Umpires tapping their butts!

[Wrangeroos]

always wanted to know, what is the reason umpires tap their butts when running in after calling a ball up?

it's like they are congratulating themselves on blowing the whistle!

 

[Woods By Plenty]

always wanted to know, what is the reason umpires tap their butts when running in after calling a ball up?

it's like they are congratulating themselves on blowing the whistle!

No one else is going to do it so they have to congratulate themselves.

 

[morax]

always wanted to know, what is the reason umpires tap their butts when running in after calling a ball up?

it's like they are congratulating themselves on blowing the whistle!

Indicating to the other two umpires that he has control

 

[BK Eaglesfan]

Indicating to the other two umpires that he has control

Not quite......you will usually see them doing it when setting the mark. They are indicating to the closest umpire to switch zones. So say a player marks on 50 from a dinky little miskick from defense and is being lined up for a kick at goal, he will tap his behind to let the mid zone umpire know to come in and patrol the forward line, and he will swap and back out to the centre zone when he is done setting the mark.

 

[shotta]

Not quite......you will usually see them doing it when setting the mark. They are indicating to the closest umpire to switch zones. So say a player marks on 50 from a dinky little miskick from defense and is being lined up for a kick at goal, he will tap his behind to let the mid zone umpire know to come in and patrol the forward line, and he will swap and back out to the centre zone when he is done setting the mark.

good observation is it true or opinion?

 

[mwalker]

I was wondering where this thread was going.

Plenty of reasons the umps may want to "tap" a butt or two.

Not that there is anything wrong with that (as long as the tapped butt is not an umpires)

 

[kylesut]

good observation is it true or opinion?

It is True.

You also might notice that the umpires sometimes tap their chest - this is used to tell the other umpires that he is still in control.

 

[BK Eaglesfan]

good observation is it true or opinion?

Yep, as kylesut has said, very true. Ditto his second comment too.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

I always thought it was just to make sure they hadnt lost their note pad or anything, lol.

 

[The Majestic]

I always thought there had to be a reason for them tapping thsemselves like that, never realised it had some importence.

 

[Sherrinator]

Indicating to the other two umpires that he has control

Since when did an umpire have control?

 

[Generalissimo]

It's a signal to any fans who might be unhappy with their performance.

"Both lips. Both cheeks. Right here!"

 

[Truetiger]

Indicating to the other two umpires that he has control

Umpires never have control

 

[Viva la Mattner]

I always thought it was to indicate time on, to stop the clock

 

[smithos]

identifying the landing strip

 

[Troy Wingate]

I'm sure Brett Allen does alotta butt tappin

 

[cleveland]

I always thought the ump was signalling to the other umps where he wants it after the game in the showers

 

[Tizza]

they do it because when a crowd is roaring yelling doesnt work like at a country oval..quite simple

 

[Spook]

good observation is it true or opinion?

Tis True

 

[GrInPoWdErDiAh]

they do it because when a crowd is roaring yelling doesnt work like at a country oval..quite simple

I'm afraid that they do this action for the 'switch' regardless of whether you are playing in front of a capacity MCG crowd or little johnny's mum & dad only. It rarely happens when a two umpire system is in operation, hence why you may only realise this when the AFL is on as not many leagues below AFL have the ability to field 3 central umpires for one game. The chest tapping also happens probably even more frequently than the 'switch' action, but thankfully because the cameras are not on the umpires all of the time as a spectator you will hardly ever notice this.

Well explained by the previous posters who knew exactly what the 'switch' was, would I be right in assuming like myself, that you have some form of umpiring experience in the past or even present?

 

[jules101]

I always thought it was to indicate time on, to stop the clock

lol you can't be serious? Haven't you noticed the umpire blows his whistle and the time starts or stops on the TV?
And how would the timekeeper see him tapping his butt lol

 

[Viva la Mattner]

lol you can't be serious? Haven't you noticed the umpire blows his whistle and the time starts or stops on the TV?
And how would the timekeeper see him tapping his butt lol

no shit sherlock but if you notice sometimes when he blows the whistle the clock continues to run

 

[Solstice Raver]

It is amazing how much crap the umpires get from all and sundry without fully understanding the role they perform. How can people critisize if they don't even know what they are critisizing about?

I actually appreciate the job they do and respect how hard it is.

One eyed supporters hate the umpires but statistically the worst umpire in the league makes less mistakes than the best player.

Do players get critisized for making one clanger? No, not generally. And how much do we pay these fellas to put up with our perfect expectations and demorilizing remarks? Enough so they have to get a part time job during the week.

It's a joke.

 

[kylesut]

that you have some form of umpiring experience in the past or even present?

Yep - currently.

 

[lookkg386]

I always thought it was to indicate time on, to stop the clock

That's what the whistle does.