6 tips for coaches who also referee

Are you a coach who has had a referee’s whistle thrust into your hand? Maybe you have been reluctantly ‘volunteered’ because you had too much to say during a match. Or maybe you are wanting to give refereeing a real go.

Well, firstly, from all of us involved in rugby - thank you, particularly if you are also a coach with your child’s team. We know you have already given up so much of your spare time to dedicate to them and their team.

As young players get older, the games of rugby get better, more structured, more rugby-like - so they need refereeing more, too.

We all know refereeing is hard and when someone does something they don’t really want to, it shows. Unintentionally, the experience of the children will suffer.

Here are six tips to improve that experience for all concerned:

01 - Tweak your mindset

Approach a game to enhance the experience of the children playing in it, rather than thinking ‘no-one else will do it’.

It is a subtle shift, but how you approach that match - and how you are seen to approach it - will then be very different.

02 - Be confident

Take the confidence you have as a coach onto the field. You have no problems telling and showing players what to do. Do the same as a referee.

Since you can explain tackle drills easily and outline tactical plans with comfort, take those skills onto the field when you have a whistle.

Young players, and those watching them, respond better to referees who are confident, just like we all do when we are faced with people in authority.

www.rugbyreferee.net

You’re a coach, so you can communicate already. Just take that with you when you referee.

Short, simple phrases to players on the field as you referee will get them to do what you want/need.

04 - LOOK the part

When was the last time you watched a game where the referee was wearing an untucked shirt, muddy tracksuit or odd-coloured socks around their ankles?

Look smart - ref smart. Aim to look like the referee. You don’t need to get a replica Rugby World Cup ref shirt. Just find a neutral top, preferably one without your club logo/emblem on it, so that you will look and feel more neutral.

05 - Get a good whistle

Get a proper whistle. The recommended rugby version is an Acme Thunder.

And when you blow the whistle, do it properly. For a minor offence, like a knock-on or forward pass, give a short blast. For a penalty, make it longer.

This definitely makes the game clearer for players and spectators alike.

06 Know THE rules and regulations

Make sure you know the rules and regulations for the age grade you are refereeing.

It is sometimes not easy to work through who can do what as the age-grade pathways change. I suggest having a ready reckoner to hand for areas like lineouts, scrums and what happens at the ruck.

If you are in England, you can find my guide to the laws by visiting: www.rugbyreferee.net