In an exclusive The Courier poll, a majority of Ballarat Football Netball League coaches revealed they were against the new "stand the mark" rule being implemented this season.

Nearly 60 per cent of votes in the confidential survey were against the rule, which will see umpires tell defenders manning the mark to "stand", after which they aren't allowed to move from their position.

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The rule was designed to create high-octane football in the AFL, but its suitability at the lower levels is still unknown.

BFNL general manager Shane Anwyl previously said introducing the rule brought the league in line with other community competitions and the game's highest level.

"It's the right way to go about it as it flows down from the premier competition, that being the AFL," he told The Courier last month.

Ballarat Football Umpires Association head of umpiring operations Billy Mitchell said the region's umpires had spent the summer sharpening up on the new rules.

"We've been working with the clubs just to make sure everyone's on the same page," he said.

"I think it's going to be about explaining it if there is a penalty or a player has done the wrong thing under the new rules.

"We'll be letting them know before the game what they can and can't do so that way there will be no surprises.

"It will take a couple of weeks, but we think after that most players and umpires will have a good understanding."