Communication with the Match Referee

Pre-match meeting 

It is critical that all members of the Sideline Official team who will have the ability to speak to the Referee meet with them before the game to go through their preferences for communication. This should cover what additional information they require from the Sideline Officials and also what verbal cues they want from the Timekeeper. 

This meeting should also be used to confirm to the Referee which buzzer or hooter sounds will be heard at what stages (shot clock hitting zero and end of the half are the two standard ones). 

Referee’s preferences 

Each Referee has different likes and dislikes when it comes to communication with other officials. This section details aspects where standardisation is seen as important to the fluid running of the game and other areas where Referee preferences can take priority. 

The Referee can have many things going on at any one time, so knowing when and how to communicate is very important. Anyone who is communicating directly with the Referee must also be able to hear them so that they know when the Referee is talking to someone or otherwise focussed. You should not communicate with the Referee when they are having a discussion with a player or the Assistant Referees. 

When you do communicate with the Referee, it should be as concise (short), clear and accurate as possible. 

Conciseness 

The Referee only needs the bare minimum of information in most instances. For example, during a replacement the Referee does not need to know who is coming on, just who is coming off so that they can assist in getting the player off as quickly as possible. This means that the jersey colour and shirt number of the player(s) coming off is all that is needed. Additionally, if a team Captain is being replaced, inform the Referee who the new on-field Captain is as succinctly as possible. 

Clarity 

Always speak with positive words to the Referee rather than using “no” or “non” in the description of the event. It may happen that the Referee does not or can not hear the “no” word and gets the wrong message. 

Accuracy 

If the two points above are achieved, the accuracy of what you are saying should follow, however, it is worth considering the words you choose to convey your message. Using slang terms rather than universally accepted words for different aspects of the game may cause confusion, especially if the Referee is not a native English speaker. 

Some examples of good communication: 

• Replacements: 
  • <Referee’s Name>  - Wait for a response 
  • Replacements, White 10 and White 3 off. White 8 is now the Captain
  • Replacements complete 
• Calling the Referee to the sideline 
  • <Referee’s Name> - Wait for a response 
  • We have an issue with front row players can you please come to the sideline. 

Timekeeper Communication 

For the Timekeeper, the Referee will ask for different cues during the game. These will be relayed in the pre-match meeting as they will differ from Referee to Referee. If there are issues with the timing and you need to relay this to the Referee make sure to identify yourself as the Timekeeper to the them before relaying the message. 

Below is an example of some of the cues that might be required. The “time is yours” instruction is the only one which should be given in every situation to every Referee. Referees can decide if they want the others or variations of them, or not. 

• • “Two minutes” (to go until the end of the half) 
  • “Time is yours” (signal that the end of the half has been reached.) 
  • “Fifteen seconds on the Shot Clock” 
  • “Five second on the Shot Clock” 

Indicate to the Referee whether the match needs to restart or not after a try has been scored near the end of a half.