Advantage/Disadvantage

[Macca]

I have been involved in teaching young officials for some time and one of the things I tell them is:

1) Know the rule as it is in the rule book.

2) Know the intent of the rule.

3) Place the rulebook in your back pocket as a reference point and use some common sense.

Something you may want to try is to referee the ball. There may be contact on the arm or body but was the player placed at a disadvantage or was he/she able to play on as nothing has happened, if so no call. If the player lost the ball or fumbled due to the contact the foul must be called.

If I am mistaken and this is not how you teach your referees please let me know, as I am interested in different philosophies and helping younger officials develop.

Macca from down under.