Reffing kids rugby

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

So I coach and by coaching, end up reffing kids rugby. I'm currently doing under 10s having started when they first started (in reception year).

I've found recently (maybe linking into the introduction of the ruck), that this season I've had multiple coaches or parents shouting not really with abuse but lots of shouting / appealing for things or shouting at things I've missed.

Now I'm no mug, I know the laws but in under 10s rugby I could literally give a penalty away at every other breakdown which would kill the game and is also against the way the RFU try to encourage reffing kids.

I always try and let the game flow and give each side the same opportunities. Just wondering if there are any other kids coaches who are dealing with that.

I've thought about stopping the game before and speaking to the parents or opposition coaches about their shouting but can't be bothered with the conflict especially when half the coaches I meet don't actually know the laws correctly in the first place.

Any thoughts advice welcome.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

So I've never reffed 10u but I spent a lot of time around 10u games here and in South Africa just cause I'll be at the grounds anyway.

But isn't 10u like a year or two from there being any actual structure? I know in stellenbosch the coaches just want the kids to have fun so they'll come back in the future and keep playing once they have the skills and attention span to plau with structure.

Just keep it safe. Cut out the blatant cheating cause there's always one kid who feels they found a loophole. Personally id call offside just cause I think the kids would have more fun that way.

Sucks that coaches are getting on you for giving it a go, especially since that rugby is so sloppy it's hard to referee. Let the kids have fun and keep them safe

 

[Which Tyler]

Might be worth having a word with both coaches beforehand, or at half time, rather than stopping the match; and explain exactly that.
Something like "I'm not a stickler for the laws, this is U10s, I want the game to flow, and most importantly, I want the kids to have fun. I will obviously blow for obvious or repeated cheating, but base it on 'materiality', but I don't really care about technical infringements. I see my job as providing a structure within which the kids can have fun, and want to come back next week, not to nit-pick the details. I've learned over the last couple of months that I now need to say this to you, I do not need your help from the sidelines. I don't mind the kids being over-excited, but I expect better from yourselves."

Come up with a spiel that you're happy with, have a word with the coaches beforehand; and remind them at HT if necessary.
Maybe phrase it in such a way as to try to get the coaches onside to help prevent parents from being over-involved?

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

At that level, all you want is the kids to enjoy themselves and to come back next Sunday. While I never changed the outcome of a match, if it was very one sided, I would "put my finger on the scale" to keep it competitive. And be upfront with the coaches beforehand about it, and make it clear that managing outspoken parents is their job.
Finally, North Mids CB frequently threatens to deduct 1st XV points from clubs if their M&J's parents get gobby.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Might be worth having a word with both coaches beforehand, or at half time, rather than stopping the match; and explain exactly that.
Something like "I'm not a stickler for the laws, this is U10s, I want the game to flow, and most importantly, I want the kids to have fun. I will obviously blow for obvious or repeated cheating, but base it on 'materiality', but I don't really care about technical infringements. I see my job as providing a structure within which the kids can have fun, and want to come back next week, not to nit-pick the details. I've learned over the last couple of months that I now need to say this to you, I do not need your help from the sidelines. I don't mind the kids being over-excited, but I expect better from yourselves."

Come up with a spiel that you're happy with, have a word with the coaches beforehand; and remind them at HT if necessary.
Maybe phrase it in such a way as to try to get the coaches onside to help prevent parents from being over-involved?

Awesome advice thank you.