The Lonely-Planet The Lonely-Planet Guide to TJingGuide to TJing

Key Learning OutcomesKey Learning Outcomes

Pre-Match ProtocolPre-Match Protocol TJ Priorities – The RoboskillsTJ Priorities – The Roboskills Foul Play ReportingFoul Play Reporting TJ PositioningTJ Positioning

– RestartsRestarts– ScrumsScrums– LineoutsLineouts– T/R/MT/R/M– In-GoalIn-Goal

Pre Match Logistics If your referee hasn’t had the chance to give you a call or e-If your referee hasn’t had the chance to give you a call or e-

mail before the game then you make the mail before the game then you make the contact.contact. – The Ref may be bottling up butterflies for the match and hasn’t The Ref may be bottling up butterflies for the match and hasn’t

thought about you!thought about you! Seek out the Ref before the game for instructions / Seek out the Ref before the game for instructions /

expectations and to answer any question you may have.expectations and to answer any question you may have.– You do not make his job easier if 2min before KO you want to You do not make his job easier if 2min before KO you want to

have a chat about “What to do?” & “What to say?”have a chat about “What to do?” & “What to say?” Some of the most important tasks of the TJ take place well Some of the most important tasks of the TJ take place well

before you hit the field.before you hit the field.– An “it’s not a worry” attitudeAn “it’s not a worry” attitude– Relaxed organisation!Relaxed organisation!– Plenty of “Don’t worry about that I’ll take care of it”Plenty of “Don’t worry about that I’ll take care of it”– Every “stupid little thing” you can take out of the referee’s Every “stupid little thing” you can take out of the referee’s

mind – the better the game he will havemind – the better the game he will have

Priorities of the Empowered TJ

Touchline Ownership– Know your Laws for Touch & In-Goal

Foul Play Reporting– Don’t leave him hanging out to dry

Referee Support– Deflect as much pressure as possible

from the man in the middle

Touchline Ownership

Be there quickly Where is it in touch? When can a quick throw be taken? When can a quick throw not be taken? Signal for the ball in touch - flag only Signal when quick throw not allowable -

non flag arm - may have to be vocal

Foul Play – Protocol Under Pressure

Foul Play – Protocol Under Pressure

Think about what you saw – digest it Signal it with the flag, even if you think the

referee has seen it– Once it’s out, it’s OUT

Keep running touch (but not with flag out) and stay there until invited into FoP

If Non-offending team have the ball, play-on If/Once Offending team have the ball, call it

in Before speaking prepare what you are

going to say

Foul Play – Protocol Under Pressure

Hold your flag in both hands at all times Remember the ABCs

– Accuracy Give colour and number and specific offence

– Brevity Stick to what was involved in the incident

– Clarity Use the Language of the Lawbook

Do NOT give a recommendation unless asked Restate facts if sanction is unwarranted (either

high or low) depending on what you saw Get a mental picture of the restart location (other

TJ can help)

Foul Play Clips

Getting Into Position

Kick-Off Positioning

TJ

TJ

PK/FK Positioning

TJ

TJ

TJ

PK Positioning Clip

Leading & Trailing

Ensuring that the two TJ’s are not in line with the referee – why?

To create the triangle one TJ will be ahead of play and one slightly behind play.

As per the two rules above whenever play is heading toward one side that TJ will be moving ahead while the other TJ will hang back

Dwell until it becomes uncomfortable

TJ

TR

AIL

INGR/M

/S

TJ

LE

AD

ING

Off

side

Lin

e

TJ

LE

AD

ING

R/M

/S

Off

side

Lin

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J T

RA

ILIN

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Lead & Trail

In-Goal Positioning

Like Sex – Get in Deep & Get in Often– Be in the opposite position of the referee

Let referee take the last pass so you can get in-goal quicker

-Do NOT be in line with the ball carrier – toughest place to judge accuracy

If the TJ is caught in line or behind the ball as it heads to the goal line then he should stop and view the players crossing the goal line in a stationary position.

In-Goal

TJ

TJ

TJ

1

2

3

In-Goal

Don’t move under the posts until referee awards the try

Don’t give any signals unless referee looks directly at you

Be prepared for a time-off to discuss the 50/50 decisions in-goal

Dwell after the try to ensure there is no foul play after the ball is grounded

Shot At Goal

Communicate with your colleague whilst ball is in flight (“My call”)

Do not place flag in the air until you both agree to do so.

No signal for a missed goal. Return to touch line immediately for

a re-start at the "22" or half way.

Move as the ball is kicked if falling short.

Check with TJFlag upWatch the ballResume duties &

positioning ASAP

“Hold still please”“Red 5 advancing

before the kick is approached”

“My Post”“Yes / No”

Behind the goal line or 10m from penalty

1. Watch the defending players

2. As kick is taken, call the post

3. Check with other TJ4. Signal Together5. Unsuccessful –

watch for the ball to be dead /touch down

6. Back to position as quickly as possible.

STAND STILL

Move into position quickly and directly via in – goal.

Position at the postsFlag at side.

Be aware of sun’s position

“Call the post and we’ll signal together”

“Can I see the kicker?”“Is my view of the posts

obstructed / sunlight?”

“Are the defending players standing still”

1. Get into position as quickly as possible.

2. One post per TJ – near or far.

3. Make sure you can clearly see the goal post, the expected flight path of the ball & the kicker.

ActionCommunicationsThought ProcessPositioning

TJ

KICKS HERE

TJ

Shot At Goal

Scrum Time Set offside lines (Go Left), then come back if

issues are persisting or referee direction given

Near In-Goal, Set offside lines then move back to corner post

Be Expected to give input to anything inside 15m

Observe patterns on binding, angles, and engagement

Flanker Obstruction at end of scrum is also your area – foul play if material or manage it

Lineouts Manage the hooker on the mark and in the

channel Manage the Gap / Channel if referee at the

back Look for foul play across the line

– step away from the mark and look at things from an angle that is different from the referee’s PoV

Monitor across-the-line offences from the shoulder down, especially props taking out the opposition’s lifters.

Opposite TJ Mark 10m early and manage offside lines using winger

Position at Lineout

26

Alt position gives alternative perspective to ref at rear of L/O

Don’t Hang The Ref

Open play offside Assist referee by correct positioning of penalty

award. No marginal calls. ALWAYS Accompany calls with number.Forward pass and knock on Check referees positioning before call. No marginal calls.Stoppages Mark restarts accurately10m Offside lines Ensure you are both on the same line!

Communication & Trends

Trends Repeated incidents

– may be material, but important to address early on in the match

Manage ‘internally’, then raise it to referee if non-compliance still occurs

Telling the referee about it at halftime is useless

Player Management

When you are officiating with top players, you have to concentrate on your own professionalism.

At the lower levels of the game, you can safely discuss various aspects of the game with the players.

At the higher levels, that has to be left to the referee if he wishes to discuss anything.

Too many messages can be dangerous so it is best left to the team leader.

Do not react to any verbal outbursts, however personal they seem to be at the time. – If there is a reaction, they have won.

The players themselves will subtly question the touch judge’s decisions– The only answer is not to respond in any

way and get on with the job.

Coach/Player Management

Player/Ref Management

Natural Breaks in Play– Shots at Goal (be wary of who you talk to)– Lineouts– Halftime– Comms when ball is dead

NEVER– In Open Play at the breakdown– When scrum engagement process

underway– When referee already talking to players

Halftime Team Chat

Halftime Team Chat

Give 2 minutes of downtime for referee to get hydrated, fuel-up, and settle down

Let referee lead all discussion to cover their own priorities – it’s his show out there

Only give advice if asked Do not point out faults or introduce new

trends that you have not managed yourselves Deflect all questions from coaches / players

Beyond the Call of Duty

Beyond the Call of Duty

If the referee’s in the weeds – take as much pressure off him from coaches and players

Be supportive of the referee’s performance

Don’t give personal opinions Do not discuss their performance with

anyone – “I was concentrating on my job as a TJ so

I didn’t focus on the referee”

Final Take Home Points Regardless of the “text book” definitions of the

“Responsibilities of a Touch Judge”, the most basic obligation the Touch Judge has is to “do what the central referee asks of you”

It is a “Team of Three” – but there is only one captain!

You need to show 100% SUPPORT to the referee during the game – if you cannot support his calls then you are in the wrong place.– There are appropriate times for input and appropriate

times for disagreement – but as a “Team of Three” your public persona is that of the supportive understudy!

Final Take Home Points

The best Touch Judges not only highlight problems but also provide solutions

You are there to get all the calls right every time– No point in being there otherwise!

Don’t make him look like an idiot! Refs – Buy your TJs drinks post-match