So much of what makes a good hockey umpire is about communication, says Andy Mair

That doesn’t mean a running commentary throughout the match – but making our thinking clear, be it verbally or with non-verbal signals. There are times when decisions are not clear-cut, for example; did the ball hit the tackler’s stick or just clip the end of their foot?

By saying “stick” immediately we make it clear that we recognise that it is close and that we are going in one particular direction rather than the other.

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