Umpiring Written Examination

In this lesson you will learn how the written examination is run. There are twenty questions covering the whole pathway, with a time limit of thirty minutes. Questions include single-answer, true or false, and select-all-that-apply types. Read each question carefully, especially words such as not, all and first. For select-all questions, every correct option must be chosen and no incorrect ones. You may take the examination up to three times. Use the revision lessons that follow to refresh your knowledge, and keep a copy of the Laws nearby while you revise, though during the examination you should rely on what you have learned. Good luck.

• Twenty questions, thirty minutes
• Single, true or false and select-all types
• Read key words such as not and all
• Up to three attempts

In this lesson you will revise the foundations. The Laws are written by MCC; there are forty-two Laws plus the Preamble, and WFA competition regulations take precedence where they differ. At the bowler's end, stand in line behind the stumps, watch the front foot first, then the ball. At the striker's end, stand at square leg level with the popping crease. Key signals include one arm horizontal for no ball, both arms horizontal for wide, both arms above the head for six, an open raised hand for bye, and touching a raised knee for leg bye. Revoke an error by touching both shoulders with opposite hands. Wait for scorers to acknowledge.

• WFA regulations take precedence where they differ
• Bowler's end: front foot, then ball
• Square leg level with the popping crease
• Know every signal and the revoke

In this lesson you will revise Laws 21 and 22 and the free hit. Some part of the front foot must land behind the popping crease, and the back foot must land within and not touching the return crease. Full tosses above waist height are no-balls. A wide is a ball not within reach of the striker for a normal stroke, and is not wide if it touches the bat or person. Each carries a one-run penalty and neither counts in the over. No-ball takes precedence over wide. In T20, a no-ball brings a free hit, signalled by circling one arm, on which only no-ball dismissals such as run out are possible.

• Front foot behind popping crease; back foot inside return crease
• Wide: not within reach of a normal stroke
• One-run penalty each; not counted in the over
• Free hit: only no-ball dismissals

In this lesson you will revise dismissals and appeals. There are ten methods of dismissal. No batter is out without an appeal, which must be made before the bowler begins the next run-up. The striker's end umpire answers hit wicket, stumped and run out at that end; the bowler's end umpire answers all others. For LBW, the ball must not be a no-ball, must not pitch outside leg, must hit the person first, must strike in line unless no shot is offered, and would have hit the wicket. Stumped requires the striker not to be attempting a run. A grounded bat that bounces up does not make a batter run out.

• Ten methods; appeal required
• Striker's end: hit wicket, stumped, run out there
• LBW: five conditions, doubt means not out
• Stumped versus run out: attempting a run

In this lesson you will revise Laws 20, 41 and 42. The ball becomes dead when finally settled, on a boundary or dismissal, or when lodged in clothing or a helmet. Call dead ball for serious injury, a striker not ready, or unfair play. Five penalty runs go to the batting side for a ball hitting a helmet on the ground or for fake fielding, and to the fielding side for deliberate short running. Many offences require a first and final warning. Law 42 sets four levels: Level 1 brings a warning then five penalty runs; Level 2 five penalty runs; Levels 3 and 4 add suspension or removal. Report every offence.

• Know when the ball becomes dead
• Five penalty runs: who gets them and why
• First and final warning procedure
• Four levels of misconduct; report all

In this lesson you will revise match management. Arrive at least forty-five minutes before the start. The toss takes place on the field with an umpire present, between thirty and fifteen minutes before the start, and the decision cannot be changed once notified. Players are nominated before the toss. An over is six fair balls, and a miscounted over stands. No bowler may bowl consecutive overs, and in T20 the usual limit is four overs. A bowler who cannot finish an over is replaced by one who did not bowl the previous over and will not bowl the next. Umpires are sole judges of conditions, and lightning means suspend play immediately.

• Toss: thirty to fifteen minutes before start
• Six-ball over; miscount stands
• No consecutive overs; four-over T20 limit
• Lightning: suspend play immediately

In this lesson you will revise the T20 specifics. Each side bats for up to twenty overs. During the six-over powerplay, no more than two fielders may be outside the thirty-yard circle; afterwards, no more than five. A breach is called no-ball. T20 playing conditions usually allow one short ball above shoulder height per over and apply a stricter wide interpretation. In reduced matches, record stoppage times and apply the WFA reduction method, adjusting powerplay and bowling limits. League points are three for a win, one for a tie, one for a no result and none for a loss. In the Winter Cup they are two, one, one and none.

• Powerplay: max two outside the circle
• After powerplay: max five outside
• Apply WFA method for reduced overs
• League 3-1-1-0; Winter Cup 2-1-1-0

In this lesson you will revise conduct management and decision-making. Prevent problems through presence and early communication, and work through the captains, who are responsible for their teams. Apply Law 42 proportionately, judging the act and not the person. Calm heated moments with a low voice and relaxed posture. Agree playing conditions in writing to avoid disputes and refer unresolved issues to the WFA. Report safeguarding concerns and never tolerate discriminatory language. For every decision, see it, process it, decide it and communicate it. Doubt goes to the batter, and never try to even things up after a mistake. Now you are ready for the examination.

• Work through the captains
• Judge the act, not the person
• See, process, decide, communicate
• Never even things up

In this lesson you will learn some practical examination tips. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted for thirty minutes. Read every question fully before looking at the options. Eliminate options you know are wrong, then choose between those remaining. For select-all questions, consider each option on its own as true or false. Do not spend too long on any single question; move on and return if time allows. Questions may present short match scenarios, so picture yourself on the field and apply your decision routine. When you have finished, review your answers if there is time. Remember that the WFA award is not an ECB qualification.

• Quiet place, thirty uninterrupted minutes
• Read the question fully first
• Treat each select-all option separately
• Picture the scenario and apply your routine