Positional Play and Ball Line Running Where should we be to best manage: tackle, ruck, maul, scrum & lineout? What is the best way to get there in time?

Learning Outcomes At the end of this session you will be able to: Describe the concept of Ball Line Running; and Describe best practice positioning for selected phases of play.

What is ‘Ball Line Running’? Ball line running means literally to be more or lesss in line with the ball at all times. It puts the referee in the best position to judge: – Forward passes and knock-ons. –Compliance at the breakdown. –Near/in in-goal decisions –Kicks/offside in general play It generally gives the referee the best view of the ball carrier.

A tip on ball line running: You will either run across field to follow the lateral passing of the ball or You will run up field when a player breaks the defensive line. You won’t run in arcs or diagonally.

What game element occurs most in a game? The tackle/ruck Average in the 2007 Six Nations was 170 per game

Where is the best position for the referee to manage the tackle? On the side where the ball is being presented by the ball carrier. In other words on the side where the ball is being placed back to the tackled players team. We call this the ‘A Line’.

The tackle gate A-line Referee arrival position D-line

ruck Ball line running should therefore look something like this.

ruck Ball Line Running

ruck Ball Line Running

ruck Ball Line Running

Some suggestions: Try and avoid facing touch lines, instead, try to face the defenders goal line. If you find yourself facing a touch line, you could miss offsides in the defending backline. If you find yourself facing a touch line, move such that your body is facing the defending goal line and you are looking sideways at the TRM. From this position it is easy to scan the defenders with a movement of the head rather than the whole body.

VIDEO 1 – Tackle/Ruck Takes position on A-Line at ruck Notice how far from the ruck he is once the ball has been won Ball-line running across the field Look for direction of arrival at tackle VIDEOVIDEOVIDEO

VIDEO 2 – Tackle/Ruck A-Line positioning at multiple tackle/ruck situations At first tackle (slow-mo at end) sequence is: –Close to tackle, verbal communication –Back away once ball is won –Check ‘offsides’ –Pivot following the pass > Ball-line running VIDEO

VIDEO 3 – Tackle/Ruck Clip 1 –A-Line positioning –Don’t get in the way of runners one-off the ruck Clip 2 –Watch ball-line running –As break is made up-field, he sprints straight staying in line with the ball –When a tackle is made, he then comes across field VIDEO

VIDEO 4 - Maul Looking at A-Line positioning off a rolling maul Watch for sequence: communication, back away, check offsides, pivot Ball line running - up field as break is made, across field when play slows (Notice also the short advantage!) VIDEO

Positioning at engagement – scrum example.

Positioning at ball throw in and movement after strike

Positioning - ball being channeled. Keep a broad view of whole scrum

Positioning ball at No 8’s feet. Remember to leave space for back- row moves Scrum

Ball line running Scrum

Ball line running

Clip 1 –Moving back in line with the ball after engagement –Ball line running (straight up field > across field only when play halts) Clip 2 –Doesn ’ t go around blind side of the scrum (and end up behind play) –Takes off on open side to get in line with the ball VIDEO Scrum

Standard positioning for the referee is either front or back but still on the A line.

Line out example of ball line running.

VIDEO 8 – Line-Out Clips 1,2,3 - Front of Line-Out –Look at depth of angle at front > Ball-line running –Looking through the gaps checking for interference –Can still spot “straight” by watching jumping angles Clips 4,5,6 - Back of Line-Out –Several meters off the line of touch –Clear signals if maul forms and line-out isn’t over –(Don’t signal and not look!) VIDEO

VIDEO 9 – Line-Out Referee out of position at line-out In this clip, ref takes Front/Attack position When might you not take the attacking team’s side at a line-out? –Possibly inside the 22m, –Definitely close to the goal line Where does the referee want to be when the try is scored? VIDEO

Learning Outcomes – At the end of this session you will be able to: Describe the concept of Ball Line Running; and Describe best practice positioning for all phases of play.

Conclusion Ball Line Running and A Line positioning are the most economical methods in terms of physical effort for a referee. If a referee can maintain this positioning he or she will always be in the best position to manage the game and make correct decisions.