How to referee

REFEREEING TIPS FOR SOCIAL TOURNAMENTS

1. BRIEFING THE REFS

* It is important to give the refs a brief at the beginning of the tournament so that everyone knows what is expected of them and refereeing is consistent across the tournament.
* Make sure refs are familiar with the rules.
* Please note, referees may need to be briefed again as the tournament progresses.

N.B. If possible, it is helpful if the referee co-ordinator has a good knowledge of the rules, so they can brief the refs at the start of the tournament and resolve any issues. If this isn’t possible, the overall tournament co-ordinator can fulfil this role.

2. SETTING SOME GROUND RULES FOR THE PLAYERS

At the beginning of the tournament, have a chat to all the teams to set some basic ground rules, so all the players know what to expect. This information can be reiterated before each game in the first stages of the tournament, if necessary.

You may want to cover the following:

* The range of abilities represented.
* The social nature of the competition – The name of the game is for everyone to have fun.
* Leniency – Because you want everyone to enjoy themselves, you may be more lenient to begin with, so less experienced teams can learn. However, the stringency of the refereeing will increase as the tournament progresses.
* Coaching – To begin with you may offer some coaching to less experienced teams (please see below). This should hopefully make the games less disruptive in the long run, as everyone gets up to speed with the rules.

3. COACHING DURING THE GAME

* In early games, you may offer some coaching to less experienced teams during the game – e.g. In a touch rugby game, you might show a player where the mark is and advise them to take the ball back after each touch or show them how to do a proper roll ball. Don’t just play on when infringements occur, or no one will learn, but don’t be pedantic.

* After the first few minutes, warn the teams that you will start to penalise ‘big’ offences – although don’t be TOO strict. It is important to ensure that teams have had enough time to realise what they are doing wrong and that they are trying to learn to do it the right way.

* Warn the more experienced team that you are going to be lenient for the first few minutes to pre-empt any frustration. Urge them to be a little patient, as everyone has to learn at some stage.

N.B.

* BE CONSISTENT – If you are letting one rule slide for one team, it’s unfair to penalise the opposing team for the same offence.
* DON’T BE TOO LENIENT FOR TOO LONG – As the games wear on, you will have to tighten up the rules, or the more experienced teams will start to get frustrated.

4. NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES

* There are certain rules you cannot afford to be lenient on or the whole game breaks down. Work out what these are and penalise them. E.g. In touch rugby, the 5 metre rule is pretty critical.

* There are certain rules you should uphold from the start, regardless of the level of experience, because they are so obvious – E.g. If someone runs out of bounds in a field game or the ball is out in a tennis match. Similarly, if someone throws a blatant forward pass in touch rugby.

5. DISCIPLINE

* Referees should be authoritative – Stick to your guns and do not let a whingeing or aggressive player make you change your mind. Once you look like you can be swayed, you have lost player respect and therefore control of the game.

* If a player becomes upset on the field, the referee should keep calm and professional. Have a quiet word in the player’s ear and if he / she continues to be difficult, politely ask them to sub off.

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