Chris Henshall

1

So Youre Going to be a Touch Judge

• Chris Henshall
• USA Rugby National Panel Referee

2
Shift the focus!

• The touch judge is an official who monitors the
• touch-line in a game of Rugby football and raises
  a
  
• flag if the ball goes into touch. Touch judges
  also
  
• stand behind the posts to confirm that a goal
  has
  
• been scored following a penalty kick or
  conversion
  
• of a try. There are two touch judges, one for
  each
  
• touch-line.
• -www.wilkepedia.org
• If only it was that easy.

3
Three Basic Requirements

• Requirement 1
• Do what the central referee asks of you
• Requirement 2
• Show 100 support
• Requirement 3
• Look professional
• When you turn up, during the game, and when you
  leave

4
First

• You are the touch judge NOT the referee
• What is expected of you is different to
  refereeing
  
• Do not try to referee the game from the side of
  the field
  
• Be aware of what each referee expects from you
• It it is of utmost importance that you are able
  to work within each referees requirements
  
• These are specific to each referee and they
  should instruct you before the game
  

5
What Else?

• Keep running time, score, sin-bin times, and keep
  track of substitutions if there is no number 4
  
• Do not react to sideline comments. If you are
  having problems with certain people, and they do
  not comply with your requests, bring it to the
  referees attention or the number 4

6
Positioning Leading v Trailing

• Lead and trail (e.g. if you split the field in
  half between the two touch lines, the half on
  your side is what would more or less determine
  whether you lead or trail). If the game is on
  your side, lead, on the other side, trail
• Always be aware to ensure that players that
  remain when the ball and play has moved away,
  resume play without incident clean up behind
  the referee

TJ Trailing
Players
TJ Leading
Offside Line
7
Primary Roles of the TJ

• Ball in touch, touch in goal and dead ball line
• Foul Play
• Kicks at goal

8
Secondary Role

• Only when clear of primary duties !!
• Set the 10s at penalty kicks
• Setting offside lines
• Help with clear and real game decisions
• e.g. knock ons, forward passes (subtle signals or
  comms) and not straights
  
• General trends at down time
• Marking place of infringements- Late Tackles,
  Touch outside 22s

9
Communication

• Be very sure, and precise if you need to
  communicate with the referee
  
• Timing and importance of the communication is
  imperative
  
• Always be calm, accurate and concise i.e. Blue
  number 6 is coming off the scrum early, or Red
  backline is offside at the rucks and mauls
  
• Speak at appropriate down time
• Dont say vague things like..
• scan more
• the tackles are getting high
• Do bring up negative tendencies such as..
• keep the players on their feet at the
  breakdown
  
• If you feel that the referee is not open to your
  comments, etc., do not take it personally,
  continue with your duties and continue letting
  the referee know about tendencies, problems, etc.

10
Radios

• Dont over use the radios ask the ref what he
  wants
  
• Be clear and concise
• DO NOT use the radios if the ref is giving an
  admonishment or restarting play his mind should
  be else where.
  
• Dont be repetitive in your radios once is
  enough
  
• Supportive words at appropriate times
• Pause before talking and after pushing the PTT
  button

11
Owning the Touchline

• When running along the touch line, keep your head
  as still as possible to ensure you get the touch
  call correct
  
• It is always best to either have play coming
  towards you and you are standing still or if you
  are running that play is ahead of you and you can
  clearly see if there is contact with the touch
  line
• Running next to players close to the touch line
  makes it more difficult to get the in touch call
  correct, especially when a player passes the ball
  as they are about to go into touch

12
Touch

• Immediately raise your flag as soon as the ball
  is in touch, and keep your flag raised
  
• Ensure that you know the laws of when the ball is
  in touch, and when a quick throw-in is allowed
  
• Discuss this with the referee beforehand, but at
  times, a referee could just relax for the split
  second that the ball has gone into touch, so if a
  legal quick throw-in does occur, it helps to call
  play-on

13
In-goal

• Get into the best position to see whether a try
  has been scored, however, being right next to the
  referee is not efficient team work
  
• All angles need to be covered and always be in a
  complimentary position to the referee
  
• Cover the area where the referee would not be
  able to
  
• If a try is scored be precise in your
  communication there is no rush, the importance
  is to get the call right
  
• Often at attacking line outs close to in-goal the
  referee will take up a position at the back of
  the lineout the front becomes your
  responsibility
• Again, it is most important to get the call
  correct in a scoring situation

14
In-goal

• When play is approaching the corner the near TJ
  is best positioned in touch in goal
  
• If the TJ is caught in line or behind the ball as
  it heads to the goal line then he should stop and
  view the players crossing the goal line in a
  stationary position

TJ
1
TJ
TJ
3
2
15
Foul Play

• Observe offence and ensure you have correct team
  and player number
  
• Hang flag, alert referee and stay with duty.

Do NOT enter the field of play
Do NOT go in to break up a fight
16
Foul Play

• Communicate to the referee, the team that
  infringed, the player number, and what the
  offense was
  
• If you do not have a number, still communicate
  this to the referee
  
• The referee will repeat what you said suggest
  the course of action only if you are sure the
  course of action is not appropriate, then repeat
  the infringement to the referee
• Often you may be touch judging a match that may
  be a higher level to what you have refereed -
  understand that the referees are in charge and
  will ultimately manage the game as they see fit
• If an incident occurs, especially fighting, the
  referee should, in most instances, see if you saw
  anything different. If play continues after a
  foul play incident, ensure that fighting, etc.
  does not continue

17
Kicks at Goal

• Communicate with your colleague whilst ball is in
  flight
  
• Communicate with the other TJ and raise your
  flags simultaneously
  
• No signal for a missed goal
• Return to touch line immediately for a re-start
  at the "22" or half way
  

18
Kicks at Goal

• Make sure you have a clear vision of the ball,
  your post, and the other TJ
  
• The TJ who is closest to the post that the ball
  passes, leads the call
  
• Use this opportunity if you need to communicate
  or share something with the other TJ
  
• At a missed penalty goal, and the ball goes into
  touch in goal or over the dead ball line,
  indicate this by a horizontal movement of the flag

19
Kicks at Goal
E.G
The reason for the TJ positioning at the kick is,
if play continues near you at a missed kick, you
need to stay out of the way if you are at the
post, you can ensure you are out of the way, if
you are beyond the dead ball line, you are out of
the way.
TJ
TJ
20
Line out

• Maintain the Gap if not, bring it to the
  referees attention as per the pre game
  instructions
  
• The hooker must throw in the ball on the line of
  touch
  
• Be aware of delayed throw-ins, a double movement
  or stepping into the field of play before
  throwing
  
• communicate to the referee at the next
  opportunity, unless requested otherwise by the
  referee
  
• Look for line-out obstruction, whether the ball
  travels 5m, is the ball thrown in straight
  
• The TJ on the far side must mark the 10m for the
  defending backline. Be aware of players moving up
  before the lineout is over
  
• If there has been an infringement in the
  line-out, the TJ on the line of touch must keep
  the line of touch mark for the referee to come
  back to if need be

21
Open Play Kicks

• Watch for the late tackle, then obstruction on
  players following the kick
  
• Remember where the kick was taken from, in the
  event that the kick goes dead and you need to
  mark the scrum back position
  
• Ensure the receiver is not illegally challenged
  in the air
  
• If the ball goes dead at a kick or in any event,
  always indicate this by waving your flag
  horizontally

22
Tackle/Ruck

• See if players are entering the breakdown through
  the gate, joining correctly, cleaning out
  legally, staying on their feet, releasing the
  ball in good time
• Look for stamping on players, the short off sides
  (off sides around the ruck/maul), players
  creeping up, backlines onside
  
• Always stand on the last line of feet of the
  defending side to see if they are pushing the
  boundaries of the offside line

23
Maul

• See if players join correctly
• Look for players grabbing legs or collapsing the
  maul, and try to get the number
  
• Look for the short offsides, players creeping up,
  backlines onside
  
• Always stand on the last line of feet of the
  defending side to see if they are pushing the
  boundaries of the offside line

24
Scrum

• Look at the front rows binding
• In the event of a collapsed scrum, only
  communicate with the referee if you are sure who
  is at fault
  
• Keep an eye on the back row players for early
  unbinding and sliding up the scrum, as well as
  props grabbing flankers
  
• Always stand on the last line of feet of the
  defending side to see if they are pushing the
  boundaries of the offside line

25
Open Play

• Be alert for late/early tackles, especially from
  a pass
  
• Look for obstructive running, holding players
  back, high tackles, spear tackles, stiff arm
  tackle, no arms tackle
  
• Never assume the referee saw that and let it go,
  unless you see the referee indicate play on or
  you think it is a 50/50 if you feel it was
  dangerous, make the call
• Always be aware when the referee is playing
  advantage, and keep the reference point for the
  referee.
  
• If advantage does not accrue line up the referee
  to the mark where the infringement occurred
  
• Knock-ons and forward passes the referee will
  be very specific on your input here remember,
  the referee will make the final judgment as they
  are on many occasions in the better position and
  closer to play

26
Positioning - Kick Off

• Focus on the ball receiver, is he allowed to land
  before he is played. If the ball is kicked
  directly out, raise your flag, then point it to
  the halfway line. If the ball is kicked dead,
  wave your flag from side to side horizontally,
  then point it to the halfway line

27
Penalties/Free Kicks

• First ensure that as the nearer TJ that you have
  the mark for the referee if they are playing
  advantage
  
• Mark 10m
• If players are kicking for touch and are anywhere
  near the corner flag you have to be on the flag
  to make the call players can kick 50-60m
  
• The TJ on the far side will mark 10m

28
Positioning - Other

• Know your 10m
• Pace it off walking and runing
• Free Kicks/Penalties
• Set 10m for referee and teams remember to
  co-ordinate.
  
• If a kick for the line is being taken the near
  touch judge then moves down field in preparation
  for the kick (protect the corner flag). Far touch
  judge holds the 10m
• Drop out
• Near TJ stands on the 22m and the far TJ stands
  on the 10m mark

29
Conclusion

• Touch judging is very different to refereeing,
  and a good touch judge is always aware of what is
  happening on the field, wants to be part of the
  game, NOT referee the game from the sidelines,
  and understand that they are there to assist the
  referee, and SUPPORT the referee

30
Know your Touch Laws!!

• Quiz Time!

31
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt. Receiver is at the 22m but standing in
field Receiver jumps in the air and catches the
ball which is infield. He then lands in touch

• Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

32
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt. Receiver is at the 22m but standing in
field Receiver jumps in the air and catches the
ball which is infield. He then lands in touch

• Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

Law 19 def. If a player jumps and catches the bal
l, both feet must land in the playing area
otherwise the ball is in touch
33
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver catches the ball at 22mPlayer
with foot on ground infield flips ball back and
then lands in touch

• A) Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

34
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver catches the ball at 22mPlayer
with foot on ground infield flips ball back and
then lands in touch

• A) Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

Law 19 def. If the ball crosses the touchline and
is caught by a player who has both feet in the
playing area, the ball is not in touch
35
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Ball stops rolling near the in-goal. The
receiver picks it up and takes it from infield to
in-goal and then grounds it Player has one foot
in-goal and one foot in field

• 5m Scrum for kicking team
• 22m drop out for receiving team
• Choice of scrum on half way or 22m drop out
• 5m scrum for receiving team
• Play on!

36
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Ball stops rolling near the in-goal. The
receiver picks it up and takes it from infield to
in-goal and then grounds it Player has one foot
in-goal and one foot in field

• 5m Scrum for kicking team
• 22m drop out for receiving team
• Choice of scrum on half way or 22m drop out
• 5m scrum for receiving team
• Play on!

Law 22 def and law 22 (9) A defending player who
has one foot on the goal line or in the in-goal
who receives the ball is considered to have both
feet in in-goal.
37
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Ball is rolling toward the touch line. Ball
starts rolling away from touch line but player in
touch picks up the ball near the goal line

• Kicking teams lineout near the goal line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout near the goal line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

38
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Ball is rolling toward the touch line. Ball
starts rolling away from touch line but player in
touch picks up the ball near the goal line

• Kicking teams lineout near the goal line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Receivers lineout near the goal line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Play on!

Law 19 def. The ball is in touch when it is not b
eing carried and it touches the touchline or
anything or anyone beyond the touchline
39
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver is standing on his 10m line and
does not play at the ballThe Ball hits receiver
on head and goes directly behind him into touch
on receivers 22m

• A) Kicking teams lineout on the 10m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Knock on

40
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver is standing on his 10m line and
does not play at the ballThe Ball hits receiver
on head and goes directly behind him into touch
on receivers 22m

• A) Kicking teams lineout on the 10m line
• Kicking teams lineout on the half way line
• Kicking teams lineout on the 22m line
• Receivers lineout on the Half way line
• Knock on

• Law 19 1 (d)
• When a player kicks the ball so that it touches
  an opposition player and then goes directly into
  touch, the throw is taken in line with where the
  opposition player touched the ball or where the
  ball crossed the touch line, which ever is nearer
  to the oppositions goal line

41
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver is standing on his 10m lineand
does not try to play the ball. Ball hits
receiver on head and goes forward and directly
into touch on the half way line

• A) Knock on
• B) Kicking teams lineout on the Half way line
• C) Kicking teams lineout on the 10m line
• D) Receivers lineout on the 10m line
• E) Receivers lineout on the Half way line

42
Kicker kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt.Receiver is standing on his 10m lineand
does not try to play the ball. Ball hits
receiver on head and goes forward and directly
into touch on the half way line

• A) Knock on
• B) Kicking teams lineout on the Half way line
• C) Kicking teams lineout on the 10m line
• D) Receivers lineout on the 10m line
• E) Receivers lineout on the Half way line

When a player kicks the ball so that it touches
an opposition player and then goes directly into
touch, the throw is taken in line with where the
opposition player touched the ball or where the
ball crossed the touch line, which ever is nearer
to the oppositions goal line
43
Team A10 kicks a penalty for goal from the half
way. He slips as he kicks and the ball which goes
into touch at the 22m

• A) Scrum on halfway for team B
• B) Lineout for A on 22m
• C) Lineout for B on 22m
• D) Lineout for B on half way
• E) Re award penalty

44
Team A10 kicks a penalty for goal from the half
way. He slips as he kicks and the ball which goes
into touch at the 22m

• A) Scrum on halfway for team B
• B) Lineout for A on 22m
• C) Lineout for B on 22m
• D) Lineout for B on half way
• E) Re award penalty

Law 21 4 (d) The kicker may punt or drop kick fo
r touch but must not place kick to touch
45
Team A10 kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt into in-goal.A14 and B14 dive for the ball.
A14 grounds the ball at exactly the same time as
his foot touches the touch line

• A) Try
• B) Lineout for A
• C) Lineout for B
• D) 5m Scrum for A
• E) 5m scrum for B

46
Team A10 kicks the ball from the Half way with a
punt into in-goal.A14 and B14 dive for the ball.
A14 grounds the ball at exactly the same time as
his foot touches the touch line

• A) Try
• B) Lineout for A
• C) Lineout for B
• D) 5m Scrum for A
• E) 5m scrum for B

Law 22 4 (g) If an attacking player is in touch,
he can score a try by grounding the ball provided
he is not carrying the ball.