text:
Umpiring 1. Positioning and Mobility - by Don Prior 2. Profile of a Good Umpire - by Dennis Meredith 3. Control and Coorperation - by Peter Von Reth 4. The Psychology of Umpiring - by Bob Davidzon POSITIONING : THE IMPLICATIONS OF NO-OFFSIDE DON PRIOR Umpires have usually adopted the norms; where to stand in the midfield (the big J curve), where to stand at penalty corners etc. The game is evolving and so must the umpire! Players are no longer playing traditional hockey! But we are still umpiring the same way! Being in the best position gives the best picture of what has happened. This gives the umpire the confidence necessary to make the big decisions and aids composure! Players have confidence in you if they can see you are in excellent position to make decisions. Chasing the play and being out of position is a sign of poor umpiring! This can happen easily to an umpire who is not in tune with the game! Especially with no off-side! All Umpires must: Be able to see the ball clearly at all times. Be composed and convincing when making decisions! You must be close at times, especially close to major decisions in the circle. Be close enough to midfield to see clearly what happens, but not too close to limit your vision. If you are too close advantages and off ball incidents will be missed! Position themselves so they can make accurate decisions in the circle. Position is individual. Everyone is different. Your height and speed may allow you to modify where you stand! Most of all, your ability to read the game will enable you to get in the best position! NO OFFSIDE IMPLICATIONS: "Stretching the midfield" Players are positioning themselves deeper or leading deeper much earlier. Umpires can not just stay deep when strikers position themselves deep into attack (in your 25); you still need to make accurate decisions in the midfield and assist your college at the other end! Continue to monitor players positioned high and cover them when necessary i.e. when there is a possibility a pass will go to them. This means Pro-action not Reaction When a turnover occurs at the other end move defensively 10 to 15 metres toward your goal. Cover the best possible pass for the team attacking your end (as a left defender would). When following the ball out of your end do not get too close so you can not cover a turnover, which could result in another quick attack. Also do not close your vision! Scanning "off ball" - Reading the play! So you can cover the play early, it's critical. When can you scan and momentarily take your focus off the ball? when player has ball in control in the open. when the ball is passed over long distance. when the ball is in other corner of pitch. COVERING THE MIDFIELD WITHOUT "SACRIFICING" THE CIRCLE! When the ball is moving out of your end : Down the left - Follow play out 10 to 15 metres behind. Cover the line! Assist with circle blind spot at the other end (not too close to play so you can not recover back to your circle when there is an early turnover!). Down the right – stay infield more, move slower out of defence to get better angle of play on other side of pitch. Through the middle - stay infield slightly and move slowly out of defence. Again this gives a good angle to view the play - try to read the play! If the pass could go wide and left, then you need to cover the line quickly! When the ball is at the other end: Quick reactions to turnovers at the other end of the pitch are critical! As soon as a turnover occurs and the ball starts to come toward your end, you need to scan off the ball and consider the options the team coming toward you has. If a fast break is possible you must move more defensive early, and cover this possibility. If no fast break is possible you can remain higher and assist at the other end staying closer to the midfield. NO OFFSIDE – CROWDED CIRCLES! Teams tend to play "the line" more. This means more play under the umpire's nose! Especially on the right (umpires side of the field). It is necessary to spend more time on or behind the backline watching the play coming into the circle or while play is proceeding in the circle! Be prepared to move a metre behind the line so play is further from you this improves your vision. Many fine adjustments to position are needed to dodge players who are close to you blocking your vision. When the play is on the other side of circle I prefer to get low, looking through the players legs. THE MIDFIELD CO-OPERATION ZONE Accepted convention, usually means the umpire that the attack is moving toward controls the situation. This has made allowing advantage easier! With no offside Cooperation needs to be slightly different! The umpire at the attacking end may be forced deeper earlier, (if players lead to the back line). The umpire at the other end needs to assist with the midfield, especially when the ball is on that side of the field. Still be very aware of advantage! More eye contact and signalling between umpires is necessary. THE FUTURE Discussion points: Three umpires Similar to basketball! Rotating in and out of the circles. (The pressure zones) One umpire following the midfield the others waiting at each end on opposite sides of the field! The umpires could be on different sides to the field from how we umpire now. Two umpires would have the power to blow decisions in the circle; new conventions would need to be established to determine which umpire has the major control in the circle. Umpiring on the other side of the field Umpiring on the defensive right side of the field instead of the left as we do now! Advantages Ball always on attackers flat stick when on the right. Penalty corners are easier to umpire on this side, as the goalkeeper does not obstruct your view. Disadvantages Conventions and automatic movements are lost! Closing the gap between umpires Wiring umpires so they can communicate. The reserve umpire having power to watch off ball and take an active part in the match. Replays to assist with critical decisions PROFILE OF A GOOD UMPIRE Dennis Meredith F.I.H. Umpires' Manager and F.I.H. Umpire Assessor Introduction The primary job of an umpire is to permit the game to flow within the rules with as little interference as possible on the part of the umpire. The following practices are essential if that is to be achieved. The Potential of Presence An umpire, who through the very influence of his presence, causes players to avoid breaches of the rules has attained the perfect relationship to the game. His influence is felt but he himself is barely noticed. Probably no single rule or set of characteristics can be listed which an individual umpire must follow in order to approach this relationship; but some pattern and some combination which may vary from game to game, must be achieved to create the desired influence. It is important to be assured that there is necessarily no set pattern; umpires are individuals and many reach the same goal, but by different routes; just as no two games or situations are alike. Confidence, cooperation and respect must be established. The players must sense that there is an umpire who is on the job, is in the right place at the right time, is fair, is consistent, has understanding, and sense the significance of each and every situation. Umpire/Player Rapport A relationship which breeds trust and not antagonism is essential to successful game control. Some umpires have attained it by extra-strict tactics at the early stages of a game; some by a firm but courteous attitude; others by a pleasant, and helpful approach. Some have used an authoritative approach; while others have been more humble, but sincere. Some have put fear into the hearts of the players, but with it have won their respect. The end justifies the means of attainment. The right approaches must be used to fit the occasion. Also, each individual must follow the tack which seems to fit best his own personality. No one method will fit all occasions or all umpires. The art of being one's self and being able to sense the correct approach to each situation is the key to establishing the correct balance. However, I would recommend that you relax when you umpire, enjoy the experience and be willing to laugh at yourself. Too many umpires are uptight. That tension is transmitted to the players, coaches, co-umpire and spectators. You will become more effective if you can relax, which will allow you to more clearly think through situations and to respond in more appropriate ways, and create a greater player/umpire rapport. Good Public Relations An umpire may earn the respect of the players and coaches, but be absolutely loathed by the spectators. Perhaps his mannerisms arouse the antagonism of the public. If he conveys an arrogant impression, is dramatic to the extent that he detracts from the game itself, is overly officious; then he is likely to draw the condemnation of the spectators. This creates undesirable crowd behaviour and thus reflects upon the game. Likewise, the umpire who seems excitable or who reacts slowly or who seems indecisive or who does not interpret his decisions or make them clear to all, will experience difficulty in establishing a good public relations. Qualities of an Umpire The art of hockey umpiring is largely dependent upon human variables. It is good or bad in accordance with the degree to which each individual has a favourable combination of these variables together with an intelligent understanding of the application of the rules. The more important qualities which most authorities agree are necessary in a good umpire include: • Reaction Time • Intestinal Fortitude • Confidence • Poise • Consistency • Judgment • Cooperation • Knowledge of the Proper Application of the Rules • Positioning • Appearance and Fitness These are the factors which will help provide the 'the potential of presence', umpire/player rapport' and 'good public relations' if developed and applied artfully. At the outset, the young umpire should be advised that he be himself in all cases. He may have an older and more experienced umpire as an example, but unless he has all the characteristics of his model, he should not try to mimic him. Much can be learned by watching the techniques of proven umpires, but they should be adopted only to the extent that they fit one's own personality. The following qualities are listed in the order of their importance, and it is interesting to note that they automatically fall in the reverse order of the control which the individual has over each quality. 1. Reaction Time One either has it or one does not. A little practice, and one reaches the maximum of one's potential in this all important quality. Additional practice does not seem to change the results materially. A person who does not possess above average reaction time has little chance of becoming a top-level umpire. Split second decisions must be made. The tempo of games is such that unless the umpire can react quickly enough to make a decision at the moment of its occurrence, subsequent play will have confused the situation. 2. Intestinal Fortitude No explanation is needed here: courage, guts, strength, character: call it by any name: you either have it or you don't, and if you don't, then get out, for there is no place in umpiring for you. 3. Confidence Factors which reflect the confidence of the umpire and which gain the confidence of the players, coaches and spectators are many. Probably the most effective is his manner of movement which denotes sureness, even to a degree of cockiness, when not carried to the stage where it causes resentment, and gives this feeling of sureness and confidence to others. Decisive action, not hasty, but with no element of hesitation is highly desirable. Leave no question of doubt, portray positiveness and certainty to win acceptance. Never be apologetic or hesitant as an umpire. The whistle can do much to give a feeling of certainty. This is the first line of communication, and therefore must be firm enough to be heard by all 22 players on the field - above the crowd noises if necessary. Use the whistle to 'talk' to the players. The while tone should indicate the severity and importance of the breach you are penalising. Develop your own style, but always do so within the framework of the accepted signals and positioning. 4. Poise Players and coaches are under considerable tension. Consequently, any actions which will produce calmness and emotional control should be used. The better umpire will inject sufficient pauses and quieting manoeuvres to create a steadying effect upon the players. He will do this throughout the game. There are many situations that arise during a game when the umpire's quiet influence can be a saving grace. An umpire may employ varied tactics to relieve the tension. They are actions which are seldom noticed and yet are tremendously effective. For example, the difference between the umpire who in effect says (figuratively speaking) 'Unfortunately, you've made a mistake that has placed your opponent at a disadvantage and I have no alternative but to penalise you according to the rules' as compared to the umpire who, with a show of belligerence, says in effect, 'There, I caught you that time!' It seems the best umpires are those who remain human and approachable. Usually, they are accepted even when they are wrong. At least, everyone is more charitable towards them when there is a disagreement. Often the presentation of an arrogant/rude exterior is a cloak behind which to hide inferior ability. The oft-quoted expression 'A soft answer turneth away wrath' is appropriate here. 5. Consistency The greatest virtue which an umpire can possess is consistency. He may have a warped interpretation of a rule; he may practice techniques contrary to those to which a team is accustomed; his judgment on some play situations may be in conflict with the commonly accepted interpretation - but with it all, if the umpire's practice and decisions are exactly the same under the same or similar circumstances, players can readily adjust their play to fit the umpire. They may be surprised and confused momentarily, but when they discover that the umpire is unwavering in interpretations, they can reorganise and continue with confidence. Probably the greatest inconsistencies occur in the obstruction rule and the lofted ball. An umpire should give these matters much thought and attention and learnt to blow them consistently. Some umpires may never be able to attain a high degree of consistency and they should be eliminated, just as incapable players are gradually cut from the squad. However, much can be done to point the way. 6. Judgment If basic principles are established which will be a guide for determining the legality of play and the responsibility for acts committed, the foundation upon which to develop judgment has been laid. The basic principles must be thoroughly understood, and then sound judgment will be built up through experience in handling games. Practice will clear the cobwebs in this all important phase of the art. 7. Co-operation The ability to work as a team with your co-umpire is absolutely essential. Each must have faith in the other; there must exist the greatest team-work. Each should welcome the support of the other, with neither attempting to dominate the game. Occasionally, personalities clash, temperaments, mannerisms, tactics seem to conflict rather than to blend. When these difficulties become evident, and seem fundamentally difficult to resolve, then these umpires should not be appointed to officiate in the same game. Each may otherwise be an excellent umpire in his own right. 8. Knowledge of the Proper Application of the Rules This topic is listed near the bottom because any individual of average intelligence can learn the rules. The development of this quality should one of the prime functions of Umpiring Committees. A letter perfect knowledge of the rules is essential, but in itself does not guarantee good umpiring. The umpire must know the relationship of one rule to another. Further, it is important to have a background for the rules, to understand the reason why a rule was inserted/amended, to know the history and evolution and development of the rule in connection with the progress of the game. Knowing the rules is an initial step toward becoming a capable umpire. The next step is to understand the rules. I do not think rules knowledge per se is what we are looking for as much as rules understanding, which follows rules knowledge. What we are looking for is for umpires to apply the spirit and intent of the rules. 9. Positioning Although there are no set rules dealing with positioning, all experienced umpires agree that this is one of the most important considerations in controlling the game. The best position for an umpire is the spot where he feels at ease and feels sure that he will always have a clear view of the game. The essential thing is that an umpire is in a correct position to see all breach of the rules. An umpire should concentrate on having the ball in sight for the entire duration of the game. As stated, there are no hard and fast rules laid down, but certain principles have evolved over the years, and are now accepted as giving maximum vision with mobility. With the introduction of the 'no off-side' it has been necessary to make slight modifications to some of those principles. 10. Appearance and Fitness From arrival at the game to departure, look the part in dress, demeanour and enthusiasm. As first impressions always have a marked impact, it is important that an umpire makes a favourable impression right from the start. One should therefore look the part as an umpire and dress appropriately. Unless an umpire is in excellent physical condition, reaction time and the ability to concentrate for the entire game on fair decisions will be less than satisfactory. Physical appearance is another factor which can help or hinder the progress of an umpire. An athletic, confident, well groomed appearance appears to strike a more acceptable chord with the game participants than someone who is obviously overweight, dishevelled and breeds uncertainty. Look the part and give confidence to everyone else involved in the game. Summary I have attempted in this Paper to impress upon the individual that he be the strong, silent umpire, that he dominate the play, but be noticed little. The sport was created for the players and not for the umpire. The success of the umpire can be measured by the degree to which he keeps the game going within the rules, interfering as little as possible. If players get on with the game as though no umpire were present, accept decisions without question; if the umpire controls or wins the crowd to the extent that when the whistle blows and a decision is made, or a breach occurs and the whistle is not blown, but rather the advantage signal is given, that umpire can be assured that he has arrived. He will be in constant demand and will find himself amply rewarded for his efforts. Hockey umpiring is a most difficult job; it produces a dynamic challenge. For the individual who has inherited the necessary attributes which go to make a high-class umpire and who has developed these traits to the point where he has gained the acclaim of players, coaches and spectators for his performance, there is tremendous personal satisfaction. Having the basic skills is important. Equally critical is being teachable, understanding and accepting that you do not know it all no matter how long you have been an umpire. In other words, don't trip on your ego. In summary, good eyesight, a keen sense of fair play, a good physique, the courage of your convictions, a sense of humour with a streak of diplomacy, are very essential ingredients to the profile of a good umpire. As well, he must have the ethics of a physician, the guts of a burglar and the physical attributes of a young athlete. He must be an extrovert, slightly egotistical and, above all, be devoted to the religion of umpiring. CONTROL AND COOPERATION : INCLUDING THE EFFECT OF RECENT RULE CHANGES PETER VON RETH CO-OPERATION Almost every team sport has more than one official for a game and co-operation is essential if the highest standards of arbitration are to be achieved. There are the really fast games which demand two or more officials, all of whom have whistles and the authority to stop play. Here co-operation has been developed to the highest standards and each official is expected to give every assistance to his colleagues, and receives full support in his turn. While there is only one referee with advisers, all active decisions are in the hands of one person. But as soon as there are two or more whistles consistency of application becomes an important aspect of arbitration. The meaning of the verb to co-operate is significant, to work together, to act in conjunction with another person. To work together implies give and take a middle course between the various options and opinions. Neither partner should dominate to the exclusion of the other even if they differ widely in standing. Two main aspects have to be considered before the game, how, as a team, they are to be consistent and how are they going to give practical help to each other. Consistency is a matter of adjusting the mental approach of both umpires to achieve a uniform application of the rules and discipline. It is possible to anticipate the predictable but this is the easy part, it is how the umpiring team handles the unforeseen. The factual aspects of the pre- match chat are easily agreed, for example dress and who times each half. It is the discussion about each individual member's attitude to the art of umpiring that is important. One may be the big strong type whose principle is, if it moves, blow it, and if it speaks, card it. The other may be a small and tolerant chap whose attitude is, if it moves, wait and if it talks, ignore it. The essential point here is that both are going to have to moderate their views if uniformity is to be achieved. Discussion leads to both parties understanding the other's attitude to umpiring in general and the forthcoming game in particular. Nevertheless, whatever was agreed at the pre-match discussion, it is vital that flexibility be maintained. Games never turn out absolutely as predicted and modification of the agreed plan usually proves necessary. These changes must be applied by both umpires if consistency is to be sustained. For example, control or perhaps a change in the condition of the pitch may demand a shortening of advantage timing. It is essential that both umpires watch each other and observe changes in their treatment of the game. Small signals can help for instance indicating a shortening of advantage. Consistency demands that both umpires act the same and any opportunity or method of achieving this, must be used to the full. To achieve the best results, both umpires must co-operate by supporting each other to the fullest possible extent. One of the first things to discuss before the game is what response is expected if one is asked for help. What signal does the umpire give to indicate that he was unsighted and what action does he expect his partner to take? The response should be positive and inspire confidence, either a whistle if there has been an offence, or a definite play-on signal if he has seen nothing. The 'don't know' reply is no help and only just better than no response at all; the enquirer has shown doubt and this is only increased by a weak echo. The whole system relies on the supporting umpire keeping one eye on his partner and being in a position where he can be 'found'. One situation that is unfortunately all too common is where both umpires blow at the same time, for the same offence, and point in opposite directions. The normal solution is for the partner in whose half of the pitch the offence occurred to take precedence and the other gives way. When an umpire realises that both whistles have been blown simultaneously, a little delay in signalling by the least confident can often avoid the problem by allowing him to back-up his partner. A pause before the free hit is taken may be necessary, to allow any players who were deceived by the original contradictory signals, to recover. Also to consider is what action should the supporting umpire take when he sees an offence in his partner's prime area of responsibility, leaving aside the circle for the moment where the rules preclude any direct action. The first response by some supporting umpires to this situation is to blow the whistle, but this is not preferable unless a serious control problem is involved. The initial reaction should be to look at the engaged colleague who may be showing an advantage signal. Even if he is not signalling, consider that he may not have had time to signal if he is under pressure and a reasonable impression of whether he saw it may be gained from his general demeanour, has he got his whistle up, does he appear to be in command and switched on? Having judged that he has not seen the offence, one must now decide whether to act or not. You should have regard to your partner's credibility here, there is nothing to gain by penalising a minor foot under his nose just to score a point. It is far better to let the immaterial offence go. All this consideration will give the engaged umpire time to react if the offence is significant before you decide to blow. The last thing your colleague wants is an incorrectly awarded goal or penalty, both he and the players will expect action from you in these circumstances. When the ball is in the engaged umpire's circle he has absolute responsibility. The supporter can only offer advice if asked. Many umpires signal supposed offences in their partner's area unrequested, and without blowing. This is a bad habit often the engaged umpire has seen an earlier offence which he blows, only to find his partner pointing in the opposite direction. Inevitably the players notice and a control problem could be generated. An umpire should never signal without blowing, unless asked for his opinion by his partner. The frustration felt by the supporter who has seen an offence, but is not consulted, must be borne with resignation! However, where the supporting umpire is absolutely certain that an incorrect penalty or goal has been awarded, he may attract attention from his colleague to stop the game and put his view to him. Following such a discussion, it is the engaged umpires judgement that is final and he may change his original decision if he considers that fair on the evidence. Stopping the game to consult one's colleague should be avoided if possible, the break can lead to a loss of face on the umpire's part. Sometimes, however, when a lot of heat is generated following a crucial decision, an apparent consultation with the partner can satisfy the protesting team. You are not expecting any help, just giving the impression of consultation!! However, care must be taken not to shift the blame for a poor decision onto the shoulders of your partner. We saw that it was wrong for the experienced umpire to dominate the pre-match discussions, and it is equally wrong for him to dominate the umpiring. If this is allowed to happen, the young umpire will never blow in his colleague's area, let alone his own. Even the best umpires are unsighted sometimes and need assistance which they will certainly not get if they have not encouraged the younger partner to take his share. This aspect should be emphasised in the pre-match talk, and every incentive be given to the junior umpire to take his full part in the umpiring team. All umpires, and particularly the experienced should take every opportunity during the game to give reassurance and support to their partners by both word and gesture. Co-operation should be viewed in its widest context as regards umpiring, it ranges from support and encouragement to active assistance and even take over in rare circumstances. One should never belittle a partner, and where a player asks your view of a partner's decision with which you are unable to agree, it may be wise not to have 'seen' the incident which was very distant anyway! There should be a private and full debrief between the umpires after every game, from which both can learn. Co-operation continues right up to the time that you leave the clubhouse to go home and both umpires should support each other in post-match discussion with the players. Much can be learnt from the 'senior-pro's' after a game and the umpires should be prepared to listen and admit their errors. CONTROL Most people would agree that control is the greatest problem for any umpire. One would have expected that any arbiter, whose parentage is doubted by a player, to have a common bond with all others in the same position and to react in a roughly similar way. But this is certainly not the case and the reasons for the variations are worth studying. The first consideration is the style and rules of each sport. In some there can be no half measures because one cannot temporarily suspend or handicap him in some way. This situation is the same in all individual sports, the suspension of a player ends the contest. Interestingly, some sports have evolved a system of penalty points and games, but this only works where the competitor is accumulating a score as opposed to winning a contest like a race. Next there are the disciplinary methods of each sport, some have a 'sin bin' and some a reporting system. These codes may restrict the way an umpire can act in a given situation and perhaps more importantly, they can also affect his mental attitude. For instance, if he sends the player off, he may be automatically suspending him for a long period without appeal and that is a grave responsibility. Some sports hold what might be described as courts with the various judgements recorded in the newspapers. Then there is tradition, i.e. what is considered acceptable by convention in the particular sport. One sees dissent and hears bad language used commonly and wonders what would happen if a strong umpire individually took steps to check such problems. Finally there is money, either in the sense of sponsorship or the players may be considered as being professional. Hockey, fortunately, is still an amateur sport and higher standards of behaviour are expected, both physical and verbal, and our sponsors support this stance. The yellow card gives a most useful lesser penalty than permanent suspension with all its subsequent problems. Umpires usually receive good backing from the administrators and the players expect and accept strict treatment if they step over the line. It is generally agreed that players 'armed' with a stick cannot be allowed to run riot, where in some sports the use of the boot to stamp and rake, and the fist to punch, seems often to go unpunished even at the most senior levels. It should be admitted by most hockey umpires that a very high percentage of the control problems that they experience stem from their own errors. Perhaps they did not 'see' the first offence and so failed to take action early enough. Most control difficulties can be avoided by good application of the rules and early correction of bad behaviour. Nearly all difficult decisions are grey for the umpire, but black or white for the players depending on their team's point of view. This does not apply to decisions which are absolute like feet. There may be some dispute about whether the ball was played with a foot, but given that it was, both teams will accept that it was an offence. With the more abstract rules like obstruction, the situation is quite different. The point here is that which ever way the umpire decides, he must appear positively certain of his judgement and rock solid in the application of it. It is important for the players to "buy" the umpire's decision, and there are various methods of making the sale more acceptable. The nearer an umpire is to the incident, the more credible his ruling will be. Here by bending the run towards the incident the players will infer that the umpire was nearer than he actually was when the decision was made. The half-second of time between the offence and the whistle when the player looks up, is worth 5 metres to the umpire at top speed. There is no doubt that an umpire who appears to be tight on the spot will sell a decision better than one some distance away. Often one hears critics say that a certain umpire looks away when applying a decision, but they should go much further than this. The umpire should always look the offender right in the eye and if possible, stay with him until he looks away. This later may be difficult if a quick free hit is likely but the umpire should always aim to 'win' the eye encounter. This eyeball to eyeball contact shows the player that the umpire is confident of his decision and has not 'chickened out'. Looking at the offender also increases player contact and a smile of sympathy is just as valuable as a glare of disapproval. Important is the overall appearance, the commanding body attitude. A wooden but correct signal, unaccompanied by eye and presence will not give a confident impression. The mode and appearance of the application of the umpire's decision is the second rung on the ladder of control, the whistle itself being the first. More direct problems of control can be divided into two main sections, player to player which is normally physical and player to umpire, which is usually verbal. The player- player aspect will be considered first. It was stated earlier that many, if not most, control problems are generated by the failure of the umpire to comprehend the offence or to take action early enough. There is also a saying that all yellow cards are the umpire's fault but there is more than a grain of truth in it, i.e. matters had been allowed to get out of hand before the card became necessary. The first problem that should be considered is 'seeing' the incident, which obviously must be achieved before any action can be taken. Many difficulties here stem from the fact that the umpire is looking at the wrong part of the picture, usually the ball. A lot of inexperienced umpires are ball watchers but they should realise that the ball itself cannot commit an offence, it is the players who offend. When a long pass is made, say from the right half to the left wing, many umpires follow the ball with their eye right across the field. If a late tackle on the passer is possible, the umpire may choose to stay with him to watch for it. More usually the eye should move directly to the receiver before the arrival of the ball, in order to spot possible problems between him and his marker. This is an elementary example of not watching the ball in practice, the expert umpire will check the proximity of the marker first. This practice of taking the broader view while the ball is in passage, even over quite short distances, is normal drill. It is easily possible to zoom out and in again in fractions of a second, particularly if a potential off-the-ball offence has been predicted, and needs to be checked. In order to pick up control situations, like many other offences, they should, and usually can, be predicted. Opposing players in close proximity to one another, or a tackle being made from the wrong angle are common examples. Priorities come high on the list of factors governing positioning, and here again priority is vital. It is more important to spot a control abuse than a foot, although with good allotment of time, both should be seen. When two players meet and perhaps one is in possession, it is very important to watch the sticks and the men as well as the ball. It is the missed, careless tackle that originates the build up to many control problems. At still-ball situations the receivers have a much higher priority than the striker, who apart from lifting the ball is unlikely to offend. In all control situations, prevention is better than cure! Also the role of the supporting umpire in 'seeing' the offence must be considered. Because of his distance from play, he will have a broader view anyway, but he too must predict the problems to make sure that he is looking at the appropriate part of the scene. While he will certainly maintain an overview of the close play, which is the engaged umpire's primary responsibility, his priority must be the areas likely to be outside his partner's arc of view, e.g. off-the-ball incidents. These can be the most serious offences of all as they may be deliberate. Often they build up from an accidental collision or knock which one party considers was intentional or at least grossly careless. It is essential that the supporting umpire keeps an eye on development at these potentially explosive incidents. The engaged umpire depends on his partner to look for and cope with these off-the-ball situations. Having seen the incident, we must now turn to the action we take and the means at our disposal for its control. MEANS FOR CONTROL It was apparent that the quality of whistle itself was important, but even more so is the skill in using it. All applications of the whistle must be audible to everybody but this is not to say that full power should be used on every occasion. The players should be able to distinguish from the power and quality of the sound, whether the umpire considers the offence to be minor, important or grave, the latter two being control signals. The firm blast combined with eye contact and perhaps a shake of the head, should get the message over. It is important that all the players can pick up the message from the tone of the whistle that the umpire is unhappy with that sort of behaviour. It is worth repeating the point made earlier, you should aim to speak to the players through the whistle. Both umpires should be paying attention to their partner's whistle and picking up the warning signs. All accept that a green card issued by a colleague applies equally, as if they had issued it themselves. Similarly with the whistle, a strong blast from one partner to make a control point, should register with the other. For the sake of consistency, it is important that the same level of penalty be awarded for identical offences at both ends of the pitch. This consistency is particularly essential for the treatment of deliberate offences in the 25 yard area where penalty corners are possible. In all control situations, the whistle must be the first action, but where this is insufficient in itself, one must consider other measures. A topic that few umpires have studied is body language, and where one is trying to convey a caution without speech, good body signals can help. Body language is a powerful tool for an official. It includes your physical appearance, posture, gestures and facial expressions. The official who exudes a professional demeanour and a healthy, physically capable image, will project an image of control, credibility and authority. An erect posture signifies confidence, openness and energy. In contrast a slumped posture connotes feelings of inferiority and fatigue; even the way you walk will communicate to others how you feel. One of the most important elements of body language is the facial expression. The expression on a face sends a very direct message. If you wish to caution a player, with or without speaking to him, one must look him right in the eye or, if this is embarrassing just above, in the centre of his forehead. Lowering the eyes, only as far as the mouth, reduces the impact and makes him feel less reprimanded. In calling someone use the hand; one should try not to point at a player using one finger as this can irritate him, encouraging an unwanted response. Another means for control is the "long range verbal" warning and this is more public. Not only are all the players aware that you have warned an individual, but also that it applies to everybody. Umpires sometimes have a quiet word with a player when he next comes near them following a control incident. This is usually not good enough as the suffering player is unaware that the guilty party has been cautioned. The innocent man is still boiling with rage, and as the umpire has apparently taken no action for his protection, is determined on revenge at the next opportunity. However, a quiet word can be effective provided all the players realise that the caution has been issued. It is important that the umpire demonstrates to all parties that he is aware of the seriousness of an offence and is dealing with it appropriately. The green card has to be considered as a formal warning and the message that should be conveyed by a green card is often misunderstood by both umpires and players. It is a formal warning to the player concerned that if he commits another serious offence, he is likely to be sent off and to all other members of his team that they may be in the same predicament if they commit that particular foul. Members of the other team should also appreciate that the umpire is not very happy and yellow cards may be the next step for everybody. Currently green cards are in fashion and lectures are out. Umpires at almost all levels should always use a card and almost never talk. However the formal verbal warning is commonly used at lower levels, and even occasionally at senior games, so it must be discussed here as an alternative to the green card. The first rule is that one does not card and lecture at the same incident, either one or the other. Having called a player up from forty metres and reproved him, there is nothing to be gained by finishing your lecture with a card up his nose as well! Even those umpires who agree to use the verbal warning should still use the card on some occasions, particularly when a long range formal caution is appropriate. This is usually for the obvious offence that everybody has seen, such as the ball being knocked away following the award of a free hit. There is no point in stopping the game and marching a player thirty metres to state the obvious. It is much neater to attract his attention, walk him a couple of paces, and show the card. However, it is important that the umpire makes certain that both his partner and the player concerned, together with the benches and crowd, are absolutely aware who has been warned. A problem that sometimes occurs is that the player does not 'accept' the card, he just smiles in disbelief and turns away or perhaps waves a dismissive hand. It is essential that the umpire is seen by the other players to be in control of the situation and there are ways that can help in maintaining one's authority. Many umpires keep all three cards in one pocket and take them out together. This method gives the umpire more time to decide which one to use and has a calming effect on the players who know the colour may change if they do not behave. Next, the umpire can make a point of insisting that the player comes all the way to him and then make him formally turn round to allow your colleague to see and record his number, even though you are certain that the partner already has the information. One can also extend the time taken to register the award by entering fuller details of the incident in your notebook. This is a control situation and flow may have to be sacrificed for umpire authority. Of course, the umpire awarding the card should always stop the watches and give time for both umpires to record the number of the player carded. Where there is an official's table, they also have to register the card. Not only should the umpire check that the table are aware of its use, but the player concerned must be rotated so they can see and record his number. It should also be noted that with a table, the verbal warning is not recorded and therefore may not rank with a green card. Turning now to the yellow and red cards which signal temporary and permanent suspension. The umpire should never speak to the receiving player, so there is no need for him to come to the umpire, but one must make quite certain that the correct player is aware that it is he that is being dismissed. Indeed making him walk a long distance towards the umpire, just to send him off, is both brutal and unnecessary. As soon as the attention of the player is attracted, the card, yellow or red, should be shown immediately without any other signal or comment. Being sent off is a severe penalty and there is no need to emphasise the disgrace. The ladder of control that has been reviewed, from whistle to red card, is graduated rung by rung; every level has its value and should be used accordingly. These are the tools, but great skill is needed to use them effectively and with style. It is easy to send a player off; one only has to reach for the pocket and display a piece of plastic. To keep him on the pitch is much more difficult. Well adjudicated games rarely have control problems, so the most important skill is to get the decisions right and where there is doubt, to act in a firm and sympathetic way. The umpire who commands respect can control a game by whistle and eye alone, but respect has to be earned. Arbiters in any sport who appear weak have no chance, the players expect firm and fair decisions. Hockey umpires are no different, weakness is unacceptable but so is bombast and an overbearing attitude. Umpires should remember at all times that they are the servants of the game, not its masters. Sympathy is the key word in the administration of the rules, and control situations, if caught early, remain minor. It is extremely rare for one player to deliberately hit another without provocation, real or imagined. It is the early symptoms of future trouble that must register with the umpire and be controlled from the outset. Right from the opening whistle, the umpire should be looking for minor, and probably accidental, physical offences. He should appreciate that what is accidental on the part of the offender, may not seem so to an opponent with a sore leg and the caution should take both players feelings into consideration. Umpires must be sensitive to a change of mood in the game. A slight souring of the atmosphere, opponents not chatting to each other or failing to apologise for small discourtesies, or an increase in tension are sure signs that the first control incident has already occurred, and the umpires may have missed it. Failure to sense this change of climate is the first step on a very slippery slope for the umpire. Deliberate observation of the players' bonhomie and enjoyment, or the lack of them, is vital for the correct appreciation of the level of control needed. In a happy game, a one-liner joke may achieve all that is required, where in a tense struggle the umpire may need all the presence and power at his command if he is to keep the cards in his pocket. There is no doubt that when the first flare up occurs, the umpire should be on the spot instantly calming the situation down. Earlier it was shown that the nearer an umpire is to an offence the more likely the players are to accept his decision. The same applies to control and the movement, while whistling and signalling, should be bent towards the potential problem so the umpire appears on the spot to prevent trouble before it starts. Indeed, in this case where control is essential, umpires should not even pause for the signal to be seen. Get in quickly as it is extremely difficult to control a fiery incident from thirty metres away, but one should not approach too closely. It is worth emphasising again that it is very rare for a major incident to occur out of the blue, there is almost always a build up. There is a saying in rugby, if a player punches an opponent, send off the man who has been hit, as he must have done something to deserve the blow!! Earlier it was pointed out that nearly all control problems stem from the umpire's own failings and this particularly applies to verbal conflict. Most dissent can be avoided by good umpiring technique. This is not to say that some notorious players will not question every decision by their very nature, but most accept well judged and applied decisions, appreciating the difficulties of umpiring. The methods of applying these decisions have already been discussed, now we should consider the decisions themselves. Firstly, there is no need for an umpire to take unnecessary risks. Where one is in doubt about which direction a hit-in should be awarded, often the players will sort it out amicably if left to themselves. If the umpire decides, without being certain, a direction which both teams know to be incorrect, it can only lead to rude comments. Naturally, if the players are in doubt as well, a positive direction must be given. Other risks can be avoided by good co-operation. When a player who may be quite near, but has his back to you and is facing your partner, and you suspect a foot, it pays to ask rather than blow by guesswork. This aspect should have been discussed before the game started. Where the umpire decides not to penalise an inconsequential offence which may be apparent to the players, it is often wise to call "play on", to reassure them that the offence has been noted. Finally, one is reminded on the co-operation where it was emphasised that umpires should never signal in their colleague's area unasked, without blowing. Murphy's law states that players always notice disagreement between the umpires and are not slow to comment on the quality of sight, or lack of it, in the officials! Having made every effort to avoid giving excuse for verbal remarks, what action should be taken if, and when, they occur? A problem is whether to take action at all or just ignore the chat. It is essential to distinguish between frustration and dissent on the part of the players. A missed tackle is most frustrating and the umpire has obviously missed an offence! Provided it is not over done, remarks stemming from frustration may be ignored. It is the constant verbal questioning of the umpire's decisions that is the problem and when to take action. An early question must be answered, is it affecting your concentration? Are you thinking about the dissent at times other than when it is actually occurring? If the reply is only slightly in the affirmative, action must be taken immediately. The other relevant issue may be, is it affecting one's credibility in general? Constant sniping by individuals at the umpire who makes no response, can give the impression of weakness to the other players and this must not be allowed to develop. A certain amount of grumbling, facing away from the umpire, is usually permissible but there are limits. However, a player who directly challenges a decision, actually confronting the umpire, must be dealt with immediately, any delay here will certainly affect the standing of the umpire. Things should not be allowed to develop to the extent that the lower rungs of the control ladder become inappropriate before action is taken. Many umpires are more severe with verbal dissent, often caused by themselves, than the physical problems between the players which are much more important. Often the palm down hand signal and perhaps a long range verbal warning is enough but should these be ineffective, there is an extra lung in this ladder. It is quite neat to call the captain of the offending player's team and to put the responsibility on him. This method is very useful as the umpire has not exhibited any cards but issued a public warning, almost their equivalent if this course is chosen, the captain should be instructed to caution his players. Should any further remarks be forthcoming, the umpire still has the flexibility to remind the captain of the warning, and all three cards are still in his pocket. Verbal questioning of decisions is a destructive problem which should be controlled by the players themselves and it is entirely appropriate to remind the captain of his duty in this way. It is extremely difficult to offer firm advice on how to deal with constant dissent (questioning) as all players are different, as are all umpires. Some umpires have a gift for amusing remarks and can defuse a situation with a joke or well-turned phrase. However some players are equally endowed and it maybe risky for those umpires who are less fluent to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their skill. It is only possible in a book like this to put forward some ideas on control. Doubtless we shall be still arguing about control as long as the game of hockey is played. References: Tim Crafer, "Think umpiring"; Robert Weinberg, Peggy A. Richardson, "Psychology of Officiating" K. Bell, "Championship thinking" THE PSYCHOLOGY OF UMPIRING By Bob Davidzon Introduction Although the importance of mental skills is widely recognised, little is incorporated in lectures and clinics, whereas subjects like positioning, signaling, rules, knowledge and fitness are highlighted regularly. No doubt these are major ingredients to become a good umpire. But to be amongst the best, qualities like confidence, judgement, rapport, concentration and decisiveness are essential and have to be developed. However, the basic PHYSICAL skills are essential as a foundation for enhancement of PSYCHOLOGICAL qualities. The main mental qualities of a top umpire can be listed as follows: • Consistency • Rapport • Decisiveness • Calmness • Integrity • Judgement • Confidence • Enjoyment/Motivation The better umpires are able to develop these skills, the more chance they have to reach their maximum potential as an umpire. This requires hard work and dedicated effort in the areas of. • Communication • Confidence • Motivation • Relaxation • Concentration • Imagery Communication The message you want to communicate, should be confidence, control, calmness, positive intensity and fairness. That is what the players want. Research has shown that effective communication consists of more than 50% of body-language, closely followed by the way things are said (paralanguage) and for less than 10% by what is said. The major importance of body language is often neglected but aspects like physical appearance, posture, touching behaviour, gestures, facial expression and spatial relationship are essential to "send" the right message effectively. Self-analysis (mirror, video, feedback) is a MUST to identify areas for improvement. The same applies to paralanguage and to control the pitch of your voice (or whistle!) is a major tool to be understood rightly. Confidence Confidence is believing that you have the capacity (and have done everything) to perform as an umpire as well as possible. Confidence will help you to improve your ability in the following areas: concentration, control, goal setting and persistence. Concentration and control to run the game properly, and goal setting and persistence to become a better umpire in the medium and long run. Confidence however cannot overcome incompetence, and both lack of confidence AND overconfidence affect performance adversely. Self-confidence can be built up through thought (self talk) action, imagery, recall of good past performances, physical conditioning and proper preparation. Motivation Compared with the teams they "guide", umpires are very much on their own and need a strong motivation to overcome the lack of praise and all the criticism they normally receive. To maintain motivation, goal setting is essential. A clear decision on what you like to achieve and by when, has proven to be very effective especially when that has been put to paper. By setting goals, you have to decide first WHAT is important for you, and by setting it yourself you will put in more effort to achieve it. Make your goals challenging, realistic and positive. Write them down and identify ways and means to achieve them. Look for inspiring examples around you, reward yourself when you have done well and create a supportive network around you to help you. Relaxation Umpiring at top level exposes you to stress and emotions that can lead to anxiety. This can be triggered by fear of failure, fear of inadequacy or perceived loss of control. Anxiety has both physical (stiff muscles, narrowing view) and psychological (reduced concentration, impaired decision making) effects, with a detrimental effect on performance. Anxiety therefore has to be managed and controlled. On the physical side, this can be done by breath control and muscle relaxation and on the mental side by self talk, thought stopping, anticipation, preparation and enjoying the job of umpiring. Relaxation in whatever form, is needed to avoid or suppress anxiety. Moreover, controlled relaxation during a game is necessary to improve concentration when it is needed. Concentration Concentration is the ability to focus on the relevant issues of the game and to maintain that focus during the entire match. Maintaining concentration is an attention problem. The more important a match, the less motivation is needed to maintain your concentration. Some of the pitfalls for concentration are thinking about past decisions, thinking about consequences of decisions to be taken or thinking of too many things. Concentration is heavily affected by anxiety because the width of observation becomes narrower, the umpire tends to concentrate on him/herself instead of the game and this limits the ability to change focus. Umpires should check their concentration skills, and where appropriate, train themselves to learn to shift attention, to maintain focus, to look for relevant cues or rehearsing game concentration. Imagery Contrary to players, umpires do not have many possibilities to train like them, thus they have to imagine situations and take mental decisions. These can be situations that have taken place when umpiring, or seen from the stands or TV, or theoretical situations that may occur in future and require a decision. Imagery contains visual, auditory and physical elements and the better an umpire uses, imagery, the more realistic the physical and mental reactions of the body and the mind are. Imagery helps an umpire to learn to control emotional responses, to improve concentration, to build confidence and thus improve the performance. There are two main types of imagery. The external imagery of the umpire while he or she is performing (like seen from the stand) and internal imagery, as where you are umpiring the match yourself and experience the situations as the umpire in charge. A convenient tool to learn external imagery is a videotape taken when you were umpiring. Once you have studied yourself, you will be able to have a "look" at yourself in future situations as well. For umpires who want to progress and to know more about the "magic" of psychological aspects in umpiring, the reading of the book "Psychology of Officiating" by Weinberg and Richardson (Leisurepress) is strongly recommended. Womens Hockey Australia can be contacted at P.O Box 527, Surry Hills NSW 2010 - Ph (02) 9690 2099 or Fax (02) 9690 2088 or Email at firstname.lastname@example.com
Pages to are hidden for
"Umpiring"Please download to view full document


text:
Remove Ads x
R. H. Hoffman.
ebook, pdf, United States. -- Congress -- Private bills, Bills, Private -- United States, United States -- Claims,
Share Add to my account
Is owner
View only
Upload & Edit
Members may only view items in this folder.
Members may view, add, edit and delete items in this folder.
Checked by McAfee. No virus detected.
Remove Ads x
Download all files from this folder
Download folder as:
This file will be created in your 4shared folder
File name:
Zip as:
What is B1?
R. H. Hoffman..pdfFile QR Code

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Please contact us on
01635 40615 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
The Castle at Donnington,
Oxford Road, Newbury,
Berkshire, RG14 3AA.
Located near to the market town of Newbury.
A short walk from the historic Donnington Castle
Food served 12pm-2pm and 6pm-9pm Tue to Sat, Sunday lunch served
from 12pm-3pm. Excellent selection of daily specials and a comprehensive
Wine list. We cater for all types of functions, from finger buffets and BBQ's
to your Christmas Party or Wedding Reception.


text:
Welcome to the Bergstrom Expressway Website
The US 183 South corridor from US 290 to SH 71 is one of Austin's most important arteries. As the primary route to and from Austin Bergstrom International Airport and points beyond, it attracts more than 60,000 cars and trucks a day. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation have partnered together to develop a reasonable and feasible approach to improve mobility that takes in to account the needs of drivers, pedestrians, transit riders, cyclists and surrounding neighbors.
Latest News
March 6, 2015
TxDOT cleared the way for the Bergstrom Expressway project to proceed into final design and construction. Read the "Finding of No Significant Impact" decision document here.
Thanks to our Project Partners


text:
Nourishing Hand Cream
White Citrus
Price: $5.00
Size: 2 fl oz / 59 mL
Moisturizing Shea Butter and Vitamin E absorb quickly to leave hands feeling soft, smooth and luxuriously nourished and lightly scented with White Citrus.
- Lightly scented with an invigorating blend of crisp citrus & water lily
Customer Ratings & Reviews
Tell us what you think! Be the first to write a review and share what you love or can't live without. Get Started


text:
Mon-Fri: 7am-1am EST / Sat-Sun: 7am-11pm EST
ApplianceMaytag Refrigerator
Level of DifficultyEasy
Time to do repair15 - 30 mins
Age of ApplianceMore than 10 years
1 out of 3 people found this instruction helpful
Turn off refrig water supply, remove cardboard rear lower cover, disconnect two plastic lines (one for icemaker, the other for in-the-door water dispenser) and one copper fitting (supply line). Replace valve (mounted with one screw), reconnect, test for leaks.The valve I was so sure was bad wasn't, replacing it didn't solve my problem. Turned out to be a frozen up icermaker water feed tube at the top rear of the refrig. The Fix: heat a metal rod of appropriate size in boiling water or with a hair dryer, poke it gently up into the water drop tube (sticks out just above the rear of the icemaker) from the inside and melt out the ice plug. Be sure to test this tube if you have the same problem, you should be able to disconnect the line on back of the refrig and blow air through the tube if it's clear. Saved the valve anyway for a spare.
Help other customers find the most helpful instructions.
Were these instructions helpful?
Part Number: PS2003024
All brand logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
The PartSelect logo is a Registered Trademark of Atlantic Laundry Centres, Ltd.
Copyright © 1999-2015 , Eldis Group Partnership. All rights reserved.


text:
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns still searching for go-to player in crunch time
Will a clutch player please stand up for the Phoenix Suns?
As Saturday's close game with the Dallas Mavericks wound down, it appeared the home team had something the Suns lack: Someone to count on in close situations.
With the Mavericks down by double-digits in the third quarter, Dirk Nowitzki went on a scoring tear, pouring in 14 points in the period, including hitting back-to-back 3-pointers that brought Dallas to within two.
Nowitzki added seven points in the final quarter and finished with 23 in the game. Monta Ellis terrorized the Suns in the fourth period as well, scoring 12 of his game-high 37 points and recording assists on two significant Mavericks buckets down the stretch.
Although Ellis missed three free throws in the fourth, both he and Nowitzki looked in control as the game went back and forth. Meanwhile, the Suns players, for the most part, looked hesitant to take big shots in crucial situations.
If you were watching the game, Eric Bledsoe looked like the closest thing Phoenix had as the leader in crunch time. He scored seven of his 29 points in the fourth and picked up critical rebounds and steals, but he also missed two free throws near the end and was easily blocked on a driving layup by Dallas' Brandan Wright with 12 seconds left.
Markieff Morris has at times looked prepared to go toe-to-toe with the league's best in close games. He made a long 2-pointer to essentially ice the game Wednesday in New Orleans -- a Suns six-point win -- but he missed a 3-pointer Saturday on a poor look that would have tied the game with Dallas.
Close games have been problematic for Phoenix. Although 28 of their 47 wins have come by single-digit margins, the team has only won five games this season by five or fewer points. Compare that to 12 losses by five points or fewer -- including the one in Dallas -- and it's easy to see that the Suns need a large lead in the closing minutes or else they're in trouble.
According to NBA.com, when the score is within five points with under five minutes to go, the Suns shoot just 40.6 percent from the floor. It's far from the worst mark in the league, but it's much lower than their overall shooting percentage of 46.3. They also make just 24.4 percent of their 3-pointers such close situations -- compared to 37.4 percent overall -- and average one turnover as a team in that time.
In the final minute of games with a five-points-or-fewer differential, the Suns shoot only 35.2 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from behind the arc.
Bledsoe, Morris, Goran Dragic, Gerald Green and Channing Frye comprise the Suns players who generally get the most opportunities in close, late-game situations, but only Dragic has shown impressive stats in this area -- 51.1 percent shooting in final five minutes with the score within five points, including 57.1 percent shooting in the final minute -- while Green and Frye's numbers are borderline anemic. Dragic, however, doesn't have a signature game-changing shot in his catalog this season -- such as Green's game-winner in Minnesota on Jan. 8.
If there's a player on the Suns' roster with a killer instinct when a game is hanging in the balance, coach Jeff Hornacek is still waiting for him to emerge. If there isn't, that might be a quality the team looks for in the offseason either via free agency or the draft.
Most Popular
Suns Audio
- Dan Majerle, GCU men's basketball coachDan Majerle discusses the recruiting impact that comes with signing with Nike.
- Jerry Colangelo, valley sports iconJerry Colangelo discusses the contract extension of Dan Majerle and the school's new deal with Nike
- Bickley BlastSteph Curry against James Harden is one of the most entertaining matchups in NBA history.
- Paul Coro, Phoenix Suns beat writerWhat's up next for the Suns as the offseason nears?
- Tom Penn, ESPN NBA analystTom Penn discusses the Suns future and their lack of a game changing, MVP caliber player.


text:
The following restrictions begin Fri, April 18 at 8 a.m. at all public Coconino County parks:
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will implement stage 1 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Tue, April 22.
On Friday, four area national forests will implement Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions in an attempt to lessen the danger of human-caused wildfire. As Arizona Public Radio's Ryan Heinsius reports, it's the earliest the bans have gone into effect in almost 10 years.
Flagstaff authorities say two recent wildfires within the city limits, near lower Switzer Canyon, were the result of possible arson. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the first fire started Friday and the second began Saturday. Police say the proximity of the fires — about 150 yard apart — and timing were suspicious. Authorities are searching for a suspect they questioned and released after the first fire. He was last seen wearing a black hat and a camouflage jacket while carrying a tan backpack and large knife.
Over the weekend, crews battled the first major wildfire of the year in northern Arizona. As Arizona Public Radio's Ryan Heinsius reports, just days before the fire broke out both of the state's U.S. senators urged the federal government to fast-track thinning projects.
The City of Flagstaff will implement stage 1 fire restrictions on Fri, April 18 at 8 a.m. These restrictions ban on all fire pits and other open flame devises in the city. The use of charcoal grills and other devices with an on-off switch are still permitted.Under stage 1 restrictions, smoking is banned on the Flagstaff Urban Trail System and disc golf courses at Buffalo Park, Thorpe Park, McPhearson Park and McMillan Mesa Park. According to the city, the Flagstaff Police Department is also expanding homeless-camping patrol efforts to prevent human-caused wildfire.
Update for 9 a.m., Mon, April 14:
The Coconino National Forest expects 100 percent containment of the Fisher Fire by this evening. Much of the firefighting crew on scene has been released.
Update for 5 p.m., Sun, April 13:
Despite high winds and a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service, the Fisher Fire is 75 percent contained and remains at 175 acres. The Coconino National Forest confirms the fire was human caused and that the specifics are under investigation.
Update for 8 a.m., Sun, April 13:
The Fisher Fire did not spread overnight and remains at 175 acres with 50 percent containment. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Sunday from noon until 8 p.m.
Update for 3:50 p.m., Sat, April 12:
The 175-acre Fisher Fire is 50 percent contained with minimal activity. Crews are mopping up and no structures are threatened.
Extremely dry conditions have pushed up fire season by about a month on northern Arizona's forests. As Arizona Public Radio's Ryan Heinsius reports, the Flagstaff community is already taking precautions.
The state is entering the wildfire season with the Forestry Division still facing charges of violating worker safety rules last year resulting in the deaths at Yarnell Hill. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer reports.
The state's top forester said today that heavy monsoon rains last year coupled with light snowpack this winter will combine to make for a more dangerous fire season this year. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer reports.


text:
Back forth between backhands -- a call for one handed backhand players
When I started playing years ago, it was with a one handed backhand. And, ever since, I have always played it rather powerfully -- rarely did my forehand outweighted my backhand, even if I have built a great forehands over the years.
The problem, however, has always been consistency. I could hit rather flat and somewhat curvy balls, but I never got to hit those loopier strokes off my backhand wing... I never had total control over it. Hence, as most did before, I switched to a two handed backhand which was at first awkward and weak, but grew stronger and more stable with time. Yet, nothing feels like hitting that one handed backhand right... so, next year, as the snows melt and the sun decides to settle for longer in the sky, I plan on trying to learn how to hit that backhand with consistency.
So, I'd need advices. What made you get it right? What made the difference between inconsistency and consistency for you? Thanks in advance.
For me it all clicked when I started using a semi western backhand grip.
there are several things you can try.
1) first is a change in the approach.... slice is the preferred choice for high balls or hard flat incoming balls.. the topspin drive is preferred for low balls and passing shots.... that will cut down your 'unnecessary' use of the shot in some tough situations
2) curvy balls - sw works for some, but for me, the most spin is hit with eastern/conti in-between grip, where the mid section of the middle and ring fingers are right under the bottom bevel of the grip and I just lift the racket head up/across the ball... i can generate MORE spin than my FH this way.
3) arm/body connectivity - to me, the staying-sideways method is more difficult to control as the arm separates from the body pretty early... try to maintain pressure at the right arm pit and use the chest to swing the upper arm around, and the forearm/relaxed wrist will add spin.... this looks more like the BH of wawrinka, schiavone, mauresmo.... to me it feels connected and easier to time.
Well first I'd say you need to make a choice and stick with it about 1hbh vs 2hbh. Even if things don't work right away with your 1hbh, stick with it and it will work eventually.
Using a semi-western backhand grip is a bit extreme in my opinion. It will give you trouble when your dealing with low balls. I'd stick to an eastern or extreme eastern grip at most.
You might want to look at also developing the backhand slice as part of your arsenal. It's a shot you can use to change the pace of a rally and can be a bit troublesome for your opponent if you can hit it low enough. You have to keep in mind that it's more of defensive shot/setup shot. I wouldn't use that as my primary backhand.
As a 1hbh myself, what made the difference consistency wise was the stance/footwork. Most people lack the proper footwork on they're backhand side which in turn causes them to be in the wrong position when hitting it and that produces very random results. If i'd be you, I'd study videos of Federer's backhand, you'll learn the proper positioning. Even if you can't hit right away on court, you can always do shadow tennis at home if you have a mirror. If you own a video camera, filming and reviewing your strokes will be of great help.
I think for anyone below 4.5 level, the 2 hander is a much better choice. Its more versatile and consistent and safe shot. Its also easier for return of serve.
For consistency, the keys were 1) finding the correct grip every time and 2) newer strings. I restring every 6 hours, because things go crazy with the 1hbh after that. Forehand is fine with old strings, but the backhand is higher maintenance.
For power, key is court movement. You just have to be at the right place at the right time. If you're there early - even by a second - you can unleash the beast.
I've always used a one-handed backhand. It's easier to learn IMHO than the forehand. Use a continental grip and keep the arm straight throughout the swing.
One thing I noticed was that I tend to overestimate the reach and strike zone of the one handed backhand.
While the freedom of the one hand gives you more flexibility in how far your racquet goes I feel like keeping that contact point closer to your body helps you gain consistency so that you don't constantly reach out, extended horizontally, in order to hit the ball.
What I mean is, it's easier to hit the ball when it's close to your body rather than flailing out when it's farther away.
Idk maybe this will help you.
I don't actually strive for symmetry on both wings. I use an Eastern backhand grip. My backhand is definitely hit with less topspin, but it is more penetrating. I can hit loopier balls with heavier topspin, but it just doesn't work well for me in matches. I just go through it less and brush up more, with less forward weight transfer.
For me, hitting the ball out in front has improved my backhand a lot.
When I started playing again all my shots came back to me except topspin backhand, it just takes a lot of practice and you have to keep hitting it in matches in order to get better. If you keep going to the slice, you'll never have the confidence to hit one IMO.
however regarding the versatility I think you can do more with one hand especially regarding the slice and dropper. a lot of two handers have a bad slice and their droppers are easy to see.
if you are an early striking hard hitter the 2 hander is an obvious choice but if you are a versatile all courter who likes the net and using slice variations the one hander has more options.
that being said in the end it doesn't make a difference. there are great players with both. the two hander is easier to learn though.
Contact point. Find it - both how far in front, and how far away from your body.
It must be much more exact on the one-handed backhand than the forehand. Other than that, the backhand stroke is simpler.
My backhand became a consistent topspin rally shot when I learned the toe-to-heel weight transfer. Once it starts, my motion is continuous and it allows my loopy backswing to generate topspin. It also makes hitting balls wide to the backhand and moving away from you much easier as you seem to hit around the ball back inside the court.
Thanks everyone for your input and, well, sorry for the delay. Obviously, every new tip is welcome and I am ready to start thinking through the backhand, starting almost from scratch if necessary.
On the other hand, I just want to precise a detail: I will not change my grip for the heck of it... I use a pretty standard eastern backhand and since the habits are hard to fight and that I could get to hit well with it, I would rather focus on what my body does than on how I grip the racket.
Of course, drills or links to videos are also welcome. Continue to add to this and maybe even make it a backhand discussion for all of us, trying to master the forgotten art.
As for the OP's question. I find keeping my arm straight and my wrist laid back is the best way to keep my backhand consistent because the angle of my racquet face stays constant. If I can manage this then I can hit flat or loopy backhand with consistency and power. However, I have a natural tendency to bend my arm sometimes to compensate for an awkward balls instead of move my feet so I need to break this habit.
Prepare early and, MOST imortantly, swing loose. Let the frame do the work. If you muscle a 1HBH you lose accuracy and consistency.
Hit through the ball with a full, relaxed follow through.
Staying loose with confidence is key to a 1HBH.
Teaching Pro and college coach who's been hitting a one-hander for a long, long time here. A few tips:
1) Eastern backhand grip. Don't use the continental if you're looking for more spin/loop and the ability to handle higher balls. Get that index-finger knuckle on top of the grip!
2) It's all in the shoulders. Once you start the forward motion of the swing, lock your torso in place and don't let the shoulders open up until after contact. I can't stress this enough. Once you've hit the ball, you can release. But for consistency with your contact, hold your shoulders steady.
3) Create a strong hitting platform with your legs. Remember the job of your legs isn't to directly add power to your groundstrokes. The job of your legs is, once you get to the all, to create a stable hitting platform that allow you to transfer power to the point of contact. Don't stand up in the middle of your shot, lift off, lean back, or otherwise shift your hitting stance unless you *have* to.
Good luck!
|All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:14 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2015, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2006 - Tennis Warehouse


text:
Symptom combination points to endometriosis: pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea 'are actually more specific than previously acknowledged.'.
There is often a long delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis, in large part because the symptoms--primarily pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea--are nonspecific and can overlap with other conditions. But now, a case-control study from a primary care database in the United Kingdom suggests that women with a combination of gynecologic, urologic, and bowel symptoms are likely to have the condition.
"Specific, unremitting symptoms should raise a high suspicion of endometriosis," said Dr. Ballard of the University of Surrey, Guildford, England.
Data were collected from the General Practice Research Database, the largest computerized database in the world containing longitudinal medical records from primary care. The database currently comprises more than 3 million active patients from about 450 primary care practices, the setting in which all nonemergency patients in the United Kingdom are first seen.
During 1992-2002, 5,540 cases of endometriosis were identified from a total of 1,276,100 women aged 15-55 years. The average age at diagnosis was 35 years. The incidence of diagnosed endometriosis was 0.97 per 1,000 woman-years, and the prevalence--calculated from the incidence rate and the average disease duration--was 1.5%.
This proportion is lower than what has been reported in the literature, probably because it comes from general medical practice rather than a gynecology-based setting, Dr. Ballard noted.
There were 21,239 matched controls. The women with endometriosis were significantly thinner, with 49.3% having a body mass index less than 25 kg/[m.sup.2], compared with 42.1% of the controls. They were also 20% less likely than were the controls to have had a previous pregnancy.
As expected, the women with endometriosis had high rates of pelvic pain (15.6%) and dysmenorrhea (24.6%). But somewhat surprising was how low those rates were in the controls--1.5% and 3.4%, respectively--suggesting that "these symptoms are actually more specific than previously acknowledged," Dr. Ballard said.
Other menstrual/pain symptoms reported significantly more often by the endometriosis patients than the controls were dyspareunia (9% vs. 1%, respectively), abdominal pain (45% vs. 13%), menorrhagia (23% vs. 6%), and menstrual problems (27% vs. 13%).
Gastrointestinal symptoms were also more common in the endometriosis group than in the control group, including constipation (9.2% vs. 4.4%) and rectal bleeding (2.0% vs. 1.1%), as were the urologic symptoms cystitis (8.8% vs. 5.3%) and dysuria (6.1% vs. 2.7%).
Postcoital bleeding was reported by 2.9% vs. 0.7% and backache by 16.4% vs. 11.0%. All of these differences were statistically significant.
Women with endometriosis were also significantly more likely than were controls to have been diagnosed with sub-fertility (9.6% vs. 1.8%). But less expected was an association with the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome: 10.6% vs. 3.3%.
Other diagnoses reported significantly more often among the women with endometriosis were urinary tract infection (18.5% vs. 9.8%), pelvic inflammatory disease (10.3% vs. 1.8%), and ovarian cysts (6.8% vs. 0.6%).
Stepwise regression analysis showed that the five "key symptoms" most strongly associated with endometriosis were infertility or subfertility (adjusted odds ratio 8.2), dysmenorrhea (8.1), symptoms associated with sexual intercourse (6.8), abdominopelvic pain (5.2), and menorrhagia (4.0).
In all, 84% of those with endometriosis had at least one of those symptoms, compared with 23% of those without, Dr. Ballard said.
The data also suggest there is opportunity for intervention: Nearly all (98%) of the women who were ultimately diagnosed with endometriosis had made at least one visit to a physician in the year before the diagnosis, compared with 81% of the controls.
In fact, 62% had visited the physician at least six times in that year, compared with 27% of those not diagnosed with endometriosis, she reported.
Senior Writer
Adjusted Odds Ratios for Five 'Key Symptoms' of Endometriosis Infertility or subfertility 8.2 Dysmenorrhea 8.1 Symptoms associated with sexual intercourse 6.8 Abdominopelvic pain 5.2 Menorrhagia 4.0 Note: Based on a study of 5,540 women with endometriosis, compared with 21,239 controls. Source: Dr. Ballard ELSEVIER GLOBAL MEDICAL NEWS Note: Table made from bar graph.
Reader Opinion
|Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
|Title Annotation:
|Women's Health
|Tucker, Miriam E.
|Internal Medicine News
|Article Type:
|Clinical report
|Geographic Code:
|Jan 15, 2008
|Previous Article:
|Don't delay radiotherapy longer than 20 weeks in Early Breast Ca.
|Next Article:
|Urinary incontinence risk higher with obesity, diabetes.


text:
- 800.878.7323
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
More copies of this ISBN
This title in other editions
D-Day: The Battle for Normandyby Antony Beevor
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
The prizewinning historian and bestselling author of D-Day and Stalingrad reconstructs the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, in this riveting new account
On December 16, 1944, Hitler launched his last gamble in the snow-covered forests and gorges of the Ardennes in Belgium, believing he could split the Allies by driving all the way to Antwerp and forcing the Canadians and the British out of the war. Although his generals were doubtful of success, younger officers and NCOs were desperate to believe that their homes and families could be saved from the vengeful Red Army approaching from the east. Many were exultant at the prospect of striking back.
The allies, taken by surprise, found themselves fighting two panzer armies. Belgian civilians abandoned their homes, justifiably afraid of German revenge. Panic spread even to Paris. While some American soldiers, overwhelmed by the German onslaught, fled or surrendered, others held on heroically, creating breakwaters which slowed the German advance.
The harsh winter conditions and the savagery of the battle became comparable to the Eastern Front. In fact the Ardennes became the Western Fronts counterpart to Stalingrad. There was terrible ferocity on both sides, driven by desperation and revenge, in which the normal rules of combat were breached. The Ardennes—involving more than a million men—would prove to be the battle which finally broke the back of the Wehrmacht.
In this deeply researched work, with striking insights into the major players on both sides, Antony Beevor gives us the definitive account of the Ardennes offensive which was to become the greatest battle of World War II.
"Beevor has established a solid reputation as a chronicler of WWII's great eastern front battles: Stalingrad and Berlin. In addressing D-Day, he faces much wider competition with historians like Stephen Ambrose and Max Hastings, who also use his method of integrating personal experiences, tactical engagements, operational intentions and strategic plans. Beevor combines extensive archival research with a remarkable sense of the telling anecdote: he quotes, for example, an officer's description of the 'bloody mass of arms and legs and heads, [and] cremated corpses' created by artillery fire as the Germans tried to escape the Allied breakout. He is sharply critical of senior commanders on both sides: Bernard Montgomery's conceit; Adolf Hitler's self-delusion; Dwight Eisenhower's mediocrity. His heroes are the men who took the invasion ashore and carried it forward into Normandy in the teeth of a German defense whose skill and determination deserved a better cause. The result was a battle of attrition: a 'bloody slog' that tested British and American fighting power to the limit — but not beyond. Beevor says that it wasn't Allied forces' material superiority but their successful use of combined arms and their high learning curve that were decisive in a victory that shaped postwar Europe. Maps, illus." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
From critically acclaimed world historian Beevor comes the first major account in more than 20 years to cover the whole Normandy invasion, from June 6, 1944, right up to the liberation of Paris on August 25 of the same year. b&w photo insert; 17 maps.
The Penguin History of Europe series reaches the twentieth century with acclaimed scholar Ian Kershawand#8217;s long-anticipated analysis of the pivotal years of World War I and World War II
The European catastrophe, the long continuous period from 1914 to1949, was unprecedented in human historyand#151;an extraordinarily dramatic, often traumatic, and endlessly fascinating period of upheaval and transformation. This new volume in the Penguin History of Europe series offers comprehensive coverage of this tumultuous era. Beginning with the outbreak of World War I through the rise of Hitler and the aftermath of the Second World War, award-winning British historian Ian Kershaw combines his characteristic original scholarship and gripping prose as he profiles the key decision makers and the violent shocks of war as they affected the entire European continent and radically altered the course of European history. Kershaw identifies four major causes for this catastrophe: an explosion of ethnic-racist nationalism, bitter and irreconcilable demands for territorial revisionism, acute class conflict given concrete focus through the Bolshevik Revolution, and a protracted crisis of capitalism.
Incisive, brilliantly written, and filled with penetrating insights, To Hell and Back offers an indispensable study of a period in European history whose effects are still being felt today.and#160;
Unabridged CDs ? 14 CDs, 18 hours
The definitive account of the Normandy invasion by the bestselling author of Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin 1945.
About the Author
Antony Beevor is the bestselling author of five nonfiction books, including The Battle for Spain, which won the La Vanguardia Prize, Paris After the Liberation: 1944-1949, Stalingrad, which won the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson Prize for History, and the Hawthornden Prize for Literature, and The Fall of Berlin 1945, which received the first Longman-History Today Trustees' Award.
Table of Contents
D-Day List of Illustrations and Maps
1. The Decision
2. Bearing the Cross of Lorraine
3. Watch on the Channel
4. Sealing off the Invasion Area
5. The Airborne Assault
6. The Armada Crosses
7. Omaha
8. Utah and the Airborne
9. Gold and Juno
10. Sword
11. Securing the Beachheads
12. Failure at Caen
13. Villers-Bocage
14. The Americans on the Cotentin Peninsula
15. Operation Epsom
16. The Battle of the Bocage
17. Caen and the Hill of Calvary
18. The Final Battle for Saint-Lô
19. Operation Goodwood
20. The Plot Against Hitler
21. Operation Cobra - Breakthrough
22. Operation Cobra - Breakout
23. Brittany and Operation Bluecoat
24. The Mortain Counter-attack
25. Operation Totalize
26. The Hammer and Anvil
27. The Killing Ground of the Falaise Pocket
28. The Paris Uprising and the Race for the Seine
29. The Liberation of Paris
30. Aftermath
Select Bibliography
What Our Readers Are Saying
Be the first to add a comment for a chance to win!
Product Details
Other books you might like
Related Subjects
History and Social Science » Military » World War II » Europe » General


text:
One Big Rock
Travel Photography
by Corey & Lucia Blosser
Comment posted.
Sign in or create an account to post a comment.
The Wedding of Liana and Chris
Published June 19, 2008
Kluane National Park
Published September 26, 2007
Start your own book today from US $3.99.
Get Started
Blurb Sites


text:
Hi, my supersuit will load the full suit but won't let me use any of the shapes, material or preset since I updated to DAZ 184.108.40.206 pro 64bit.
Any thoughts?
3D Artist Network.
It's working for me. Are you sure you loaded the Supersuit and not the Basic Suit? That one doesn't take Supersuit shapes or presets
Community Volunteer
Monthly New User Contests!
My tutorials and FAQs | My Gallery | My Render Thread
Visit my world… Tornalia.com | http://scottlivingston.deviantart.com
That is what I was doing wrong, thanks a lot.


text:
For a family of 4 - Islander 28 vs Catalina 30
View Single Post
Asleep at the wheel
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,014
Thanks: 71
Thanked 117 Times in 115 Posts
Rep Power:
Re: For a family of 4 - Islander 28 vs Catalina 30
OK, the waiting is driving me NUTS. I have plotted courses (a few different ways, depending on the weather, how tired I get, etc.), found marinas/docks/anchorages, figured out what I need to bring, orderd a few things, read most of the write-ups about the boat, read more about sailing, etc. My wife and I are scouting out marinas this weekend, and then hopefully that decision will be made soon, too. Now, all I can do is wait for the 8th and the survey.
I DO need to get in touch with the USCG/NJ Marine folks who are responsible for some of Barnegat Bay. Any suggestions on how to go about that? I found the NJ department (in the Environment department, I think) that's based in Forked River, and tried E-mailing them since they are responsible for some of the channel markers in the bay, but they haven't replied.
Otherwise, I wait. Gahhhh!
- Jim
Home: Western Philly 'burbs
1980 Allmand 31
1975 Albacore 15
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
View Public Profile
Send a private message to jimgo
Find all posts by jimgo


text:
Linon - Chelsea - Dining SetProduct Id: 367579 Phone Code: 0202-85FC
Regular: $573.99 Sale: $370.99 (You Save 35%)
Usually ships in 3 to 5 Days
Product Description
Create a cozy spot for meals and conversation in any corner of the kitchen. The rich walnut finish on this corner nook provides a traditional look to this highly functional piece. The nook corner bench and nook free-standing bench seats five people comfortably. You can determine the direction of the corner unit during nook assembly. A great family gathering piece.
- Natural
- Pine and MDF
- You determine direction of corner unit during nook assembly
- Under seat storage
- Assembled Size: 67.5"W x 51.5"D x 33.86"H


text:
West Nile Virus Prevention and Control
NEWS: The South Dakota Department of Health is now accepting applications for local mosquito control grants. Funds must be used solely for the purpose of preventing human West Nile disease through the local control of mosquito populations. Direct questions to Susan Gannon at 605-773-3737 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Completed applications should be sent to Meghan Wittmis via email, email@example.com; fax, 605-773-5683; or mail, South Dakota Department of Health, 600 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501-2536. Application deadline is June 8.
West Nile Virus (WNV) causes bird disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Humans, horses and other mammals may also be infected. In humans the most serious manifestation of WNV infection is encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Quick Links
- South Dakota West Nile virus fact sheet
- A Decade of West Nile Virus in South Dakota: Human Epidemiology 2002 – 2011
- West Nile Virus in South Dakota: Human Epidemiology of the First 5 Years, 2002 - 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- SDSU Extension
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- American Society for Microbiology


text:
XE Currency Converter
|Canadian Dollar
|Moroccan Dirham
Did you know?
USD-CAD has settled back in the mid-1.24s after leaving a six-week high at 1.2538. The retreat reflects a broader correction in the U.S. dollar following recent sharp gains. USD-CAD left a four-month low at 1.1920 on May-14, but we didn't see a convincing break of the big-picture support region at 1.1950-1.2000. The pair has now breached back above a previous support zone marked by 1.2351 to 1.2400, which leaves a convoluted technical ... Read More ►
XE Currency Converter
The XE Currency Converter includes a currency converter, cross-rate table, and forex news to keep you up-to-date on your favorite currency pair. Visit the Currency Encyclopedia ►
XE Services
Get commercial grade currency rates for your business with the XE Currency Data API or transfer money internationally at competitive rates with XE Currency Transfers ►
XE Market Analysis
North American Edition2015-05-28 11:14 UTC
USD-JPY logged traded at its highest since 2002, the AUD took at hit on unambiguously weak Australian capital expenditure data, while a general euro rebound saw EUR-USD recoup to the mid-1.09s after leaving a one-month low at 1.0831 yesterday. An above-forecast Eurozone ESI confidence reading for May, of 103.8, aided the euro's rebound, even though the ECB stated in its latest Financial Stability Review that "sovereign risks emanating from Greece" had ... Read More ►
European Edition2015-05-29 06:43 UTC
EUR-USD logged a new rebound high of 1.0974 in Asian trade, piercing the 50-day moving average, which is presently sitting at 1.0969. The 1.1000 and Monday's high at 1.1013 provide near-to upside markers. Today makes it the third successive up day after hitting a one-month low at 1.0819 on Wednesday. USD-JPY settled back under 124.00 after capping out on Thursday at 124.46. Japan's finance minister Aso said late Thursday (from London) that recent yen ... Read More ►
Asian Edition2015-05-28 18:43 UTC
The dollar firmed up in N.Y. trade on Thursday morning, taking EUR-USD down to 1.0867, from 1.0950 highs in London. Despite the lack of Greece progress however, the pairing rallied back to match the overnight high in afternoon trade. USD-JPY made new highs, rallying over 124.45, though later falling back into 123.60 on Aso remarks, who voiced concerns over the speed of the yen's fall. USD-CAD traded over 1.2535 on weaker oil prices, though later eased ... Read More ►
Send a cheap money transfer ►
Looking to send money abroad? Transferring money online is easy with XE. Our service works with your bank and it's free to sign up.
- Free online quotes
- Competitive exchange rates
- No-fee money transfer options
- Bid for your preferred rate
Get a currency data API ►
Need commercial grade rates for your business? The XE Currency Data API easily integrates with your system and has guaranteed data delivery.
- 160+ global sources
- Rates for every world currency
- Accuracy with proprietary rates
- Choose frequency of updates