For those who do low level schools or womens teams.

[Robert Burns]

Some of these games I have found can be

a) Very one sided and
b) Very slow and dull.

What do you do to keep your enthusiasm up through the game? Personally I try and have a bit of a sense of humour through the game, it seems to work for me, or otherwise I think I could end up blowing full time after the first 20 mins.

 

[Pablo]

Some of these games I have found can be

a) Very one sided and
b) Very slow and dull.

What do you do to keep your enthusiasm up through the game? Personally I try and have a bit of a sense of humour through the game, it seems to work for me, or otherwise I think I could end up blowing full time after the first 20 mins.

Yep, humour definitely the way forward in these situations. Just try and make sure that both sides are having fun and are safe. Some school and/or junior league have a 50 point difference cap ie. calling no-side as soon as one team reaches a 50 point lead. This seems pretty sensible to me.

Also, don't forget that as the referee you are "the sole judge of fact and of Law during a match" (Law 6.A.5.a). If one team is that far ahead, maybe your watch is running a bit faster than it normally does... no refereeing tool is as useful as the elastic minute...

 

[Robert Burns]

Problem you have though, by doing that you are now maybe depriving a team of points they could have maybe added in the last few minutes you cut short, points that could have led to extra points in the league. Need to keep it fair on both sides.

It's a tough call

 

[Red Munster]

Problem you have though, by doing that you are now maybe depriving a team of points they could have maybe added in the last few minutes you cut short, points that could have led to extra points in the league. Need to keep it fair on both sides.

It's a tough call

I don't think it does the losing team any good getting thrashed. I know in the World Cup, some teams were getting hammered but the referee played the full time allotted. I would have to say that if the losing team's coach signalled to me at a stoppage that he didn't want the game going on too long if it looked like they were going nowhere, I wouldn't have a problem stopping the game early. You want players to enjoy the game most of all and not alienate them from it, so in the spirit of that kind of thing I would and have stopped the game early.

 

[SimonSmith]

If it's a very lower level, and you are well within your comfort zone, there are a couple of things that you can do that will help you develop.

One is work VERY hard at your running and positioning. If the game is as you describe, you should be ideally positioned at all times!

One adviser did suggest that this is the placve to incorporate the advice that advisers and referees give you - new angles of running, and new positions.

And remember to maintain your concentration...

 

[Robert Burns]

I don't think it does the losing team any good getting thrashed. I know in the World Cup, some teams were getting hammered but the referee played the full time allotted. I would have to say that if the losing team's coach signalled to me at a stoppage that he didn't want the game going on too long if it looked like they were going nowhere, I wouldn't have a problem stopping the game early. You want players to enjoy the game most of all and not alienate them from it, so in the spirit of that kind of thing I would and have stopped the game early.

What if the team loses the league by one point, that extra 2 minutes could have been the difference, I know it's not nice for the losing team, but you may be taking bigger things away from the other team, this is also unfair. So IMHO, you should unless safety is comprimised, play the full 80, obviously this doesn't apply to cups/friendlies.

 

[Red Munster]

Robert, you're right. When I said I stopped the game early, it was for a friendly, not a league match. The team were getting royally hammered and it was only humane to put them out of their misery!

 

[Robert Burns]

yep, agree with friendlies & cup games.

I think the extra point for 4 tries is a bad ruling in the lower leagues, should just stick to x number of points for a win, and thats it.