Author Identifier
Corey Wilson: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5465-152X
Mark Scanlan: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1462-0855
Oliver Barley: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8543-9818
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching
Publisher
Sage
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
77391
Abstract
This investigation examined intervention accuracy and perception of fatigue associated with umpiring state-level Australian Rules football (AF). 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) employed by the Western Australian Football Commission, were recruited. Intervention accuracy (whether given free kicks were correct) was analysed post-event by the lead investigator using footage of the matches, with two umpire coaches being used for reliability. Perception of fatigue was assessed pre- and post-match using a questionnaire. Data was collected in 22 Western Australian Football League matches in the 2023 season. 384 free kicks were recorded, with 343 correct and 41 incorrect decisions. Each umpire awarded 9.8 ± 3.8 free-kicks, with a distribution of correct-to-incorrect being 8.8 ± 3.2 to 1.1 ± 1.1 free-kicks per match. Intervention accuracy was 89.3 ± 10.4% correct. Significant decline in intervention accuracy between first and second half (W = .931, p = .021) was found. No significant declines in intervention accuracy between quarters were observed. Perception of fatigue was unchanged across matches (p = .074). Our results demonstrate that umpires are generally accurate when adjudicating free kicks but said accuracy declines across a match. The results of this study, provide important insight on free-kick accuracy and perception of fatigue in state-level AF umpires, and may help regulatory bodies designing strategies to improve umpiring outcomes.
DOI
10.1177/17479541241289077
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Wilson, C., Scanlan, M., Bradbury, D. G., & Barley, O. R. (2024). Intervention accuracy and perception of fatigue in state-level Australian football umpires. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241289077