mkottke
Referees in America
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This was forwarded to me by my union. A great article from the SA Rugby Referees website for our referee continuing education...
http://www.sareferees.co.za/referees_news/story_3907160042.php
Watson's advice to touch judges
2007-09-03 15:56:37
Concerned at several touch judge errors in recent matches, André Watson, the manager of South Africa's referees, has sent out advice to his referees who act as touch judges from time to time, this apart from analysing specific incidents..
The ROLE of the TOUCH JUDGE
If you have been appointed to a touch judging role you must accept that you are NOT appointed to make refereeing decisions. A touch judge has to concentrate on different aspects of the play from the referee and, at times, make decisions on different issues from those of the referee. Continuous concentration is paramount in performing your role well.
A well-performing touch judge is never in a position to comment on the quality of a referee's decision-making. The referee must concentrate on incidents close to the ball. The touch judge, on the other hand, should be concentrating on back play and issues pertaining to touch and should not be following the ball as it moves downfield.
It is essential for you to know the relevant laws. These include Law 6B Touch Judges; Law 10 (4) Dangerous Play and Misconduct; Law 19 Touch and Line-out; and, Law 22 In-goal.
Law 6B specifies the touch judge's duties as..........
1. ".... MUST hold up his flag when the ball or player carrying it has gone into touch ...."
2. ".... SHALL report incidents of foul play, and misconduct under law 10 to the referee ...."
3. ".... SIGNALING the result of a kick, and SHALL raise his flag if the ball goes over the cross bar ...."
Primary Role: Your primary role is to run touch: it is not to make refereeing decisions. The primary role also includes making decisions pertaining to kicks at goal.
Secondary Role: Your secondary role (equally important to your primary role) is to report on foul play.
Tertiary Role: Your tertiary role is to assist the referee when he is blind-sided but not to make refereeing decisions.
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR PRIMARY ROLE
Touch
1. Raise your flag in the air and immediately move to the place where the ball or ball-carrier has gone into touch.
2. The other arm will remain down and then will be raised horizontally (see photo in Law Book) when one of the following has occurred:
• a line-out has been formed as per law
• the ball is thrown in by the incorrect team
• the ball that went into touch has been changed, or after it went into touch has been touched by anyone except the player taking the quick throw-in
• the ball has touched a person not playing in the match
• the player throwing in the ball puts any part of either foot in the field of play.
If the referee does not see the arm raised horizontally, he will assume that a quick throw-in is permissible.
Remember it is for the referee and not for the touch judge to decide whether the ball has been thrown in from the correct place
Line-out
1. At line-outs the touch judge must ensure that the ball is thrown in from the correct position. The thrower must stand under the flag.
2. The thrower must not put any part of either foot into the field of play. Don't overreact, but if the thrower does not comply, after you've asked him to do so, keep your flag aloft as per law and let the referee make the decision.
Corner Post and Touch-in-Goal Decision-Making
The referee will advise both touch judges as to his preference at the pre-match briefing. Also take the TMO protocol into account.
1. Get into in-goal first, if possible. Confirm the try through coms. If there are no coms then use signals. Shake your head when a try is not scored or give thumbs up when a try is scored. Do this only when there is eye contact with the referee. Never raise your flag to communicate a try/ non-try.
2. If the ball or ball-carrier touches or crosses the dead-ball line or goes into touch-in-goal, the touch judge will indicate/coms first and then move to a place where play should restart (5m from the goal-line or to the 22m line) providing visual assistance for the referee in this regard.
• The signal when the ball or ball-carrier goes into touch in goal is to wave the flag forward and backward horizontally at waist height.
• The signal when the ball hits the corner post is the same as for the above.
Kicks at Goal / Conversion kicks
The referee will signal to the touch judges when a player indicates his intention to kick at goal. The touch judges will immediately take up a position behind the goal posts. The touch judge nearer to the kicker’s side will take up a position in the front and the other touch judge will be further back.
Communicate with your colleague whilst ball is in flight. Do not place flag in the air until you both agree to do so (see photo in Law book). No signal for a missed goal. Return to touch-line immediately for a re-start at the "22" or half way.
Inform ball boys not to stand inside the in-goal area at goal kicks, but behind the dead-ball line. Play is still alive!
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR SECONDARY ROLE
Foul play
Foul play must be signalled even if the referee has seen the incident or plays an advantage. The first action will be the flag being raised parallel to the ground and pointing across the field. (See photo in Law book) The touch judge will continue with his duties until play comes to a stop.
Any report to the referee pertaining to foul play will be brief and precise. It will initially be restricted to four points.
1. the jersey number
2. the team jersey color
3. a clear and concise description of the incident
4. the field location where the incident occurred.
NB It is also essential for the touch judge to be able to respond to the referee's potential request for recommended action (but only if requested). This could be:
• penalty and a talk to the offending player(s)
• penalty and caution (yellow card / sin bin)
• penalty and red card (send off).
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR TERTIARY ROLE
It is expected that you be able to assist and support the referee (BUT ONLY IF HE SEEKS YOUR ASSISTANCE) on in-goal, off-side, set play and general play decisions.
1. Talk to the referee at a line-out and at stoppages in play. Be as positive and supportive as possible. If there are issues that warrant mentioning (e.g. backs continually off-side at mauls) inform him but do not dwell on these issues as you are not the referee and it is up to him to deal with any onfield matters.
2. Assist the referee by using discreet (very discreet) signals (e.g. knock on, thumbs up for a try, or held up signal). HOWEVER, only display these signals in a discreet, non-demonstrative, fashion if the referee is looking at you, seeking your assistance. It is NOT your role to make these calls on behalf of the referee. You, as a team of three match officials, can look extremely incompetent if the touch judge is signaling held up as the referee awards a try.
3. Be in position, especially around the in-goal. If a try is coming your way get into in-goal or get as close as possible. Stop and stand still (in order to gain the best view) as the player goes across the goal-line. The worst position you can be in is at the goal post with the post infringing upon your view as the player places the ball. Do not make any signals unless the referee looks to you for assistance. In most cases involving in goal decisions, signals may not be warranted as the referee is likely to approach you and have a discussion if it is required.
4. Be sure that you, as a touch judge, do not line yourself up across the field with the other match officials. Ensure that you adopt the "lead and trail" positioning in order that a more complete view of the game is available to the team of three officials. (See heading under leading and trailing)
5. There are times throughout a game when the referee has to return to (or locate) a certain point on the field (e.g. when an advantage has not accrued, penalty kick or scrum downfield option, etc). Assist the referee by standing on the sideline so that the referee can use you to identify where this point should be located.
6. Be supportive of the referee at half-time. Ensure that he takes plenty of fluid and assist him by praising his efforts. DO NOT dwell on negative issues: you are the touch judge not the referee assessor. The best assistance you can give the referee is to motivate him for the second half by praising his efforts.
7. Be supportive of the referee after the game. Shake his hand, praise him for his efforts and walk with him to the change rooms. Encourage players, coaches, and club officials who wish to discuss rulings to allow the referee to have a shower. Support the referee in avoiding these types of non-productive debates (i.e. potentially unnecessary arguments). Discussions on the field are not warranted - wait until all have showered and heated exchanges will be less likely.
Leading and trailing
• At all times during play, particularly at scrums and mauls, the referee and touch judges will “triangulate” on the ball (leading and trailing TJs). The leading (near side) touch judge will take up a position on the other side of the phase of play to the referee. The trailing (far side) touch judge will observe their positions and will take up a position with a third view of play.
• When play breaks up after tackles/rucks/mauls or set pieces, the trailing TJ must “dwell” for a short period of time to ensure that all players are proceeding to the next passage of play.
Positional play for Leading and Trailing TJs
Kick off
Leading: Stand on the 10m line
Trailing: Move to the 22m line
Drop-out
Leading: Remain on the 22m line
Trailing: Move towards halfway line
Penalty kicks and Free kicks
Leading: Indicate the 10m mark from kick and move further down the touch-line for a possible kick for touch Indicate the 10m mark and remain there until the ball is kicked.
Trailing: Take up a position where the ball alighted into touch-line-out Mark the 10m offside line for the defending backline
Rucks/mauls/scrums
Leading: Triangulate
Trailing: Triangulate
Late tackles
Leading: Take up the mark where the ball bounced / alighted
Trailing: Keep the mark where the late tackle occurred
Open play
Leading: Triangulate
Trailing: Triangulate
Ball kicked over dead ball line
Leading: Follow kick towards in goal
Trailing: Keep the mark where possible scrum will be formed
ADDITIONAL REPONSIBILITIES
1. If a #4 and #5 has been appointed, he is responsible for the control of players entering or leaving the field. In the absence of a #4 and #5, it becomes the touch judge’s responsibility. It is therefore essential for touch judges to be totally familiar with Law 3 (Number of Players - The Team) and all potential issues pertaining to the application of the replacement and substitute laws.
2. It is essential for the touch judge to accept the role of back up timekeeper (Law 5 - Time 5.3) in case of the referee requiring confirmation of time (including sin bin times if no #4 and # 5 are appointed). A touch judge should automatically maintain time in accordance with local competition rules and in accordance with signalled stoppages by the referee (if applicable).
THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILTY OF THEM ALL
Enjoy yourself in your role as a touch judge. Accept that the role of a touch judge is different to that of a referee. However, it is nevertheless a very challenging role if it is performed correctly.
http://www.sareferees.co.za/referees_news/story_3907160042.php
Watson's advice to touch judges
2007-09-03 15:56:37
Concerned at several touch judge errors in recent matches, André Watson, the manager of South Africa's referees, has sent out advice to his referees who act as touch judges from time to time, this apart from analysing specific incidents..
The ROLE of the TOUCH JUDGE
If you have been appointed to a touch judging role you must accept that you are NOT appointed to make refereeing decisions. A touch judge has to concentrate on different aspects of the play from the referee and, at times, make decisions on different issues from those of the referee. Continuous concentration is paramount in performing your role well.
A well-performing touch judge is never in a position to comment on the quality of a referee's decision-making. The referee must concentrate on incidents close to the ball. The touch judge, on the other hand, should be concentrating on back play and issues pertaining to touch and should not be following the ball as it moves downfield.
It is essential for you to know the relevant laws. These include Law 6B Touch Judges; Law 10 (4) Dangerous Play and Misconduct; Law 19 Touch and Line-out; and, Law 22 In-goal.
Law 6B specifies the touch judge's duties as..........
1. ".... MUST hold up his flag when the ball or player carrying it has gone into touch ...."
2. ".... SHALL report incidents of foul play, and misconduct under law 10 to the referee ...."
3. ".... SIGNALING the result of a kick, and SHALL raise his flag if the ball goes over the cross bar ...."
Primary Role: Your primary role is to run touch: it is not to make refereeing decisions. The primary role also includes making decisions pertaining to kicks at goal.
Secondary Role: Your secondary role (equally important to your primary role) is to report on foul play.
Tertiary Role: Your tertiary role is to assist the referee when he is blind-sided but not to make refereeing decisions.
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR PRIMARY ROLE
Touch
1. Raise your flag in the air and immediately move to the place where the ball or ball-carrier has gone into touch.
2. The other arm will remain down and then will be raised horizontally (see photo in Law Book) when one of the following has occurred:
• a line-out has been formed as per law
• the ball is thrown in by the incorrect team
• the ball that went into touch has been changed, or after it went into touch has been touched by anyone except the player taking the quick throw-in
• the ball has touched a person not playing in the match
• the player throwing in the ball puts any part of either foot in the field of play.
If the referee does not see the arm raised horizontally, he will assume that a quick throw-in is permissible.
Remember it is for the referee and not for the touch judge to decide whether the ball has been thrown in from the correct place
Line-out
1. At line-outs the touch judge must ensure that the ball is thrown in from the correct position. The thrower must stand under the flag.
2. The thrower must not put any part of either foot into the field of play. Don't overreact, but if the thrower does not comply, after you've asked him to do so, keep your flag aloft as per law and let the referee make the decision.
Corner Post and Touch-in-Goal Decision-Making
The referee will advise both touch judges as to his preference at the pre-match briefing. Also take the TMO protocol into account.
1. Get into in-goal first, if possible. Confirm the try through coms. If there are no coms then use signals. Shake your head when a try is not scored or give thumbs up when a try is scored. Do this only when there is eye contact with the referee. Never raise your flag to communicate a try/ non-try.
2. If the ball or ball-carrier touches or crosses the dead-ball line or goes into touch-in-goal, the touch judge will indicate/coms first and then move to a place where play should restart (5m from the goal-line or to the 22m line) providing visual assistance for the referee in this regard.
• The signal when the ball or ball-carrier goes into touch in goal is to wave the flag forward and backward horizontally at waist height.
• The signal when the ball hits the corner post is the same as for the above.
Kicks at Goal / Conversion kicks
The referee will signal to the touch judges when a player indicates his intention to kick at goal. The touch judges will immediately take up a position behind the goal posts. The touch judge nearer to the kicker’s side will take up a position in the front and the other touch judge will be further back.
Communicate with your colleague whilst ball is in flight. Do not place flag in the air until you both agree to do so (see photo in Law book). No signal for a missed goal. Return to touch-line immediately for a re-start at the "22" or half way.
Inform ball boys not to stand inside the in-goal area at goal kicks, but behind the dead-ball line. Play is still alive!
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR SECONDARY ROLE
Foul play
Foul play must be signalled even if the referee has seen the incident or plays an advantage. The first action will be the flag being raised parallel to the ground and pointing across the field. (See photo in Law book) The touch judge will continue with his duties until play comes to a stop.
Any report to the referee pertaining to foul play will be brief and precise. It will initially be restricted to four points.
1. the jersey number
2. the team jersey color
3. a clear and concise description of the incident
4. the field location where the incident occurred.
NB It is also essential for the touch judge to be able to respond to the referee's potential request for recommended action (but only if requested). This could be:
• penalty and a talk to the offending player(s)
• penalty and caution (yellow card / sin bin)
• penalty and red card (send off).
ADVICE ON PERFORMING YOUR TERTIARY ROLE
It is expected that you be able to assist and support the referee (BUT ONLY IF HE SEEKS YOUR ASSISTANCE) on in-goal, off-side, set play and general play decisions.
1. Talk to the referee at a line-out and at stoppages in play. Be as positive and supportive as possible. If there are issues that warrant mentioning (e.g. backs continually off-side at mauls) inform him but do not dwell on these issues as you are not the referee and it is up to him to deal with any onfield matters.
2. Assist the referee by using discreet (very discreet) signals (e.g. knock on, thumbs up for a try, or held up signal). HOWEVER, only display these signals in a discreet, non-demonstrative, fashion if the referee is looking at you, seeking your assistance. It is NOT your role to make these calls on behalf of the referee. You, as a team of three match officials, can look extremely incompetent if the touch judge is signaling held up as the referee awards a try.
3. Be in position, especially around the in-goal. If a try is coming your way get into in-goal or get as close as possible. Stop and stand still (in order to gain the best view) as the player goes across the goal-line. The worst position you can be in is at the goal post with the post infringing upon your view as the player places the ball. Do not make any signals unless the referee looks to you for assistance. In most cases involving in goal decisions, signals may not be warranted as the referee is likely to approach you and have a discussion if it is required.
4. Be sure that you, as a touch judge, do not line yourself up across the field with the other match officials. Ensure that you adopt the "lead and trail" positioning in order that a more complete view of the game is available to the team of three officials. (See heading under leading and trailing)
5. There are times throughout a game when the referee has to return to (or locate) a certain point on the field (e.g. when an advantage has not accrued, penalty kick or scrum downfield option, etc). Assist the referee by standing on the sideline so that the referee can use you to identify where this point should be located.
6. Be supportive of the referee at half-time. Ensure that he takes plenty of fluid and assist him by praising his efforts. DO NOT dwell on negative issues: you are the touch judge not the referee assessor. The best assistance you can give the referee is to motivate him for the second half by praising his efforts.
7. Be supportive of the referee after the game. Shake his hand, praise him for his efforts and walk with him to the change rooms. Encourage players, coaches, and club officials who wish to discuss rulings to allow the referee to have a shower. Support the referee in avoiding these types of non-productive debates (i.e. potentially unnecessary arguments). Discussions on the field are not warranted - wait until all have showered and heated exchanges will be less likely.
Leading and trailing
• At all times during play, particularly at scrums and mauls, the referee and touch judges will “triangulate” on the ball (leading and trailing TJs). The leading (near side) touch judge will take up a position on the other side of the phase of play to the referee. The trailing (far side) touch judge will observe their positions and will take up a position with a third view of play.
• When play breaks up after tackles/rucks/mauls or set pieces, the trailing TJ must “dwell” for a short period of time to ensure that all players are proceeding to the next passage of play.
Positional play for Leading and Trailing TJs
Kick off
Leading: Stand on the 10m line
Trailing: Move to the 22m line
Drop-out
Leading: Remain on the 22m line
Trailing: Move towards halfway line
Penalty kicks and Free kicks
Leading: Indicate the 10m mark from kick and move further down the touch-line for a possible kick for touch Indicate the 10m mark and remain there until the ball is kicked.
Trailing: Take up a position where the ball alighted into touch-line-out Mark the 10m offside line for the defending backline
Rucks/mauls/scrums
Leading: Triangulate
Trailing: Triangulate
Late tackles
Leading: Take up the mark where the ball bounced / alighted
Trailing: Keep the mark where the late tackle occurred
Open play
Leading: Triangulate
Trailing: Triangulate
Ball kicked over dead ball line
Leading: Follow kick towards in goal
Trailing: Keep the mark where possible scrum will be formed
ADDITIONAL REPONSIBILITIES
1. If a #4 and #5 has been appointed, he is responsible for the control of players entering or leaving the field. In the absence of a #4 and #5, it becomes the touch judge’s responsibility. It is therefore essential for touch judges to be totally familiar with Law 3 (Number of Players - The Team) and all potential issues pertaining to the application of the replacement and substitute laws.
2. It is essential for the touch judge to accept the role of back up timekeeper (Law 5 - Time 5.3) in case of the referee requiring confirmation of time (including sin bin times if no #4 and # 5 are appointed). A touch judge should automatically maintain time in accordance with local competition rules and in accordance with signalled stoppages by the referee (if applicable).
THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILTY OF THEM ALL
Enjoy yourself in your role as a touch judge. Accept that the role of a touch judge is different to that of a referee. However, it is nevertheless a very challenging role if it is performed correctly.
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