The following video explains the important role allocated referees play in our sport, and provides some tips for when you need to act as an allocated referee:
British Dodgeball recommend that all competitive dodgeball matches are officiated by the following number of referees:
British Dodgeball provide one main centre referee as standard. This means that when allocated to referee, teams must provide 1 allocated centre referee to work in partnership with the main centre referee, and provide the additional allocated assistant referees.
Being an allocated referee is an extremely important job in dodgeball, because you have a direct impact on the game you officiate. When allocated, players should referee as they wish to be refereed; those who do not referee to the best of their ability may limit the enjoyment of the sport for other players, and as such may face warnings and sanctions.
Allocated assistant referees should be active in:
- Calling false starts;
- Calling eliminations;
- Calling non-eliminations;
- Counting the number of players left in when there is less than 10 seconds left in a set;
- Monitoring for retriever errors and tracking the player out box queue order;
- Discussing their observations of a play when in discussion with main referees;
- Recommending the main referee apply a sanction when an offence has been committed.
Allocated centre referees should also be active in:
- Starting and stopping play as necessary;
- Managing stalling via the ‘play ball’ rule.
All allocated referees should consistently communicate their observations of events non-verbally using hand signals as well as verbally. Any allocated referees who are passive will receive a warning, and then possible further sanctions for further passivity, which must be fulfilled at the start of the next match they play in.
The Referee’s Manual at the top of this page has been created to help you understand the positioning and roles of centre referees and assistant referees, and cover some frequently asked questions.
Club Referee Leads
As a condition of club membership, all clubs must have a nominated Referee Lead. This individual is responsible for their club members’ refereeing performances when they are allocated this role at events.
Each Club Referee Lead will be given the following support:
- Free access to the Introduction to Officiating Dodgeball online course
- Access to regular referee updates, training and webinars from the British Dodgeball referee manager regarding officiating matters.
In return, they must:
- Cascade this training and knowledge down to their club’s membership in order to help improve the quality of refereeing at British Dodgeball events;
- Be the club representative regarding officiating matters; and
- Be accountable for any substandard refereeing due to lack of knowledge or lack of efforts, and responsible for improving standards as necessary.
This will lead to an even better experience for players at competition.
Club Referee Leads could improve officiating standards at their club by implementing the following methods: