- Arrival time agreed (around 15–20 minutes before push-back).
- Pitch and equipment checked (goals, nets, flags, surface).
- Coin toss and direction of play agreed.
Free umpire resource
Pre-match checklist for hockey umpires
Two umpires, one match. Start on the same page.
The best matches start with a short conversation before push-back: who keeps time, where you stand, how you signal and how you help each other. Points 1 to 13 are the essentials; point 14 is an optional debrief after the final whistle.
Your ticks stay on this device and are not sent anywhere.
- Clear agreement on who keeps time (periods, cards, injuries, added time).
- Clear signal for stopping time agreed (whistle, voice, hand).
- Who ends periods and manages restarts agreed.
- Field split and shared areas agreed.
- Lead and trail positioning aligned for strong sightlines.
- Step-up / hold / drop-deep aligned with game tempo.
Positioning diagram
- Lead umpire takes the award, setup and main decisions.
- Supporting umpire focuses on stick contact, runner movement, second phase and rebounds.
- Re-takes and extended corners discussed and agreed.
- Same line on dangerous play and aerial balls.
- Commitment to consistent decisions in similar situations.
- Clear responsibility for free hits and long corners.
- Shared awareness on circle entries and quick restarts.
- Clear covering plan when one umpire loses sight or is sprinting.
- Agreed take-over signals (visual or verbal).
- Expectations clear (with or without headset).
- Short standard phrases agreed.
- Eye contact and body language aligned.
- Agreement on proactive and reactive support.
- Clear situations to ask for help (screened view, key circle call).
- Ask briefly, calmly and to the point.
- No public discussion of decisions.
- Corrections handled quietly between umpires.
- Final decision respected, except for safety or clear fairness issues.
- Communication style aligned (calm, clear, consistent).
- Clear escalation from warning to cards.
- Agreed who stops time, manages players and restarts play.
- Safety always comes first.
- Official hand and whistle signals aligned.
- Clear and confident signals over fast signals.
- Short debrief planned (1–2 key moments).
- Feedback is constructive and not personal.
This checklist is a guide, not a script. Use it to align before the match and adapt it to your level and style. What matters most is that you agree – and stay consistent.
HockeyUmpire
Built into HockeyUmpire
Find this free checklist on the app’s Home screen under Pre-match. Tick off the points together while you walk the pitch. HockeyUmpire counts the 13 main points and prepares a fresh list for your next match day.