UK ITF Umpires Course
Saturday, 6th
July 2019 Master Glenn Horan VII, Mr Kevin McCabe VI and Mr Mike Owen
VI hosted us for the UK ITF Umpires course at Edward Peake School in
Biggleswade. Over 124 members travelled
from across the UK to meet for this day-long session.
The course delegates gathered in the sports hall, mingling
in groups to catch up with colleagues and friends from the various clubs
represented in the room. An air of
anticipation built as the group observed the unprecedented number of members
keen to gain new knowledge and experience of officiating.
The group took their seats and Master Horan welcomed us and
outlined the structure of the day, explaining the emphasis on practical application
of skills as well as introducing and explaining tournament conduct and
rules. The morning progressed with Mr
McCabe and Master Horan providing explanation of the newer, more important and
more complex procedures, such as the roles of the tournament committee, ring
jury and centre referee; the conduct of officials; and scoring of
sparring. A short coffee break allowed
us to regather energy ahead of the next section. Mr McCabe introduced the latest specifics
around patterns scoring, along with some welcome mnemonic tools to help the
officials remember how to apply the rules!
This section prompted lively debate and many questions, which our course
instructors answered - in some cases deconstructing the queries in order to
provide clarity.
Mr Owen introduced the procedures and scoring for the power
breaking and special technique ahead of lunch.
After the break, the group split into two – IV Dan and above joining Mr
McCabe for a practical demonstration of patterns and sparring refereeing, and
the second group remaining with Master Horan and Mr Owen to further demonstrate
officiating for special technique and power.
Mr McCabe’s group were provided with some additional tips to help centre
referees run their ring smoothly and professionally, as well as reminders on
how to make Kup grades and younger students feel at ease in competition.
The groups congregated together for the remainder of the
course; three hours of practical application of procedure and scoring. Student volunteers from the local UTA clubs
joined us on two rings to enable the umpires to practise, using the UK ITF
electronic scoring system as well as the more traditional flags and
clickers. The course instructors
observed and provided feedback, tips and support to the umpires to help our
development.
The course concluded with a summary from Master Horan and
presentation of course certificates and updated rule books. Most of the delegates signed up to attend the
next UK ITF nationals in October, before bidding farewell to their colleagues
for the return journey home.
Many thanks to Master Horan, Mr McCabe and Mr Owen for
collating, presenting and hosting the course.
This represented an encouraging and exciting direction of travel for
umpiring in the UK ITF.
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