40 episodes

Bringing you the latest news about rugby refereeing - appointments, law news, rugby news - as well as a closer look at all the aspects of being a rugby referee or match official

Advantage Over podcast for rugby referees RugbyReferee.net

    • Sport
    • 4.8 • 20 Ratings

Bringing you the latest news about rugby refereeing - appointments, law news, rugby news - as well as a closer look at all the aspects of being a rugby referee or match official

    Refereeing help and tips if you're a 'coach with a whistle'

    Refereeing help and tips if you're a 'coach with a whistle'

    Today, I walk through some great tips for all those rugby coaches out there who have to take charge of a match as a referee.
    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.
    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.
    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)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 confidentlyCommunicate - 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 will get them to do what you want/needLook 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. 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 a...

    • 17 min
    Refereeing as a wheelchair user with MND - Graeme Bloom

    Refereeing as a wheelchair user with MND - Graeme Bloom

    Today, we're joined by Graeme Bloom - a unique person in the rugby refereeing community.
    Graeme's a keen supporter of match officials and, despite an MND diagnosis in 2019, he remains committed to staying involved in refereeing our great game.
    During the conversation we hear about his story and his ambitions to be a referee. We hear a little about his experiences in match officiating so far around the world.
    We also chat about what he's done since his diagnosis, and what he'd like to be doing while he's able. He's been a match official in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh and in Italy, as well as supporting referees in London, Oxfordshire, Bristol and Kent Referees' Societies.
    This weekend (12 August 2023) he arranged and hosted a charity match raising funds for the MND Association. Do support them if you're able.
    Links:
    Graeme - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graemebloom/
    Fundraiser website: https://www.rugby4mnd.co.uk/
    Fundraiser link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/graemes-big-40-challenge 
    During the conversation we mention:
    Alex Lambe - Rugby referee with Autism: https://www.world.rugby/news/569717 & https://www.facebook.com/AutismInRugby/ Mixed Ability sport - https://www.mixedabilitysports.org/  International Mixed Ability Rugby - Cork 2022 - https://www.imartworldcup.org/ 
    And some helpful resources to help understand Autism and Aspergers, and how we might communicate with players
    https://www.healthline.com/health/aspergers-symptoms-in-adults#takeawayhttps://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/communication/tips
    If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at ref@rugbyreferee.net!
    You can follow us here:
    Twitter: RugbyRefereenet
    Instagram: RugbyRefereenet
    Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net
    Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community
    Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

    • 36 min
    Refereeing news update - June 2023

    Refereeing news update - June 2023

    Hi, Keith Lewis from RugbyReferee.net here with a general update on refereeing news! Plenty to chat about from the referees and refereeing world at the moment!
    In this episode, I walk through:
    1) New formal Law clarification - grounding on a thing in in-goal
    2) Law issues
    Loose ball brought to ground is classed as "held/holding"
    2012 Clarification "The player is considered to be carrying the ball as the ball is in the air when it is first played"SuperSport discussion: Laws: Scoring from in in-goal - 8.2e: A try is scored when an attacking player: Who is in touch or touch-in-goal, grounds the ball in the opponents’ in-goal provided the player is not holding the ball and then again in 21.9 - If a player is in touch or touch-in-goal, they can make a touch down or score a try by grounding the ball in in-goal provided they are not holding the ball.
    Tackle law around the goal line
    Tackle law - https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/law/13Let me know your views on how the law could be changed (if at all) at keith@rugbyreferee.net
    3) Appointments
    Rugby World Cup 23 officials
    U20s Championship & Trophy officials
    4) Smart ball - Full story here
    5) Tackle height news: 
    World Rugby confirm lower tackle height opt-in global law trial
    Ireland - Rugbyreferee.net story
    England - RFU Tackle Height Hub
    Scotland - SRU Tackle Height Hub
    New Zealand - Rugby Toolbox tackle hub - I reference the podcast chat with Mike Hester from NZRU - you can either scroll back through the other episodes, or head here.

    Like...

    • 45 min
    New Zealand Rugby's tackle height changes 2023

    New Zealand Rugby's tackle height changes 2023

    Today, I'm joined by New Zealand Rugby's Mike Hester to chat about their law variations for the 2023 rugby season. They include a lower tackle height, a restriction on scrum halves and for the pack as a whole. All three are important for all referees and match officials across Aotearoa.
    Mike is NZR's Game Participation Manager, and he tells me about:
    His background as an elite referee - in football!His shift into game participationThe shape of New Zealand rugby and the challenges they faceThe tackle height changes in New Zealand for 2023 and what's behind themOther changes in the game - scrum half restrictions, 1.5m pushFuture consultation on changes to the breakdownReferee recruitment and retention in NZ - this is the research Mike mentions about the early refereeing experience of community referees
    More on the changes: New Zealand Rugby game innovations 2023
    Contact Mike via LinkedIn
    If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at ref@rugbyreferee.net!
    You can follow us here:
    Twitter: RugbyRefereenet
    Instagram: RugbyRefereenet
    Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net
    Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community
    Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

    • 45 min
    January 2023- Speeding up rugby - a new Law Application Guideline

    January 2023- Speeding up rugby - a new Law Application Guideline

    It's a Happy New Year to you all! Today, Keith Lewis, founder of RugbyReferee.net and host of the Advantage Over podcast talks through a new World Rugby 2023 Law Application Guideline for 2023.
    While much of it is targetted at the elite end of the game, the principles within it covers all of rugby no matter what level we're refereeing! So we need to be aware of the drive by World Rugby in these areas. The episode covers the six areas in the new Law Application Guideline (the link here includes some video clips)
    1)    Speeding up the game
    I reference ball-in-play data from StatsPerform: https://www.statsperform.com/resource/revolutionising-rugby-a-statistical-analysis-on-how-the-game-has-evolved/
    2)    TMO usage
    3)    Water carriers
    4)    Negative player actions
    5)    Players on the ground
    6)    Deliberate Knock ons
    The blog version of this episode is at: https://rugbyreferee.net/2022/12/30/speeding-up-the-game-in-2023-world-rugby-law-application-guideline-issued/
    If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at ref@rugbyreferee.net!
    You can follow us here:
    Twitter: RugbyRefereenet
    Instagram: RugbyRefereenet
    Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net
    Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community
    Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

    • 34 min
    34 - Bonus episode: July 2022 Law Changes - in play now!

    34 - Bonus episode: July 2022 Law Changes - in play now!

    Today, it's a solo episode with Keith talking through all the new law changes and amends that have now come into play from 1 July 2022.
    In summary, Keith talks about
    All the Global Law Trials from last season which move into full lawTwo new GLTs – scrum brake foot, and restrictions on medics/water carriersSome minor wording where there have had to be a formal clarifications in law in recent yearsMinor amends following Union, player and match officials feedbackUpdated TMO protocol (download a copy here)
    Some good videos at https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/global-law-trials showing the scrum brake foot and water carrier poor behaviour
    You can also view and download the law changes summary document at: https://rugbyreferee.net/2022/07/01/law-changes-come-into-play/
    Like what you heard? Buy Keith a coffee here
    If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at ref@rugbyreferee.net!
    You can follow us here:
    Twitter: RugbyRefereenet
    Instagram: RugbyRefereenet
    Facebook: Page: RugbyReferee.net
    Facebook Group: RugbyReferee.net Community
    Or you can connect with Keith personally on Twitter or LinkedIn

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
20 Ratings

20 Ratings

AndyGlaws ,

Fantastic resource for Refs

As a new referee, I have found this a mine of info, helping me to develop my own pathway into rugby officiating. There is much advice about playing the game, but this is the only podcast by, and for refs. Please keep up the great work!

Niall Hants ,

Really useful and interesting to a grassroots ref

I’m a middle of the road grassroots ref in England. This Podcast has been really useful in developing my skills and also in helping understand the wider world of professional refereeing.
Thanks for setting it up Keith and keep it going

Donman Expat ,

Unique

Great first few episodes on a subject which really needs some coverage.

Top Podcasts In Sport

The Sports Agents
Global
The Rest Is Football
Goalhanger Podcasts
For The Love Of Rugby
Crowd Network
Stick to Football
The Overlap
The Overlap with Gary Neville
Sky Bet
Rugby Union Daily
BBC Radio 5 Live