Recruits Retention Evening Association of Referees Leinster Branch

Recruits Retention Evening Association of Referees Leinster Branch November 28 th 2007 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Agenda o 8. 00 to 8. 05 Norman Camier o o o Overview / Selection / Education. 8. 05 to 8. 10 Brian Pender Career path / Abuse of Match Officials 8. 10 to 8. 20 Alfie Acheson Structure of the ARLB / Discipline / Child Welfare 8. 20 to 8. 25 Denis Collins Branch Referees Administrator 8. 25 to 8. 30 Brendan Lynch Expenses / International Tickets 8. 30 to 8. 35 Dermot O'Mahony Processing team cards / Transmitting match results Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Agenda o 8. 35 to 8. 40 Jerome Counihan Assessment o 8. 40 to 8. 45 Danny Wallace Refereeing Gear / Newsletter. o 8. 45 to 9. 00 Presentations Tea / Coffee o 9. 00 to 9. 30 Paul Haycock ( Senior AIL Referee) on the Pitfalls / Delights of a refereeing career. o 9. 30 to 9. 45 Open House (Questions and Answers) Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Norman Camier President Association of Referees Leinster Branch Overview / Selection / Education Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Retention o Why do we have a Retention meeting? o Critical that ARLB supports it’s referees o We must have two way communication Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Selection o Senior and Junior Selections o As far as is possible picking within the Area (1 hour from home) o Try as far as is possible to vary the selections o Positive feedback from Assessments o Feedback on availability. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Education o o o o Seminars(3) /Area meetings(18)Informal ? IRFU courses Level 1, 2 & 3. Website (major source of information) Newsletter “Go Whistle” Assessment reviews Law Book Personal initiative Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Brian Pender Senior Vice President Association of Referees Leinster Branch Career Path / Abuse of Match Officials Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Career Path o o o Based on Performance Assessment and Re grading Development Panels/ Coaching Seminars / Laws Meetings IPAS AIL and Beyond. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Abuse of Match Officials o Will not be tolerated. o Officials supported by ARLB, IRFU. o Verbal up to 1 year. Threatening up to 5 years. Physical life. o Rugby vs GAA and Soccer o What can you expect o From Players, Managers, Coaches, Spectators, Club Officials. o How do you deal with it? o o Be calm firm and polite Use the sanctions Get the names Report the incident Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Alfie Acheson Honorary Secretary Association of Referees Leinster Branch Structure of the ARLB / Discipline / Child Welfare Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Association Structure Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

A. G. M. o o Election of Officers Hon Secretary Report Hon Treasurer Report A. O. B. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Officers o o o President: Norman Camier Senior Vice: Brian Pender Junior Vice: Jerome Counihan Honorary Secretary: Alfie Achenson Honorary Treasurer: Brendan Lynch Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Executive Members o 6 Area Representatives o North East: Jim Walker o North Midlands: Brendan Conroy o Midlands: Liam Conlon o South East: Cormac Cullinan o 2 Active Referees o Kevin Beggs, Dan Wallace o 2 Non-Active Referees o Des Mc. Cabe, Sean Mallin Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Co-Opted Members o o IRFU Representative: Tom Aplin Leinster Branch Rep. : Tony De Lacy IRFU Recruitment Officer: Wayne Sheridan Schools Rep. : Tom Tuohy Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Child Welfare Document o Part of IRFU document o Protect our members o All Incidents Reported to Child Welfare Officer: Alfie Achenson o All new members subject to national vetting agency enquiry Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Discipline o o o o Chairman – Des Mc. Cabe Rota Committee Report to Office by Monday Midday Discipline Meeting Thursday 6 pm Referee Represented by Hon. Sec. Branch No Cross Examination by Offending party In Serious Incidents Referee will be required to attend. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Match Conduct o o o Player Conduct Spectator Conduct – Club Responsibility Verbal Abuse Racial Abuse Separate Reports Citing Reports Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Denis Collins Branch Referees Administrator Branch Referees Administration – How it works Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Contact Details o o o Office Hours 8. 30 am to 4. 00 pm Direct Line : 01 2235107 Mobile: 087 2617788 Saturday and Sunday only 9. 00 am to 12 noon 087 2617788 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Selection and Availability o Approx two weeks before selection a non availability request is emailed. If no reply it is assumed that you are available. o Availability or lack of should be updated when known. o Cry Offs o After 12 noon on the preceding Wednesday only by direct contact o If name still on web the following day “alarm bells” Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Re selection of matches o Generally done by a two people from each selection group o Assessments generally available within seven days. In most cases by email Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Brendan Lynch Treasurer Association of Referees Leinster Branch Expenses / International Tickets Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Expenses Claim Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Dermot O’Mahony Domestic Games Administrator Processing Team Cards / Transmitting Match Results Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

E-Sports manager o Automatically updates results to the Leinster Branch Website o Automatically updates league tables o Reduces work associated with managing & creating fixtures and returning match results o Will keep all Clubs supporters up-to-the minute with all the latest results and fixtures instantly o Can also update results to existing Club web sites Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

What are Referees asked to do? o Receive text message with your fixture info’ o When this match is over o Insert match result on original fixture message o Text this message to 087 9911692 o Once returned that Text message will automatically update the web site and league tables Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-formatted Fixture Message Sent to Results official Club 1 Match ID Space for Score (Space For Try Count) Club 2 Leinster Rugby Referees >ID 360 Skerries, (T ), Monkstown, (T ), Skerries RFC, 12. 00 am 14/05/07 RE/MAX Leinster League Division 1 Match Venue time & date www. arlb. net

Official only inserts score into original text messges (in red) > >ID 360 Skerries, 23(T 2), Monkstown, 23 (T 2 ), Skerries RFC, 12. 00 am 14/05/07 RE/MAX Leinster League Division 1 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

e-Sports Manager Confirms score was accepted Result Accepted: Skerries, 23(T 2), Monkstown, 23 (T 2 ), Thanks for submitting result. If incorrect – resubmit using original msg Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Game Not Played Put Letter C into Score If game Not Played put letter C into score line This will put message on web site that game was not played Leinster Rugby Referees > ID 360 Skerries, C(T ), Monkstown, (T ), Skerries RFC, 12. 00 am 14/05/07 RE/MAX Leinster League Division 1 www. arlb. net

Please save this number in your phone This is the number you send result to. 087 9911692 Note – The Result goes to Computer – Don’t send ordinary messages to the computer as it can only interpret Score Message Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Most Common Errors o Don’t forget to use original message o Don’t delete anything from original message o If you make an error start from the start again – new result will over-write old one o Don’t use letters instead of numbers – i is not the same as 1 and o is not the same as 0 o If you cant remember phone no send it to the number original message came from – Find this number on the bottom of the text message Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

o Supporters will have up to date information as soon as you return your result o Thank you for submitting results via Sports manager Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

For more Info / Support o o o www. sportsmanager. ie Seamus @Sportsmanager. ie John @Sportsmanager. ie 094 - 90 26663 087 - 8109601 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Jerome Counihan Junior Vice President Association of Referees Leinster Branch Assessments Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Assessment Criteria for Assessment: Continuity. Tackle / Ruck Maul Advantage Restarts. Kicks / Open Play Scrummage Lineout Management. Control Communication Markings 1 -5(with 5 being the highest) Criteria: Descriptors occur on “nearly all occasions” 5 Descriptors occur on “ most occasions” 4 Descriptors occur “ regularly” 3. Comments_ Fitness Positioning Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Assessment o Team Approach with a Leader. o Assessment –The Objectives o To assist and participate in the education and development of the referee. o To judge the performance and potential of the referee. o To facilitate selection procedures at all levels. o Form and Card System. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Dan Wallace ARLB Kit and Clothing Administrator Referees Kit / Clothing / Newsletter Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Referee Kit o Official Kit Supplied by Kukri o Leinster Referee Kit o Includes 2 x Jersey, 2 x Shorts, 2 x Socks, Polo Shirt, Tracksuit and Kit Bag o Also includes Whistle and Red / Yellow Card o Free to all new recruits o Should have received by now Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Other Kit o Extra items are available o Reversible Fleece o Thermal Vests o T-Shirts o Coats o Ties o Order through www. arlb. net o For all gear contact me danwallace 05@gmail. com Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Referee Clothing o Official Clothing Sponsor is Eden Park o Provides Jumper, Shirt, Chinos and Blazer o No crests on this clothing o Not supplied through ALRB o Go to Eden Park, Powerscourt Centre o Details will be mailed out in coming weeks Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Coming Soon o o o o New items available in 2008 Light weight jerseys Red jersey Lightweight Fleece / Smock Training t-shirt and polo New kit bag / boot bag Base layers Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Other / Newsletter o Update of 2005/07 Gear o Update on Eden Park Clothing o Other deals o Bi Monthly publication o Contact me with articles/questions o Forum for Discussion on website Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Tea /Coffee Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Paul Haycock (Senior I. R. F. U. Referee) The Pitfalls and Delights of a Refereeing Career Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Starting Your Refereeing Career The Good And The Bad Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Difficulties o Experience o Isolation o Confidence o Player behaviour o Game experience o Management o Pre and post game management o Game management Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Isolation o Change of situation o One man against thirty o Responsibility o Loneliness Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Confidence o Lack of confidence o Too much confidence o Believe in your own ability Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Player Behaviour o Limited experience - schools, youths o Players questioning decisions o ‘Playing the referee’ o Dealing with people the same age and older than you Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Game Experience o Direct o Personal experiences o Indirect o Experience of others o Talk o Listen!!! Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Solution to Experience Issues o Games, games and more game!!! o Phone Denis / Branch o Local schools, clubs Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Management o Game management o Comes with experience o Pre-game management o Planning is key o Post-game management o Assessors / Coaches / Other referees o Self review Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Benefits of Refereeing o o o Enjoyment Fitness Involvement in the game Learn new skills Career path ‘Best seat in the house’ Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Questions – Open Forum Power. Point's will be emailed to you all. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Other Presentations Expectations of A Referee Assertiveness Team of Three Protocol Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Expectations of a Referee Presentation given by Bertie Smith ARLB Annual Seminar August 2007 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Expectations of a Referee o Posing two questions o What to expect from yourself o What Players, Coaches, Selectors, Supporters, etc expect from you Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Knowledge of Law o o o Absolutely Critical Have Numerous Law Books Stash them Everywhere Never Ignore your Law Keep Revising Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Fitness o Absolutely Critical o Five S’s o Stamina o Speed o Strength o Skill o Soul Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Planning and Preparation o o Plan to prepare Prepare to Plan Look the Part Check your Kit / Bag Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

You Plan o o o o Be Available Be Pleasant Be Nice Be Firm Be Accommodating Be Yourself Be As Good As You Can Be Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Make a Name for Yourself o o o Very Difficult Fraught with Danger Takes Time Referee as much as possible Whatever the level the game is there to be refereed o No Friendlies o Your name precedes you Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Prior to Game o o o Arrive – On Time Speak to Coaches and Captains Check Pitch Talk to TJ’s Check Boots, Dressing Room Chat Toss Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

The Game o o o o Put Plan into Operation Work Rate Whistle Tone Quality of Decisions Warnings and Cards Downtime Consistency In Game Itself Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Post Game o o o Thank TJ’s Do not approach anyone Allow them to come to you If team of three – be as one Partake in hospitality Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Expectations of a Referee Coach o o o o Work Rate Positioning Lines Of Running Signals Scanning In Goal Breakdown – Ball or Penalty Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

To Be Enjoyed o Will do if you o Serious About It o Work Hard Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Finally o Good Luck o Thank You Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

ASSERTIVENESS For Match Officials, Match Official Coaches and Assessors – ARLB By Steve Griffiths IRB Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Objectives o To introduce some models related to assertiveness made relevant for match officials o To provide some practical processes that will allow match officials to: o Recognise behaviours o Receive feedback on behaviours o Change behaviours Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Change • Personality • Behaviours Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Change Behaviours o Open Minded o Willing to explore o Willing to experiment o Perseverance Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Assertiveness - Definition o Willingness to be forceful if a situation requires it. o Having or showing a confident and forceful personality. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Assertiveness o Applies to o Match Officials o Referee Assessors o Referee Coaches Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Continuum Passive Assertive Aggressive ? Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Hierarchy Assertive Passive Leinster Rugby Referees Aggressive www. arlb. net

Examples of Referee Behaviours – Outcomes from brainstorm Assertive Passive Ignoring Dust Ups Smile Persisting with Whingers Control Ignoring Offside Eye contact No eye contact – weak Whistle Tone Confidence Not dealing with reset scrums Team runs the match Timid Signals No energy Leinster Rugby Referees Able to make difficult decisions Aggressive No empathy Arrogance My way or no way Refusing to explain Shouting Excessive us of whistle Calm under pressure Finger pointing Tone according to situation Too many 10 metres Pre match approach Red in your face In your face www. arlb. net

Effects of Referee Behaviours – Outcomes from brainstorm Passive Assertive Aggressive Lack of control Respect Lack of enjoyment Mayhem Good game High penalty count Danger to players Well controlled Unnecessary stop start Captains referee the game Consistency Over use of cards Lots of chat Mutual respect Player frustration Lack of enjoyment Lack of chat Player resentment Dangerous play Lack of frustration Game out of control Enjoyment Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Examples of Referee Coach and Assessor Behaviours – Outcomes from brainstorm Assertive Passive Not there before the match Feedback that is untrue Does not say the things that were wrong Gives you a chance Explanations Listens Aggressive “Gotcha” Only the bad things mentioned “Great match BUT……” Open “The cause of all your problems. . ” Report is worse than the oral feedback Good and Bad One way traffic Sincere De-motivation Respect Encouraged Honest Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Effects of Referee Coach and Assessor Behaviours – Outcomes from brainstorming Passive Assertive Aggressive Coach varies behaviours and to the situation No learning De-motivating Accurate feedback Frustration Lack of respect Both positive and negatives mentioned No learning Unfair Lack of credibility Lack of accountability Chance of quitting Leinster Rugby Referees Referee improves performance De-motivating Scared Chance of quitting Colour views www. arlb. net

Where does it come from? Reactions to others Must be liked by others Leinster Rugby Referees Likes to be liked by others Aware of others views but does what is required Could not care what others think www. arlb. net

How do I know? Johari’s Window Known to others A B D C Known to oneself Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

How to get into A o Referee Coach o Referee Assessor o Referee Mentor Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 1 The XXXXX Captain had a predilection for asking you questions after penalty awards particularly at the breakdown. He is effectively slowing the Game down. He was not talking to his team to help you after the discussions. The pack leader and the rest of the pack were aware so there was no need for regular questioning. Coaching Point Do not allow captains to discuss decisions on a regular basis, find a polite a friendly way to stop it. If it persists you would be entitled to penalise. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 2 You are thankfully a non effusive referee and therefore remain cool under pressure on the evidence of this game. You had time to genuinely smile which showed you were enjoying yourself. You noticed the change in temper in the second half when the game became more competitive and had to respond to more infringements. You were not fazed by this and administered appropriate sanctions including the temporary suspension. You said last night that you had thought about whether you should have ordered the player off and we agreed if you had to think about it the temporary suspension was appropriate. The only comment that could be made is that you took a long time to get round to dealing with the miscreant. You did exactly the right thing at the next scrum award and took the two captains to one side who then spoke to their packs. This was a good management technique. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 2 Your oral communication is excellent both explanatory and preventive. You do not shout and you have a very calm disposition which must be reassuring to the players. You managed the game with 25 penalties and free kicks with there being four free kicks making up the total. You had a very good foul play call and dispensed the player for ten minutes with no dissension at all. Most of the penalties were breakdown related either at the breakdown or offside associated with rucks and mauls (19). You did have two situations in the second half where a group of players from both sides gathered together and it looked as if a fracas might ensue. On one occasion you spoke to the captains and on the other occasion you just got on with the game. You might think of using the next lineout or scrum award to get you point across to all the players involved, you cannot always rely on captains to get your message across especially as you have an authoritative voice – they would believe you Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 4 You did have to admonish a player on one occasion and when doing so you were pointing at his chest. This is not best practice and as discussed it is something that you would not like to have done to you. Coaching Point - If you use your hands try using both hand so that they are open with the palms facing down or alternatively keep your hands behind you back. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 5 You appear very relaxed and got on well with the players, downtime chats were invariably accompanied by a smile and you were entirely consistent with this approach throughout. Should you have been consistent with your behaviours throughout or should they have altered as the temper of the match altered? Do you need to change your body language, demeanour and voice so that the players know you are going to have nonsense from now on? Shortly after your conversation with the captains and warning that yellow cards would follow, yellow cards did follow so it suggests that the message did not get across. You talked to a player after the first score after foul play from which you had the ultimate compensation of a try. Did the teams know you had talked firmly to the player. After the occasion you told the captains that the next offenders would go did the players know that emphatically? Could you have gone to the resultant lineout after the penalty and said something to the 17 people who were becoming involved in aggressive acts? Acts of foul play should not be considered in isolation or individual problems, it becomes a continuum that you can affect by your behaviours. Your signals were very clear for all non foul play penalties the only time things were not clear was after foul play. Your communication at the breakdown was exceptional, you chose your words for each situation and did not relentlessly repeat the same words as seems to be the norm for many referees. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Example 6 You have a quiet disposition but also authoritative. You do not over talk and your preventative instructions are very clear and not over vigorous or verbose. Your signals were very clear and enabled all those watching to understand what you were penalising. You had good control and then the temperature of the game rose and we discussed why this was and came to the conclusion that it was due to the frustration of XXXXX who were not getting much out of the game despite playing well. You said that it did get difficult and I could see that it was testing you. Your voice became quicker and raised. This is something for you to consider in that you need to work on, as your body language and demeanour will get across to the players and the will see you less in control as the situation gets out of control. As we discussed you must have been relieved when the XXXX 6 decided to be so late in the tackle you had to give him a yellow card which totally lowered the temperature. You also had to penalise XXXX on two occasions for back chat and the Number 9 was very lucky not to receive a yellow card after the first penalty when he tackled the tap penalty taker within two meters of the mark. Did you consider a yellow there? It might have sent the message out – no messing today Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Continuum of Leadership Behaviours Manager’s Authority Tell Sell Employee’s Authority Consult Delegate Manager’s interventions decrease Leinster Rugby Referees Tannenbaum and Schmidt - www. arlb. net Harvard

Continuum of Referee Behaviours Referee’s Authority Player’s Authority Referee’s interventions decrease Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Situational Leadership Adjusting Referee behaviours to achieve the desired results = Assertiveness Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Coaching Behaviours PULL PUSH What? When? Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Situational Leadership Adjusting Coaching behaviours to achieve the desired results = Assertiveness Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Changing Behaviours o o o Self Aware Open Minded Willing to Explore Willing to Experiment Willing to Listen Wiling to Change Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Outcomes o What have you learnt? o What are YOU going to do? Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Message to Myself o Dear Me o I have learnt o A o B o C o I will o A o B o C Those that completed letters will receive them in early December 2007 Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Serious about change o Help is available o Cost – immeasurable financial value o 087 2498031 – Steve Griffiths Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

And Finally BE o Confident o Positive o Assertive o Yourselves Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three Protocol Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Objective o Team of Three o Consistent Communication “The Referee has responsibility and the accountability for the match and his decisions” Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Touch Judge Duties o Touch-in-goal o Dead ball Line o Kicks at goal o Foul Play Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Communication o What the Touch Judge can do…. o What the Touch Judge cannot do…. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o The Touch Judge shall Communicate…. o Foul Play. o Offences that have a critical effect. o Trends at breaks in play. o Replacements and Substitutions Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o After foul play - touch judge MUST signal o Continues with normal duties o May be invited into the playing area to report to the referee o report must be very clear AND must include…………. . . o o Name Team Offence Recommended sanction (If not spotted by referee) Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Offences that have a critical effect. o Clear forward pass o Clear knock-on o Hands in the Ruck o Clear Offside - Backs, back row etc Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Trends at breaks in play o Midfield Offside o Temperature rising o Players off their feet o Players not releasing Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o Replacements and substitutions o Player coming off o Timings of Substitutions / Replacements o Hooker sin binned. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three o The touch judge shall not o Communicate on marginal decisions o Shout at players (Discreet) o Communicate on scrum offences from a distance. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Team of Three “Assist the referee but let him/her referee the game” Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk o Meet at ground early o Do a pre-match talk regardless of touch judge experience. o Be thorough - NOT “Same as usual lads” Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk o Introduction - Importance of “team of three” o Outline Primary roles for the Touch Judge…any questions to regards to Law of touch. o Go through secondary roles Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk o Offences that the referee misses that have a critical effect, such as forward pass, knock on. o Trends at down time…. Offences , Player behaviour. o Assistance at try time. o Assistance at scrum time. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk o Foul Play o Key Areas to watch o Leading and Trailing o Process o Communication Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk o Equipment o How to use the equipment? o Test Equipment. o What to do if equipment fails? /No equipment available? . . . Discreet hand signals. Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net

Pre-Match team of three talk “Support the referee as you would like to be supported. It could be you some day” Leinster Rugby Referees www. arlb. net