Formal Reviews

Formal Reviews occur when play has stopped and either the Referee or the TMO calls for footage to show on the big screen. This enables the Referee to make a judgement on a particular incident.  

The timeline of this is as follows:  

• Incident occurs 
• TMO reviews footage 
• TMO confirms ‘Check Check’ (a verbal communication to the referee) with TMO Operator  
• TMO verbally communicates ‘Check Check’ with the Referee. Note: the Referee may also initiate a review on field. 
• Broadcast are made aware
  • “TMO, Check Check looking at <<description and time>>” 
• TMO Operator gets review ready 
• Broadcast made aware
  • “TMO ready” 
• Director counts Operator down to air 
• TMO and Referees discuss while operator rolls 
• Decision made on-field and Operator call lets broadcast know “Decision made” 
• The broadcast wipe off TMO footage 

This aspect is where all your skills come into play as an operator. You need to be quick and accurate for the TMO to review footage to get to this point, and proactive and ready for when the Referee starts the process. 

These elements are covered in greater depth during the face-to-face TMO Operator course.

Coordination with the TMOs and Referees 

The TMOs will pre-screen the footage before it goes live to television and the big screen. This will enable them to explain to the Referee what is about to be shown. The Referee must then be ready to view the big screen before the clip is rolled. If they are not ready, this may slow the process.