Referee FAQs & Advice

Before the Match

Aim to arrive around 60 minutes before kick-off.

Introduce yourself to both coaches and confirm:

• Squad numbers are sufficient to play.
• A qualified first aider is present.
• A touchline steward has been appointed.
• Team colours do not clash with each other or your kit.
• Whether teams will return to the changing room after warming up.
• The confirmed kick-off time.

Arrange a suitable time for your player checks and captain’s toss.

Try to be changed and ready at least 30 minutes before kick-off. Inspect the pitch, posts and corner flags, and complete a proper warm-up.

Player Checks & Briefings

Before the match:

• Check studs, boots and jewellery.
• Brief players on expectations around behaviour and respect if appropriate.

Speak briefly with:

Front Rows

• Confirm they are trained to play front row.
• Explain the Crouch, Bind, Set sequence.
• Remind them to stop pushing immediately if you whistle.

Scrum-Halves (9)

• Wait for a stable scrum before feeding.
• Ensure the feed is credible.
• Take quick penalties from the mark.

Fly-Halves (10)

• Help manage offside lines at scrums and lineouts.

Captains

• Answer any questions.
• Reinforce that they are responsible for team discipline.
• Confirm their attendance for the toss.

The Toss

• Don’t forget a coin!
• The winner chooses either kick-off or ends (they cannot choose to receive).
• Explain that you’ll work with the captains to maintain discipline throughout the game.
• Make a note of who kicks off.

Essential Equipment

• Watch (with stopwatch and elapsed time functions)
• Whistle and lanyard
• Scorecard
• Two pencils
• Touch judge flags
• Drink/water bottle

Match Kit

Arrive looking professional and wear:

• Clean referee shirt (North Midlands shirt if available)
• Shorts
• Socks
• Appropriate boots

Most importantly…

Enjoy it!

Nobody expects perfection on your first game. Apply the laws, communicate clearly, keep everyone safe and learn from the experience. Every referee started exactly where you are now.

Sevens is a fast, demanding game, and our aim at tournaments is to deliver a consistent approach across the referee team. Even experienced referees are encouraged to revisit the Whistle Stop Refereeing 7s video for useful tips and reminders.

Key Refereeing Principles

• Use clear communication, particularly “No” and “Advantage over”, to keep the game flowing.
• Expect a much faster pace than 15-a-side rugby, with quick scrums, lineouts and restarts.
• Positioning is different in Sevens, with referees often spending a significant proportion of their time in the defensive line.
• Advantage is usually short. If there is no clear benefit, award the original sanction promptly.

Scrum & Lineout Management

• Teams should be ready to form scrums and lineouts within 15 seconds.
• Front rows must complete three distinct actions during the Crouch-Bind-Set sequence.
• Avoid unnecessary resets and sanction repeated non-compliance.
• At lineouts, ensure the non-throwing team has a player in the 5m channel.
• Be alert to quick throws before a lineout forms.

Sanctions & Law Reminders

• Negative or cynical play should result in a yellow card (2-minute suspension).
• Any kick-off offence results in a free kick.
• The 50:22 and goal-line dropout variations do not apply in Sevens.
• Apply the Decision-Making Framework for high tackles, with player safety remaining the priority.

Match Management

• Conversions and penalty kicks at goal must be taken within 30 seconds.
• All kicks at goal are drop kicks.
• The scoring team restarts play.
• Opponents must assemble on their own 10m line for conversions.
• Keep the game moving and be mindful of tournament schedules.
• Water carriers must not delay restarts.

Briefing Coaches & Captains

Before the tournament, reinforce:

• 15 seconds to form scrums and lineouts.
• 30 seconds for conversions and penalty kicks at goal.
• Three distinct actions at scrum engagement.
• Non-throwing teams must have a player in the 5m lineout channel.
• Cynical play will be sanctioned firmly.
• The tackle framework applies throughout the competition.
• Respect for match officials is expected at all times.
• Any concerns should be raised through the senior referee, not from the touchline.

Above all, keep the game safe, keep it moving, and apply the laws consistently across the tournament.

Every referee develops a management style that reflects their own personality and experience. It’s important to remember that coaches, players and spectators do not have the same view of the incident as the referee, and may not have seen what the referee has seen.

When decisions are challenged, referees should respond calmly and professionally, reinforcing rugby’s core value of respect. It’s perfectly acceptable to explain what was observed, but avoid debating opinions.

In this situation, the referee could simply state:

“I saw a seatbelt tackle that subsequently rode up, so I awarded a penalty only. I don’t need your opinion. Please respect the decision and rugby’s core values.”

If necessary, the referee may involve the captain to address the behaviour of the physio or team staff member. While a designated first aider may need to remain available, the referee has the authority to manage those in the playing enclosure and ensure appropriate conduct is maintained.

After awarding the try and allowing the conversion attempt, call time off and speak to both Red 10 and their captain. Remind them that Red 10 is one further yellow card away from a red card and must improve their discipline.

Reinforce your expectations around offside lines and make it clear that repeated infringements, particularly within the defending 22-metre area, or a pattern of team offences, are likely to result in stronger sanctions.

A charge down is considered a deliberate play of the ball. As the defending team has played the ball before it enters in-goal, they are responsible for taking it into their own in-goal area and making it dead. The correct restart is therefore a 5-metre scrum to the attacking team.

A useful comparison is when a kick bound for touch deflects off an opponent before going out of play. Even if the opponent did not intentionally play the ball, the lineout throw belongs to the kicking team. A charge down should be viewed in the same way.

This scenario does not meet any of the criteria for a goal-line dropout ((knocked on in in-goal by the attacking side, taken into in-goal by the attacking side and held up, or kicked into in-goal by the attacking side and made dead by the defending side), so that restart option does not apply.

Under Law 18, the ball is either in play or in touch. A ball that has crossed the plane of touch can only be played if one of the exceptions in Law 18.2 applies.

In this scenario, the ball is in touch, as none of the Law 18.2 exceptions apply:
a. The ball reaches the plane of touch but is caught, knocked or kicked by a player who is in the playing area.
b. A player jumps, from within or outside the playing area, and catches the ball, and then lands in the playing area, regardless of whether the ball reached the plane of touch.
c. A player jumps from the playing area and knocks (or catches and releases) the ball back into the playing area, before landing in touch or touch-in-goal, regardless of whether the ball reached the plane of touch.
d. A player, who is in touch, kicks or knocks the ball, but does not hold it, provided it has not reached the plane of touch.

The key exception would be if the player had jumped from the playing area and knocked the ball back before landing in touch. In that case, play would continue.

An interesting quirk of the law is that a player who is already in touch may knock or kick the ball while it is still short of the plane of touch, provided they do not catch or hold it.

When judging these situations, the crucial factors are where the player came from, whether the ball had reached the plane of touch, and whether the player caught, held, kicked or merely knocked the ball.

This is commonly known as a “slingshot” engagement by the No. 8 and is illegal. Referees may choose to manage it with a warning on the first occurrence, but repeated offences should be penalised.

All players must be fully bound before the scrum engagement sequence begins, including the No. 8. A hand grip alone is not sufficient; the No. 8 must be properly bound to a lock with at least one arm. Failure to do so is a penalty offence.

If the kick fails to reach the required sanction line (the 5-metre line in this case), the non-kicking team can choose either a retake of the kick or a scrum. If the ball reaches the line but is then blown back by the wind, play continues.

In this scenario, the ball has effectively been made dead by the kicking team, so the non-kicking team is awarded the scrum put-in on their own 5-metre line.

Key principle: Kick-offs and restart kicks must bring the ball into the field of play. If the ball goes directly into touch, touch-in-goal or over the dead-ball line, the non-kicking team is given options.

Law 11.3 applies: A player must not intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm. Sanction: Penalty. Hence the correct decision was made.

The definition of a knock-on applies: ‘When a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.’ Hence this represents an accidental knock forward (unlike the deliberate act above) unless the player who knocked the ball forward regathers it (as a catch) then it is a knock-on. Again the correct decision was made.

There is no such thing as a referee being on the “wrong side” of the scrum. A referee may position themselves wherever they need to in order to manage the game effectively.

However, guessing is never a good option. Referees can only make decisions on what they have seen. As it’s impossible to have a clear view of all 30 players and the ball at all times, there will be occasions when incidents are missed.

In those situations, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see it” is often more credible and better accepted than making a decision based on assumption rather than observation.

By deciding not to award a penalty try, the referee allows play to continue from the penalty. Even if time has expired, a penalty can still be taken and the ball brought back into play.

The non-offending team therefore retains all of its penalty options, including a tap, kick to touch, kick at goal or choosing a scrum.

In this situation, the referee should also consider the wider message being sent. Where behaviour falls short of rugby’s core values of Respect, Discipline and Sportsmanship, referees should manage the game in a way that reinforces those standards and helps maintain positive conduct from all involved.

Hand-offs are permitted in Age Grade rugby, including at Under 15 level. However, player safety must always come first.

Referees should penalise any hand-off that is reckless or dangerous, including straight-arm contact, contact with spread fingers near the eye area, or use of the heel of the hand to the face.

Even when a legal bent-arm hand-off is used, referees should consider the force involved, the standard of play and whether repeated incidents are creating tension between teams. Where appropriate, a quiet word with the coaches can help prevent issues from escalating.

Key principle: A hand-off to the face is legal, but player welfare always takes priority.

A mark can be claimed by a player who catches an opponent’s kick inside their own 22-metre area. The only exceptions are kicks from a kick-off or restart kick, from which a mark cannot be called.

This means a mark may be claimed from an open-play kick, a penalty kick, a free kick or an attempted drop goal.

If the catch is made in-goal, a mark can still be called. The resulting free kick is taken on the 5-metre line, in line with where the mark was made.

The defender may instead choose to touch the ball down, run it back, or kick it clear, but claiming the mark will often be the safest option.

Dummy runners are not automatically illegal. The key question is whether they commit an offence and, if so, whether it has a material impact on play.

Referees should be alert to two potential offences:

• Offside, if a dummy runner advances beyond the offside line before being put onside.
• Obstruction, if their running line prevents defenders from tracking or tackling an opponent.

Running a genuine support line is legal. However, if a player’s movement is designed to block defenders or interfere with their line of sight and movement, then a penalty may be appropriate.

As with many situations, the referee must judge both the offence and its effect on the game. If the action is immaterial, play can continue; if it materially affects the defence, it should be sanctioned.

The scrum-half may choose which side of the scrum to feed, and that choice can vary from scrum to scrum during a match.

There is no requirement for the ball to be put in from the same side every time. However, once the scrum-half has approached a side of the scrum with the ball ready to feed, the referee may require the ball to be put in from that side to avoid unnecessary delays.

Tactical considerations may influence the decision, particularly where one prop is dominant and could provide an advantage from a specific side of the scrum.

Striking an opponent is foul play and must be dealt with appropriately. Players need to understand that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be ignored.

In Age Grade rugby, a referee may ask a coach to replace a player to allow them time to calm down. If this happens, the player may only return with the referee’s permission, even where rolling substitutions are permitted. All substitutions must only occur when the ball is dead and with the referee’s permission.

When requesting a substitution, the referee should make it clear to the coach that the player’s return is subject to the referee’s approval.

Squeezeball is a technique where the ball carrier goes to ground with their head close to the ground and pushes the ball back between their legs. It is prohibited in RFU Age Grade Rugby at U15-U18 level, including Colts rugby played under Age Grade regulations.

The ban exists for player welfare reasons, as the position places the head and neck in an area vulnerable to arriving players.

In adult rugby, there is no specific law preventing a player from passing the ball backwards between their legs, provided the ball is made available immediately. However, any delay that prevents opponents from contesting possession should be penalised.

Referees should be aware that RFU Regulation 15 specifically prohibits squeezeball in Age Grade Rugby, regardless of whether the ball is released immediately.

Yes. Under World Rugby Laws, there is no restriction preventing a No. 8 pick-up from an uncontested scrum. The laws governing uncontested scrums do not alter the role of the No. 8 in this respect.

Some RFU competition regulations may apply additional requirements when a team causes scrums to become uncontested, such as requiring that team to play with one fewer player. However, these regulations do not generally prohibit No. 8 pick-ups.

The position is different in some other unions, including Wales, where separate regulations may apply. Teams involved in cross-border fixtures should therefore check and agree any competition-specific variations before the match.

Red. The 50/22 Global Law Trial states specifically that it does not apply to a kick off or any type of restart kick.

Justification: It would be wrong to sanction a team for complying with an obligation. Red was obliged to kick into the Blue half and did so. Blue only has the opportunity to secure a 50/22 either if Red chose voluntarily to kick the ball into the Blue half or after a further contest for the ball in the Blue half after they were obliged to kick the ball into that half.

No. Whilst Law 8 allows for a “placer” to support the ball for place kicks at goal, Law 3.1 states that each team has no more than 15 players in the playing area during play. If the substitute acted as a placer for his team in an attempt to score points, then he/she is acting in a playing capacity so would contravene Law 3.1.

As in the infamous ‘100-minute game’ (Wayne Barnes, France v Wales, 2017 Six Nations), the yellow card clock runs continuously alongside match time. If time expires but play continues because the ball has not yet gone dead, the player continues to serve their suspension during that period.

As a result, any additional time played beyond the scheduled end of the half counts towards the yellow card. If the suspension period expires during this extended play, the player may return at the next suitable stoppage.

In this scenario, the player can therefore use the overtime played at the end of the first half towards their suspension and may return once the remaining 7 minutes of their sanction have been served in the second half, at an appropriate stoppage.

A goal-line dropout is only awarded in specific situations defined within Law 12. One of these is when an attacking player is held up in-goal and the ball becomes dead without a try being scored.

In this scenario, the ball carrier has entered in-goal and been prevented from grounding the ball by the defenders before the ball becomes dead over the dead-ball line. The correct restart is therefore a goal-line dropout.

Decision: Goal-Line Dropout.

The depth of the in-goal area is irrelevant. The key factors are that the attacking team took the ball into in-goal, no try was scored, and the ball subsequently became dead.

The law treats a goal-line dropout in the same way as any other restart kick that goes directly into touch. The non-kicking team is awarded a choice of restart options.

They may choose:

• A retake of the kick
• A scrum
• A lineout
• A quick throw (if available)

If they choose a scrum or lineout, it is awarded on the kicking team’s 5-metre line.

Key principle: If a goal-line dropout goes directly into touch, the non-kicking team gains a significant territorial advantage through the options available to them.

Law 14 does not limit a tackled player to a specific number of rolls. Instead, the referee should judge whether the player has complied with their obligations after the tackle.

Under Law 14.7(a), a tackled player must immediately make the ball available by releasing, passing, pushing or placing it in any direction other than forwards. Under Law 14.7(b), they must then move away from the ball or get up. Law 14.7(c) also requires them not to lie on, over or near the ball in a way that prevents opponents from contesting possession.

As a result, a tackled player may turn or roll in order to present the ball, provided this is done immediately and does not obstruct a fair contest. A player who lands on top of the ball may also roll backwards to make it available, provided they comply with the requirements of Law 14.7.

However, if a roll delays the release of the ball, prevents a legal opponent from competing for possession, or results in the player remaining on or over the ball, then the player has failed to comply with Law 14.7(b) and/or Law 14.7(c) and should be penalised.

Key principle: Referees should focus less on the number of rolls and more on whether the tackled player has made the ball available immediately and allowed a fair contest for possession, as required by the Principle of Law 14 and Law 14.7(a-c).

This situation is often referred to as a “truck and trailer” scenario.

The laws are based on the expectation that both teams will compete for possession. A team cannot simply stand off and expect to be awarded a penalty because their opponents have formed a huddle around the ball.

If Red leave the lineout early, before the lineout has ended, they are liable to penalty under Law 18.38.

If Red remain in the lineout but choose not to engage, and the ball is not with the player at the front of Yellow’s huddle, the referee should manage the situation by calling “Use it”. Yellow must then bring the ball back into play, for example by:

• The ball carrier peeling away from the huddle.
• The scrum-half taking the ball and passing it.
• The scrum-half taking the ball and running.

If Yellow do so promptly, play can continue without a whistle.

If the ball is with the front player of the huddle, then Red have access to the ball carrier and there is no obstruction.

However, if Yellow fail to use the ball when instructed and a Red player then attempts to engage from the front, Yellow may be guilty of obstruction because the ball carrier is shielded from defenders. In that case, a penalty to Red is appropriate.

It is also important to remember that if Red engage directly on the ball carrier, a maul can form. If they bind onto another Yellow player instead, no maul has been created because a maul requires at least one player from each team to be bound to the ball carrier.

Key principle: If Red choose not to compete, the referee should manage the situation and require Yellow to use the ball. The offence occurs only if Yellow subsequently fail to make the ball available and deny Red a fair opportunity to contest possession.