What is the umpire's action during a stoppage in play?

The umpire's action during a stoppage in play involves signaling the timekeeper and then blowing the whistle to resume the game. This action is crucial because it ensures that both the players and the officials are aware of the game's status. The umpire communicates to the timekeeper that the game is paused and can resume, allowing for an organized flow of the match.

The umpire's primary responsibility is to manage the game effectively, and part of that includes making sure everyone knows when play will restart. By signaling the timekeeper, the umpire ensures that the timing of the game is accurately recorded, which is particularly important in netball, where time management can impact the game's outcome. The whistle then serves as a clear auditory cue to all players on the court that they should prepare to continue playing.

While raising a hand might signal for attention, it does not effectively communicate the intention to resume play and could lead to confusion. Alerting the coach is also irrelevant in this context, as the umpire’s immediate focus is on the game itself rather than coaching decisions. Counting to ten does not align with the established protocols in netball regarding stoppages.