Always introduce yourself to the coach first & ask him or her when it would be ok to talk to his or her players. (Best time for this is when the players go out to warm up – at least 30 minutes before kick‐off).
Ask the coach who the captain is and introduce yourself to him or her.
Tell the coach and captain you would like to check all players’ boots – go along and do so.
Talk to all players:
- Go through your scrum engagement calls (Couch – Bind – Set) and that you are looking for stability at each stage before going on to the next call.
- Ask if the team knows the ‘May Day’ sequence. If they don’t, ask the team coach to go through it immediately.
- Explain to the team the tackle protocol
- Tackler to release the player with the ball and roll away
- Player with the ball to play it immediately
- That incoming players must come through the gate
- Within all of that, that there will be a contest at the breakdown if you’re on your feet; coming in from the right direction.
- Once the ruck is formed keep your hands off the ball.
Tell the captain that he or she is the only person that you will talk to and that we will only talk at the next stoppage. If I award a penalty, don’t come up to me & question the penalty, both sides will be able to play on quickly. Tell the captain that he or she is responsible for their side and that as the captain they need to work with you to keep the penalties down.
Ask the team if they have any questions. (The usual one you will get is, when is the ball out of a ruck).
Wish the side good luck & that kick off time is in approximately whatever minutes.
Then go to the other side and say exactly the same.
Warm up your body and mind ready to referee the game.