No. However a captain can approach an umpire during an interval and ask the umpire for a rules clarification (Rule 3.5.2). This can be done in such a way as to highlight a possible problem without being confrontational!

Not if she has gone out of court to take a throw-in and is trying to enter the at the point of the throw in. She should also be allowed back onto the court if she’s gone to collect a ball and is re-entering where she went off (Rule 16.6.2).

However if she went off court for any other reason e.g. to gain a better playing position, you can defend your opponent provided you do not leave the court or your own playing area when doing so. (Rule 16.6.1)

In our league ‘replayed ball’ is inconsistently applied and it is worrying.

Rule 13.4 states; “ A player who has caught or held the ball may not (replay the ball)"

It is essential that the umpire considers the ball to have been caught or held before she penalises for replayed ball. If umpires can get into the habit of asking themselves “Did the player have control of the ball?” it should improve the application of this rule.

Don’t forget a player’s skill level will contribute to their ability to control the ball. A ball can be caught or held in one hand, but the rule comes into force IF the umpire considers the ball to have been controlled.

Rule 17.1 states “No player may contact an opponent, either accidentally or deliberately, in such a way that interferes with the play of that opponent or cause contact to occur.”

Therefore a good umpire will see contact but may decide it hasn’t interfered and therefore not penalise it. Alternatively, a not so good umpire may not have positioned herself correctly to observe the contact and make the decision to penalise or not. This means that some contact that does interfere is missed and some that doesn’t is incorrectly penalised. GOOD POSITIONING IS ESSENTIAL.

The divisional officer forwards them to the chairman. She will decide, along with other committee members, what action is needed depending on the compliant.

- Talking to the team/individual the complaint is against.
- Observing that team or umpire to see if their actions are repeated.
- Taking action, e.g docking points, banning from the league (in extreme cases)

No. Rule 13.2 (vi) states A player may not deliberately kick the ball. Unless she kicked the ball on purpose she should not have been penalised.

Maybe on some occasions. Rule 18.1.2 States “ The player taking the penalty must take up the position clearly directed and indicated by the Umpire….”

Umpires must help the players by indicating and directing clearly, if the players take no notice then they should be penalised. This rule should be used with discretion in the lower divisions and perhaps umpires may feel it only fair to give one warning to both sides before reversing the penalty.

Yes ( Rule 18.3.2) “ ……if the infringer moves or attempts to take part in play, either physically or verbally…….. penalty shall be retaken or advantage applies”

No, as the attacking player has lessened the distance (Rule 16.2 ii).

No, GS has contacted GK (Rule 17.2 vi).

Yes. (Rule 17.2 iii).

It depends on whether-or-not the Umpire considers she has interfered with the shooting or throwing action (Rule 16.2).

It depends on how close she lands and whether-or-not the Umpire considers she has interfered with the shot (rule 16.2) or whether contact that interferes with the GA's play has occurred (Rule 17.1).

No. Rule 13.4 (i)

However, umpires must be able to distinguish between a ball that has been deliberately rolled and a dropped ball that rolls as a result.The latter is a legitimate pass.This kind of pass is frequently used by WAs & Cs to get the ball into a shooter under a tall defence. The ball is dropped from a very low level onto the floor infront of the shooter. With this pass there will be NO BACKWARD movement of the arm. if the ball is deliberately rolled there WILL be backward movement.

Rule 18.3.2

“…….. The penalised player may not move or attempt to take part in play either physically or verbally until the ball has left the hands of the thrower. …..”

The penalty can be taken again, or advantage can apply whichever the umpire deems appropriate.

No. However it is an interpretation of a rule that has been more widely used in recent seasons.
Rule 18.1.2 says: “ The player taking the penalty must take up the position clearly directed and indicated by the umpire…..”

Umpires should also be aware of penalised players trying to slow the game down by taking a long time to get to the point of a penalty pass/shot or back on court for a throw in.

This will be very much dependant on why the warning was given and under what circumstances.

What was it for? Dangerous play or persistent, deliberate breaking of the rules? The umpires have a number of options open to them to deal with all sorts of problems which might occur on court. These are covered in Rule 20. Which option she takes is down to each individual umpire.

No. Although technically she should have waited for the umpire to call the stoppage for illness, under the circumstances that appeared to be impractical. Both teams can make substations during stoppages for illness or injury. The player could have returned to court after the next interval.

See rules 6 & 7

REPLAYED BALL:

The rule states: 13.3 A player who has caught or held the ball may not:

(ii) throw the ball and play it before it has been touched by another player

(iii) toss the ball into the air and replay it

(iv) drop the ball and replay it

(v) bounce the ball and replay it

In your opinion the player had to have caught or held the ball. A brief touch of the ball isn't a catch or hold. Ask yourself "did she have control of the ball?" If the answer is a definite no then you don't penalise the player for replayed ball.

N.B. Players who are more skilful will need less time on the ball to have control. Therefore what you penalise in Div 1 you might not in div 6!

Under Umpiring Forum:

Could all umpires be aware that league rules prevent them from umpiring two consecutive matches, other than in exceptional circumstances.

There must be one 'rest' game between matches. This cannot be a game in which they participate as a player.

If this rule is ignored the club to which they are attached could have points deducted.