As you all know this is probably the best Law in the book & can make a good game great if applied properly.
In December at the NASC in Orlando there was a visiting referee from the RFU (that’s England for those who do not know) named David Rose. He is Rugby Referee Development Officer for the Midlands in England & he has written some very progressive papers on referee development. He is also on the RFU Panel of referees.
While watching him ref in Orlando I noticed that when he was playing advantage he would call out “Scrum advantage Blue” or Penalty advantage Blue”.
I asked him about this later & he explained that the Premier Division clubs in England had asked that the refs do this for a couple of reasons.
The main reason is that if the non offending side know that they have a “free play” & it will come back to a penalty then it further increases their options on how they will attack. They also like the fact that they now have a choice of taking a penalty kick at goal straight away by “deliberately” knocking on & telling the ref we want to kick.
I have been trying this recently in the games I have reffed & found it works really well & that both teams appreciate it tremendously. I therefore urge you all to give this a try, see if you like it, see if the teams like it & we can then take it further & make it standard practice for reffing.
Let me know your comments or feedback.
Gerry FitzGerald
Referee Development Officer, South Rugby Referees Association
VP & RDO, Florida Rugby Referees Association
I try to continually call out the advantage to the teams until such time as advantage has been gained. I can attest to the fact that the teams like it and it probably helps me as much as them. Adding the word “penalty” or “scrum” to my call certainly wouldn’t be that difficult to add to my referee mechanics.
However, I wonder what real benefit it would add.
Lets face it. Comparing the talent of the teams at Davids level to the talent level of the teams here in Florida would be like comparing the Atlantic ocean to a retention pond. I doubt that there are that many players who would hear his call and immediately start thinking in tactical terms.
I guess it would be a good habit to get into, but I doubt it would effect the play of the match in any tangible way.
Pat McCollum
Posted by: at January 27, 2004 03:22 PMDon’t underestimate the players.
If we referee any teams as if they were top class players, their level of play will come up to match your level.
If we assume they are crap and referee them as such, they will never improve.
Bob
Posted by: at January 27, 2004 03:23 PMI suggest we employ the combined call of scrum advantage or penalty advantage. Pat may be correct in comparing the skill levels between the clubs that we ref and those that David refs. However, I beleive that if we elevate the quality of our performance, explaining to the teams and coaches the benefits or our call methodology, the performance of the teams will also improve. As referees we need to contribute to the elevation of skills in both coaches and players. We cannot sit idly by and be content with officiating mediocrity.
Jim Keener, CPP
dear sir,
i am Uche Ahijo from Hawkster R.F.C in Nigeria,actaully i play as a flyhalf some time i play as a winger or outside centre.i saw ur website true the internet and willing to join,i hope i am free and welcome to ur club,pls Sir if u are intreasted in having me as ur player.
sir i have a CV which the IRB gave to me as a coach and i use to coach some schools in my country and i am young with talented skills.
sir i look forword to join ur club and i hope u will invite me for ur club trial and i wish to do my best and i will obey the rules and regulation of ur club.thanks for ur intreast in me .mail me at ahijo4love@yahoo.co.uk
best regard.
ahijo uche nwaokoro
dear sir,
i am Uche Ahijo from Hawkster R.F.C in Nigeria,actaully i play as a flyhalf some time i play as a winger or outside centre.i saw ur website true the internet and willing to join,i hope i am free and welcome to ur club,pls Sir if u are intreasted in having me as ur player.
sir i have a CV which the IRB gave to me as a coach and i use to coach some schools in my country and i am young with talented skills.
sir i look forword to join ur club and i hope u will invite me for ur club trial and i wish to do my best and i will obey the rules and regulation of ur club.thanks for ur intreast in me .mail me at ahijo4love@yahoo.co.uk
best regard.
ahijo uche nwaokoro
