As you progress to higher-level matches, a thorough understanding and correct application of these protocols is essential. You can read more about specific considerations for higher-level games in our guide.

Higher-Level Games Guide

Communication with Co-Umpire and Reserve

Umpires should operate as a team, including the reserve umpire when appointed. Effective communication is key to managing the game smoothly. Here are some practical examples:

Before Play Resumes

Prior to the starting whistle of a quarter or after a stoppage, it's helpful to exchange a quick glance and nod with your co-umpire to confirm you're both ready.

During Breaks

Use quarter and half-time breaks to review any game management actions with your co-umpire (and reserve). Discuss players who may be close to receiving proactive advice and share observations from the court.

Dangerous Play Consultation

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.

Game Management Error Correction

If your co-umpire has issued a second advance or warning to the same player, you should hold time and discreetly approach them to confer. After discussion, return to your position and allow your co-umpire to adjust their call if needed. Generally, avoid intervening over second pieces of proactive advice, as these are more subjective (as to what is proactive advice). If a reserve umpire is present, you may also consult them—they should be tracking player changes and game management actions.

Pre-Match Planning: It's beneficial to agree on communication strategies with your co-umpire (and reserve) before the match, so everyone is aligned and prepared for in-game collaboration.

When Should Umpires Hold Time?

Rules 10.5 and 10.6 outline three main situations when umpires may hold time:

Injury or Illness

Following a request from an on-court player, a primary care person, or an independent concussion observer

Blood

If there is active bleeding, an open wound, or blood-stained clothing

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency or other extreme circumstances

Additional Practical Reasons

In addition to these, umpires may also hold time for other practical reasons, such as:

  • Tactical changes requested by teams
  • Umpire consultation, when the umpires need to confer on a decision
  • Court issues, such as a loose patch or other hazard. In these cases, either umpire may hold time, including the non-controlling umpire—for example, if they spot something unsafe on the court
Rule 10.25 - Material Loss of Playing Time

The more subjective case for holding time is described in Rule 10.25:

"The umpires may sparingly hold time if there is going to be a material loss of playing time (for example the ball leaving the playing enclosure). Otherwise, playing time should not be stopped including when an umpire is awarding an infringement that is not foul play, or where the court or ball has incidental moisture on it which is not impacting play."

This means umpires should not routinely hold time. Minor delays, such as setting penalties or retrieving a ball that has gone out of court, do not justify holding time. Time should only be held if there is a clear and material loss of playing time, such as:

  • The ball exits the playing enclosure and takes time to retrieve (e.g., rolling onto another court)
  • There is significant confusion setting a sanction, and it is taking too long to position players correctly. (Ideally, strong sanction setting prevents this.)
Close Game Considerations

The final minutes of a close game present a special challenge. While the above principles still apply, you may need to show slightly more discretion to prevent gamesmanship—for example, if the leading team is slow setting penalties or taking excessive time to retrieve the ball.

You might choose to hold time more promptly in these cases to maintain fairness. However, do not drastically change your approach simply because it's a close game—Rule 10.25 still applies. Remember, you can also penalise teams for delaying play.

Restarting Play

Regardless of who holds time, the controlling umpire always restarts play. This is usually the umpire responsible for the half where play is taking place, with a few exceptions:

  • Centre Pass: The umpire who would have restarted the centre pass does so, even if the other umpire held time
  • Sideline Throw-In: The umpire on that sideline restarts play, even if it falls within the other umpire's half

Injury Stoppages

Stoppages should be managed in accordance with Rule 10. When time is held for an injury:

30 Seconds

The affected player has 30 seconds to leave the court

Primary Carer Only

Only the primary carer may enter the court to assess the injury—not to treat it

10-Second Warning

Umpires should give a 10-second warning before the end of the 30 seconds

Extended Injury Time Process

As the 30 seconds approaches, the umpire should ask the primary carer if they require an extension of injury time. The umpire can also initiate this extension earlier if it is clear that the player cannot safely be moved in time (e.g. a serious injury). The process for initiating extended injury time is as follows:

Signal Extended Time: The controlling umpire signals extended time to the timekeeper (arms widened in front of the body)
Cross the Court: The far-side umpire crosses the court to assist with team bench management
Supervise Benches: Each umpire supervises one team bench (bench-side umpire with the right/home team; the other with the left/away team)
Face Court: Both umpires remain facing the court and manage the benches and the injury
Additional Help: Additional personnel (including team officials) may be permitted to help the player off the court if needed. Players not involved in the injury must remain on court but may approach the bench for hydration or coaching
Resume Play: Play should resume as soon as the court is safe (e.g., clear of moisture). In the event of a serious injury requiring a longer delay, umpires should consult the event organiser. All players may be directed to return to their benches, and, if the delay is very long, a warm-up period may be provided before play resumes.
When Umpires Should Hold Time Without Request

Normally, umpires should wait for an on-court player to request time for an injury (including for an injured teammate). However, there are situations where the umpire should hold time without a request:

Obvious or Serious Injury

If a player suffers a visible or serious injury—especially after a hard collision—the umpire should immediately hold time, even if no request is made.

Player Down and Unable to Move

If a player remains on the ground and play cannot safely continue (e.g. they're in the way or appear hurt), the umpire should ask if they need injury time. If the player doesn't respond or doesn't get up, the umpire must hold time on their behalf to ensure player safety.

Important: In both of these cases, the injured player must still leave the court, even though injury time was called on their behalf. Generally, umpires should avoid holding time for incidents that occur in their co-umpire's half. However, if the co-umpire hasn't noticed the situation and the player appears to need immediate attention (e.g. fainting or a medical emergency off the ball), the umpire should step in and hold time to ensure player safety.

Concussion

Concussion is an area of increasing focus across all sports, including netball.

Identifying Concussion

Umpires are not medical professionals and are not responsible for diagnosing or assessing concussion (even if they were, they would not be acting in that capacity). At international level, an independent concussion observer may be appointed to assess players. However, at the levels most umpires officiate, this responsibility rests with the team’s primary care person.

Umpire's Role in Player Safety

Umpires still have a role in supporting player safety. If you suspect a player may have suffered a concussion, you can:

Hold Time: Stop play to ensure player safety
Request Assessment: Ask the team's primary care person to assess the player
Allow Assessment: This gives the primary care person the opportunity to make a judgment
Respecting the Primary Care Decision

If the primary care person clears the player to continue, the umpire must allow them to remain on court—even if they personally disagree. This is the primary care person's responsibility.

Because time was held without a player request, this is not treated as a usual injury stoppage, and the player does not need to leave the court.

Rule Clarification at Breaks

Player Requests for Clarification

Players may approach umpires during breaks to request rule clarifications. These discussions should take place at the umpires' bench. If approached as walking to the bench, politely ask the player to wait until you are at the bench.

Only players are permitted to engage with umpires in this context. If a coach or other team official attempts to join the conversation or stands nearby, they should be asked to return to their team bench. Umpires should stand together, with the reserve umpire positioned behind.

Scope of Clarification

Clarification should focus on the rule itself (e.g., "What is the difference between contact and contest?"). Umpires may offer simple examples to aid understanding but should avoid case-specific debate. Once clarification is given, the player should return to their bench.

If the player continues to ask further questions, calmly state: "The rule has been clarified. Please return to your bench." This ensures umpires maintain time for their own discussion and recovery during breaks.

Umpire-Initiated Communication

Umpires may also approach teams during intervals to address concerns or issue general warnings. This should be done from the umpires' bench by calling over the captain(s). For example:

  • A reminder to reduce physicality if contact is escalating
  • A note on individual conduct (e.g., a goal keeper's arm movements bordering on intimidation)
Proactive Communication: Being proactive with communication often prevents the need for escalated game management later.

Captain Identification

As outlined in Rule 3.13(f), each team must have one on-court captain clearly identified, usually via an armband or dress clip.

Before Each Quarter
  • Confirm the identity of each team's on-court captain
  • Monitor for substitutions to ensure a new captain is appointed if the previous one leaves the court
  • Watch for situations where no player is wearing identification, or two players are wearing it
Captain Identification

Usually via an armband or dress clip

During Play: If a team is without an on-court captain during play, wait for the next centre pass or stoppage to hold time and resolve the issue. In some cases, the identification item may be passed from the bench to a player still on court while play continues.