Practical touch-judging
Country Rugby League
Referee Seminar
Wollongong 2010
Introduction
Difference between NRL & your grade?
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Communications gear
Technology
Media pressure
Most NRL sideline officials will use some
basic position and movement, but be sure
to follow your association/group protocols!
Position description
What does a touch judge do during a match?
Support referee
Touch & touch in goal
Kicks at goal
Back play
General decisions assistance
Communicate
This is done by being in best position and
showing urgency at all times!
Position – kick off
Position – short kick off
Position – Goal line drop out
Position – 20m optional kick
Position – 20m optional kick
Position – General play
Position – General play
Position – Scrums
Position – Towards touch
Position – Towards corner
Position – Goal kick
Position – Goal kick
Case study – Titans vs Cowboys
Various positioning and other issues
Back play & brawls
Watch where the ball has been
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Kicks, passes, scrums
Play advantage at all times
Brawl position – Mercedes Benz model
Do not get too close, use voice to control
Watch for runners, strikers and foul play
Identify the aggressor
 Hint: The aggressor is not necessarily
the person who threw the first punch!
Brawls
Video example
Reporting incident to referee
Identify who you want to report and let the
referee call out the player(s)
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Hint: Have a quick, quiet chat to the referee about
your report
State facts, use appropriate tone and do not
mimic actions
Keep your hands behind you or at your side
(hold flag)
Identify agressor
Wait until the referee allows you to leave then go
to the mark or back to the touch line
Do not anticipate the actions of the referee.
Reporting incident to referee
(How not to do it….)
Kicks in general play
GENERAL RULES FOR KICKS
Read the game to determine who will kick the ball, when
they will and where they will kick the ball to
Position on the field will determine if the kick will be
“long” or “short”
Note chasers that are off side
Sign off on kicker (backplay)
When the ball is in flight, be aware of where the ball is
but do not keep a watch on it
Be aware of blockers running protection lines
Follow the ball if it is running towards line
Key word is URGENCY.
Kicks - long
Additional hints for long kicks:
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Identify the kicker
Watch speed and direction of defending players
(especially markers)
Watch direction of kick blockers
Move briskly to ensure constant view
Take note of feet – 40m line.
Kicks - short
Additional hints for short kicks:
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Be especially aware of chasers
Be aware that a kicker will not usually get through a
compressed defence where the line is set. Collisions
are probable.
Interference is more likely where defensive line is
broken.
Communication
Limit your talk to players to 15m away
Talk as you would if you were the referee
Identify players who require to be
communicated with (eg winger may not
play the ball with the foot)
At breaks in play or at half-time, do not
bombard the referee with advice or
superfluous information
Do not dwell on negative aspects, provide
positives and some ideas for improving if
they ask for it.
Presentation
Team
Signals
Movement
Confidence
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Even if you doubt your decision!
Next week you may be in the centre and
the referee may be on your line…
Summary
Preparation is a must
Know your referee
Know the rules
Know the signals
Know where you have to be
Be a team player
Enjoy yourself
The game needs twice as many touch
judges as it does referees!
Finished!
Questions??