Penalty call remembering with OWBs and NSOs

Objective: To practice remembering a ‘colour, number, penalty’ combination, practice working with NSOs and increase the average of correct calls delivered to NSOs.  This drill is a variation on the OPR ‘Half-lap skate and wait’ practice.
Typical length of drill: Variable
Materials needed: Taped out track, small whiteboards (OWB), WB markers, smart phone with penalty calling app (or penalty flashcards with ‘colour, number, penalty’ (circled majors))

Skill level required: Basic skating skills, knowledge of penalty codes and handsignals

Description: Two refs stand as outside whiteboard NSOs (either corners 2&4 or 1&3). One NSO has smartphone or flashcards (NSO1). All other are split between corners and form lines. NSO1 writes down a penalty using correct OWB format (number of player, penalty code, circled if major: since the app will select random colours, colour should be written above number and penalty code). Ref at front of line listens to verbal cue from NSO1, reads penalty off board and skates correct half-lap skate-and-wait OPR pattern to next whiteboard and delivers penalty to NSO2, using correct handsignals, verbal cue and minor/major designation. NSO2 then holds up whiteboard for NSO1 to confirm. While this is happening, next ref in line near NSO2 skates correct OPR pattern to join line near NSO1.

Additional notes:

Variation 1: Make it a competition – queen of the OPRs. Refs who make incorrect calls go into centre of track until there is only one left. First/last two in the centre are NSOs for next round.

Variation 2: Run continuous OPR patterns with NSO1 selectively presenting WB with call on it to be delivered to NSO2.

2012
01/31
CATEGORY
Referee only
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Skater watching drills for beginner referees

Objective: A two-part drill to develop skater watching skills beginning with watching a single skater and moving up to watching skaters within a pack while practicing the most basic verbal cues ‘colour, number’.
Typical length of drill: Any length of time – both parts can be done during warm ups.
Materials needed: Taped down track, skaters to watch, skaters with numbers for part 2.

Skill level required: Basic skating skills

Description:

1. Single skater watching drill. One or more Referees skate on the inside of the track during pack drills. You select (or have suggested) one pack skater, someone who is fast but who will also fall/slow down frequently, and then follow that skater as if they are the Jammer and you are the Jammer Referee (JR). Try to keep your eyes on the skater’s feet or skates, stop if the skater falls, slow if the skater slows, stay inside the track markings and never let your eyes leave the skater. The object of this is to learn how to stop and slow as a reaction to an unexpected event in the confined space inside the track while also skating close to other Referees. The more Referees do this drill together the better the practice of skating as an Inside Pack Referee (IPR).

2. Multiple skater watching drill. This can be done during warm up or during drills. Prior to this drill all skaters should be asked to put numbers on their arms or be wearing scrimmage shirts with numbers. You skate either on the track with skaters, in the IPR lane or the OPR lane. As you pass each skater call their number out. Start with just the number and progress to ‘colour/number’. The purpose of this is to get you used to the process of seeing and calling skaters by their numbers as well as learning to watch multiple moving skaters.

Additional notes: Part one is usually the first thing our trainee refs do after completing the fresh meat program but I still practice this as often as I can. Part two is also good as it lets trainee refs get used to hearing their ref voices.

2012
01/23
CATEGORY
Referee only
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Defining10/20 Feet – three part drill

Objective: To practice seeing ten and twenty feet both still and in motion and practice defining the pack and judging engagement zones.
Typical length of drill: Each part can be run for as long as you like, though if each section is allotted ten minutes you are looking at half-an-hour all up.
Materials needed: Taped out track, 8 plastic cones in two colours (or paper plates/circles of cardboard/anything that comes in two colours that you don’t mind getting dirty/sweaty/run over – these are your ‘blockers’ for part 1), a 10 foot rope, a 20 foot rope.

Skill level required: All skating levels – off skates refs can participate in all non-skating parts of drill. All parts will work with a small number of refs if skaters will volunteer as bodies.

Description: This three part drill builds up from defining the pack/judging 10/20 feet in a low-pressure standing still situation to defining pack/OOP with a moving pack. It can be run concurrently or over different sessions.

1. Refs take ‘blockers’ (cones, plates, etc) and lay them out on track. They define the pack, engagement zone, any blockers who are OOP. Move blockers around, test each other, be willing to challenge your own or other’s definitions – get the rope out and test any that you are unsure of. Push the definition of the pack – try to make the longest pack you can, etc. Pt 1 can also be done with refs/skaters skating on the track, dropping cones at a whistle and then all skating off track to discuss/define. Make sure everyone has a go at both moving blockers around and defining pack/EZ.

2. One or more refs are elected to run each round of this drill. They skate/stand as IPR/s. Eight refs/skaters skate on track as blockers. Free skate until the whistle the everyone stops as close to where they are as possible. IPR/s define pack, EZ and any OOP. Blockers on track are encouraged to challenge IPR’s definitions. Check all challenged calls with 10/20 foot rope. Blockers should be encouraged to spread out on track and make this drill as hard as possible. Rotate all refs through IPR.

3. One or more refs are elected to run each round of this drill. They skate/stand as IPR/s. Eight refs/skaters skate on track as blockers. Encourage the blockers to work together (even though they are on ‘opposing’ teams), ask them to bridge, split the pack, go OOP both front and back. Mock jams are run (with or without jammers) where the IPRs are asked to define pack, call OOP – remind them that everyone on the track needs to hear the pack definition calls very clearly. At end of each mock jam IPR/s get feedback from blockers about what they could hear, how clear/fast the definition was. 

Additional notes:

2012
01/23
CATEGORY
Referee and skater
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OPR ‘Half-lap skate and wait’ practice

**Drill brought to Australia by Judge Knot, Texas
Objective:  To practice the ‘half lap skate and wait’ pattern for OPRs
Typical length of drill: Any
Materials needed: Taped-out track

Skill level required: Basic skating skills needed

Description: Split referees into two equal-ish groups with each group standing at a pick-up point (corners 2/4 or 1/3 depending on your crew’s preference). Trainer or ref volunteer gets on track as ‘bunny’ and as they pass each corner they pick up/drop off the following OPR. The OPR should try to skate alongside the bunny and should be able to trace an imaginary line between their own skates and the bunny’s. The bunny sets the difficulty level of this drill by speeding up, slowing down, stopping or skating backwards.

Additional notes: Rotate the bunny around and give everyone a go. Fresher refs seem to really enjoy pushing the skills of more experienced refs.

2012
01/23
CATEGORY
Referee only
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Referee skating patterns – all positions

Objective: Practice referee skating patterns, work on vocal projection and build communication skills between refs
Typical length of drill: Twenty minutes per part – forty mins to run full drill.
Materials needed: Stopwatch, whistle, taped out track.

Skill level required: All levels

Description: This is a two-part drill. The parts can be run concurrently or over separate sessions. It is basically a skater-less jam drill where mock jams are run to the full two minutes.

1. Refs only – no bunny. Refs all select a position to start in. Encourage them to start in a position that they do not usually/often skate in. On the start whistle all refs skate as if there is a pack and jammers on the track.  A single ref is asked to both set the pace of the ‘pack’ and to initiate penalty calls (which are mirrored back by all refs on the track)/rules discussion with all other refs on the track. Encourage refs to make eye contact when they are speaking and to provide feedback to other refs about what they can hear, what they can see, if they are getting enough eye contact. Rotate refs through all roles and make sure everyone has a go at setting the pace/initiating the rules discussion.

2. Refs with bunny. Refs all select a position to start in. Encourage them to start in a position that they do not usually/often skate in. On the start whistle all refs skate as if there is a pack and jammers on the track.  A single ref acts as the ‘bunny’ or ‘pack’ and another ref is asked to initiate penalty calls/rules discussion with all other refs on the track. Encourage refs to make eye contact when they are speaking and to provide feedback to other refs about what they can hear, what they can see, if they are getting enough eye contact. Again, rotate through all roles and make sure everyone has a go.

Additional notes: Experiment with who sets the pace/initiates the penalty calls.  Asking an OPR to project well enough to be heard by every ref on the track will really push their projection skills. 

2012
01/23
CATEGORY
Referee only
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Referee Penalty Calling Circuit

Objective: 1. To develop derby thinking skills (by calling penalties) which still function while we are doing cardio activities; 2. To continuously practice seeing ‘ten feet’ while using derby thinking skills.

Typical length of drill: 15 minutes (two complete run throughs with six participants)
Materials needed: Trainer: Tape/cones to mark corners, interval timer (or app), penalty flashcards (or app/website, see Zebra Huddle), chair to put penalty app/flashcards on; Participants: Whistles
Skill level required: All ref skill levels but works particularly well when you have a mix of experienced and less-experienced referees. Injured/off-skates refs can also join in this drill and work to their own level. Description:We have been doing the following circuit for a while now and try to fit it into every referee training session. It has changed a bit with use but this is it’s current format. Each station runs for 60 seconds with a 15 second break in between. Trainer can easily join in.Mark out a square on the floor with the corners exactly ten feet apart. These are the ‘corners’ and are marked as ‘C’ on the diagram. Mark the points of an imaginary triangle laid on opposite sides of the square approx 5 feet out, these are the ‘points’ which are marked ‘P’.

The circuit is broken into two parts, the physical activities are at the corners and the penalty calling practice is at the points. Set the interval timer to 12 rounds of 60 seconds work time with 15 seconds rest.

At the points the referees will be looking at four bodies ten feet apart as measured at the hips while using ref brain to call penalties. Point one (P1) is set up with the penalty practice app on a chair. Ref at P1 calls penalties as they appear, with correct whistles, calls and hand signals. Ref at P2 mirrors call back at P1, repeating whistles, calls, hand signals. Inexperienced refs at P1 may call just number and penalty and then mirror back hand signal/format to P2.

The activities at the corners should be a good mix of cardio and strength training. By the time refs get to P1/2 they should be a bit puffed and have to work to switch into ref brain mode. Each activity should be done with the participants’ hips directly over the ‘C’ mark on the floor. Set a different activity for each corner and remember to discuss alternatives with anyone who is injured/off-skates. Suggested activities include: stutter steps/running on the spot on toe stops; isometric squats; planks; sit-ups/push-ups; alternating knee-lifts; anything you can do on-skates, in one place, which will get your pulse up.

Additional notes: This drill is designed for six people per circuit (though if you don’t have enough people for two circuits extra stations can be set up between corners and points with extra activities). Drill can also be done with players who are eager to get more familiar with hand signals though it is probably best to try and get players and refs at opposing corners.
2012
01/22
CATEGORY
Referee and skater
Theory / Rules
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Four week refresher – getting back into bout land

This four-week plan was designed to get us back into shape for the season after Xmas and to help break in some new refs. Planned for 3 sessions a week with one of them being scrimmage.

Weekly Overview

Before week one it, read/reread chapters 2 & 3 in the rules.

Week 1: The basics – handsignals, positioning, skating skills and scrimmage

Reading: WFTDA Rules 2 & 3
1.1 Intro: Ref training: Rules discussion (handsignals), penalty calling circuit, skating patterns, skating skills
1.2 Endurance, basics: Skater watching, skating skills and skating patterns, Ref discussion: safety and the basics of running a scrimmage, all refs
1.3 Mock Scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 2: The intermediate – enforcing penalties, 10/20 feet and pack reffing

Reading: WFTDA Rules 4 & 7
2.1 Ref training: Rules discussion (penalty enforcement), penalty calling circuit, 10/20 foot drills
2.2 Endurance, basics: Skater watching, skating skills and ref patterns, Ref discussion: pack reffing, all refs
2.3Bout Condition scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 3: Getting specific – bout roles, special jobs

Reading: WFTDA Rules 9, Ref Role Descriptions WFTDA Ref Manual
3.1Ref training: Rules discussion (judging impact), penalty calling circuit, 10/20 foot drills, ref patterns
3.2 Endurance, basics: Endurance, basics: Skater watching, skating skills and ref patterns, Ref discussion: specialty roles, JR and HR, all refs
3.3 Mock scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 4: Are we as good as we think we are? TESTING WEEK!

Reading: WFTDA Rules 6 x 1 000 000
4.1 Ref skating skills assessment: All star levels, get skaters to test
4.2 Ref handsignals/whistles/rules test then determining of stars and free skate
4.3 Bout Condition scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref
Week 1: The basics – handsignals, positioning, skating skills and scrimmage

Reading: WFTDA Rules 2 & 3

1.1: Trainer needs – interval timer, penalty app, tape, whistle

• Intro: Why refresh? Bout date, Bout date, etc. Get used to repetition.
• 10 mins: OFF SKATES: Run through four-week outline and talk about skill/rules testing at end.
• 15 mins: OFF/ON SKATES: Warm up and rules discussion on handsignals – get a volunteer to run through all of the handsignals and then everyone test each other during warm up.
• 8-12 mins: ON SKATES: Penalty calling circuit:
1. Circuit lasts for 60 secs with a 15 second break between – we are aiming for 2-3 full rotations.
2. Four spots are marked exactly ten feet apart – these are the corners. Two spots are marked at the apex of a triangle on opposite sides of the box – these are the points. On the corners of the square participants should be positioned with centre of hips over spot on floor. At the points participants can choose spot.
3. Each corner is a different on-skates activity. 1. On the spot running/walking on toe stops. 2. Sit ups/push ups. 3. Isometric squats. 4. Planks.
4. Point 1 has call app set up on a chair – ref does penalty calls with whistle and signal and point 2 mirrors signals and calls from opposite ref.
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Skating skills we will be being tested on.
1. Skating style: skating through cones 6ft, sticky skating, crossovers (Bronze)
2. Skating speed/endurance: Five minutes skating (Silver = 25/5min: Gold = 10/90sec: Platinum 20/2.5min)
3. Stops: T-stop (both feet), plough (Bronze)
4. Falls: Single, double, four knee (Bronze), 180 degree knee (Silver), 2 second recovery (Silver)
5. *Only if confident*Jumps: Jump while skating, hop from one foot to other (Bronze), jump a 6 inch object (Gold)
6. *Only if confident* Skating in a pack with unexpected obstacles (Silver)
7. Backwards skating (Gold)
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Ref skating patterns. Running mock jams and rotating through all ref patterns. Get all refs giving other refs feedback about where they are/what they can hear.

1.2: Endurance, basics
• Skater watching, skating skills (see above list) and ref patterns
• Ref discussion: safety and the basics of running a scrimmage, all refs

1.3: Mock Scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 2: The intermediate – penalties, 10/20 feet and pack reffing

Reading: WFTDA Rules 4 & 7

2.1: Trainer needs – interval timer, penalty app, tape, whistle

• Rules Discussion: OFF SKATES: Penalty enforcement
• 8-12 mins: ON SKATES: Penalty calling circuit:
1. Circuit lasts for 60 secs with a 15 second break between – we are aiming for 2-3 full rotations.
2. Four spots are marked exactly ten feet apart – these are the corners. Two spots are marked at the apex of a triangle on opposite sides of the box – these are the points. On the corners of the square participants should be positioned with centre of hips over spot on floor. At the points participants can choose spot.
3. Each corner is a different on-skates activity. 1. On the spot running/walking on toe stops. 2. Sit ups/push ups. 3. Isometric squats. 4. Planks.
4. Point 1 has call app set up on a chair – ref does penalty calls with whistle and signal and point 2 mirrors signals and calls from opposite ref.
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Ref skating patterns. Running mock jams and rotating through all ref patterns. Get all refs giving other refs feedback about where they are/what they can hear.
• 10 Mins: ON SKATES: 10/20 feet. The person running the drill stands in the middle and everyone else skates around the track. At the whistle those skating need to stop in a line with either 10 or 20 (determined by person running drill) gaps between them. Check gaps with 10/20 foot rope.
• 10 Mins: ON SKATES: Defining the pack and ‘out of play’. Using extra Referees (or skaters if available) get a pack to skate around the track holding plastic cones. When the whistle blows all skaters drop their cones, move off the track, and Referees attempt to define pack. Check measurements with 10/20 foot rope.

2.2: Endurance, basics
• Skater watching, skating skills and ref patterns
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Skating skills we will be being tested on
o Skating style: skating through cones 6ft, sticky skating, crossovers (Bronze)
o Skating speed/endurance: Five minutes skating (Silver = 25/5min: Gold = 10/90sec: Platinum 20/2.5min)
o Stops: T-stop (both feet) plough (Bronze)
o Falls: Single, double, four knee (Bronze), 180 degree knee (Silver), 2 second recovery (Silver)
o *Only if confident* Jumps: Jump while skating, hop from one foot to other (Bronze), jump a 6 inch object (Gold)
o *Only if confident* Skating in a pack with unexpected obstacles (Silver)
o Backwards skating (Gold)
• Ref discussion: pack reffing (Ben), all refs

2.3: Bout condition scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 3: Getting specific – bout roles, special jobs

Reading: WFTDA Rules 9, Ref Role Descriptions WFTDA Ref Manua

3.1: Trainer needs – interval timer, penalty app, tape, whistle

• 10 mins: WARM UP
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Penalty calling circuit.
• 10 mins: ON SKATES: OPR Pattern Practice. Split referees into two equal-ish groups with each group standing at a pick-up point (corners 2/4). Volunteer gets on track as ‘bunny’ and as they pass each corner they pick up/drop off the following OPR. The OPR should try to skate alongside the bunny and should be able to trace an imaginary line between their own skates and the bunny’s. The bunny sets the difficulty level of this drill by speeding up, slowing down, stopping or skating backwards. Rotate bunnies.
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Ref skating patterns.
o ONE MINUTE JAMS. Refs only – no bunny. Refs all select a position to start in. Encourage them to start in a position that they do not usually/often skate in. On the start whistle all refs skate as if there is a pack and jammers on the track. A single ref is asked to both set the pace of the ‘pack’ and to initiate penalty calls (which are mirrored back by all refs on the track)/rules discussion with all other refs on the track. Encourage refs to make eye contact when they are speaking and to provide feedback to other refs about what they can hear, what they can see, if they are getting enough eye contact. Rotate refs through all roles and make sure everyone has a go at setting the pace/initiating the rules discussion.
o ONE MINUTE JAMS. Refs with bunny. Refs all select a position to start in. Encourage them to start in a position that they do not usually/often skate in. On the start whistle all refs skate as if there is a pack and jammers on the track. A single ref acts as the ‘bunny’ or ‘pack’ and another ref is asked to initiate penalty calls/rules discussion with all other refs on the track. Ditto.
• 30 Mins: ON SKATES: 10/20 Feet:
o One or more refs are elected to run each round of this drill. They skate/stand as IPR/s. Eight refs/skaters skate on track as blockers. Free skate until the whistle then everyone stops as close to where they are as possible. IPR/s define pack, EZ and any OOP. Blockers on track are encouraged to challenge IPR’s definitions. Check all challenged calls with 10/20 foot rope. Blockers should be encouraged to spread out on track and make this drill as hard as possible. Rotate all refs through IPR.
o One or more refs are elected to run each round of this drill. They skate/stand as IPR/s. Eight refs/skaters skate on track as blockers. Encourage the blockers to work together (even though they are on ‘opposing’ teams), ask them to bridge, split the pack, go OOP both front and back. Mock jams are run (with or without jammers) where the IPRs are asked to define pack, call OOP – remind them that everyone on the track needs to hear the pack definition calls very clearly. At end of each mock jam IPR/s get feedback from blockers about what they could hear, how clear/fast the definition was.
• 30 Mins: OFF SKATES: Stretching and Rules Discussion: Judging impact: Heath

3.2: Endurance, basics
• Skater watching, skating skills and ref patterns
• 20 mins: ON SKATES: Skating skills we will be being tested on.
o Skating style: skating through cones 6ft, sticky skating, crossovers (Bronze)
o Skating speed/endurance: Five minutes skating (Silver = 25/5min: Gold = 10/90sec: Platinum 20/2.5min)
o Stops: T-stop (both feet) plough (Bronze)
o Falls: Single, double, four knee (Bronze), 180 degree knee (Silver), 2 second recovery (Silver)
o *Only if confident* Jumps: Jump while skating, hop from one foot to other (Bronze), jump a 6 inch object (Gold)
o *Only if confident* Skating in a pack with unexpected obstacles (Silver)
o Backwards skating (Gold)
• Ref discussion: specialty roles, JR (Crystal) and HR Me and Ben), all refs

3.3: Mock scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

Week 4: Are we as good as we think we are? TESTING WEEK!

Reading: WFTDA Rules 6 x 1 000 000, browse ‘You make the call’ section of ZH

4.1: Ref skating skills assessment: All star levels
• Skates on and warm up
• Skills to be tested:
o BRONZE
o T-stop and plough stop
o Single/double knee falls
o Four point fall
o Jump while skating, hop from one foot to other
o Weave through cones six feet apart
o 5 mins continuous skating
o Crossovers
o Sticky skating
o SILVER
o 25 laps in 5 minutes
o 2 second recovery time from fall
o 180 knee fall, controlled and safe
o Skating in a pack, unexpected obstacles
o GOLD
o 10 laps in 90 seconds
o Skate backwards
o Jump six inch high object

4.2: Other ref skills assessment, written testing: All star levels
• Off skates
• Rules testing:
o Red Star Test
o Amber Star Test
o Ref Specific Test
• Skills to be tested:
o BRONZE
o Correctly name hand signals when demonstrated
o Blow clear whistles, know when to use which whistle

4.3: Mock scrimmage: Shadow/NSO/Ref

2012
01/13
CATEGORY
Referee only
Session Plan
Training Plan (Multiple Sessions)
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