Umpire to Be

[Tom Cook]

I am primarily a wing but I've worked quite a bit of umpire in lower level games. The first thing that the experienced guys have told me is "Don't back up!!" Move from side to side but if you back up you are far more likely to get smacked. I've always used a lanyard whistle to umpire and have gotten along fine. It is true that umpires don't use their whistle a lot.