Select A Division -------------- Men's Div I & II Club Men's Div III Women's Club Men's College Women's College High School Boys High School Girls U15 Boys

The EPRU Referees Society Home page is located at www.eastpennrugby.org.

The primary objective of the Society is to further the development of referees and refereeing in the EPRU. Specific policies and procedures are as follows:

A. Recruitment and Training of Referees
B. Grading and Evaluation of Referees
C. Member Referee Requirements
D. Exchange of Referees
E. Referee Match Fees
F. Club Responsibility Guidelines
G. Day of Match
H. USARFU Directive: Player's Dress
I. Standard Referee Phrases
J. A Player's Guide to Touch Judging
K. Referee Advance Payment Plan - Rev. 3 - 4/26/02
L. RugbyRefs.com

2006 USA Rugby Guidelines on the Application of Law for Youth Non-Contact Rugby (PDF)

IRB RULINGS by Designated Members of Laws Committee

EPRU Policy - Club Referees
Effective February 1, 2002
All EPRU senior clubs (this is not collegiate or grad school teams) are required to have at least one certified rugby referee representing their club, that is not a full member of the East Penn Rugby Referees Society, who will be available to referee as needed by the EPRRS. This need is not expected to be more than 2 matches per season per club. Failure to provide a certified referee when requested by the EPRRS shall result in rescheduling of the EPRRS assigned referee from that club's match on the day of need or for a subsequent match.

A. Recruitment and Training of Referees

More referees are needed, and once recruited, must be trained. The recruitment and training of referees is the main responsibility of the Eastern Penn Rugby Referees Society (EPRRS). To meet this end, the Referees Society holds open meetings monthly during the rugby season (August to November & February to May) at 7:00 p.m. at The Dark Horse (formerly The Dickens Inn), 2nd St. between Pine & Lombard, Philadelphia or the King of Prussia Firehouse in King of Prussia, PA. Special meetings and "scrimmage training" are also held during each season. In addition, the Society participates in the EPRU Coaching Clinic and holds a Refereeing Clinic at least once per year. A person can join the Society by attending these meetings and exhibiting a desire to become a referee. Law Books and other training materials are made available at these meetings. For more information, contact the Referees Society at eprurefs@eastpennrugby.org.

top

B. Grading and Evaluation of Referees

• D = new referee, assigned second side matches or below with first side referee as evaluator and mentor.
• C3 = has refereed 5 scheduled matches and passed the open book test.
  *Note* ALL referees must take and pass the open book test for certification and be enrolled in the current year’s CIPP program in order to be assigned matches by the Society.
• C2 = shows progress and commitment, has good understanding of The Laws and is beginning to learn on-field techniques for game control.
  Needs to pass Level 2 Certification test to move to next grade.
• C1 = should not be making "Laws" mistakes, exhibits good control of game, has been evaluated and coached by others to develop refereeing skills.
• B3 = Promotion made by Mid Atlantic Rugby Referees (MARR) evaluators after travel to other territories and vast high-level experience. Now a "territorial" referee.
• B2 = MARR sees competence at any level of game within territory.
• B1 = willing and able to travel anywhere in the country to do championship games competently.
• A panel - there are only four or five in the entire country, and they are representatives of USA Rugby during National championships as well as overseas exchanges.
• Constructive feedback is welcome from fans, coaches and players. The development of referees is as important to the game as any other aspect. To this end, we ask that all participants in rugby seek to better the talents of those who volunteer to referee.

top

C. Member Referee Requirements

The EPRU has mandated that all club and colleges must have Certified Referees officiating all their games. Effective September 1, 1999, all senior side games must be refereed by a certified referee and all games, including collegiate and high school games, must be refereed by a certified referee beginning January 1, 2000.

D. Exchange of Referees

In order to aid in the development of individual referees and improve the standard of refereeing in the EPRU, the East Penn Rugby Referees Society (EPRRS) takes part in the Mid Atlantic Rugby Referee Exchange Program (two games per season). This program gives C-2 referees their first taste of travel outside of local games and is designed to increase their skills in front of different competition. There are also inter-union exchanges with the Metropolitan NY and Potomac Referee’s Societies for other levels. Expenses are paid by the appropriate referee’s society.

E. Referee Match Fees

Referee expenses are paid either in cash or check directly to the referee prior to the kickoff unless other arrangements have been made in advance. The following chart outlines the cost to the HOME team. Please note the sliding scale based on referee grade.  

*Ref Grade*	Tournaments / Multiple Matches per day
A-1, A-2, A-3	$160
B-1	$155
B-2	$150
B-3	$145
C-1	$130
C-2	$120
C-3	$100

top

F. Club Responsibility Guidelines

1. Online Submittal of Schedule
   Each club MUST submit their schedule via the Online Submittal of Schedule showing both Home and Away matches (indicate "A", "B", or "C" sides).
   The submittal deadline for each season is:
   Fall Season -- August 1
   Spring Season -- February 1
   Failure to submit the schedule to your Divisional PlayCoordinator by the above deadline may result in either a loss of refereeing services for that season or a substantial fine. There is NO reason not to meet these dates. The schedule can be amended as changes occur.
2. Written Confirmation
   Each club MUST obtain a signed Match Contract for all matches. Acknowledgement of this signed contract must be provided on the submitted schedule. If the other club will not return the signed contract, don't play them! Failure to provide such acknowledgement may result in non-scheduling of a referee for that match until you have a signed contract. If a visiting club fails to show on game day or cancels the match (notify the referee at once). If you cannot produce a signed Match Contract, the Disciplinary Committee cannot take action against that club. It is strongly recommended that any club hosting a tournament get Match Contracts from those clubs attending the tournament.
3. Annual Winter Referees Training Clinic
   All EPRU member clubs MUST send at least one representative (preferably a prospective/future referee) to the clinic. It is held annually on a weekend in February. NO matches are to be scheduled on this day. The development of at least one "knowledgeable" club referee is a MUST since there are usually 2 to 4 weekends per season when the number of matches is greater than the number of referees available. Therefore, having a "knowledgeable" club referee to fill in for your club (or another) is essential for good rugby on that day and will also help increase Society membership in the future. Failure to send a representative to the clinic will result in lower refereeing scheduling priority for your club.
4. Assessments

   Assessments are made (through fines) for the following:

   • Failure to start match on time $15.00
   • Poorly lined field $20.00
   • Missing spectator rope $25.00
   • Failure to confirm match details with referee by Wednesday $25.00
   • Late submittal of schedule $50.00 (after Feb. 1 or Aug. 1)
   • Late payment fee $25.00
   • Invoices for the above will be sent out at the end of each season. Failure to pay on time will result in a lower scheduling priority for those clubs, as well as the additional late payment fee.
   • College side invoices will be sent both to the school and the club. Ultimate responsibility for payment lies with the club itself.
   • Referees will delay kickoff until the following requirements have been met:
   • Payment has been made to the referee for match fees.
   • Goalposts must be padded. Padding must be placed all around the circumference of the posts at a minimum of 2-inches thick and 5-feet high.

   Either a certified doctor must be present or proven access to a phone at the field
   (all teams should have a First Aid Kit and someone familiar with First Aid at all matches)
   
   These requirements are for your benefit and meeting them should not be a real burden on any club. The referee reports these "failures" on the "Buddy Kane" report card which is submitted to the EPRRS Match Secretary by the referee. The referee may or may not elect to advise you on the decision to file a report. Referees will make a reasonable attempt to alert clubs to problems prior to kickoff to allow for corrections.

5. The Laws of the Game
   www.irfb.com
   Be sure your club obtains a number of current Law Books. They are re-issued each August by the USA Rugby Football Union and can be obtained through the East Penn Rugby Referees Society, rugby equipment suppliers or directly from USA Rugby. (see "Services")
6. Referee Teaching Sessions
   Each club is welcome and encouraged to invite a local referee to a practice session to discuss certain Laws or refereeing strategies and priorities. We believe that this will help your club to better understand The Laws and objectives of the game as the referee sees it, and therefore, increase the chances for your club's success. Post-match the referee is available to discuss, in a friendly manner, any questions about the match or the Laws in general.
7. Assignment of Referees
   The club Match Secretary will identify the referee(s) assigned for the club's home matches. Contact phone numbers for the referees will also be listed there. Review your schedule carefully and immediately advise the EPRRS Match Secretary if there are any changes, or you have any questions.

   If no referee is presently assigned, a "C" will appear in place of a name. Please call one of the Club Referees (a list of current Club Referees will be posted). These arrangements should be made at least two weeks before the match; be sure to send them a confirming letter and map to your field.

   Don't forget to reconfirm the kick-off time by telephone no later than 3 days before the match. Since the use of a Club Referee is not a direct EPRRS appointment, please offer out-of-pocket travel expenses prior to the match including $.25/mile plus tolls.

   If you are unable to find a Club Referee (after calling everyone on the list), please contact the EPRRS Match Secretary no less than 5 days before the match. A previously assigned referee may have become available. If a referee is not assigned to your "B" or "C" side match, it is incumbent upon the home club to provide a capable referee. (This is another reason for sending club members to the Annual Referees Training Clinic).

   Referees will not be assigned to matches where "rogue" clubs are participating (i.e. teams that are not members of any recognized rugby football union).

   No EPRU member may invite a non-EPRU referee to do a match (or tournament) unless the EPRRS has been contacted. All invitations are made through the EPRRS.

8. Pre-Match Preparations
   You MUST contact your assigned Society referee or Club referee NO LATER THAN 3 DAYS before the match (i.e. Wednesday prior to a Saturday match, etc.). If no contact is made within that time, the referee is free to do another match (there's usually a waiting list!) and your club will be fined as noted in "Assessments." If you cannot establish verbal contact/confirmation with the referee, or you do and find out they're unable to do your match, call the EPRRS Match Secretary immediately.

top

G. Day of Match

Procedure for Confirming Match Day Arrangements

1. Your Captain knows who your Touch Judge will be; this person knows rugby and is available to run touch for the entire game.
2. Prior to taking the field, your Captain is confident that all player's dress conforms to Law (4) and the USARFU Directive on Player's Dress, along with EPRU Kit Requirements. Be sure ALL PLAYERS know this!
3. The field is properly lined and marked in accordance with The Plan (as found in the Law Book).
4. The spectator rope is properly in place (5 meters back from the touch line on the populated side, or both sides if needed) from goal line to goal line and goal posts are properly padded.
5. The match starts on time.
6. All players and reserves are covered by a medical/sports accident insurance policy of at least $100,000.
7. All players are eligible to compete as per East Penn, Mid Atlantic or USA Rugby requirements.
8. Treatment of Referees

The Eastern Penn Referees Society expects only first class treatment of its members, guest referees, or any person who is willing to pick up the whistle and do his or her best. The behavior of players towards a referee should reflect the attitude of its club. This attitude should be demonstrated to a referee before, during, and after the match. The referee should be made to feel welcome upon arrival at the field, during other matches, offered a place to shower, and invited to the party. It is recognized that their on- the- field efforts may not necessarily please every player, coach, and spectator, however a person's willingness to do a job that very few others are willing to do, deserves everyone's respect and appreciation. Once a match is over, we encourage friendly discussions with the referee regarding any of the calls, Laws, etc. If anyone is not satisfied with the referee's response, the Referee's Society President or Training Coordinator should be contacted.

Every referee, like every player, will make mistakes during a match or even have a "bad" game. We must accept this and work together to further our development as players and referees.

"In the game of life, as in other sports, you can pick out the winners, --- they’re the ones who aren’t complaining about the officiating."
~ Bill Vaughan

top

H. USARFU Directive: Player's Dress

1. All players are required to wear appropriate uniform and the referee has the power to decide whether non-compliance is dangerous. The referee should, when the ball is dead, allow time for a player to replace or repair a badly torn jersey or shorts. He must not allow time for a player to re-tie or repair a bootlace. Notwithstanding the above, if a team chooses to use tear-away jerseys, it accepts the consequences that a referee may require a player to change his jersey on the sideline while the game continues.
2. Studs of a player's boots must be of rubber, aluminum or any approved plastic. No metal, other than aluminum, is permitted. Studs may not contain nails. The following studs are banned
   1. plastic studs with a metal cap
   2. American football boots with female studs, i.e., having a threaded post that can become exposed
3. The molded plastic/rubber soled boot is permissible. No matter what composition, no studs may have sharp edges. All referees are encouraged to inspect studs on a regular basis, especially in areas where the game is played on hard surfaces. A player must not wear any hard or unyielding material, even if taped or otherwise covered. Even if a form of protective covering is permitted (see below) it cannot be attached by metal or plastic buckles even if the latter are covered.
4. The following protective clothing or devices are permitted.
   1. plastic mouth guard
   2. shin guards, even if constructed of hard plastic, provided they are worn inside the socks and there are no hard edges or corners
   3. sweat bands on head or wrist
   4. where the ground is unusually hard, knee and elbow elastic covering are permitted to prevent grass burns
5. Scrum caps made of cloth, soft leather, or soft, readily pliable plastic are permitted. The ears may be taped around the head. Padded headgear with the IRB stamp of approval is allowed.
6. Elastic or cloth knee braces are permitted except they cannot contain metal or plastic struts even if they are covered with tape or foam rubber. Any form of knee brace that contains plastic or metal is prohibited.
7. Padded shoulder/chest harnesses with the IRB stamp of approval are allowed. Padding of cotton, soft rubber or similar material is permitted to protect an open wound or scab other thanon the hand or arm.
8. Any device containing plastic or metal to protect against or for a broken nose is prohibited.
9. No form of eye glasses is permitted.

top

I. Standard Phrases - USA Rugby Refereeing
Established July 2000

Tackle Situation

Roll away — either tackler or tackled player — move away from tackle
Play it — tackled player do something with the ball
Release it — tackled player hands off ball

Ruck or Maul or Tackle

Stay on your feet — arriving players stay on feet at tackle or ruck, or approaching player on ground who just gathered ball
Ruck formed — to determine when offside lines are created as a result of ruck formation
Hands off — ball won cleanly by one side in ruck, other team keep hands off it.
Back foot — offside line is last foot, either at lineout, ruck or maul. Can now be expanded to tackle.
Maul formed — same as ruck — offside lines created

Scrum or Maul

Keep it up — to keep players in set scrum or maul on their feet
Binding — warning to players to keep proper bind in set scrum
Use it — warning to get ball out of scrum or maul soon, or it will be a turnover
Hold — keep forwards from engaging in a set scrum before the "engage" signal from referee
Engage — referee is happy with pre-formation of scrum, OK to engage
Push straight — keep front rows from coming in at angle
No boring — Same as above
Bind on the body — loosehead prop must bind on the body of opposite, not on his own knee
Arm up — props keep arms relatively parallel to ground
Back rows stay bound - obvious
In straight - either scrum feed or lineout throw — keep it straight
No delay — get ball into scrum or lineout quickly

Lineout

Gap — wide tunnel at lineout
Stay on side - obvious
Ten meters — reminder of offside line at lineout, penalties, etc.

Offsides in General

Get back — move offside players into on-side position
Freeze — advancing player in open play should not advance

Advantage

Advantage — add team color to broadcast that advantage is on.
Advantage over — lets both teams know that play will not be brought back for original infraction.

Phrases are available in PDF format. Click here to download Phrases.

top

J. A Player's Guide to Touch Judging
Touch judges, along with the referee, have a prime responsibility for the efficient administration and regulation of the game to which they are appointed. The safety and enjoyment of the match, by all participants, is - in part - their responsibility. It is therefore essential that the touch judges fully understand and correctly perform their duties. The following guide is intended for the player who touch judges and should be complemented by additional specific directions from a particular referee. Please share this guide with every player on your club and 'ask' them to read it.

The guide is available in PDF format. Click here to download a Player's Guide to Touch Judging.

top

Contact EPRRS Treasurer, Michael Cook, 823 Ormond Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 or by email at: michael_n_cook@yahoo.com and request an APP billing form/invoice which will identify the EPRRS EIN (Employee Identification Number).
Each club will be sent an APP billing form/invoice for submission of a payment based on $75 per referee per home match. The number of home matches will be determined by the EPRU based on the club’s match schedule submitted to the EPRU. Schedules are due to the EPRU on August 1 for the Fall season and February 1 for the Spring season. Upon receipt of this money, payable by check to the "EPRRS" (or "East Penn Rugby Referees Society"), each club will receive a line-of-credit amount equal to this payment. If a University wants to do utilize this plan for both a men and a women’s club, please pay separately for each club, so separate records can be kept.
Whenever matches are played and EPRRS assigned referees provide services, the host club will be debited the actual amount of the referee fee, as outlined in the current EPRRS match fee schedule (this schedule can be found at the EPRRS website at: www.eastpennrugby.org), plus an administrative fee of $15. This administrative fee will be assessed for each "A" side match and per referee for tournaments as arranged under the APP. If the same referee, does either a second match for the home club or the same university (whether a "B" side match or an match by a different gender team), only a single administrative fee will be assessed; in this case, each club will be debited one-half of the $15 administrative fee. If a match is refereed by a referee that is not assigned by the EPRRS, payment arrangements are to be made between the host club and that particular referee.
Whenever a club's line-of-credit reaches approximately $75, the club will be contacted for preference in rebilling an agreed-to amount or paying the referee on the day of the match.
At any time, a club may opt to pay the referee on the day of the match, the normal referee match fee as established by the EPRRS.
At the end of each season, each club will be provided with a detailed accounting of services and debits against their line-of-credit.

top

IRB RULINGS by Designated Members of Laws Committee

RULING 1: 2004 - ISSUED JANUARY 20, 2004
The WRU has requested a ruling with regard Law 14 - Ball on the Ground - No Tackle.

May a player lying on the ground during general play and not after a tackle, attempt to tackle a ball carrier?

Ruling
Law 14 states "The game is to be played by players on their feet". The action noted above is illegal.

The WRU has requested a ruling with regard Law 3 - Number of Players - The Team.

A front row player is sent from the field of play. At the next scrum a suitably trained front row replacement takes the field and a team-mate (flank forward) leaves as required. Subsequently, the other flank forward is injured. May he be replaced by the flank forward who left the field?

Ruling
The flank forward that left the field as required in the above scenario may replace the flank forward that was injured.

The WRU has requested a ruling with regard Law 3 - Number of Players - The Team.

A front row player has a blood injury and is temporarily replaced by a player who is subsequently sent off for foul play. He is replaced by a suitably trained player and a team-mate leaves as required. A second front row player is then injured. May the original blood player return to cover the position?

Ruling
If the player who has been temporarily replaced does not return to the field of play with 15 minutes (actual time) of leaving the playing area, the replacement becomes permanent and the replaced player must not return to the field of play. If however the sending off takes place within the fifteen minute period allowed for the original prop to have the wound repaired, and the fifteen minute period has not elapsed, the original prop may return to the field of play at the time the next scrum is awarded after the sending off.

RULING 2: 2004 - ISSUED JANUARY 10, 2004
The FIR has requested a ruling with regard Law 3.5 (e) Suitably Trained and Experienced Players in the Front Row.

Are teams required to have front row replacements only amongst those players on the bench at the beginning of the match or can those front row replacements come also only from the players starting the match as opposed to bench replacements?

In case teams have the required front row replacements coming both from the bench and from the pitch, can a team use either one depending on the necessity?

We suggest the team can have suitable trained and experienced front row replacements even coming only from the players who started the match. e.g. 4 players among those who start the match if the list includes 16, 17 or 18 players.

Ruling
The Law states the number of suitably trained and experienced players in the front row who must come from the players who started the match or from the nominated replacements. Therefore designated front row players can come from either the bench or from the original starting fifteen. Replacements must also satisfy Law 3.5 (c) and (d).

The FIR has requested a ruling with regard Law 19.2 - Throw-In - No Gain In Ground

A player is outside his teams 22 metre line, while he gets ready to catch the ball being kicked by an opponent. He drops the ball but not forward within his 22. The ball is then picked up by the same player who kicks it directly into touch.

Where is the game going to restart?

Ruling
In this scenario the player has played the ball outside his 22 metre line and it has then gone into his 22 metre area. This player is considered to have put the ball into his 22 metre area and therefore the line-out is in line with the place from where he kicked the ball into touch.

Robert Burns owns this site and is it is currently a work in process. It has a link to LearnRugbyLaws.com which contains a quiz to help referees improve their knowledge of the laws.

www.rugbyrefs.com

top