ARRA – Sevens 2014
Introduction
Roles
Referee
AR
Coach
Selector
Expectations
From the coaches / selectors
From each other
From the teams
Timetable
Training
Tournaments
Game Awareness / ‘Pictures’
Tackle.
Maul
Foul play
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Roles:
Referee: Elite or Open
Elite referees would be aligned to the top
tournaments. ie Auckland Club, Condors,
Middlesex.
But can referee at Open tournaments. These are
not necessarily ‘Premier Referees’.
Open Referees would be aligned to the
next tier tournaments. ie: Samoan, Tailevu …
Initially each referee has been pigeon-holed
alongside elite or open depending on previous
tournaments, but every referee can move up
or down depending on performances.
Some referees are unknown in 7s and will be
assessed as they are seen.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Roles
Coaches: To date there are only a small number of
Sevens coaches. Over the coming season
we want to increase those numbers.
Each new coach will work alongside more
experienced coaches. Watching games /
feedback. Then they will gradually be let loose.
The intention is that Coaching will only be
done during the round robin stage. Referees
should know by that stage what is required
to progress in the tournament or what is
required to advance themselves for the next
tournament.
There are a number of opportunities open to the
right coaches. Coaches have been sent overseas
to Dubai, Singapore and Fiji to name a few places.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Roles
Selectors: After round robin games are completed
some of the coaches will move across into
a selectorial role.
The finals will be decided on post round robin
games, however you need to be performing
from game one.
Ideally the top four will get Cup ¼ finals, then
compete for [in order] Cup final, Cup semi and
Plate final. Bomb your ¼ and someone else
will take your spot. No relaxing!!!
The ARRA selectors [Morgan, Elliot, & Rennie]
will be coming to some tournaments and may
be having some input into who might be the
best option for the finals.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Roles
ARs / IGARs
Because of the speed of the game, these roles
are very important. The winning and losing of
some of these big tournaments can be the result
of a decision made by an AR or IGAR.
For that reason some training will be focused on
those roles.
For the Elite tournaments ARs will be appointed.
During those tournments IGARs will also be
appointed for Finals.
For open tournaments, Referee and AR will
interchange.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Expectations
Teams: Each team that you referee or AR for expect
that we are performing from game one.
Especially during some of the Elite tournaments.
That means that we are knowledgeable on the
law; that we can keep up with play; and most
or all; we are consistent. Not only during that
game, but all ruling the same way.
The teams want to know what to expect from
game to game. All refereeing the break-down
the same way; we are consistent with tackle /
ruck / maul. We are consistent with foul play.
Hopefully through training we will all be looking
at the same ‘pictures’ and making the same
decisions.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Expectations
From Coaches:
Our expectations of referees are simple.
Referee every game like it’s your final game.
It might be!
Be prepared to make a self evaluation prior to
coaches comments. That might be all that is
necessary.
If you know what went wrong,
why should we say anything. If you had a
good game then again we won’t need to
comment for the sake of it.
But listen to suggestions that the coaches do give.
Some might be worthwhile and actually work.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Expectations
Of Coaches:
Allow the referee to make a self evaluation.
That might be all that is necessary. Referee
to lead any post match discussion.
Only comment if its needed. Don’t comment
for the sake of it.
Comments should be to enhance the referees
performance, not pull apart. There is only
a short time to discuss. Two points max.
New Coaches: This is not 15s. There is a lot more
difference than just the numbers on the
paddock. The first tournaments are training.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Expectations
Each other:
There will be experienced and not so
experienced referees and coaches, all out
there trying to do our best.
Work in you teams of three [if applicable] to
provide the best we can.
Help each other. Pointers / trends …
Stay focused whether ref or AR. As an AR we
can make a ref look good or rubbish. Make
them look good.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Expectations
ARRA
Not so much an expectation but a goal.
We want to be known as the ‘Go To’
Association for top sevens tournaments.
To be known for supplying top sevens referees
and coaches in our part of the world … and
beyond.
We want to push our top ‘Sevens’ refs into the
National panel through Sevens, not 15s.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Timetable
Training:
Tonight in an introduction and some game
awareness.
Next week the 6th of October we hope to have
Waisake Sututu, Ed Cocker and Rocky Khan
along to talk about what they are trying to
achieve as coaches and players.
On the 13th of October, we will have
Matt Stanish and Nick Bryant along to run
through on field game awareness and talk
about some of their experiences and what
expectations were put on them as they
rose through the sevens ranks.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
Timetable
To date there are over 20 tournaments on
record.
From Under 15s through to Auckland Club
and Condors.
Plenty of opportunity for everone.
As each tournament approaches an email will
be sent out advising what is required.
Everyone wants to be considered for the
Condors. This is not going to be the first or
second tournament that you do this season.
Be available for at least two prior.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
ELITE Tournaments:
Once the email has been sent out asking for referees
and ARs, those who respond earliest will get priority.
The size of the tournament will dictate the number of
Referees required. Ideally 5 is the maximum number
of games a referee will be appointed to per day.
[ie: three round robin games, a ¼ and a final].
AR numbers will also be dictated by the size and type
of tournament. ie: when IGARs will be required.
ARRA – Sevens 2014
OPEN Tournaments:
Once the email has been sent out asking for referees
again those who respond earliest will get priority.
The size of the tournament will dictate the number of
Referees required.
Teams of three will be set up. Ideally all of different
Abilities, which will assist with upskilling.
Each team will be given a field for an hour. They ref
1 game and AR 2 games. The team leader will decide
on the order. The team will then have an hour break.
Each team will be assessed for finals appointments.
Changes to teams may or may not occur.
Game Awareness.
1. Tackle
Desired Outcome – ‘Quick ball’ immediately
available for play = Ball in play longer.
Priorities:
• Ensure that the tackled player is released
irrespective of whether the tackling player is on
his feet or not.
• Remember player effecting tackle, not a ‘tackler’
unless he goes to ground also.
• Ensure that all arriving players come ‘through
the gate’
• Players to roll away in the ball ‘placement area’.
• Tackle only = No off-side lines only tackle entry.
[CLIPS]
2. Scrum
Desired Outcome – Tidy scrum/Straight put – in
Priorities:
• Consistent engagement procedure 3 calls.
• Correct ‘high’ binding (not on floor or shorts)
• Watch for opposite loose-head pushing up & around
• View deliberate kick through by opposing players
• Watch for teams pulling back at ‘Set’.
• Ensure both teams pushing forward on both sides.
3. Line Out
Desired Outcome – Tidy line-out 2x2 metre /10
metre ‘spaces’
Priorities:
• Ensure that if there is a receiver, he does not join /
compete in the line out (before the ball is thrown)
• Ensure that there is a 2x2 defender in the 5 metre
channel.
• Use of AR’s for 5M channel
• 10M offside line
• Ball in-touch v quick throws
4. Advantage
Desired Outcome – No unnecessary stoppages:
“Think-quick: blow-and go”
Priority:
• Penalty Advantage IS IMMEDIATE or it’s not an
advantage.
• Clear signalling and calling
• Decisions to play advantage, call ‘advantage’
advantage over’ or “no advantage” demonstrate
game understanding.. Tactical v Territorial. ‘Going
back to come forward’.
• Recognize that emphasis on clean possession
against unorganized defence rather than territory
• Impact on playing time of game for no gain in
ground by attacking team.
• Difference between Scrum v PK advantage
5. Positioning
Desired Outcome –Stay in shot … or ‘Ball in line’
Priorities:
• Generally in line with the ball in General play.
Should play come towards you, push to
Defenders Line, but not in ‘defender’s space’ to
create a hole.
• Speed of movement to the break down, Rubberband in/out if ‘numbers’ at breakdown.
• Use inside 15m lines, use AR’s for in-line passes.
• Stay at mark for PK/FK (avoid turning back to
play to get to defenders 10 and losing
perspective of the 10 metres
• North / South v Coastal
North / South
Coastal
Optimal
Operating
Area
Assistant Referees & In Goal IGAR
To concentrate on following areas which will also be assessed
by ref-coaches as part of the ‘team of three’
Positioning:
Desired outcome – Demonstration of working as a
team to both assist the referee and facilitate best
officiating.
Priorities:
• Generally on the attacking line (ARs) /in line with
the ball (IGARs to be in a position to observe in-goal
decisions)
• Following in for tries ARs close - but not too close plus (IGARs) Note If player is running to corner,
stop & observe
• Scrum sets AR’s 5M ‘right’ except in ‘red zone’
• Line-outs 5M & assist not-straight issues, ball used
for quick throws per law
Assistant Referees & In Goal IGAR
To concentrate on following areas which will also be assessed
by ref-coaches as part of the ‘team of three’
Substitution process to be at appropriate time (ball
dead) with ref knowledge.
IGAR to indicate successful goals
Intervention & Communication (team of three)
Desired outcomes & Priorities:
The need for intervention must be clear and obvious
Communication must be clear and concise
Flag issue / Take time to get decision right;
Colour, number, offence & recommendation.
Don’t be offended if recommendation is not used.
Referee may have seen incident or is reading the game
and taking into affect what the outcome might be.
Questions?