Referee decision making stats

[Phil E]

Hi

Does anyone have any stats available (or know where to find them) regarding the number of decisions a referee has to make each match, the % expected to be correct at top level, etc.
Decisions including the decision not to do something, or to have a word at the next breakdown, to remember a decision for later, etc. All the stuff we need to think about and keep in our brain.

I am sure I have seen something but can't remember where?

It's for a presentation on match official abuse.

Thanks in advance

 

[Marc Wakeham]

Sorry can't answer for you. Other than to concurthat I'm sure I have seen some.

 

[smeagol]

I've heard of a stat regarding the % that a referee awards advantage but goes back for the penalty, but that's it.

 

[tim White]

Start with about one decision to blow, not to blow, shout, etc at the rate of about once per second.

 

[didds]

certainly, even if subconscious, every pass has a decision made regarding it.

 

[crossref]

It's for a presentation on match official abuse.

Thanks in advance

If it's a referee giving the presentation then we have lost already.

Should be a club captain / coach / DOR / president doing it

If none of them are prepared to give it, well there's your problem right there

so Phil, by all means make helpful slides ...but don't give the presentation

 

[Decorily]

My personal average for mistakes is 1 per game! !

 

[Locke]

My personal average for mistakes is 1 per game! !

@Decorily for 2023 World Cup Final!!

 

[Decorily]

@Decorily for 2023 World Cup Final!!

Naw. .... getting my hair done that day!

 

[SimonSmith]

It's been a while since I read the paper, but your best chance at decent stats might be in here:

Identifying Best Practice for Referee Decision Making Communication in Association and Rugby Union Football.

digital.la84.org

 

[didds]

If it's a referee giving the presentation then we have lost already.

Should be a club captain / coach / DOR / president doing it

If none of them are prepared to give it, well there's your problem right there

I do agree - but were they asked? (rhetorical question)

 

[didds]

My personal average for mistakes is 1 per game! !

Is that the decision to actually turn up to ref ? ;-)

 

[Decorily]

Is that the decision to actually turn up to ref ? ;-)

Indeed!!

 

[Stu10]

My personal average for mistakes is 1 per game! !

When considering comment/abuse from players, how many mistakes do they make per game?

 

[Decorily]

When considering comment/abuse from players, how many mistakes do they make per game?

Apologies but I don't understand what you mean!

I've had some negative comments/abuse from players down the years but on the whole I'd have to say my experience has been more positive than negative.

 

[Stu10]

Apologies but I don't understand what you mean!

I've had some negative comments/abuse from players down the years but on the whole I'd have to say my experience has been more positive than negative.

Phil is gathering information for a presentation on match official abuse.

I'm making a general observation that players who criticise a referee for making mistakes rarely reflect and compare to the amount of mistakes they make during the game.

 

[Decorily]

Phil is gathering information for a presentation on match official abuse.

I'm making a general observation that players who criticise a referee for making mistakes rarely reflect and compare to the amount of mistakes they make during the game.

Indeed! !

Thank you

 

[Phil E]

I have looked at several 'papers' on this subject and found a variety of information. I have also added some myself by going through the law book and counting possible offences (rough numbers). For anyone who is interested here is the information in no particular order. I am not saying it is definitely correct, but its a starting point to work with.

Decision making - each on field decision requires the referee to make more than one physical or mental decision comprising of:

• Whistle yes or no
• Gaze - eye contact
• Posture or movement
• Signals
• Verbals
• Control or composure
• Time management

Offences, possible decision to make or consciously not make at each area:

• Tackle - 20
• Ruck - 24
• Maul - 23
• Touch - 83
• Scrum - 85
• Offside / Open Play - 30
• In-Goal - 20
• PK/FK Addition decision required - 25

Averages per game (these may be from top levels):

• PK - 26
• Tackles - 200
• Kicks in play - 36
• Player errors - 20
• Restarts - 38
• Distance covered - 6-8 Km

Each ruck has many decision points, then add tackles, broken play, kicks etc. and the referee is making approximately 1,000 decisions per game. Sometimes they are making several decisions at once. The referee must interpret in a split second a dizzying array of laws and each decision has implications leading to further decisions. Not calling an offence is still a decision that has to be made.

One stat I found in a survey where match officials had to watch dozens of clips and make decisions on only seeing each one once. Referee Coaches decisions were less accurate than the referees in 8 out of 10 situations.

 

[Stu10]

Thanks for sharing! Interested to hear more as this progresses.

One question, under Decision Making, for "Posture or movement" are you referring to player(s) or referee movement? If players, can you add referee movement/positioning to your list?

 

[Phil E]

Thanks for sharing! Interested to hear more as this progresses.

One question, under Decision Making, for "Posture or movement" are you referring to player(s) or referee movement? If players, can you add referee movement/positioning to your list?

No its referee posture or movement.