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REFEREEING IN 2023/24�THE QUICK GAME

You can give them the opportunity even if you can’t make them comply.

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MECHANICS

A – POSITIONING - need to be in correct place to make decision:-

1 - breakdown, there and able to see
2 - anticipation ahead of reaction, move to next phase:
ANTICIPATE, MOVE, POSITION
3 – 45d and close, 45d and wide, chariot for pick and drive – blind side generally a poor option
4 – turn with ball from 45d, let your head guide your body – allows you to see ball at all times
5 – chariot for pick and drive and if ball goes wide short cut

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6 - line out, generally at the back between 45d and centre of l/o – this reduces field size and allows easier access to play
7 – front of l/o on defensive ball within 10 metres of defensive try line, if you want to
8 – scrum, widen and turn when infield, look to short cut as appropriate when on blind side if you have followed the attacking 9 – you can short cut immediately by going behind the defensive scrum. Your choice, read the situation
9 – 5 metre scrum, look to short cut when 8 picks and drives for line on opposite side to you – aim to see ball grounded not triumphant arses

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B – NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF BALL:-

1 - when talking to players keep the ball in sight rather than the players, i.e. after penalties and free kicks
2 - after award of penalty or free kick watch the ball, ensure release and that it is not taken away
3 - must know where ball is in tackle, ruck, maul or blow the whistle – do not blow too often so keep it in sight

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C – PENALTIES AND FREE KICKS:-

1 - first thought – quick tap
2 - go away from the mark not towards it, point and speak about the mark not the offence
3 - if no quick tap go back in and make the mark and then explain the decision IF NECESSARY
4 - primary and secondary signal to be seamless
5 – attacking 5m penalty, get behind goal (try) line

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D – LINEOUT:-

1 - deal with early jump and delayed throw immediately and decisively, 1st time words and reset, 2^nd time free kick
2 – must be no delay between attack entering the line and ball thrown in – get all of called numbers in not just front and back – line must settle and then ball comes in. Remedy is whistle and warn and if repeated, FK and escalate from there
3 - be aware of illegal maul set up – lifters either side of catcher getting in front of catcher and blocking the opposition
4 – pulling down and tipping, penalty, yellow card, red card
5 – jumping across and throwing across
6 – playing in the air

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E – TACKLE, RUCK AND MAUL:-

1 - identify each structure clearly and quickly
2 - DO NOT call TACKLE, speak to encourage tackler release, ball release and rolling away – minimalism rules but the worse the standard the more talk needed
3 - at tackle no offside line but awareness of 1 man ruck (half ruck) entry through gate, support going to ground, latching and handling on floor
4 - DO CALL RUCK, for full ruck nothing more is needed, ruck means no hands
5 – AT HALF RUCK, if you need to speak call OFFSIDE LINE– “there is an offside line”

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6 - RUCK needs attention to offside line, gate, hands on floor, guards and “use it”
7 - offside line, need to monitor defensive backs, time your scanning
8 - DO CALL MAUL
9 - look for joining through gate, pulling down and going to ground to be fallen over

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F – COMMUNICATION:-

1 - how do you present? - in control, nervous, arrogant – a heavyweight or a lightweight
2 - talk to captains when it suits you and on your terms
3 - only stop game to talk to captain if absolutely necessary
4 - the quicker the game the less chat there will be
5 - DO NOT MARCH THEM 10 METRES FOR TALKING,
6 - APPEALING and Values of the Game VOGs must be dealt with.

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DELIVERY OF RED AND YELLOW CARDS

1 – do not have a conversation

2 – do not assemble a cast of thousands

3 – produce card early and shape expectations

4 – dominate the exchange

5 – 10 MINUTES OR 26 WEEKS?

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G – ADVANTAGE:-

1 - KNOCK ON – decent possession only is required – decent in terms of pressure and position
2 - PENALTY – DO NOT bring your mother in law to games
3 - Law 8.2 – “a mere opportunity to gain advantage is not enough”
4 – TACTICAL or TERRITORIAL
5 – Law 8.2(c) – TERRITORIAL ADVANTAGE MEANS A GAIN IN GROUND
6 – Law 8.2(d) – TACTICAL ADVANTAGE MEANS FREEDOM FOR THE NON OFFENDING TEAM TO PLAY THE BALL AS THEY WISH

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7 – BENEFIT OF QUICK TAP:-

a - offenders must retreat
b - ball must be given up by offenders or?
c - prevents defence regrouping
d - moves responsibility from referee to players – they now decide, tap and go or kick for points or position
e - if playing advantage think about an acceptable outcome when it starts – do not wait to see what develops

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Key Principles - Overall

#BePartOfTheTeam

Speed
Fitness
Be there to spot the FIRST offence

Anticipation (where is it likely to go)
Scrum centre of pitch (8,9,15)
Maul at lineout (centre)

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Key Principles - Lineout

#BePartOfTheTeam

Position (at back) - options
Where is the next phase likely to be?
Less time running
Visibility

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Key Principles - Scrum

#BePartOfTheTeam

Who’s ball is it?
Where is the next phase likely to be?
Do you always stay with the SH?
Who wants to offend?

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Key Principles - Open play

#BePartOfTheTeam

Visibility
Got to be at the next breakdown
Outcomes
Anticipation is key

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PO#4

#BePartOfTheTeam