What is the role of the umpire when a player commits an infringement?

The role of the umpire in netball is to maintain the flow of the game and ensure that all players adhere to the rules and regulations. When a player commits an infringement, it is the umpire's responsibility to penalize or call attention to the infringement. This action serves to uphold the standards of fair play and ensure the integrity of the game.

By signaling a penalty, the umpire informs players and spectators that a rule has been broken, which may impact the game's outcome. This action can involve awarding a free pass or shot to the opposing team, thereby providing a fair opportunity to gain possession of the ball following the infringement. This aspect emphasizes the importance of the umpire's role in maintaining discipline on the court, ensuring that everyone understands the rules and consequences of their actions in real-time during the game.

Other options, such as encouraging the player or providing advice, distract from the umpire's primary function of enforcing rules, and ignoring the action would undermine the game's structure and fairness.