Badminton BWF Umpires Tips Welcome 1
Umpiring Tips 2
Prior to walking onto the court, gather the players, service judge and line judges, ensure that the players uniform comply with the tournament regulations as mentioned in the Prospectus or as informed by the Referee in the Team Managers meeting. 3
In respect to the players, learn how to pronounce their names properly. You can ask a coach/team member or umpiring colleague for the proper pronunciation prior to going on court, or ask the players how to pronounce their names (if necessary) when you are meeting them. You may write the names (on the score sheet) in your own language, if needed. 4
Walk on to the court and once you reach the chair, umpire to stand on the doubles sideline next to the net. When players come onto court, the umpire moves one step/pace inside of the court and face the service judge chair to do the toss. Umpire must always stand with his/her back to the umpire chair and on the side of the net onto which he/she entered the court area, which is normally on the side of the referees table. 5
Here the umpire has taken too many steps onto the court. 6
Conduct the toss. Do not let the coin drop to the floor. If you do, it may roll around and cause a delay. If it does happen do not ask a player to pick it up for you. Coin must not be tossed onto the court. 7
Always have your stop watch ready and record any interruption of play such as injury, suspension of play, etc.. Stopwatch Must not be obviously displayed. A wristwatch containing a stopwatch is preferred. Cards The yellow and red cards must not be displayed/shown. They must be completely hidden in the shirt pocket. 8
Check-in with Line Judges Umpire to communicate with Line Judges from the Chair; he/she must not walk to the Line Judges. Adjusting Player Boxes/Bags Umpire must not touch the players boxes or bags. Direction can come verbally to the player to adjust the box and/or bag. 9
In singles matches, have the «s» on the score-sheet for the server only and have «0» score for both the server and the receiver for all games. In doubles matches, have the «s» and the «r» on the score-sheet to indicate both the server and the receiver; and have «0» score for both the server and the receiver for all games. 10
Make sure that players have a drink/towel and spare racket with them. Make sure all line judges understand their duties, know the line to observe, signals to make and constantly look at the umpire after making the line call, etc.. 11
After the warm up is over, call «Ready to play». This means that the match is ready to start. Check that players equipment, bags, rackets, water bottles, towels, etc. are in boxes or basket near the chair of the umpire. Nothing is hanging out of the box. 12
If you have a personal cellular phone, be sure it is off. Sit straight in your chair. Do not lean on it too much. Do not chew gum while on duty. 13
Do not cross your legs or feet while sitting in the Umpire s chair. If a female umpire wears a skirt, it is then permissable for the umpire to sit with ankles crossed. 14
If your match is on TV, make sure to receive a signal to start each game at the proper time, if required. Also confirm with the referee before going on court if intervals are mandatory. Do not start your announcement before the players have finished their practice serves or that they are in their respective courts ready to play. In singles, as a part of their practice, the players may serve twice : once from the right and once from the left. 15
If your match is on TV, make sure to receive a signal to start each game at the proper time, if required. Also confirm with the referee before going on court if intervals are mandatory. Do not start your announcement before the players have finished their practice serves or that they are in their respective courts ready to play. In singles, as a part of their practice, the players may serve twice : once from the right and once from the left. Players must stand still during the announcement. 16
Use of microphone Umpires should keep the microphone on when speaking to the player(s) about a point of fact. Opening Announcement Always on my right? Yes. Make sure to pause between Love-all and Play and only when players are actually ready. 17
When starting your announcement, extend your right arm and pointing downward to present the player(s) on your right. Extend the left arm downward too to present the player(s) on your left. No extension of the arm is necessary to announce which side is serving. 18
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While announcing, keep your head up and keep your head still when talking. Do the same when announcing the score. Keep your head up and look straight ahead. You may raise the score-sheet to announce; however do not cover your face with it. Announcement must be correct, clear and audible. 20
As soon as the service is delivered, have a quick look at the service judge. On many occasions the noise of the spectators can be so loud that it is the only way to know if a service fault call has been made. So, take a quick look at the service judge and then follow the shuttle in play. 21
When writing the score on your score-sheet, do it quickly so that you are looking at your court and players most of the time. Same apply if you have to touch your electronic score pad. 22
Have a quick look at the scoring device located at ends of court every time in between rallies to be sure scores are correct. If it is wrong, ensure that it is immediately corrected or, if this cannot be done quickly, ensure the players know it is no longer being used and inform the referee of it accordingly. 23
Change of shuttle: if both players agree, acknowledge by making a «yes» sign with your head to the service judge or extend your arm toward your service judge. Umpire to make the decision on changing the shuttle without having the player bring the shuttle to the chair. Change the shuttle if there is a reasonable demand for it. Note that a player, whether serving or receiving, may ask for a shuttle change. 24
You should follow the referee s instruction at briefing with regard to tipping or changing the speed of the shuttle. If mopping is needed, do not use your finger to point to the spot; instead use your hand to point to the spot to be wiped. When mopping is being done, allow the players to towel off or to drink, if the situation permits. 25
At the interval, immediately after announcing the score, send the moppers to wipe the court do not waste time as there are often feathers and sweat on the court. During the two-minute interval at the end of a game, the service judge walks to the umpire chair and says a few quick words if necessary. 26
If you or the immediate area around the umpire s chair is wired with microphones for the media, be careful about what you discuss with your service judge at intervals after a game or with a player any time during a match. 27
During intervals at the end of a doubles game, umpire to wait until the coach has left the player box area to ask the players who will be serving/receiving. If a coach is not leaving the player box area when required, speak to the player not the coach. 28
Keep the interval time correctly. During the intervals, always be aware where the players are. Also be aware of possible "Service Court Errors" after a break in play, e.g. intervals, toweling down and change of ends. 29
Try to hide your stop watch from the players and spectators. It should be visible briefly before the game ends and also to announce 20 seconds. Some umpires have a tendency to hold it right up in front which does not look good. 30
The announcement of the score at the end of a match must be done after you shake hands with the players. Wait until the players have shaken hands with you and service judge before starting your final announcement. 31
Immediately following the last rally of the game, call: «Game». Make sure to record the end time of the match. 32
Acknowledging officials at the end of a match- You should acknowledge the service judge and the line judges to your right and to the left. NO MORE; so three thanks: to SJ, to right and to left. A gentle nod of the head to indicate «thanks» should be fine. 33
After you acknowledge the service and the line judges, get out of your chair and off the court subject to any formal marching off procedures set by the referee. Complete the score-sheet after leaving the court. (e.g., adding up the shuttles used, time elapsed for the match, etc.) 34
If a warning and/or fault has been called during the match, report details at bottom or on back of score-sheet and advise the referee. As quickly as possible, have your scoresheet signed by the referee and bring it to match control. 35
Tips for Service Judges If you have a personal cellular phone, be sure it is off. You should walk onto the court behind the players unless the referee instructs differently. 36
Tips for Service Judges Once at the court, after the shaking of hands by the players with the umpire, the service judge may only measure the centre of the net. The posts are measured on day one away from the match procedure. If measuring the net, do the measure from the opposite side of the referee s table and facing the referee s table side, unless advice differently by the referee at briefing. 37
Tips for Service Judges Wait until the umpire has sat down on the chair before you sit. Sometimes the umpire, for safety purposes, needs your help to go up on the chair and also at the end of the match when coming down. Do not cross your legs or feet while sitting on the chair. The open palms have to be rested on the knees. No interlocking of the fingers of both the hands. If a female umpire wears a skirt, it is then permissable for the umpire to sit with ankles crossed. 38
Tips for Service Judges Do not chew gum while on duty. Do not keep the tube of shuttles or a shuttle in your hands during the match; place the tube next to your chair and just pull out a shuttle when needed. 39
Tips for Service Judges If shuttles need to be tipped do so discreetly and have no more than 2 or 3 ready for use. DO NOT TIP THE ENTIRE TUBE. 40
Tips for Service Judges When watching the server, do not follow the shuttle to the other side. Keep your eyes on the server a second to see if the serve is legal and if so, then look at the umpire (eye contact) and then you may start to follow the shuttle in play. Do not watch the service for more than a second or two as looking too long is not good practice. 41
Tips for Service Judges When calling a service fault, the «fault» should be called loudly and the appropriate sign must be made. The player should ask the umpire s permission to speak to the service judge. 42
Tips for Service Judges Discreetly assist the umpire for line calls, double hits, keeping score, etc. You should work as a team with the umpire. At the end of the game, wait for the «game» call before standing up, and after standing up, wait for the announcement of the result of the game before walking to place the interval board (a cone or box) in the middle of court under the net. Then, go to stand beside the umpire s chair facing your chair on the side of the referee s table, unless advice differently A few words to the umpire is OK but not more. At all other intervals, the service judge should remain in his/her chair. 43
Tips for Service Judges At the end of a match, stand up to shake hands with the players. Do not shake hands while sitting on your chair. Do not place one or two shuttles on mid court under the net at the end of a match as warm up shuttles for the next match, unless the referee orders this at the briefing. 44
Umpire or Service judge feedback DO Informally (or formally if flagrant) warn players for leaving court without permission, except during intervals Make clear any decision by using the relevant call/vocabulary (e.g. you touched the net or change the shuttle ) and where appropriate use clear and firm gestures 45
Umpire or Service judge feedback DO Listen carefully to a request/complaint and make a quick decision Call loudly and authoritatively (even if nervous) at all times Sit alertly in the chair 46
Umpire or Service judge feedback Walk on court firmly DO If you disagree with a line call (ask for repeat) or quicky overrule the call by saying «correction» «in» or «out», followed by the new score Ensure that one side is not allowed to be consistently slow in preparing to serve/receive 47
Umpire s feedback DON T Allow players to leave court without permission, except during intervals Fail to spot a player asking to leave the court Ever allow a player to signal out where there is a line judge or you make the call 48
Umpire s feedback DON T Allow a player to test a shuttle without your permission Allow players to warm up while you make the opening announcements or conduct the toss (doubles) 49
Umpire s feedback DON T Allow a player to protest or dispute a call without at least an informal warning Allow a player who has been allowed off court to be over-slow in drinking or towelling Allow a player to argue with line judge or service judge 50
Umpire s clothing Umpires must wear black pants/trousers, black socks, and black shoes. Referee to advise the umpire to change his/her uniform if it is not appropriate. 51
Umpire s ethics Umpires should always attend the first briefing. Umpires should refrain from being too friendly with players or comment on players on social media. 52
Thank you! 53