Match Day.
This document follows on from a presentation given at an open meeting last September and is aimed at our newer members, people who are new(ish) to refereeing.
This is the third of three; Match Prep 1 - Preparations Prior To Match Day
Match Prep 2 - Match Day Kit
Match Prep 3 - Match Day
Most of this is based on my experience together with my conversations with other match officials. There is no right and wrong here, just good practice and what you are comfortable with.
So, Match Day.
Firstly, don’t arrive late, you don’t want to be rushing your warmup and the briefings. But also don’t get there too early, you don’t want to be hanging around. I would suggest that you arrive at least an hour before kick-off, regardless of the level of the game, maybe an hour and a half for important games.
On arrival find your changing room and settle in. Get changed and sort you stuff out. Do not leave any valuables in the changing room, lock them out of sight in your car and carry your car keys with you. Alternatively, leave your keys behind the bar.
Head out to the pitch and start your warmup. While warming up do the pitch inspection and watch the teams going through their warmups.
The pitch inspection should include…
· Is the surface safe? No cracks, divots, rabbit holes, rocks or debris, etc. Any particularly muddy areas or standing water?
· Are the lines correct. How big is the in-goal area?
· Are the flags and post protectors in place?
· Are the crowd barriers in place?
· Are there technical areas marked out? If not, improvise.
If anything is incorrect or missing, point this out to the home coach or captain and get things corrected.
At some point during your warm up approach and meet the coaches and/or captains and agree when you are going to do the briefing. Get the captains name and position (write this down so you don’t forget).
When you and they are ready approach the teams and do your stud check and team briefing. I would usually approach the away team first, but that is a personal thing and is not always convenient. I would recommend against doing the briefing in the changing rooms as this is “their territory”. If you are doing age grade or the opposite sex, then going into their changing room is a no, no. Find out if there is a vice-captain or pack leader, especially if the captain is playing in the backs. The stud check is an important part of your duties and is a safety issue. There is a separate article covering this on the website.
The team briefing is a personal thing. You can tell them as much or as little as you want. Try to keep it succinct and relevant. If you drone on the players will tune out. As a minimum you need the captain and all front row players, but I usually included the 8, 9 & 10 as well. Do your front row, scrum and lineout briefings telling them what you expect.
Once you have done both teams, get the captains together, do the toss and the captains briefing. This is where I would usually talk about discipline and what I expect, especially at the breakdown. Again, keep it brief.
Every referee does the briefing differently, just make sure you cover all the bases.
You should now be ready to go. Carry on warming up if you have time. Return to the changing room for your final preps, if necessary. If the teams have gone in, give each a knock to get them out onto the pitch (probably more relevant to league and cup games).
Then off you go.
When you blow the final whistle, the match is done, one side jubilant and one dejected. First things first, check you score card, make sure that you have added things up correctly. Shake hand, do the tunnel, then do a cool down and stretch if you wish, shower and change.
It is usual to go into the club house for a drink and a socialise after the game. Some players may wish to ask about a certain decision, but generally they are just happy to chat.
Good Luck
Timothy Wilcox
31 Jult 2024