Good question upandunder.
I am disturbed to read that you perceive your assessments being less consistent as you climb the grades. I would expect, and find in our Society, Federation and certainly at Group Level 5 there is a remarkable consistency. We attend meetings, training and actual matches as a group of asessors to compare notes and deliver that consistent of approach. We observe /assess assessors (evidence gathering, match review and de-brief), read the referee Assessor feed-back forms, and grade them (at L6 and L5 we are graded in the same way as referees), we review a sample of reports and critique them, and take remedial action with assessors who are not following the RFU guidelines.
Some tips from my perspectiv (and just a few thoughts off top of my head) - OB, DaveT etc may have others :
Pre-match :
1.Do background research on both clubs' recent matches - read their web site reports, look at the league table, look at your postmatch notes from when you reffed them both in other matches re their styles and your good/bad points reffing them.
2. Have you had the assessor before - if yes re-read his report on you; if no, ask other refs about him - his style, his idiosyncracies, his pet area (we all have them and mine is pro-active preventative calls not re-active preventative 'white noise').
3. If your Assessor has not called you by Thursday evening, call him (not just a text or email) to confirm kick off time and venue plus demostrate you have already done your homework on the upcoming match re the teams, league positions, etc)
4. Arrive BEFORE the assessor, and at least one hour before the match. At L5 referee arrives 90 minutes pre-match and assessor at least one hour before kick-off.
5. Meet and greet assessor, have a bit of banter but don't give away your "areas to work on". If a first time meet with this assessor credentialise yourself, but don't talk yourself up. Talk about rugby topics in general, let assessor know when you have agreed you are doing each teams' studs, FR briefings and skippers briefing toss. Agree when you want to have radio test with assessor - usually 15 minutes to go. At that time ask where assessor will be positioned at kick off for radio check signal before you start. Agree post match de-brief time and location.
6. Arrive in #1s or Society / Fed / Group tracksuit, warm up fully, 'get into the zone', and look professional at al times.
The Match :
1. Referee as you normally do, no special efforts.
2. Key things an assessor is likely to look for :
a) Overall control of match - are you proactive, anticipating events, etc. Are you empathetic to what players are trying to do, are you spotting trends, etc ? This is the overall context in which the asessor will then assess specific parts of your performance and law knowledge. This is the most important thing I look at which is integrated with communication. Set out your standards in first 10 minutes at each phase of play and don't compromise them. Get it right in reeasing control or clamping down deending on match temperament. What are the key challenges ref faced in the match - did they change as match progressed, how did referee dreal with them ?
b) EFFECTIVE communication - whistle, signal, preventatives (with colour & #) only when needed (no whote noise), interaction with skippers, downtime chat with players, etc. Are you using ATP, do you escalate to warnings, YC based on trends, are you decisive and is judgement sound.
c) Selling your decisions to players and crowd. Not getting into debates about decisions.
d) Breakdown (THE KEY PART) - tackler away, ball release, arriving players thru gate, transition to ruck. Players on their feet, allow a contest, manage offside lines clase in AND in backs, manage guards. Penalise early. Keep moving, keep managing. if it becomes a MUCK stop early
e) Mauls - get both sides, remove players as necessary, no hands on oppo legs, early PK for collapse.
f) Scrum - CTPE at your pace, no pre-engagement, binds up and long, no early push, keep it static, keep back-rows bound and manage scrum halves at all times. 5m both sets of backs at al times.
g) Line outs - no pre-huddles, they decide numbers, metre gap every time, scrum halves and oppo to thrower al 2m, hooker throw in quick, no early jumps, watch for obstructing lifters, 10m on both sets of backs, arm signal consistent and correct (when ball leaves line of touch).
g) Advantage - offer only when available, consider then crisp arm and full call (scrum advantage blue), remind with arm & verbally if still playing it. Good loud OVER call. Is timing correct for scrum and PK advantage. Correct judgement re tactcal / territorial gain.
h) Open play - manages offsides, retreats of players ahead of kicker, etc
i) Positioning - is referee in right place at all times to see play unfolding and any material offences. Sprints away from breakdowns to next contact, third person to arrive at contact, open wide positions to see across pitch, not focussed on the ball, in line for forward passes, in goal positioning for tries.
j) General - appearance smart, looks fit, looks efficient, moves quickly around pitch.
Post match :
1. Look the part, look confident and controlled even if you think you had a car-crash match. Smile, talk to players, coaches, spectators in the clubhouse.
2. Do not be rushed into the de-brief. Sit and reflect in changing room post shower, get your thoughts together. Only go to assessor when you are ready.
3. De-brief is two way - both of you should give views. A good assessor will get you to talk and he will add his thoughts. Donot be dominated, ask (politely) for examples and evidence to back up assessors observations (but don't confront or challenge directly).
4. Be open minded not defensive and leave assessor with a positive impression - if he doesn't summarise the de-brief then you should - and emphasise the positives !
