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2024 Referee Manual

Welcome to the Rams Touch Referee Manual. Below you’ll find important information to the success of your role with the Rouse Hill Rams Touch Football competition. Please ensure you read it carefully and fully understand all aspects. It’s imperative to the success of the competition that the below is understood. We thank you for your support of our Club and wish you all the best in your role as a Rams Touch Referee.

Contents

1. Referee management and support

  • 1.1 Important Contacts
  • 1.2 Referee Co-ordinator
  • 1.3 Head Referee and Referee Coaches

2. Season overview

  • 2.1 Teamapp
  • 2.2 Field Layout
  • 2.3 Season Dates
  • 2.4 Referee pay rates
  • 2.5 Buddy Referee payments
  • 2.6 Referee incentive payments
  • 2.7 Referee pay frequency
  • 2.8 Referee jerseys
  • 2.9 Referee whistles

3. Game Information

  • 3.1 Arrival Procedure
  • 3.2 Score cards
  • 3.3 Team ratings
  • 3.4 Problem players

4. Referee guides

  • 4.1 Age guidelines
  • 4.2 Common mistakes
  • 4.3 Roll or tap
  • 4.4 Player discipline

5. Semi and Grand Finals

  • 5.1 Referee teams
  • 5.2 Appointments
  • 5.3 Assistant Referees
  • 5.4 Best and fairest award
  • 5.4 Sub boxes
  • 5.6 Player identification
  • 5.7 Drop-off procedure

6. 2024 Touch Footy Rules Click Here

7. 2024 Field Map Click Here

1. Referee management and support

1.1 Important contacts

  • All Referees should download and join ‘Teamapp’, this is the primary method of communication between Rams Touch and the Referees group.  All information, appointments and messages are first posted on Teamapp.  Any queries or questions a Referee may have should be posted on ‘Chat’ on Teamapp. Please note that all posts are viewable by the entire Referee group. 
  • Anything of a personal or private nature should be sent via email to the most applicable email addresses below.
    Rams Touch President – president@ramstouch.com.au
    Rams Touch Referee Manager – referees@ramstouch.com.au

1.2 Referee co-ordinator

  • The role of Referee Manager no longer exists.  Instead two new roles have replaced it. We now have a Head Referee and a Referee Co-ordinator.  The Referee Co-ordinator will be in charge of the Referees Room at the fields each night.  Their duties will be to arrange the paper score cards, ensure appointed Referees are on the correct field in time for their games, find last minute replacement Referees as needed, collect scorecards at the completion of each round, enter scores on line and ensure our Referees have the necessary resources to fulfil their tasks.

1.3 Head referee and referee coaches

  • The Rams Touch Referees group will now be led by a Head Referee. Their duties are recruiting new Referees and retain existing Referees each season.  To implement a Referee training program to develop our existing and any new Referees prior to the season beginning.  Once the season has started the Head Referee will conduct on field coaching to our Referees to help improve performance and perform on field Referee assessments with the assistance of dedicated Referee Coaches.  Each Referee will be assessed twice during the 10 rounds of the season and be given feedback and advice to help them improve their performance and knowledge as a Referee.

2. Season overview

2.1 Teamapp

All Referees will need to download an application for their phone. It’s called ‘Teamapp’. We use this app to receive communications, information and game appointments each week. To download the app 

  • Search for ‘Teamapp’ on your device and download the app, it is free.
  • Use the ‘Find your Team/Club’ function to search for ‘Rams Touch’.
  • Enter all your personal details and request access to the Referees group. 
  • We will then approve your request and you will be able to receive notifications via the Refs room.  Please remember to turn on notifications.

2.2 Field Layout

There are 8 main fields available, are these are international sized fields, 70 metres in length and 50 metres width (plus dead ball area). These larger fields are for the age groups 12-13 yrs through to Seniors. These fields are numbered 1 to 4 across the back of the park and 5 to 8 across the front. Please see the new Field Map for further details.

The 8-9 yrs and 10-11 yrs will play across one half of a larger field, the dimensions of these smaller playing field will be 50 metres long and 35 metres wide. These smaller fields will not have all the regular lines marked on them. There will be sidelines and try lines made by the larger field’s markings, in addition there will be smaller marker lines on each side of the field to indicate Halfway Line and an 8m line at either end of the field. These smaller fields will be numbered from A through to H.  Please see the new Field Map for further details.

Field Map

2.3 Season dates

Important dates for the 2024 Rams Touch Season:

  • Round 1: Monday 9th Sept and Tuesday 10th Sept 2024
  • Round 2: Monday 16th Sept and Tuesday 17th Sept 2024
  • Round 3: Monday 23rd Sept and Tuesday 24th Sept 2024
  • Round 4: Monday 30th Sept and Tuesday 1st Oct 2024

October Long Weekend No Games: Monday 7th Oct and Tuesday 8th Oct 2024

  • Round 5: Monday 14th Oct and Tuesday 25th Oct 2024
  • Round 6: Monday 21st Oct and Tuesday 22nd Oct 2024
  • Round 7: Monday 28th Oct and Tuesday 29th Oct 2024
  • Round 8: Monday 4th Nov and Tuesday 5th Nov 2024
  • Round 9: Monday 11th Nov and Tuesday 12th Nov 2024
  • Round 10: Monday 18th Nov and Tuesday 19th Nov 2024
  • Semi Finals: Monday 25th Nov and Tuesday 26th Nov 2024
  • Grand Finals: Monday 2nd Dec and Tuesday 3rd Dec 2024

2.4 Referee pay rates

Pay rates for Referees for the 2024 season will again be based on a 4 Tier system based on the level and speed of the game. A Tier 1 game will be the easiest and Tier 4 the fastest and hardest. A Tier 1 game will pay $20, Tier 2 pays $25, Tier 3 pays $30 and Tier 4 pays $35. Games will be Tiered as follows

  • Tier 1: All 8–9 yr olds and all 10-11 yr olds.
  • Tier 2: All 12-13 yr olds, all 14-15 yr olds and 16-17 yr olds.
  • Tier 3: All Senior Div 2, where there are more than 1 division in the group.
  • Tier 4: All Senior games where there is only 1 division in the group.
  • Tier 5: All Senior Div 1, where there are more than 1 division in the group.

All finals games are paid on a different basis as each finals game has 3 appointed Referees. Pay rates for finals will be confirmed when the Referee’s finals information and appointments are released.

2.5 Buddy Referee payments

Where 2 or more Referees are appointed to and run on the same game, the game fee for that game will be split equally between the Referees.  Eg two Referees are both appointed to and run a 10-11yrs game, the game fee is $20, each Referee will be paid $10, each Referee will receive 1 game to their game tally.

2.6 Referee incentive payments

Our Referee Incentive Payment scheme will continue again in season 2024. Rams Touch will pay a bonus at the end of the season based on the number of games a Referee has done during the season, this includes Finals games.

The qualifying number of games and the bonus payments are:

  • 15 Mon games = $50
    15 Tues games = $50
  • 20 Mon games = $75
    20 Tues games = $75
  • 25 Mon games = $100
    25 Tues games = $100

2.7 Referee pay frequency

Referees will have the choice of payments for the season, Referees will be asked for their preference during the first few rounds of the season. The choices are as follows:

  • Single payment – made at the end of the season’s Grand Final games for all games completed.

Or

  • Double payment – the first made at the conclusion of round 5 for all games completed in rounds 1 to 5.  The 2nd payment will come at the end of the season’s Grand Final games for all remaining games.

2.8 Referee Jerseys

At the start of the season each Referee will be given a numbered Rams Referee Jersey. Referees will be responsible for washing and bringing their Jersey each week.  At the end of the season ALL Referee Jerseys need to be handed back. A fee of $40 will be held back from Referee payments for any lost or un-returned Referee Jerseys.

2.9 Referee Whistles

All new Referees will be given a plastic whistle to start.  Once the Referee is deemed competent they will be upgraded to a Metal Whistle. Referees are responsible for bringing their whistle every week. Replacement whistles will be charged to the referee at cost price.

3. Game information

3.1 Arrival procedure

Please arrive at the fields at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of your appointed games. 

  • Make your way to the Referee’s room, it has Visitors sign on the door, you can leave your belongings in there while you are on the fields. For new Referees that need a Referee shirt and whistle, they will be available in the Referee room on your first Monday or first Tuesday, depending which night you are on.
  • Your paper scorecards will be on the table in the Referee room, if you have more than 1 game your cards will be together. There will also be pens for you to use. Take your correct football, card(s), pen and whistle on to the field and do your games
  • At the end of your night please bring the cards back to the Ref’s room and place all completed paper scorecards and pens in to the plastic box on the table.

3.2 Score cards

Refs Cards

  • Scorecards should not be shown to players
  • Scorecards will be available each night in the Referees room at the fields, a sample is shown above
  • Please ensure your name is correctly written in the ‘Referee’ box to ensure you are paid correctly
  • When recording trys scored please be sure to put the scoring player’s number in the correct box
  • Do not use ticks or crosses as this can cause problems and confusion if a team disputes the score later on
  • Be sure to write the half time scores in the boxes provided and get in the habit of confirming the half time scores with each team
  • At the completion of the game write down the correct full time score in the boxes provided and again confirm the score with each team
  • The coloured ball symbol shows you which ball to use in that game.
  • 8-9’s and 10-11’s are the only Divs use the small yellow ball. All other age groups use the larger orange ball.

3.3 Team ratings

  • The ‘Behaviour’ stars are new this season and are there for the Referee to give each team a rating out of 5 for each team
  • The rating is for team and player behaviour not playing performance
  • 1 star is for a poorly behaved team, 3 stars for average or normal behaviour and 5 stars for excellent behaviour
  • Over the course of the season this will enable us to build up a list of teams that are a challenge to Referee and need more experienced Referees or those that might need a chat from our President or a formal warning
  • Please fill in the stars to provide a rating out of 5 for both teams when the game is complete and you have left the field. DO NOT complete the stars when you are in view of any players.

3.4 Problem players

  • The ‘Beware’ boxes at the bottom of the scorecards are for Referees to record the shirt number of any problematic players from each team
  • This can include players who constantly backchat or question decisions, players who continue to play aggressively or are overly physical in the touch
  • Also include here players that have been disciplined by either a Period of Time or Sent for Remainder of the Game
  • If we see that a player is causing problems regularly the committee can either sit them down for a chat and warning, or have a chat with their manager.

4. Referee Guides

4.1 Age guidelines

Please use the following guidelines when refereeing different age groups, but remember they are guidelines.  A Referee should use their judgement and discretion when handling situations on field.

8 – 9 Yrs

  • Most players will be new and have a limited understanding of the rules. Referees should be instructional and help the players to learn the rules.  Please avoid penalising players in this age group as they often won’t understand what has gone wrong.  It is better to stop the game, quickly explain what they need to do and let them try again.
  • These games aren’t fast therefore a Referee has plenty of time to maintain a presence in the defensive line and assist the defenders getting back onside. 
  • We allow a parent or coach to be on the field with this age group for the first 5 rounds of the season.  Be sure to make it clear to them that they need to stay well behind their players and not get in your way either.

10 – 11 Yrs

  • Refereeing this age group is much the same as the 8- 9’s, they will still have a limited understanding of the rules, still need the Referee to be instructional and allow them to have several chances to go back and redo their mistakes.  However chances should be limited to maybe 3 or 4 per game, after that a penalty or turnover should be given.  So long as they receive an explanation of what was wrong and what they need to change, most players will learn and make the necessary changes to their game.

12 – 13 Yrs

  • Most players will have a reasonable understanding of the rules and how the game is played, but not all.  A Referee should be able to pick which players are less experienced and give them extra assistance and a couple of second chances when they make a mistake.  Again limit the chances to 1 or 2 and if the problem continues then award the penalty or turnover as necessary.
  • Referees should start introducing the rule of ‘Moving off the Scoreline” to get the players used to it.  Plenty of talk instructing players to “move forward’, please only use penalties as an absolute last resort for players who continually fail to move forward after being given multiple chances.

14 – 15 Yrs

  • Full rules apply to this age group, however Referees should use their own discretion about allowing players a second chance when they have made a mistake.  Some players may be new to the game and may need extra assistance as necessary.
  •  Referees need to be extra vigilant around the 8m zones as the game can quickly break down if control isn’t maintained.  Move defenders forward when necessary, don’t allow them to move back to their line early.  Look for advantage as much as possible before awarding penalties.

16 – 17 Yrs and Seniors

  • Full rules apply to seniors.  Some players may be new to the game and need extra assistance in the early rounds of the season.
  • A Referee’s positioning on field is key to controlling senior games.  Getting yourself in to the correct position early will give you the best chance of making accurate decisions and allow you to control the game rather than it controlling you and forcing you to ‘chase’ the game.
  • Referees need to have a good understanding of the rules involving play in the 8m zone and be able to enforce them correctly
  • Most teams will make it there on every set of possession and most try’s will come from a play started there.

4.2 Common mistakes

Here’s a list of INCORRECT rules and interpretations that seem to come up each season from players and referees.  There’s an explanation with each one to clarify the rules regarding that situation.

  1. The dummy half cannot run through the ruck area. FALSE
    The dummy half can run anywhere on field.  However, they cannot be touched or score otherwise they will lose possession.
  2. Attacking players can touch offside defenders to gain a penalty. FALSE
    If a player in possession of the ball initiates a touch on an offside defender who is making an effort to get back onside, the defender is immediately considered onside and the touch will count.
  3. A player’s knees cannot touch the ground when scoring a try. FALSE
    Any part of a player’s body can touch the ground when scoring a try.
  4. When moving forward from their try line, the defending team only have to move as far as the 8-metre line. FALSE
    All defenders must move out and beyond the 8m line until the next touch is imminent.  Defenders who fail to move forward when instructed are liable to be penalised.
  5. A player attempting to score cannot make a double movement. FALSE
    Providing the player doesn’t release the ball and no touches are made play continues, this applies at any point of the game.
  6.  A player cannot dive to score a try. FALSE
    A player CAN dive to score.
  7. At each touch the ‘mark’ is where the defender is standing. FALSE
    The mark at the touch is where the attacking player is at the point of contact plus an allowance of an additional step to play the ball.  Defenders who stand still at the touch claiming a penalty for ‘overstepping’ are themselves liable to penalty for being in an offside position.
  8. The ‘moving forward off of your defending score line’ rule only applies when an attacking player brings the ball in to the 8m zone. FALSE
    The ‘moving forward off of your scoreline’ rule, comes in to effect every time any defender steps on the 8m line or is within the 8m zone.
  9. If a player touches the ball to the ground, possession is lost and the ball turned over. FALSE
    Similar to point 5 above, providing the player doesn’t release the ball and no touches are made play continues.

4.3 Roll or tap

There has been some inconsistency and confusion about which situations result in a change of possession and a ‘Roll Ball’ and those that result in a ‘Tap’.  Hopefully this will help to clarify things.

Any of the below results in a roll ball

  1. The dummy half is touched while in possession of the ball.
  2. After the sixth touch.
  3. When the ball goes to ground.
  4. After an incorrect roll ball – ball not played between the feet.
  5. After an incorrect roll ball – player not square and facing forward.
  6. The attacking player steps over the sideline before being touched.
  7. The dummy half grounds the ball in an attempt to score a try.
  8. The ball rolls more than a metre at the roll ball.

Any of the below results in a tap

  1. The start of each half.
  2. At the restart after a try has been scored
  3. At a penalty.  The most common penalties being:
  4. Offside.
  5. Late pass.
  6. Forward pass.
  7. Overstepping the mark
  8. Obstruction.
  9. Incorrect substitution
  10. Not moving forward off of the defending try line.
  11. Instances of misconduct.

4.4 Player discipline

To maintain control of player discipline during a game, we have 3 levels of sanction we can use, please read through and understand the difference between each one.  As soon as ill discipline starts in a game we have to deal with it, the longer it goes unchecked the worse it becomes.

  1. A forced substitution – You can force a player to leave the field temporarily, they can be replaced by a teammate, so the team will still have 6 players on field, but normal substitution rules apply.  The forced substitution is the best way to handle a player that back chats or for players that get in to arguments with opposition.
  2. Sin bin – For players that continually breach the rules, those that are getting overly physical, swear at the referee and generally haven’t responded to repeated warnings, penalties and forced subbing.  The offending player must stand behind the dead ball at their teams attacking end of the field and cannot be replaced.  Instruct them to remain there, stay out of the way and keep quiet.  Failure to comply will result in extension of the time they must remain there.  As a general rule players should stay in the sin bin area for a minimum of 2 sets of possession to EACH team, but that time can be extended at the referees discretion.
  3. Sent from the Field – For the most severe breaches of the rules like fighting.  A player sent from the field can take no further part in the game and can not be replaced, also inform them that an automatic 2 week suspension will be applied.  All players sent from the field must be reported to either the Head Referee or Referee Co-ordinator.

5.  Semi and Grand Finals

5.1 Referee teams

In the 2 weeks of finals every game will be run by a team of 3 Referees, a Central Referee and 2 Assistant Referees. The Central Referee will control the game on the field and the 2 Assistant Referees will each control one sideline.

5.2 Referee Appointments

  • Appointment to the Central Referee in control of Grand Final and Semi Final games will be given to those Referees that have performed well throughout the entire season, those Referees that have taken on the feedback and advice given by the Referee Coaches and those that have worked hard to improve their performance on field. 
  • The Rams Touch Head Referee in consultation with the Referee Coaches will make the appointments. All Referee and Assistant Referee appointments will be made and posted the weekend prior to the games taking place. 

5.3 Assistant Referees

  • Assistant Referees still need to have their whistle as they will have the same authority to control players as the Central Referee  
  • Your position should be on or just inside the sideline in between the two teams, about 1 metre in front of the defending team. As the game moves up and down the field you need to move with it to stay 1 metre in front of the defending team at all times. Be sure to keep an eye on the sub box on your side of the field, Assistant Referees are responsible for ensuring players substitute correctly.
  • Anytime you see an infringement in the game, be it a forward pass, a late pass, incorrect substitution etc the signal to the Central Referee should be one hand placed to the opposite shoulder. Please don’t stand holding the signal trying to get the Central Referees attention as once the players see they will start appealing and complaining. If the Central Referee is not sure about what happened they should look to both Assistant Referees and see if either are signalling. If the Central Referee doesn’t look, don’t hold the signal, put your hand down and continue with the game.
  • After a try has been scored, but before the Central Referee has blown the whistle to award it, they should first look to both Assistant Referees who in turn should indicate all clear with a thumbs up if they haven’t seen anything that needs to be considered. If an Assistant Referee has seen something the Central Referee should be made aware of or has missed they should make the hand to shoulder signal and then enter the field to discuss. After the discussion the correct course of action should be taken whether that is to award the try, give a penalty, change of possession etc.
  • One of the Assistant Referees should hold the scorecard and record any scores. 

5.4 Best and fairest award

  • We have a ‘Best and Fairest’ award to be chosen for one player from each Grand Final game. It is up to each team of 3 Referees on the game to choose a player to receive the award after the game. The winning player doesn’t necessarily have to come from the winning team.
  • When making your decision please focus more on the ‘Fairest’ part than the ‘Best’ part. So look for players who are responding well to your directions, those that play in the correct spirit of the game, those that are courteous and respectful to the opposition, those that aren’t antagonising the other team or those that aren’t complaining at the Referees etc.
  • At half time get together with the other 2 Referees and have a talk about which players you think should be in consideration. At full time get together again and make your decision. There is a space at the bottom of the scorecards to write the winning player, please put their shirt number and team name.

5.5 Sub boxes

  • Each of the fields used for finals will be marked with additional RED SUB BOXES, which run between the two ‘10 metre’ broken lines either side of halfway, one box on each side of the field. Each team has one sub box, the team that wins the toss at the start of the game chooses which box they will have.
  • All spare/sub players as well as coaches/managers must remain within the Sub Box during the game. Players can only sub on and off from their side of the field. The Sub Player CANNOT enter the field until the Player coming off has ENTERED the RED SUB BOX. The Assistant Referees are responsible for monitoring this.  Please make sure all teams are advised of SUB BOX rules before the game starts.

5.6 Player identification

  • Each Referee team must check players against their registered ID details prior to the game starting
  • Team ID sheets will be available with the scorecards prior to the game. All players must be checked against this record, if they are not on the team sheet they CAN NOT PLAY
  • If you happen to have a player not on the sheet, please send them to game control at the Canteen to sort the problem out
  • This ID process does require a few minutes to complete so please get to your field early and start checking the players
  • Once complete please return the sheets to canteen control immediately as games cannot start until all sheets are in.

5.7 Drop-off procedure

  • In the event of a drawn game at full time one of the Assistant Referees should signal to the canteen control area that the game is drawn and you need to start a Drop Off. The central Referee should call both captains (and coach/manager for junior teams) and quickly explain the drop off procedure
  • Each team will reduce to only 4 players to start the Drop Off. The decision on which player will drop off is entirely up to the team management, that is the captain, coach, etc.
  • During Drop Off any Senior Mixed teams can choose to remove male or female players so long as they maintain correct team composition, a minimum of 1 female player at all times as well as a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 male players. This only applies to SENIOR MIXED teams.
  • The Drop Off commences with a tap at half way by the team who did not start the game with possession.  Teams continue to play in the same direction as they finished the game. Substitution of players is permitted as per the normal substitution rules.
  • The game will recommence with a 3 minute period of extra time.  Whichever team is leading at the expiration of extra time will be declared the winner and the match complete.
  • Should neither team be leading when a siren at the expiration of 3 minutes is sounded, the match will pause at the next touch or dead ball. Each team will then remove another player from the field of play.
  • The game will recommence immediately after the players have left the field at the place where it paused (i.e. the team retains possession at the designated number of touches). The game will continue until a try is scored, the first team to score will be declared the winner.
  • All normal substitution rules apply.
  • If a player has been sent to the Sin Bin, they still count as a player on the field, so if teams are down to 3 players and 1 gets sent to the bin the game continues with the offending team having just 2 players active on field (their 3rd is in the bin). If a player is sent from the field for the remainder of the game in this instance the game is forfeit by the offending team.

6. 2024 Touch Footy Rules Click Here