Are you a ‘coach with a whistle’? Top tips for getting the most out of refereeing

• Making sure we give the next generation of players, the best rugby experiences

Are you a Coach with a Whistle (^TM), rather than a rugby referee? Maybe you’re a reluctant ref – a volunteer being thrust forward because you had too much to say during a match? Maybe you just didn’t avoid eye contact quickly enough when your parents group were asked for help?

Or maybe you’re just starting to think that you might want to give refereeing a go!

Well, firstly THANK YOU!  Especially if you’re the former, we know you’ve already given up so much of your spare time to dedicate to the kids under your charge. To cajole them from the proper littlies, through tag and into tackling rugby. That takes some doing and we know just how many of you are out there doing an awesome job. We all appreciate that.

If you’re any of the latter, THANK YOU too! It’s not easy to make those first steps, whatever reason sits behind it.

And, as the kids get older, the games of rugby they play get better, more structured, more… well.. rugby like. And so they need refereeing more too.

We all know refereeing is a different skill and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But needs must eh!?  The issue is, when someone does something they don’t really want to, it shows. And, unintentionally, the experience of the kids will suffer.

From a RugbyReferee.net perspective – our goal is to “Make rugby better – By making better referees”, so here’s six tips  to help make rugby better for the kids in your matches.

1. Tweak your mindset – We’d encourage you to shift  your mindset from one where you’re approaching the game ‘because no one else will do it’, to one where you’re approaching a game ‘to enhance the experience of the kids who are playing in it.’ It’s a subtle shift but how you approach that match and how you’re seen to approach it, will then be very different. We want kids to keep turning up on a Sunday (and Wednesday), and staying involved in rugby. The experience they get through these formative years is crucial, and a slight mindshift when it comes to the whistle blower, might just help them (and you)
2. Confidence – 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.  Do anything  with confidence, they’ll believe you!  You can explain tackle drills easily, tactical plans with comfort, and come with an explain  lineout calls with superheroes/travel modes with ease – take those skills onto the field when you have a whistle! Half the ‘sell’ to everyone is the blag! Even if you don’t believe it deep down, they won’t notice if you do it confidently
3. Communicate – 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
4. 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 round their ankles?? Just make a bit of an effort to look like the referee when you’re on a field refereeing a game. Not saying you need to get a replica RWC referees shirt – just find a neutral top (pref one without your club logo/emblem on it) that will make you look and feel more neutral. That’ll rub off on everyone else.
5. Get a good whistle!!  If you’re using a crappy whistle that you won in a Christmas cracker put it in the bin (or use it to train the dog!) Please get the proper whistle – Im not sponsored or supported by them in any way, but a good old trusty, solid Acme Thunder of some type are my go to – and then, for the love of God, blow it properly!  The difference the noise makes in the different way you can blow it will definitely make the game better experience. I know it sounds really silly but a simple blown whistle well can make a huge difference to everybody around who’s watching that game and being involved in it. [Edit: Since I wrote/said this, the kind people at Acme have given RugbyReferee.net readers and AdvantageOver podcast listeners a great discount for whistles – head to rugbyreferee.net/acme and use code REFNET20 at checkout!]
6. Rules & regs – Make sure you know the regs/rules for your age grade. It’s not easy sometimes working though who can  do what as the age grade pathways change.  No matter where you are in the world, there’ll be a website which hopefully explains what applies to what age group in your country.  A lot of readers here are in England – and so Ive done a chunk of work to help. I’ve been through the England Rugby/RFU appendices (and had some gaps clarified by the RFU) and so I’ve done the hard work for you! I’ve created an info sheet for each age group and a master grid for all age groups from u9s to u16s showing the areas of the game. Check out https://rugbyreferee.net/agregrade to get them (for free!)

Hopefully, that’s enough to get you ready for refereeing action this season.

We’d love to hear from you and follow your journey, and even help more along the way. Let us know at ref@rugbyreferee.net how you get on! Or, come join our referee community on Facebook