Referee Positioning
Set pieces and tackle
“What is the ‘best’ position for the referee in each
situation?
As simple as this question is, the answer is even simpler:
There is no ‘best’ position applicable to every referee
in every situation.”
-
World Rugby, Officiating, Role of the Match Official: Match Official Positioning
Although there is “no ‘best’ position applicable to
every referee in every situation” there are
aspects that do improve the possibility to make
the “right” call:
1. Have a reason for being in a certain position.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Be there to make the call - fitness.
Know your lines - where is the next “play going to develop.”
Have an idea of what might be the intent (strength) of each team in the next phase.
Understand that there needs to be a place for the referee on the field as well.
You may get bumped at times - actually you should get bumped at times.
“Knowledge of the Game is vital here [positioning on
the field] because it determines the priorities when
looking for the best possible positioning in a particular
situation. The level and speed of the game you
referee requires also flexibility in terms of running
patterns and lines. Referees fitness and good
acceleration will allow to adapt over the period of 80
minutes.”
-
World Rugby, Officiating, Role of the Match Official: Match Official Positioning
Positioning needs constant adaptations
and the best position is never a fix-point
but a constant strive for the ‘best
possible’ solution in that particular game
situation with regard to:
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The ball.
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The ball carrier.
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The opponent of the ball carrier.
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The position of the other players.
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The position on the pitch.
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World Rugby, Officiating, Role of the Match Official: Match Official Positioning
Positioning at Kickoff and Restarts (22-drops)
Positioning at Kickoff and Restarts (22-drops)
Kick-off(s)
●
Start at a position a few metres from the
ball.
●
Be behind the halfway line in line with the
kicker with the ball between the referee and
the kicking team - allows you to look down
the line for offside.
●
Begin to move with the kicker and as soon
as the ball is kicked then. accelerate to be in
line with the ball to be as close as possible
to where the next phase of play will develop.
22- Meter variation:
●
Make sure it is the same ball
●
Be prepared to adjust to kicker’s position “anywhere behind the 22.”
Shawn Bastic - Old Blue v Boston - kickoff, 1
Shawn Bastic, Old Blue v Boston, Kickoff, 2
Positioning at the Tackle
Positioning at Tackle
“You want to be first to the party, but
not the last to leave.”
-
Al Klemp
Positioning at the Tackle: But where?
“The Tackle Contest Zone and Referee Positioning.” USA Rugby: USA Rugby Referees, Resources.
Positioning at the Tackle
“The Tackle Contest Zone and Referee Positioning.” USA Rugby: USA Rugby Referees, Resources.
Positioning at the Tackle
Mike Cobb, tackle contest zone
Positioning at the Tackle:
1.
Get to the tackle
a. Tackle sequence
b. Manage
2.
Drop back to a 45* angle
a. Observe support players
3.
Slide out to A-gap - get on toes to move to next play.
a. Creates a presence (you) for the back line - allows you to
communicate with defensive line.
b. Monitor defense for offside and create space.
c. Forwards - pick-and-go/forward play can happen in space,
there for next breakdown.
d. Backs - ball passes behind back to backline, allows
ref to turn and follow next play in rather than pirouette.
Shawn Bastic, Old Blue v Boston, kickoff, scrum, breakdown, try
Shawn Bastic, Old Blue v Boston, lineout, breakdown, turnover
“The closer you are to the action, the less of it you can see. If you are 5m from a ruck, then the extreme edges of the ruck are about
45° apart in your field of vision, but if you are 15m from the ruck, then they are about 15° apart, which means more of the action is
happening in your line of sight.” Cook, Ian (New Zealand, Level 2 Ref). “Top Referee Positioning.” Rugby Refs.com.
Positioning at Tackle:
Saddle/Chariot Position
Advantages:
● Allows you to continually view
breakdown.
● Gives access to running line
● Gives a decent view of defensive
backline.
● Level of play - lower levels, ball
is slower, SH can’t make pass,
often times the breakdown is
behind the gainline.
Disadvantages:
● Potentially puts you in the way of
a weak-side play
● Allows view of defensive
backline, but does not establish
a presence, nor does it lend
itself to managing defensive line.
Positioning at the Scrum
Positioning at the Scrum
Pre-engage:
●
Stand side-ways facing touchline - enables
you to manage loose-head, view binds…
●
Initially stand close to scrum, stay with scrum
through engagement (steady).
Positioning with Scrum-halfs:
●
In front of at first, to the right side, or perhaps
in between.
Engagement:
●
●
●
●
When ready step back a few meters - allows
clearer view of binds, feed, and backs.
Don’t bend over to watch feed.
As ball is won move inline with ball
As ball is produced follow attack - inline or
into next breakdown.
●
Why go to the other side?
Shawn Bastic - Old Blue v Boston - scrum
Scrum Positioning:
Four B’s:
-Bind
-Back-row
-Ball
-Backs
Positioning at Lineout
Positioning at Lineout
Try to be first to the line-out - check place of
touch quickly then face in-field:
●
Watch arriving players - don’t keep back
turned.
●
Monitor the setting of the line-out: first man
in line (5 meters), the number of players...
Referee’s four basic positions:
●
Front of the line-out:
Attacking-side
Defensive side (inside the 22).
●
Back of the line-out:
Attacking-side
Defensive-side
Vary your position as intent, strengths, possibilities, and location on the pitch dictate.
Be on the balls of your feet to facilitate progression to next phase.
Shawn Basic, Old Blue v Boston, [back of] lineout
Mike Kelly, Mystic River v Old Blue - lineout to breakdown, 1
Mike Kelly, Mystic River v Old Blue - lineout to breakdown, 2
Positioning at a Maul
Maul positioning is perhaps the most dynamic being stationary is going to give a limited purview.
●
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●
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Arrive
Locate ball
Drop back into 45* angle
Manage the maul situations - arriving players,
as players come offside, defensive line
BE WILLING TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO
SIDE
Don’t be as quick to move to A-line or gap, as
you might in a ruck situation due to the fluidity
of a maul.
Shawn Bastic, Old Blue v Boston, Lineout to Maul (movement and management)
Positioning at Goal Line
Positioning at Goal Line
Put yourself in the best position to see the
grounding of the ball…
●
●
●
If play allows, GET IN GOAL - let the
play come to you.
Be on a pivot - especially important
when continual pick-and-goes are being
employed by attacking side.
(Communicate with ARs (or even TJs)
to work in tandem.)
When following a run in (especially when
defense is present), do not go directly to
ball, rather run in-line with ball - better
opportunity to see the grounding.
2015 D1A National Championship: St. Mary's vs Life - Goal line pivot - Phil Akryod
“How You’ll Get in Trouble”: Be aware of...
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●
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Not knowing why
“Being stagnant
Ball focused
Facing touchlines
Play is behind you
Waiting”
-
Josh Houston
Resource
Resources
“2015, USA Rugby D1A National Championships: St. Mary’s College vs Life University.” USA Rugby. 8 June, 2015. Web. 16 February, 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFPYSI-aQhQ.
“ARP 2015: Old Blue vs Boston.” Next Level Rugby. 22, October, 2015. Web. 11 February, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcePQedBaEw.
Bastic, Shawn (USA National Panel Referee). Personal Email. 4 February, 2016.
Cobb, Mike (Match Official Technical Director for USA Rugby). “The Tackle Contest Zone and Referee Positioning.” USA Rugby:
USA Rugby Referees, Resources. Web. 12 February, 2016. http://usarugby.org/referee-resources.
Cook, Ian (New Zealand, Level 2 Ref). “Top Referee Positioning.” Rugby Refs.com. May 28, 2011. Web. 15 February, 2016.
Houston, Josh (USA National Panel Referee). “Running Lines and Referee Positioning.” CARFU Referee Society. February 2013. Web. 10 February, 2016.
https://vimeo.com/60755504.
“Northeast D1 Rugby: Mystic River vs Old Blue.” Next Level Rugby. 29 October, 2015. Web. 12 February, 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlgV6tGRt-4.
Rugby Refereeing in Practice: a guide for rugby referees. International Rugby Board. Dubline, Ireland. 2004. Web. 15 February,
2016.
Rugby Refereeing. SoCal Youth Rugby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVcLbcMHxyY. 9 February, 2014. Web. 16 February,
2016.
Not an option
“Rugby Referee Positioning” created and presented by Thomas Foley, Midwest Territorial Referee (20 February, 2016),
Midwest Referee Society AGM, Chicago, IL. [email protected]