ARRA – Sevens 2014Introduction

RolesRefereeARCoachSelector

ExpectationsFrom the coaches / selectorsFrom each otherFrom the teams

TimetableTrainingTournaments

Game Awareness / ‘Pictures’Tackle.MaulFoul play

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Roles:

Referee: Elite or Open

Elite referees would be aligned to the top tournaments. ie Auckland Club, Condors,

Middlesex.But can referee at Open tournaments. These are not necessarily ‘Premier Referees’.

Open Referees would be aligned to the next tier tournaments. ie: Samoan, Tailevu …

Initially each referee has been pigeon-holed alongside elite or open depending on previoustournaments, but every referee can move upor down depending on performances.

Some referees are unknown in 7s and will be assessed as they are seen.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Roles

Coaches: To date there are only a small number of Sevens coaches. Over the coming season we want to increase those numbers.

Each new coach will work alongside moreexperienced coaches. Watching games / feedback. Then they will gradually be let loose.

The intention is that Coaching will only be done during the round robin stage. Refereesshould know by that stage what is requiredto progress in the tournament or what isrequired to advance themselves for the nexttournament.

There are a number of opportunities open to the right coaches. Coaches have been sent overseasto Dubai, Singapore and Fiji to name a few places.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Roles

Selectors: After round robin games are completed some of the coaches will move across intoa selectorial role.

The finals will be decided on post round robingames, however you need to be performingfrom game one.

Ideally the top four will get Cup ¼ finals, thencompete for [in order] Cup final, Cup semi andPlate final. Bomb your ¼ and someone elsewill take your spot. No relaxing!!!

The ARRA selectors [Morgan, Elliot, & Rennie] will be coming to some tournaments and maybe having some input into who might be thebest option for the finals.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Roles

ARs / IGARs

Because of the speed of the game, these rolesare very important. The winning and losing of some of these big tournaments can be the resultof a decision made by an AR or IGAR.

For that reason some training will be focused onthose roles.

For the Elite tournaments ARs will be appointed.During those tournments IGARs will also beappointed for Finals.

For open tournaments, Referee and AR will interchange.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Expectations

Teams: Each team that you referee or AR for expect that we are performing from game one.Especially during some of the Elite tournaments.

That means that we are knowledgeable on thelaw; that we can keep up with play; and mostor all; we are consistent. Not only during thatgame, but all ruling the same way.

The teams want to know what to expect fromgame to game. All refereeing the break-down the same way; we are consistent with tackle /ruck / maul. We are consistent with foul play.

Hopefully through training we will all be lookingat the same ‘pictures’ and making the same decisions.

ARRA – Sevens 2014Expectations

From Coaches:

Our expectations of referees are simple.

Referee every game like it’s your final game. It might be!

Be prepared to make a self evaluation prior tocoaches comments. That might be all that isnecessary. If you know what went wrong, why should we say anything. If you had a good game then again we won’t need to comment for the sake of it.

But listen to suggestions that the coaches do give.Some might be worthwhile and actually work.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Expectations

Of Coaches:

Allow the referee to make a self evaluation. That might be all that is necessary. Referee

to lead any post match discussion.

Only comment if its needed. Don’t commentfor the sake of it.

Comments should be to enhance the referees performance, not pull apart. There is onlya short time to discuss. Two points max.

New Coaches: This is not 15s. There is a lot moredifference than just the numbers on thepaddock. The first tournaments are training.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Expectations

Each other: There will be experienced and not soexperienced referees and coaches, all out there trying to do our best.

Work in you teams of three [if applicable] toprovide the best we can.

Help each other. Pointers / trends …

Stay focused whether ref or AR. As an AR wecan make a ref look good or rubbish. Make them look good.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Expectations

ARRA

Not so much an expectation but a goal.

We want to be known as the ‘Go To’ Association for top sevens tournaments.

To be known for supplying top sevens refereesand coaches in our part of the world … and beyond.

We want to push our top ‘Sevens’ refs into theNational panel through Sevens, not 15s.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Timetable

Training:

Tonight in an introduction and some game awareness.

Next week the 6th of October we hope to have Waisake Sututu, Ed Cocker and Rocky Khanalong to talk about what they are trying to

achieve as coaches and players.

On the 13th of October, we will have Matt Stanish and Nick Bryant along to runthrough on field game awareness and talkabout some of their experiences and what expectations were put on them as they rose through the sevens ranks.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

Timetable

To date there are over 20 tournaments on record.

From Under 15s through to Auckland Club and Condors.

Plenty of opportunity for everone.

As each tournament approaches an email willbe sent out advising what is required.

Everyone wants to be considered for the Condors. This is not going to be the first or second tournament that you do this season.Be available for at least two prior.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

ELITE Tournaments:

Once the email has been sent out asking for refereesand ARs, those who respond earliest will get priority.

The size of the tournament will dictate the number of Referees required. Ideally 5 is the maximum numberof games a referee will be appointed to per day.

[ie: three round robin games, a ¼ and a final].

AR numbers will also be dictated by the size and type of tournament. ie: when IGARs will be required.

ARRA – Sevens 2014

OPEN Tournaments:

Once the email has been sent out asking for refereesagain those who respond earliest will get priority.

The size of the tournament will dictate the number of Referees required.

Teams of three will be set up. Ideally all of differentAbilities, which will assist with upskilling.

Each team will be given a field for an hour. They ref1 game and AR 2 games. The team leader will decideon the order. The team will then have an hour break.

Each team will be assessed for finals appointments.

Changes to teams may or may not occur.

Game Awareness.

1. Tackle

Desired Outcome – ‘Quick ball’ immediately available for play = Ball in play longer.

Priorities:

•Ensure that the tackled player is released irrespective of whether the tackling player is on his feet or not.

•Remember player effecting tackle, not a ‘tackler’ unless he goes to ground also.

•Ensure that all arriving players come ‘through the gate’

•Players to roll away in the ball ‘placement area’.

•Tackle only = No off-side lines only tackle entry.

[CLIPS]

2. Scrum

Desired Outcome – Tidy scrum/Straight put – in

Priorities:

•Consistent engagement procedure 3 calls.

•Correct ‘high’ binding (not on floor or shorts)

•Watch for opposite loose-head pushing up & around

•View deliberate kick through by opposing players

•Watch for teams pulling back at ‘Set’.

•Ensure both teams pushing forward on both sides.

3. Line Out

Desired Outcome – Tidy line-out 2x2 metre /10 metre ‘spaces’

Priorities:•Ensure that if there is a receiver, he does not join / compete in the line out (before the ball is thrown)

•Ensure that there is a 2x2 defender in the 5 metre channel.

•Use of AR’s for 5M channel

•10M offside line

•Ball in-touch v quick throws 

4. Advantage

Desired Outcome – No unnecessary stoppages: “Think-quick: blow-and go”

Priority:

•Penalty Advantage IS IMMEDIATE or it’s not an advantage.

•Clear signalling and calling

•Decisions to play advantage, call ‘advantage’ advantage over’ or “no advantage” demonstrate game understanding.. Tactical v Territorial. ‘Going back to come forward’.

•Recognize that emphasis on clean possession against unorganized defence rather than territory

•Impact on playing time of game for no gain in ground by attacking team.

•Difference between Scrum v PK advantage

5. Positioning

Desired Outcome –Stay in shot … or ‘Ball in line’

Priorities:

•Generally in line with the ball in General play. Should play come towards you, push to Defenders Line, but not in ‘defender’s space’ to create a hole.

•Speed of movement to the break down, Rubber-band in/out if ‘numbers’ at breakdown.

•Use inside 15m lines, use AR’s for in-line passes.

•Stay at mark for PK/FK (avoid turning back to play to get to defenders 10 and losing perspective of the 10 metres

•North / South v Coastal

North / South

Coastal

Optimal Operating Area

Assistant Referees & In Goal IGAR

To concentrate on following areas which will also be assessed by ref-coaches as part of the ‘team of three’

Positioning:

Desired outcome – Demonstration of working as a team to both assist the referee and facilitate best officiating.

Priorities:

•Generally on the attacking line (ARs) /in line with the ball (IGARs to be in a position to observe in-goal decisions)

•Following in for tries ARs close - but not too close - plus (IGARs) Note If player is running to corner, stop & observe

•Scrum sets AR’s 5M ‘right’ except in ‘red zone’

•Line-outs 5M & assist not-straight issues, ball used for quick throws per law  

Assistant Referees & In Goal IGAR

To concentrate on following areas which will also be assessed by ref-coaches as part of the ‘team of three’

Substitution process to be at appropriate time (ball dead) with ref knowledge.

IGAR to indicate successful goals

Intervention & Communication (team of three)

Desired outcomes & Priorities:

The need for intervention must be clear and obviousCommunication must be clear and concise

Flag issue / Take time to get decision right; Colour, number, offence & recommendation.

Don’t be offended if recommendation is not used. Referee may have seen incident or is reading the game and taking into affect what the outcome might be.

Questions?