The new ERRA Course for Referees

[Phil E]

I am no longer an active referee educator, but I have been told that in the latest ERRA (English Rugby Referees Award) the phrases Materiality and Contextual Judgement have been removed from the course.

Good thing?
Bad thing?

[Decorily]

Not entirely sure what that means tbh....
But removing the words presumably doesn’t mean that the concept and principles no longer apply!!

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

I'm more concerned the course is called ERRA!

[crossref]

Materiality is always a confusing concept .

Why do we apply materiality to the most important offences , but not apply it to trivial ones .. (knock ons are always penalised, material or not ). A better phrase or word would make it easier to explai

[beckett50]

I am no longer an active referee educator, but I have been told that in the latest ERRA (English Rugby Referees Award) the phrases Materiality and Contextual Judgement have been removed from the course.

Good thing?
Bad thing?

I would come down on the side that it is a good thing. We need the ERRA course to teach the Laws and Values of the game. The refers can then go out and learn how to apply these.

As their skill and judgement improves then they will learn what is and isn't materialistic. It takes an understanding of the game and what the players are trying to achieve to adequately apply this judgement. It is a skill we are always learning and this judgement will vary from game to game and (sometimes) minute by minute.

[Pinky]

I'm more concerned the course is called ERRA!

Mind you our society is called ERRS

[thepercy]

Mind you our society is called ERRS

Good thing you are not the Edinburgh Rugby Referees Association

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

Good thing you are not the Edinburgh Rugby Referees Association

Association of Referees Societies in Edinburgh.......yes?....no...?

[Decorily]

Association of Referees Societies in Edinburgh.......yes?....no...?

Nice!

[Arabcheif]

Materiality is always a confusing concept .

Why do we apply materiality to the most important offences , but not apply it to trivial ones .. (knock ons are always penalised, material or not ). A better phrase or word would make it easier to explai

When would a knock on not be material? If a player drops the ball/it slips out of his hands, the offence is always material. As he or a team mate will can gather the ball. Hence you play knock on advantage to see what happens. Green knock and gain the ball back very much material. Blue gather the ball, play advantage until you bring it back or call advantage over.

Offside on the other side of the pitch when a short pop/pick and drive by forwards doesn't have a bearing on the pop or pick and drive.