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COMMUNICATION

Good communication skills are associated with:

Confidence

Always try to make decisions without undue hesitation
Being confident will carry you through some awkward moments during a match
Do not, however, bluster. The players will see through it and you will lose respect

Good relationships with others

Meet your colleague before the start of the game and create a rapport with him
Meet with the scorers before the match and discuss things such as where they will be sitting and what signalling devices they will use
Talk to the captains as required by the Laws, but also develop a rapport with them. If you all start the match understanding each other, it will be easier to deal with any problems that might arise later
Talk to the players when necessary but don't be over-friendly

Healthy, positive self image

Never umpire a match if you are feeling unwell, it is not fair to the players and your colleague
Never make derogatory comments about your colleague even if you feel he has made a mistake
A positive comment to make about your colleague should be something like 'he's a good umpire'
Never allow the state of the game to cause you to have negative thoughts, your body-language will be noticed by the players

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