1. There will always be differences in style and ability between two referees, even those with the same grade. However, there are some general characteristics that are expected to accompany each grade. These expectations become greater as a referee moves up through the ranks, as do the rewards. A higher ranked referee will be asked to officiate tougher matches, and he might be invited to travel more, both in and out of the U.S.
2. CONSISTENCY becomes more and more important as the desired grade gets higher. This is one of the most notable characteristics associated with higher levels of refereeing. To obtain higher grades a referee must be observed by more evaluators, at more matches, over a longer period of time. One good match in front of the evaluator is not going to be enough.
3. EXPERIENCE goes hand-in-hand with on-field performance and consistency. The number of games a referee has done, and the period of time he has performed at the level above his current grade, will be considerations for his promotion to the next grade. At the highest grades, this time frame could be measured in years, rather than weeks, so ambition must usually be tempered with considerable patience. There is no substitute for experience.
4. COMMITMENT becomes more noticeable as a referee moves up the ranks. It takes effort on the part of an individual to improve his own game, learn the laws, watch and draw from senior referees, and learn from those who observe him without always debating. This includes a commitment to get more fit, discuss the game with players, discuss gray areas of Law with other referees, attend clinics, and so on. Commitment means taking all assignments, and not just the choice ones. You should also be prepared to put something back into your local society in the form of administrative elbow grease, although this will not get you a better grade.
5. In addition to the characteristics listed for each grade below, improvement of certain intangible qualities that a referee might possess may make the final difference in his promotion to the next level. This could simply be a matter style, or it may involve some other subtle factor, which an evaluator will recognize when he sees it, but be unable to define easily in so many words.
6. Grades are not lifetime awards. They measure the current level or standard of one's refereeing. If a referee goes inactive for an extended period of time, or does not maintain his standard of refereeing (including fitness), his grade may be adjusted accordingly.

1. Grades L1, L2, L3, and L4 are the responsibility of the Local Referee Society, with L1 being the highest grade awarded at this level.
2. The L grade referees are the backbone of American Rugby. They represent the vast majority of referees, and officiate most games played on a given Saturday afternoon.
3. Grade L4 (or "Ungraded" or "Associate Referee")

1. The Associate Referee may be part time or in his first year of full time refereeing (i.e. less than 15 full matches).
2. He may still be an active player or coach, or possibly a retired referee who simply wants an occasional run. He may or may not attend meetings or clinics, although it is encouraged.
3. The standard of refereeing for an Associate Referee can vary widely, depending on accumulated past playing or coaching experience. Without one or the other, not much will be expected from this referee. However, some newcomers take off quickly, showing great promise from the very beginning.

1. L3 is the first earned and assigned grade. This referee may be just beginning to gain a feel for the Laws of the Game, and may yet consider playing or coaching his primary interest. On the other hand, he may be a full time referee who is content to do games at this level, and remain unburdened with the commitments required to maintain a higher grade.
2. A referee remaining at the L3 grade might indicate a lack of mastery of the Laws, or a fitness problem caused by chronic injury, a weight problem, or simply a lack of commitment. His whistle can be very monotonous, signals spotty, and explanations too involved, or nonexistent. His decisions are for the most part correct, but he does have the odd foul-up from time to time.
3. General match standard is Second/Third XV, with some first XV matches in lower divisions.

1. The L2 has acquired a basic understanding of the laws, and has shown an interest in improving his performance with the help of counseling from evaluators and senior referees. He may be in transition between playing as his primary focus and refereeing, He is beginning to signal, and is making his whistle work. A tentative advantage signal is apparent, although his use of this can be very inconsistent. He is communicating better.
2. This referee should be improving every time he does a game. His mistakes are often easily correctable, once a more experienced observer points them out.
3. Fitness will be a requirement if the L2 wants to advance to L1. It is one of the tests of commitment that will distinguish a serious referee from the rest.
4. A L2 is capable of handling less competitive collegiate sides, First XV of junior clubs, or Second XV of senior clubs.

1. The L1 grade represents a major jump in a referee's development. He is now becoming very comfortable with the laws, and generally capable of refereeing most First XV Club Rugby, as well as all but the toughest Collegiate matches. A semi-final at a local tournament is well within reason.
2. Fitness is a requirement for L1. The L1 referee must train enough so that conditioning will not affect his choice of positioning, nor his ability to make the proper call in open play.
3. The game he produces should flow, with a low incidence of undesirable incidents. It should be generally pleasing to both player and spectator.
4. He has now acquired a consistent whistle/signal/talk sequence, and his explanatory signals are clearer, with the players picking them up faster. His advantage is well signaled, and he runs it fairly well. His options are for the most part correct, but he does have the odd foul-up from time to time.
5. The L1 should now be concentrating on his control of the tough matches. To advance to T (formerly B3, etc), he will be tested with difficult tournament matches, or competitive league matches between rival senior clubs.

1. Grades B1, B2, and B3 have been combined into one grade. The "T" grade is the responsibility of the Territorial Evaluator and his Subcommittee. All referees awarded the grade of L1 will be recommended to him for consideration for the Territorial Grade.
2. One of the Territorial Referee Committee's mandates is to foster the development of promising referees. They award any Territorial appointments, moving the referee throughout his own Territory. He may also be appointed to matches in other Territories, thereby exposing him to different playing styles, evaluators, weather, or any situations that might strengthen his abilities.
3. In addition to his performance on the field, the Territorial referee will now be noticed more for his behavior off the field than he was as a C referee. As a representative of his Territorial Union, he will not likely get appointments or even keep his B grade, if, for example, he is a drunk, or is degrading of other referees, or in any other way reflects badly on his home Territory.

1. This first Territorial Grade is the next big jump for the ambitious referee. He has gained valuable experience through many varied games at the C1 level, and is ready to be tested by some tough Senior Club Rugby.
2. Pace has been added to fitness as a critical requirement. Extra speed is required at this level - get-away mobility is of great importance.
3. Developing an ability to use the Advantage Law, he can also stay in control of an intense, fast moving game. Unfortunately, this can't be learned in the classroom, so trial and error is the only available teacher. Once again, a large number of games at a given level is necessary.
4. Errors in Law are becoming very infrequent.
5. On a good day, any B referee may be refereeing games at the A level. He is certainly capable. The frequency and predictability of these games are two of the variables that will move him up the ranks from B3 to B1.
6. The B3 might get Territorial appointments and exchanges, more difficult Tournament matches, League Play-off matches, and Semi-finals of Regional Tournaments.

1. This referee can now handle most club matches at either the Local or Territorial level. He is controlling the play without using an iron fist (or whistle) to do it. The Advantage Law has become his friend. Players are allowed to play their best game and the resulting contests are often fast paced and flowing.
2. As a B referee progresses, he learns more and more to control both the players and himself. He must handle the most volatile situations without losing his own cool, and without shutting the game down with too much whistle.
3. The B2 should make virtually no errors in law.
4. Fitness and pace now go without saying. If the referee can't stay right with the best players for 80 minutes, he won't be in control of the game, or himself, and doesn't belong on the pitch.
5. By remaining calm and relaxed during the fastest, most demanding contest, this referee is now developing a superior rapport with the players. This doesn't mean he talks more, or tells better jokes - quite the contrary. He is gaining their confidence and respect by playing his role in an effective, but unobtrusive, manner.
6. Appointments for the B2 may include Finals of Regional Tournaments, Collegiate and Club Matches at the Territorial Level, and exchanges to other Territories for Collegiate or Club Championship events.

1. The B1 referee is a candidate for the A-Panel. He has first class application of the Advantage Law, and produces A-level games on a regular basis. He looks the part, in his movement about the field, his positioning, his attitude, and his interaction with the players.
2. This referee will often deal with trouble before others are aware of it, thereby producing games that have few unpleasant incidents. Unfortunately, he doesn't get much credit for this, since only the trained eye will see him do it!
3. He will be as equally relaxed and in control in the first minute as in the final minute of every game.
4. This senior B referee is now putting the finishing touches on his own individual style, having drawn from top referees and evaluators, but using his own strengths to best advantage.
5. He may be asked to officiate at National Collegiate Championships, Territorial Club Championships, and possibly the ITTs. Other games could include touring Provincial sides versus Territorial sides.

1. Grades A1 and A2 are the responsibility of the Referees Subcommittee of the USARFU Referees and Laws Committee. These grades are awarded for a period of one year, and grades for members of the A-Panel are either reaffirmed or modified on an annual basis.
2. One of the Referees Subcommittee's mandates is to foster the development of referees who show potential of becoming A-Panel referees. This committee awards all national appointments, moving the referee throughout the USA as well as into other countries. The referee becomes exposed to the best rugby available at the national and international level.
3. The A-Panel referee is a recognized authority in the interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game. He must be able to lead sessions on refereeing with the same skills, talents and demeanor he demonstrates on the field.
4. In addition to having to achieve high standards of performance on the field, the A-Panel referee will be expected to be an ambassador for his country off the field. He must represent his country fairly while being sensitive to the mores and ways of different regions of the world.

1. The A2 referee has developed his own style that allows players to perform at their best, even in international matches. He is comfortable and confident with each match.
2. He is continually refining his approach to the game so that he is quickly able to adjust to each match as it progresses. His rapport with the players allows a seemingly easy refinement of styles (by both players and referee) to get the most out of the game.
3. He is recognized and respected as a national leader by his fellow American referees. His increased exposure to international play is providing him with the opportunity to establish himself on a global basis.
4. Appointments for the A2 referee could include finals at all the national events (e.g., National Collegiate Championships, National Club Championships, and ITTs). Other possible appointments include national touring sides versus Territorial sides or Eagle B sides. He may also be given the opportunity to referee international test matches.

1. Even in international matches, the Al referee is consistently able to guide a game in a manner that allows for optimum performance by the players. The nature of the game is limited only by the skills of the players, not by the skills of the referee.
2. His ability to guide each match is consistent from game to game.
3. He is clearly recognized and respected as one of the top referees in the world.
4. Appointments for the Al referee could include all national and international events, including international test matches.

This page was last updated on March 10, 2010