Posts

Using the Scrum app during training

After using the scrum app during our match official group sprint sessions, I've made a few tweaks to the app. Update from the stores to get these improvements: Each time you choose a mode, the playlist is now limited to 10. There are more than 10 videos (and next update will include some new ones) but each time you choose a mode you get a random selection of only 10. Text on the answer buttons is now readable on iPhone 6 :) If you haven't tried the app during training yet - I thoroughly recommend it. What we did:  Warmed up as usual  Paused running and each person using their own phone or tablet, watched a set of videos in normal mode, noting the score.  Then we did our sprint session, running till fatigued.  Paused again and each person using their own phone or tablet, watched a second set of videos in normal mode, noting the score.  Used the score difference as an incentive - If you scored 10 on the first attempt and 8 on the second, you ran 2 more...

Scrum learning tool now in Apple and Google Play stores

Image
Match Official Brain Training is blossoming in 2017, stay tuned and subscribe now for apps and resources to improve your refereeing. Today, the Scrum learning tool has been released in the Apple and Google Play stores! Either search the store on your device or browse to this page and click the appropriate link below: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scrum/id1207680840?ls=1&mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matchofficialbraintraining.scrum&hl=en This app is a learning tool for rugby union referees to practice observing scrum scenarios making the correct decision. After watching each short video clip, choose the response that the referee should give from the four choices on the right. The next video will automatically start. You can use this app in three modes:   normal speed with scoring - this is perceptual training - use this to develop your perceptual skills from repeated watching, processing and responding. 1.5 times normal speed - this i...

Referee Coach In Practice app now in Apple and Google Play stores

Image
The first app in a collection of match official training tools has now been released in the Apple and Google Play stores! Either search the store on your device or browse to this page on your device and click the appropriate link below:   https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rcip/id1037943083?ls=1&mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.matchofficialbraintraining.rcip This app presents the content of the ARU's Rugby Referee Coaching in Practice book and organizes it in a way that you can use it to self assess a game of rugby that you have refereed. Every game you referee is an opportunity to learn and improve. With or without a referee coach, you can review your game and prepare for the next one. How to use this app: Choose an element of the game of rugby (tackle, ruck or maul, scrum, advantage, restarts, lineout) that you would like to review. You can only review one element at a time. Choose events that happened in your game. Select events tha...

Welcome to Match Official Brain Training

Image
In all sports, match officials learn on the job. It's almost impossible to fully prepare to officiate without participating in actual games. Saying that, teams often don't take well to match officials that are learning, they just want a good referee all the time. So how do you get 'good' in this seemingly 'Catch 22' situation? Match officials typical prepare themselves physically using similar training techniques as players, and mentally prepare by revising the laws of the game - but this is not enough to become a good match official. Decision making whilst under physical stress and whilst in the pressure of a game situation, is significantly different to when you are calmly sitting on the couch! Any way that a match official can incorporate decision making and physical and mental fatigue into their fitness training, will help them prepare for real games. Match officials must also learn from their real game experiences. Game reviews are important for matc...