The role of a Field Umpire is to:
- Start play at the commencement of each half and restart play after a goal has been scored.
- Interpret and apply the Laws of Footy 9s with consistency in accordance with the purpose of the Laws.
- Award free kicks and marks.
STARTING PLAY
AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF EACH HALF
The field umpire starts play at the commencement of each half by throwing the ball up in the centre of the playing field.
AFTER A GOAL HAS BEEN SCORED
The field umpire restarts play after a goal has been scored by throwing the ball up in the centre of the playing field.
AWARD FREE KICKS AND MARKS
FREE KICKS
The field umpire blows their whistle and awards a free kick to a player who is infringed.
The Laws are designed to protect players who are trying to take possession of the ball.
POSSESSION
A player is in possession of the ball when they are holding it or is in control of it.
TRYING TO TAKE POSSESSION
How the Laws protect players who are trying to take possession of the ball.
The Laws define a list of infringements that the field umpire will penalise.
A player who is trying to take possession of the ball shall be awarded a free kick if infringed as follows:
- Held by any part of the body or uniform firmly enough to impede their progress
- Pushed or bumped in the back
- Contacted to the head or top of the shoulder
- Tripped
A player trying to take possession of the ball may be bumped to the side by an opponent with hip or shoulder.
DISPOSAL
A player in possession of the ball shall dispose of it by kick or handball.
TACKLING THE PLAYER IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL
A player in possession of the ball is legally tackled when held by any part of the body or uniform below the top of the shoulder and above the knee firmly enough to impede progress.
A player in possession of the ball will be awarded a free kick if infringed as follows:
- Pushed or bumped in the back
- Contacted to the head or top of the shoulder
- Held below the knee
FAILING TO DISPOSE OF THE BALL
A free kick shall be awarded against the player in possession of the ball if that player is legally tackled and fails to dispose of the ball (by kick or handball) after having had a reasonable opportunity to do so.
If the player in possession of the ball has not had a reasonable opportunity to dispose of the ball and
a) The ball is knocked clear as a result of the tackle, the field umpire shall not award a free kick but rather allow play to continue.
b) The ball becomes trapped, the field umpire shall not award a free kick but rather shall restart play by throwing the ball up.
MARKS
The field umpire will blow their whistle and award a mark to a player who catches the ball directly from the kick of another player (without the ball having been touched or touching the ground) and having travelled 10 metres or more.
