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PRACTICAL REFEREEING

TOUCH JUDGE POSITIONING:

GRASSROOTS LEVEL

(NO COMMUNICATIONS GEAR)

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The aims of the Touch Judge are:

To always be in the best position to see everything that happens during a game including play,
To communicate with the referee, players and the crowd, and
To assist the Referee in the performance of their duties.

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REMEMBER-

THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS

Keeping Up With Play

The Referee should aim to always be up with play

This means working hard throughout the entire game

Alertness

The Referee should be ready for anything

This includes not only being alert, but looking alert

Urgency

To ensure good positional play, the Referee must initially move with urgency

This creates time to move to the best position to make better decisions

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HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS PRESENTATION

Visual reference

Each graphic will show a facet of the game that the Touch Judge is expected to be in “best position”.

Best position

Each graphic will show the recommended starting point for Touch Judge positioning.

This starting point may be altered if there is a good reason to do so!

Movement pattern

Each graphic will show the probable movement pattern expected for the Touch Judge to be able to make a decision.

This movement may be altered if there is a good reason to do so

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WHERE DO I STAND?

KICK OFF

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LONG KICK OFF

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POSITION:

In line with where the ball is probably going to be caught, depending on the ability of the kicker and the weather/wind conditions.

Generally, a good position is for the both TJs to stand:

Between 0m and 5m in front of the goal line
Outside the touch line

ROLE:

Assist with dead ball and touch line decisions, as well as the catch, first passes and the tackle contact.

MOVEMENT:

This positioning allows the TJs to be able to move quickly to the line of the catch, or to the dead ball.
Be ready for an erratic bounce of the ball if it is not caught on the full
Move to get in line with the kick catch (to assist with knock on and first pass).
Time your run slightly so that you are just behind the contact of the first tackle contact, while watching the primary tacklers for point of contact, shoulder charge etc.

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SHORT KICK OFF

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Ball to be kicked this side

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WHERE DO I STAND?

DROP OUTS (GOAL LINE & 20M)

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LONG GOAL LINE DROP OUT

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WHERE DO I STAND?

20M OPTIONAL RE-START

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20M OPTIONAL RE-START

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Ball dead

this side

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WHERE DO I STAND?

GENERAL PLAY

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10M MOVEMENT PATTERNS

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The standard model of TJ positioning on the 10m is one TJ on the ruck and the TJ to assist the referee on the 10m.

To maintain consistency, TJ’s on the 10m should remain there until the next PTB occurs past the goal posts or near the 20m line from the touchline.

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GENERAL PLAY

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10M MOVEMENT PATTERNS

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Exception 1:

Both TJ’s will be back on the 10m when the play the ball is;

In yardage sets inside 0 – 20m, AND

Between the scrum lines

This is to assist the referee with quick line speed and shooters from teams in this field position.

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GENERAL PLAY

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10M MOVEMENT PATTERNS

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Exception 2;

90m to GOAL LINE POSITIONING�

The far side TJ will take up a position midway between the PTB and the goal line. When the PTB gets to within 5m of the goal line both TJ’s will take up a position in line with the ruck.

Both TJ must still be able to rule on offside players on the goal line. �

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CLOSE ATTACKING, WITHIN 10M OF GOAL LINE

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CLOSE ATTACKING, WITHIN 5M OF GOAL LINE

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WHERE DO I STAND?

PLAY NEAR TOUCH LINE

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GENERAL PLAY – NEAR TOUCH LINE

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GENERAL PLAY – NEAR TOUCH LINE

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WHERE DO I STAND?

KICKS

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TACKLE 5 KICK - DISTANCE

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TACKLE 5 KICK - DISTANCE

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TACKLE 5 KICK – ATTACKING

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WHERE DO I STAND?

SCRUMS

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SCRUMS

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The near side Touch Judge assists with setting the defensive line
They then move to a position in line with the lock of the feeding team

POSITION:

Far side TJ will stand back with where the defensive line should be standing.
Near side TJ will assist with setting the defensive line then move to a position in line with the lock of the feeding team. This is to assist with passes if the team decide to play down the short side.

ROLE:

Assist with setting and holding the defensive line

Use the flag in a horizontal signal while scrum is setting.
If defensive line is on side, drop flag as ball emerges.
If defensive line is off side, keep flag up to indicate that a penalty is required.

(Do not continue to keep flag up if the referee does not see you, or calls “play on”.

Watch the scrum for backplay incidents, after ball has emerged and moved clear

MOVEMENT:

Both TJs should move forward to get in line with passes, while maintaining vision on backplay.

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WHERE DO I STAND?

PENALTY KICKS & FREE KICKS

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PENALTY KICKS: FOR TOUCH

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POSITION:

Once the Referee has given the mark, a team can elect to kick for touch. When they do:

The TJ on the side where the ball is being kicked (near side) to should move to a position where they are able to see where the ball will cross the touch line.
The far side TJ should be 10m forward of the mark of the penalty.

ROLE:

The near side TJ will put their flag up once the ball has crossed the touch line and landed out.
The far side TJ should make sure players have retreated the correct distance in case of a quick tap.

MOVEMENT:

The near side TJ will either:

If ball clearly goes into touch: Move to a position where ball has crossed the touch line and raise the flag (see next slide)
If ball clearly stays in: No signal, move to get in line with play again (as per general play slide)
If ball is contested close to touch line: Move to a position where you can see feet, line and ball (as per previous “play near touch line” slide), make a confident decision and proceed as above

The far side TJ will move to a position 10m from where the flag is raised (see next slide), or continue in line with play.

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FREE KICKS

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WHERE DO I STAND?

CORNER POST DECISIONS

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CORNER POST DECISIONS – POOR POSITIONS

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CORNER POST DECISIONS – BEST POSITION

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CORNER POST DECISIONS – BEST POSITION

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WHERE DO I STAND?

KICKS AT GOAL

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CONVERSIONS – IN FRONT

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POSITION:

Both TJs should be standing behind the posts, slightly inside an extended line between the ball and their nearest goal post.
The ball will come very fast towards you, stay close to your nearest post so that you can judge “your side”.
For a conversion attempt, you can be inside the in-goal – but for any kick in front – the deeper back you start, the easier the decision will be!

ROLE:

Prior to kick, both TJs should assist with keeping the defending players outside of the field of play, ensuring they are not distracting the kicker
Make a decision and signal confidently

MOVEMENT:

Because of the speed that the ball moves, there will generally not be enough time to move, but TJs should be ready to quickly adjust if the ball hits the post (stay on your toes!)
Once they have adjudicated on the kick and signalled:

The Referee will blow the whistle or signal “no goal”
TJs should move with urgency to return to their positions for the kick off (ensuring they are not in the way of the defending players as they return)

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CONVERSIONS – OUT WIDE

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POSITION:

Both TJs should be standing behind the posts, slightly inside an extended line between the ball and their nearest goal post.
One TJ should be staggered a couple of metres behind the other (to allow for lateral movement without risk of collision)
For a conversion kick, you can be inside the in-goal area.

ROLE:

Prior to kick, both TJs should assist with keeping the defending players outside of the field of play, ensuring they are not distracting the kicker
Make a decision and signal confidently. Both TJs should signal at a similar time for a similar period of time (hint: the TJ at the back should take their timing off the TJ at the front)

MOVEMENT:

Because of the distance that the ball moves, there will generally be enough time to move:

Laterally to ensure that you are both in line with the ball if it passes close to the uprights
Forward if the ball just drops over the cross bar.

Be ready to quickly adjust if the ball hits the post (stay on your toes!)
Once they have adjudicated on the kick and signalled:

The Referee will blow the whistle or signal “no goal”
TJs should move with urgency to return to their positions for the kick off (ensuring they are not in the way of the defending players as they return)

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PENALTY KICKS: FOR GOAL

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POSITION:

Similar starting position for a conversion:

Both TJs should be standing behind the posts, slightly inside an extended line between the ball and their nearest goal post.
One TJ should be staggered a couple of metres behind the other (to allow for lateral movement without risk of collision)

FOR A PENALTY KICK YOU CANNOT BE INSIDE THE IN-GOAL AREA OR INTERFERE WITH A PLAYER CATCHING THE BALL CLOSE TO THE DEAD BALL LINE

ROLE:

Prior to kick, both TJs should assist with ensuring that players or officials are not distracting the kicker
Make a decision and signal confidently. Both TJs should signal at a similar time for a similar period of time (hint: the TJ at the back should take their timing off the TJ at the front).
Don’t forget to signal “dead in goal” if needed

MOVEMENT:

Depending on the time and distance that the ball moves, there may be enough time to move laterally to ensure that you are both in line with the ball if it passes close to the uprights
DO NOT MOVE FORWARDS INTO THE INGOAL AREA IF THE BALL DROPS CLOSE TO THE CROSS BAR!
Be ready to quickly adjust if the ball hits the post (stay on your toes!)
Once they have adjudicated on the kick and signalled:

Goal:

The Referee will blow the whistle and signal “goal”
TJs should move with urgency to return to their positions for the kick off (ensuring they are not in the way of the defending players as they return)

No goal and ball stays in play:

The Referee will signal “no goal”
TJs should move with urgency to return to their sidelines. They may need to cut the corner in order to get into position quickly, but ensure they play is not heading towards your direction as you move!

No goal and the ball goes dead in goal:

The Referee will signal “no goal”
TJs should move with urgency to return to their positions for the 20m drop kick restart – to around the 40m line depending on the ability of the kicker and weather conditions (ensuring they are not in the way of the defending players as they return)

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The aims of the Touch Judge are:

To always be in the best position to see everything that happens during a game,
To communicate with the referee, players and the crowd, and
To assist the Referee in the performance of their duties.

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THANK YOU