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First “big stage” game

S

smeagol


Referees in America
Link to live stream

Haven’t watched it back, but have it bookmarked for when I eventually do. Posting this now when it’s fresh to solicit constructive feedback.

Context - U19 Div 2 club final.

I…did not think I had a good game. Some things were out of my control, but IMO I couldn’t “control the controllables.”

Things out of my control - not being able to to a PMB with teams or my ARs due to timing/logistics. All of the games were on one field, and the first game (which I was ARing) went long by 40 minutes due to injuries.

Teams weren’t responding well to my management (black couldn’t tackle low, which led to five YCS; neither team couldn’t keep their gobs shut), and the radios were an amazing tool for the first 20 minutes, but then died.

I also blame myself for taking the spot offered despite having done zero U19 XVs since a blowout playoff game the year before.
 
Here that is not allowed to happen. The KO would be delayed for the PMB. No ifs and NO buts.

None of what you describe is "your fault"

You were appinted on the basis that they thought you suitable. Their call not yours. "They" should have allowed you "down time" between AR and REF or played it the other way around. YOU should have been alowed to prepare and focus.

The only slight thing is I would have insisted on the PMB. BUT, I know my society and the WRU REFEREES DEPT would back me 100%. You don't seem to have the same support fromr what I infer from yor prior posts.
 
smeagol said:
Link to live stream

Haven’t watched it back, but have it bookmarked for when I eventually do. Posting this now when it’s fresh to solicit constructive feedback.

Context - U19 Div 2 club final.

I…did not think I had a good game. Some things were out of my control, but IMO I couldn’t “control the controllables.”

Things out of my control - not being able to to a PMB with teams or my ARs due to timing/logistics. All of the games were on one field, and the first game (which I was ARing) went long by 40 minutes due to injuries.

Teams weren’t responding well to my management (black couldn’t tackle low, which led to five YCS; neither team couldn’t keep their gobs shut), and the radios were an amazing tool for the first 20 minutes, but then died.

I also blame myself for taking the spot offered despite having done zero U19 XVs since a blowout playoff game the year before.
Click to expand...

That's a horrible set-up for the game, it's always a struggle to get your head into it if you haven't had the chance to prepare.

I've not watched the whole game, but you seemed clear in your signals. We can't hear your communications, which also makes it hard to comment, especially when dealing with backchat! Did you escalate to cards for that?

It sounds like the difficult part was in making the right contact with the players - at that age you often have to keep a lid on frustrations and keep the energy directed into the game. What I notice is that at penalties you were quick to move to the mark and make the signal, but if the game is heating up or getting niggly I would be inclined to walk and make sure I made eye contact with the offender, say what you see ("black 12, offside, you need to be behind the back foot", rather than "offside!") - it just gives more of a feeling that you're in control and you're paying attention to the players, rather than keeping the game flowing at all costs as you might at a sevens match or when both teams are playing fast and clean.

But sometimes you have teams who aren't able or willing to play the game at the level you'd like to referee at, and you get a lot of cards and back-10s.
 
Re: PMB/support - the local society has a…testy relationship with the org that runs local youth rugby, especially when it comes to referee abuse. A number of older experienced refs refuse to do any youth games anymore, and after yesterday I’m joining them.

I did ping two players for backchat and probably should have gone to cards, but had to go the first team YC for high tackles less than 7 minutes in.

Re: calls - when I could easy ID players, I’d call them out (you use black 12 as an example, coincidentally that player was offside a few times, just couldn’t time the launch right)
 
Law 6.4 says:
"The match officials must inspect the players’ clothing and studs for conformity to Law 4."

Note the word MUST
 
Balones said:
Well I have to say that I admire how you cope with those line markings.
Click to expand...
Played the orange lines, by far the shortest field I’d ever been on. The distance between the 22m and 10m was maybe 10-11m. Plenty wide, but it took everyone time to adjust.

Reason eleventy six-million I hate refereeing on multi-sport turf.
Dickie E said:
Law 6.4 says:
"The match officials must inspect the players’ clothing and studs for conformity to Law 4."

Note the word MUST
Click to expand...
Agreed, and in hindsight should have pushed back.
 
Just flicked through the game, and overall I thought you did pretty well. Clear signals and secondary signals
As others have said, Never start a game without a PMB no matter how brief it is and who is pushing you to kick off.
You and ARs must check studs and clothing and always ensure Front rows are suitably trained and experienced.
One observation you seemed to signal time off every time you had a chat with players or ARs which I thought was unnecessary .
I wouldn't do that so often. Some smart *rse will have a clock on the sideline and be critical of what time you thought was left in game.
 
smeagol said:
Played the orange lines, by far the shortest field I’d ever been on.
Click to expand...

Am I imagining things, or... the goal line was on the white 5 yard line?
So you had to estimate where the goalposts would have been? Not even jumpers... ;^)
Or did you use the real goalposts eve though they were behind the dead ball line (which I assume is what the cones indicated)?

I admire the commitment of everyone involved.
 
jeremy said:
Am I imagining things, or... the goal line was on the white 5 yard line?
So you had to estimate where the goalposts would have been? Not even jumpers... ;^)
Or did you use the real goalposts eve though they were behind the dead ball line (which I assume is what the cones indicated)?

I admire the commitment of everyone involved.
Click to expand...
We used the American football posts.

The cones were for the spectators so thay they didn’t enter the pitch.
 
jeremy said:
Am I imagining things, or... the goal line was on the white 5 yard line?
So you had to estimate where the goalposts would have been? Not even jumpers... ;^)
Or did you use the real goalposts eve though they were behind the dead ball line (which I assume is what the cones indicated)?

I admire the commitment of everyone involved.
Click to expand...
USA Rugby has formal guidelines about using American Football fields.
 
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