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Umpire and Scorer Training

Umpiring | Scoring | Courses

ACU&S has a long history of training cricket umpires and scorers to a very high level. It is a task we take seriously as standards within all facets of the game continue to improve. Gaining Qualified Member status within the ACU&S, either as an Umpire or as a Scorer, will therefore take the candidate both time and commitment, in the classroom and on the field.

Umpiring

There are six grade levels, or GLs, of umpiring. Qualified Member - Umpire status is awarded to those umpires who have passed exams up to and including GL4 and also satisfied the ACU&S Assessment Panel of their on-field abilities over a period of two seasons (of which more later).

Training takes place over the first three grade levels: GL6, GL5 and GL4.

  • GL6

    This is generally considered to be the "entry level" course. It assumes no prior knowledge of the Laws of Cricket but covers & explains them all over a 10 week (one evening/week) period or two consecutive Sundays (all-day sessions). There is no compulsion to take an exam at the end of the course (so you can study on a casual basis), but those who wish to gain recognised GL6 status sit the test. It takes the form of an audio/visual presentation with the candidate selecting one or more answers from a list that is offered on screen – commonly known as a multiple choice examination. Having passed the GL6 exam, the student then becomes an Intermediate Member - Umpire of ACU&S.

  • GL5

    As a GL6 umpire, the student may move on take a GL5 course & examination. GL5 is usually about a 7-week (one evening/week) course, or two consecutive Sundays, as above, with a similar multiple choice examination at the end of it. Some associations run their GL6 and GL5 courses concurrently. The GL5 examination is a more searching test of a student’s knowledge of the Laws of Cricket & focusses strongly on how the Laws should be applied as an essential part of practical umpiring.

  • GL4

    Once confirmed at GL5 level, the student completes his or her training by taking an oral examination. Some candidates choose to repeat the GL5 course by way of revisional preparation for the GL4 exam; others do not - the decision is left entirely to the student. Usually, two examiners ask the candidate questions relating to situations that occur on the field of play. These questions are designed to explore how an individual would interpret & apply the Laws of Cricket. A pass confirms the candidate at GL4.

  • Practical Experience

    Passes at all three levels are essential but practical umpiring experience is also a key factor in becoming a Qualified Member - Umpire of ACU&S. To this end, ACU&S requires candidates to have umpired at least 15 games at a "suitable level" in each of the last two playing seasons. Although not set in stone, a "suitable level" is usually interpreted as umpiring a significant proportion of those games in adult cricket – usually in a league or cup competition. The first season's experience should be obtained between GL6 & GL5 examination passes & the second between GL5 & GL4 passes. Additionally, several referees are required to produce a satisfactory written report on a candidate’s practical umpiring abilities. Since the trainee will stand with many different umpires during the accrual of two seasons' experience, finding referees is relatively straightforward.

    Scoring

    There are two courses:

    1. The Examination Course

    At the end of this course, candidates may sit ONE of TWO examinations.

    THE INTRODUCTORY EXAM. Time allowed 1.5 hours.
    This consists of completing a scoring record based on a written commentary of an innings lasting about 20 overs and answering about a dozen questions based on the Laws of Cricket which apply to scoring. The passmark is 85%. To pass you MUST obtain 68/75 on the scoring record. There is no minimum on the Law questions.

    THE STANDARD EXAM. Time allowed 2 hours.
    The form of the examination is similar to the Introductory paper, but the scoring record requires greater detail (e.g. all balls faced by the striker must be recorded and balanced with balls delivered by the bowlers). The Law questions are more searching. Passmark 85%, 58/65 on the scoring record.

    Students need not decide which paper to take until the exam entries are made.

    Alongside one season's refereed experience, a pass in the Standard Exam leads towards Qualified Member - Scorer of ACU&S.

    2. The Scorebook Entry Only Course

    This is for those whose aim is to be able to score a match properly, and is not examined.
     

    Courses

    Training within the South-East Region is broken down and organised on a county-by-county basis, and within the three counties each district association makes its own arrangements. Please follow the links below to find umpire and scorer training in an area local to you.

    Training in Surrey
    Training in Kent
    Training in Sussex