Third Umpire
In cricket, an off-field official who uses television replays and technology to review decisions referred by the on-field umpires or triggered by players.
Definition
The third umpire is a cricket official stationed off the field with access to television replays, ball-tracking, and other technology. On-field umpires can refer close decisions, such as run-outs, stumpings, catches, and boundary calls, to the third umpire, who examines the footage and relays a verdict. The role adds a layer of accuracy for events that are difficult to judge in real time.
The third umpire also administers the Decision Review System, adjudicating player challenges to on-field calls using tools such as edge detection and ball-tracking. Although the third umpire has significant influence over reviewed decisions, the on-field umpires retain authority over calls that are not referred. The position is distinct from the match referee, who oversees conduct and discipline rather than playing decisions.
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Officiating
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- Line JudgeA boundary-line official who calls whether the ball or player is in or out and flags foot faults, working under the head referee across many sports.
- ScorekeeperThe official who keeps the authoritative record of a contest — score, fouls, and statistics — usually seated at a scorer's table beside the timekeeper.
Player roles
- CaptainThe captain is a team's on-field leader who communicates, makes in-game decisions and sets standards — a role any player can hold, not a fixed position.
- Pace-SetterThe player who sets and controls the tempo of play or the rhythm of an endurance effort, dictating how fast the game or race unfolds.
- All-RounderAn all-rounder is a versatile player who contributes across attack and defence rather than specialising in a single phase, position, or skill.
Practice & sessions
- Video analysis sessionA session that uses recorded footage to slow play down and see clearly what happened — technique, positioning and decisions — as a basis for feedback.
- Coached sessionA session led by a coach, who sets the focus, gives feedback and shapes the practice around what you need.
- Small-group practicePractising in a small group of a few players — sharing drills, rotating roles and using small-sided games so everyone stays involved.
- Match review sessionA session for looking back at a completed match — what worked, what didn't and why — to turn the experience into things to practise.
Positions
- Goal shooterThe goal shooter is a netball attacker who scores goals and is one of only two players allowed to shoot, working within the attacking goal third and circle.
- Centre (netball)The centre is netball’s link between attack and defence, the only player allowed in every third except the two goal circles, and the player who takes the centre pass.
- OppositeThe opposite is a volleyball attacker who plays on the right side of the net, opposite the setter in the rotation, and is often a key scorer.
- HookerThe hooker is a front-row forward in rugby who wins the ball in the scrum and typically throws the ball into the line-out.
- Goal attackThe goal attack is a versatile netball attacker who both feeds the shooter and scores goals, moving through the centre and attacking thirds.
Sports communication
- Leadership communicationHow players who lead — captains or not — communicate to organise, encourage and give direction, drawing teammates into a shared plan.
- Captain communicationHow a team's designated captain relays decisions, sets a tone and — in many sports — acts as the recognised point of contact with officials.