New Ref : First Game : My post match thoughts/report.

[The Fat]

Psychic,

Here is a link to a PDF download of "Rugby Refereeing in Practice".
There are some handy tips in there.
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/train...actice_426.pdf



Also one for the more learned among us
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/train...ctise_1096.pdf

[Dixie]

Psychic, I fully understand your reluctance to get back on the horse. I will say, however, that there are loads of refs who have come on here after a car-crash game, in much the same state of dismay as you were. Every time, they've been nudged back into the fray with the promise that the next game will be a completely different experience - and guess what? As often as not, they've reported that the next game was an absolute joy to ref, restored their faith in themselves and human nature, and thus starts a prolonged period of sustained enjoyment, until they eventually have another bad game (no-one is immune at any level; ask Bryce Lawrence).

Someone (they'll doubtless hold up their hand) suggested that three in a row like that was the time to quit for ever. I'm pretty sure he's still on here!

[stuart3826]

After giving it some time and reflection over the weekend, I think it is going to be some time before I return to refereeing adult rugby. Whilst I knew that there was going to be a lot I needed to learn and work on, I really did not expect how unpleasant the whole experience was going to be. And, for something that I really wanted to do – voluntarily – I just don’t think I can justify the amount of emotional trauma that I sustained, both from the teams and the spectators.

The ‘step up’, in my experience, is not an easy one, and certainly not what I’d expected from a rugby environment. To be honest, I don’t think I was ever made to feel that bad during my tenure as a football referee!

I have spoken to my society who have offered to get an assessor to go out with me next time I want to ref, but to be honest, that wouldn’t be enough to get me through it anyway. Having a friend on the sideline doesn’t really help when you’re stuck in the middle!

Apart from that, I’m not really sure what I can do to build up experience/confidence.

I think it's a real shame you feel this way.

A common theme on this fred is the number of people who had very similar experiences first few times out. I certainly well remember my first game, I was shocked by the amount of helpful advice I was offered, until it suddenly clicked - most of the players haven't got a scooby doo. They're just used to offering helpful little snippets - and unfortunately for new refs, often wrong snippets.

The only way to get experience is to go back out there and do it again. Don't let on you're new or nervous, be confident and be clear in how you communicate your decisions. Stamp out the advice by telling the skippers everything has to come through them. Tell them you will explain what a decision was, but you will not enter into any discussion - once made, it stands. Use Ask, Tell, Penalise for offenders, and then if that fails to grip it,

Please try again soon, and pob lwc!

[didds]

Apart from that, I’m not really sure what I can do to build up experience/confidence..

as has already been suggested... reffing youth matches. Contact a clutch of clubs and ioffer your services. they'll bite your hand off!

didds

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

I think refereeing youth rugby is the way to go.

As suggested get involved at a local club with an U13/14s side. If you can referee them every home game that should be about a dozen games a year. Or do the U13 and U14s whenever each is at home perhaps??

Longer term continue with them through U14-15-16 by which time your experience will grow at the rate of progress the boys make as players. The games will get faster but by that time you will have gradually acclimatised to that. By U16/U17 refereeing adults (technically) is a piece of piss - the challenge comes from managing the players. Again after 2 or 3 years of juniors your skills (law knowledge included) will be honed to allow you to "see and manage" (again based on greater self confidence derived from game time) rather than trying to do everything at once in an 80 minute blur.

Coaches should be delighted at the offer of help as they invariably have to do it and it is a necessary evil for most. I got into refereeing via this route (as did lots on here) as my son was playing and I was watching anyway.

Best of luck. Keep us informed.

Cheers!

[Dixie]

I think refereeing youth rugby is the way to go.

As suggested get involved at a local club with an U13/14s side. If you can referee them every home game that should be about a dozen games a year. Or perhaps do the U13 and U14s whenever each is at home perhaps?

I agree, though we recognize you've said that it may not be possible due to the coach of your son's age group doing the refereeing. Others have suggested finding out whether this is something he's be delighted to relinquish; even if the answer is no, offer to referee practice games at the end of training sessions, or referee the B-team fixture (it's rare for both A and B teams of an age group to play at the same time, as very often the B's will sit on the subs bench for the A's).

Do please keep your hand in. U.13 and U.14 are extremely benign environments for a ref, allowing you to build up confidence. They play in totally different patterns from adults, but the issues you'll need to adjudicate in the adult game will all crop up over time with juniors. You worry about U.15 and testosterone; actually, that's far more an issue with U.16. U.15 rarely presents a management challenge; don't forget the lads were U.14 last year. I think you are over-compensating here.

[didds]

I agree, though we recognize you've said that it may not be possible due to the coach of your son's age group doing the refereeing.

But its unlikely that his son's team play every week - so he could ref other games the weeks when he is not watching his son play. Even U12s would be worthwhile here I reckon - its all but the full game in half a pitch so LOTS of contact area to hone skills on :-)

didds