PITFALLS OF RUGBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 21, 16 April 1927, Page 11

PITFALLS OF RUGBY

THE REFEREE AND THE RULES CONTROLLING THE GAME (Written for THE SUN by W. B. Scott.) Long experience teaches one that the Hand Book of Ru\lby Rules is a terror for its size. To the young player or referee who is endeavouring to master its contents—a maze of rules and interpretations—there is a very grave danger that his mind will be fogged, and confusion will become worse confounded.

I was astounded to learn the other day that the English Union does not regard a player who is extended on Mother Earth as off the ground, consequently that union gives quite a different interpretation from the one usually given in New Zealand. Such variations i-n the interpretation show the growing need for simplification of the rules and more especially of interpretations.

Someone recently persuaded the International Board to allow lifting the foot in the scrum so long as the foot was not projected forward. Mr. 11. Harris, who recently returned from the Homeland with the MJaori team, informs us that the new regulation is a failure. Well! that is just what one would expect. Any man with half an eye should have seen that. Very soon the international Board will require a referee to be equipped with a two-foot rule as well as a whistle! A WORD TO THE REFEREE Some attention may now be given to the man who puts the rules into practice—the referee. In these days of fast and open play there is no room for a referee who is slow of foot or out of condition. If a referee cannot keep up with or last out a game, then he is not fair to the players who have trained for the game, because he stands alone when a decision has to be made, and how can a confident decision be given when a referee is unable to keep up with the play? The essential qualifications of a referee q>re quick decisions, firmness, observation and fearlessness. It is a great thing to be a man who is afraid of neither players nor crowd. Failure there is failure everywhere. When the play is within striking distance of the line the referee should endeavour to be in such a position that the play comes to him. That is Ithe only position in which a referee can. with any certainty, declare who has grounded the ball first. Some years ago I refereed the Moascar Cup final between Auckland Grammar School and Christchurch Boys’ High School. The High School was pressing hard and the ball was whipped out to the threequarter, who dived for the line. Anticipating the line of play I had taken up a position alongside the goal post, which gave me a clear view of the goal-line. When the man in possession came down he missed the line by about two inches and lost the ball in the scramble. The crowd considered that a try had been scored, and even the line umpire was sure, but I was in the best position to judge. Had I been behind the play, as the line umpire was, I probably would have awarded a try. It was a good effort, it deserved to succeed, but a miss is as good as a mile. The responsibility was mine and it was my duty to be in such a position that I could carry out my task in the best possible way. DON’T DISCUSS A DECISION No referee should enter into a discussion about the ruling while on the field of play. He is not an advocate; he is a judge. He must be courteous if he is to earn the respect of the players. They are not dogs or machines. They are men like himself. Anyone who forgets that, and some do/should not control a game. The bullying habit gets one nowhere. When asked what the whistle is blown for, the referee should be prepared to give an answer, although he must not defend or discuss his decision. On one occasion the referee blew his whistle and a player said, “What is that for, ref.?” To my astonishment the referee replied, “You say another word and off the field you go.” That answer revealed lack of both tact and courtesy. My custom has been to blow the whistle and give the reason without waiting for the question, which after all is a natural one, if the player has not noticed the breach. To follow that plan gives the player confidence in the referee as a man who knows his job. The ideal referee is the man who is both genial and firm. Every man ought to aim at that. Do not hang up the game by being too fastidious with your rulings. When in neutral territory there is no need to spend five minutes getting a scrum back one yard so that it may be on the exact spot. On the other hand, when the play is near the goalline one cannot be too careful. Referees are not all run in the same mould any more than men in the ordinary walks of life. The question of temperament comes into the business of controlling a game of football as

in every other occupation. You nroy notice one referee making no end of a fuss. You can never for a moment forget that there is a man on the field who is distinct from all the others. Another referee will endeavour to eliminate himself as much as possible while keeping a good control of the game. I have known referees who have been so keen on their job that they lose no chance of improving themselves, while others create the impression that they have nothing to learn. Quite recently I watched a game in which the referee constituted himself a lecturer as well as controller. What a huge mistake. It irritates the players and undermines the referee's authority. Brother referee, go out on the field with the determination to say ' -

as little as possible. When a. question is asked give an answer that is not only civil but brief. Never lose the spirit of good humour and never adopt a dictatorial attitude. If you can school yourself to control tne game in this fashion then when the time comes for you to take action your word will be respected and obeyed without bad feeling or protest. It may not be generally' known that a code of signals has been provided so that the referee may transmit information where word of mouth is impossible. Very often the spectators are unable to determine whether a kick at goal has succeeded, and I have seen crowds with their consid«iring caps on simply because the referee has neglected to give the indication provided. To-day all kicking off, except after a force, is taken in mid-field. This makes it more than ever necessary that signals should be used. The following are the signals arranged for:—When a try has been scored the referee, after blowing his whistle, holds his hand above his head. A whistle may be blown for several incidents in addition to a try, so that alone Is not sufficient indication. When a kick at goal is successful the same signal should be given. Should the attempt at goal fail then the “washout” signal is given, i.e., to wave the hand horizontally. When the ball is kicked into touch on the full the referee’s duty is to stand on the spot from which the ball was kicked in' order to indicate the parallel position on the touchiine where the ball must be thrown in. One blast on the whistle stops the play. When the time is being kept by some person other than the referee, and it is necessary owing to some incident or stoppage that time must be taken off, then the referee is instructed to blow two blasts on his whistle. When an j accident takes place ard the services of the first-aid man are required, it is necessary for three blasts to be sounded. Close attention to these signals—and a better understanding of them by the public—will be of great assistance in following the game and ts incidents, especially in places where there is no notice board.