Indoor Hockey: Two-Umpire System and the Green Card
Introduces hockey's officiating system: two umpires, each in charge of one half and one sideline, who coordinate through eye contact. Students apply green cards (two minutes off) and yellow cards (five minutes), and players rate the officiating at the end.
How to play
- Explain the mechanics: each umpire moves along a different sideline and covers the half of the field on their right; they make eye contact when they whistle, and the partner backs up the call by pointing the direction (4 min).
- 5 vs. 5 games of 5 minutes with umpire pairs that rotate every game; teams not playing watch and provide a scorekeeper and a card timer (15 min).
- After each game, players give the umpires a quick thumbs rating (good, fair, needs work) on positioning, clarity and consistency (3 min).
- Discuss the most common coordination mistakes and when each card is justified (3 min).
Rules
- A green card means two minutes off and a yellow card five; the timer signals the return.
- Umpire decisions are respected without arguing; only the captain may ask for an explanation.
- The stick never rises above the knee and there is no body contact.
- Umpires stand outside or right next to the boards to stay out of the ball's path.
Variations
Easier
One umpire runs the game with the teacher's help.
Standard
A coordinated umpire pair with green and yellow cards and player feedback.
Harder
Add advantage: the umpire must let play continue if the fouled team still has an advantage.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: umpires from a fixed spot near the center line on a narrower field.
- Hearing impairment: umpires using visual signals and a colored card instead of a whistle.
- Autism or anxiety: starts as card timer before umpiring.
Learning goals
- Umpire as a pair, coordinating positioning and calls.
- Apply a fair, proportionate disciplinary system.
- Accept and give respectful feedback on officiating.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hockey sticks: 20
- hockey balls: 4
- Swedish benches: 8
- mini goals: 2
- pinnies: 12
- whistles: 2
- colored cards: 4
- stopwatch: 1
Teacher tip
Remind students that a card is not a personal punishment but a tool to keep the game safe. If an umpire freezes, step in next to them for a few minutes without taking the whistle.
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