Umpires position

[nompere]

Yesterday I was out to watch a IPL match , during the match I have observed that the umpire standing at the striker's end (Chris Gaffaney)
 was taking 3-4 steps forward as soon as the bowler was starting his run up similar to a fielder taking up start for every delivery.
 
He was starting from 30 yard circle & moving 3-4 steps forward during bowlers run up & once the bowler was into his stride he was standing still.

Initially I thought he might be it doing it to avoid cramps / getting warmed up. But he was doing this consistently i.e., for the entire match when he was at the strikers end.

Not sure this is right way to do it, as an umpire you might miss few things.

[gooders]

Surely, the only person who knows why he does this is the man himself. It may even be a throwback to his playing days, and he might not be aware he does it. Sometimes, things creep into umpires' habits that they are not aware of, and as much as some of us would like to think, none of us are perfect.
I recall one incident when a player turned to me reminding me of that. he was amused by my response, which was something like "but as far as today's concerned I'm as close as you're going to get."

[tippex2]

It's possible (speculating without any first-hand knowledge) that he stands back a few yards as the bowler runs up in order to give a better view of the fielding circle, and then moves in a fraction closer to give a better view of a possible wicket-keeper encroachment.

[nompere]

Might be. But I guess it goes in line with what 'Gooder's has mentioned . ". It may even be a throwback to his playing days, and he might not be aware he does it. Sometimes, things creep into umpires' habits that they are not aware of. "