1. Continuous Referee Development Award Managing Captains and Coaches Continuous Referee Development Award

2. Aim of this session To help referees identify strategies to avoid participation and escalation in conflict with Coaches and Captains

3. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees Those referees who see themselves as policemen rather than managers will always cop the most as players and spectators etc react to their style. Comments?

4. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees Referees should not take themselves so seriously, they need to enjoy themselves more and understand the public is there to watch the rugby, not them. Comments?

5. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees Some refs unfortunately think they are the most important person on the field and at times don't think or recognise that they make mistakes as well as the players. Comments?

6. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees I witnessed one example of zero tolerance of referee abuse taken to the extreme this year, with a team being marched 10 meters after a lineout penalty where a player didn’t say anything but shook his head. Comments?

7. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees Encourage referees to be part of the social fabric of rugby. I would like to see the refs being more proactive in approaching the clubs and the players and meeting the players on their own turf, not in some room at the refs society. Comments?

8. Continuous Referee Development Award What Some Captains and Coaches Think of Referees I saw only one referee lose control of a match this year. It all stemmed from the way he spoke to the players and his lack of respect for them, then from there it all fell apart. This would be my only message, show respect and you'll be respected. Comments?

9. Continuous Referee Development Award So how are we perceived? Like policemen Self important Too serious Arrogant Exclusive Pedantic Are not all these factors things which would escalate a situation?

10. Continuous Referee Development Award What can we do about it? Do not participate Do not escalate

11. Continuous Referee Development Award Do not participate When you meet with conflict during a match, deflect it or avoid it.

12. Continuous Referee Development Award Do not escalate Do not carry out any action which can be construed as being aggressive or confrontational.

13. Continuous Referee Development Award How would you handle a Captain who does not respond to your management efforts? The Captain who wants to query every decision. The Captain who will not support you when you have to speak to one of his players. The Captain who is a problem player himself

14. Continuous Referee Development Award Consider these ideas Do you seek out another senior player in the team for assistance? Do you penalise the player for backchat - what does this do to your relationship? Is your tone in talking to the captain different to that you use when talking to other players? After the game, if you have had difficulty, do you actively seek out the captain to discuss the game with him?

15. Continuous Referee Development Award Group Discussion Devise some word strategies for these scenarios

16. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 1: At half time the coach of the losing side aggressively questions you about the number of penalties against his team What do you do? How do you “not participate”? How do you “not escalate”

17. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 1: How do you “not participate”? “ Talk to your Captain, he has been briefed.” “This is not an appropriate time to be discussing this issue.” “Like the players, I also need a break and a drink, can we discuss this after the match?” “I must remind your that this is inappropriate. You should not be talking to me at half time.” Under no circumstances answer his question.

18. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 1: How do you “not escalate”? Maintain a neutral body stance, neither aggressive, nor acquiescent. Maintain an even voice tone, speaking slowly, clearly and perhaps quieter than you would normally to make the listener concentrate on your words. Then walk away

19. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 2: A captain has continually questioned what the penalties were for, when awarded against his team. At a penalty situation, the other team tries to have a quick restart, but he again questions you What do you do? How do you “not participate”? How do you “not escalate”

20. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 2: How do you “not participate”? Do everything reasonable to facilitate the quick restart. “I will discuss it at the next stoppage.” “Back on side, they are playing on”. “You are offside, stay out of it” Then move away (hopefully with play after the quick restart).

21. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 2: How do you “not escalate”? Keep the tone conversational if you can. Don’t march the Captain 10m and penalise again. Do explain at the next stoppage but do not debate the issue. Seek his support, appeal to him as a captain to set the right example Reiterate ground rules for quick restarts in play. Ensure that your “whistle, signal, talk” is getting the message across.

22. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 3: A coach has continually shouted abuse and criticism in unacceptable language at you and your decisions from the touchline. You have asked him quickly to be quiet but that has had no effect. What do you do? How do you “not participate”? How do you “not escalate”

23. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 3: How do you “not participate”? Don’t ask questions direct of the coach. Use his captain as a go-between. Don’t tell the captain to “shut him up” rather ask “can you help me with this” When you are on his side of the pitch, slow down your signals and communication so you look and sound more assured Turn your back to him if necessary

24. Continuous Referee Development Award Scenario 3: How do you “not escalate”? Keep the tone conversational if you can. Don’t confront the coach and threaten with abuse form or abandonment. Do ensure the coach knows that you are unhappy Seek his support, appeal to him as a coach to set the right example Agree that you will meet him after the match to discuss his issues.

25. Continuous Referee Development Award REMEMBER Do not participate Do not escalate