Sevens Tournament – Briefings 

Our challenge at tournaments is to be consistent as a panel of referees – i.e. we would all make the same decision in any particular situation. 

Even if you’ve seen it before, please look at the “Whistle Stop Refereeing 7s” video on YouTube.  Richard Haughton (ex-England 7s player and 7s referee) provides some sound advice and top tips. 

Verbal communication especially “advantage over” and “No” to avoid stopping the game are particularly useful. 

Positioning: in 7s, referees spend a lot of time in the defensive line. 

This is a fast game for everything: Scrums, lineouts, kicks etc. 

Front rows are probably not usually front row players, but we can’t waste time on re-sets.  Explain requirements (three distinct actions from CBS) and sanction non-compliance.  Solve a problem but only if there is one that isn’t safe.  Teams to be ready for CBS within 15 secs. 

At lineouts ensure the non-throwing side has a player in the 5m channel.  Be prepared for a quick throw before any line-out has formed.  Teams form line-out within 15 secs of referee mark being set. 

Advantage is over very quickly as we haven’t got time to come back from a long way off.  Possession may well be a sufficient advantage.  Unless there is a clear opportunity for advantage, blow the penalty. 

Negative/cynical play = YC.  2 mins sin bin. 

Law: Any offence on k.o. (not 10, player in front etc. etc.) = FK 
WR has advised that the 50/22 and GLD are not to be applied in Sevens. 

High tackles: DLV: Now the base of the sternum is highest permissible contact by tackler 
DLV: Ball carrier to avoid dipping “late and low” 
if they start legal might be PK only 
seat belt etc. with minimum force = YC 
high with force = RC 

Game management: 

Conversion to be attempted within 30 secs of try being awarded.  Opponents on own 10m.  PK at goal also within 30 secs.  All drop kicks. 

The scoring team restarts so the conceding team gets possession. 

At half time, send teams to the half they need to be in for the second half.  Gee them up on 1 min 30 secs in the hope of restarting promptly. 

With 7-2-7 timings, a 20 min schedule is really tight as we can never blow time until the ball becomes dead.  Stopping the clock for injuries can be problematical too.  Use judgement.  Keep an eye on the actual time as well as game time.  Try and hand over on schedule.  If it looks like overrunning and there’s a two-score difference – try and find a reason to call time. 

If the match schedule is too tight, we will avoid tossing up for each game and we will agree the protocol at the referee briefing.  We don’t want water carriers delaying restarts either. 

Coaches/Captains 

Fast game: 15 secs to form scrum or lineout  
30 secs to take conversion or take PK @ goal 

Scrum: CBS – three distinct actions 

Lineout: Non-throwing side to have a player in the 5m channel 

Negative play YC 2 mins 

Tackles: DLV applies; few 2 on 1 tackles, but tackler to make contact below base of sternum 
Ball carrier to avoid “late and low” 

Conversions: Conceding side to assemble on own 10 m line 

Water carriers: Must not delay restarts 

No abuse: It’s not the HSBC Sevens. 
We will be as consistent as possible but some of us may be rusty or fairly new. 
Nothing from touchline please.  Any concerns to be brought to senior referee.