In the past years I have proved through experience that good refereeing is in fact much more than just merely knowing the rules (not that I had that impression at the outset but sometimes one hears people talking in a way as to indicate that all it takes to referee is to grab a whistle and know the rules of the particular game).

Rules are necessary and that is a fact: yet a referee should strive as much as possible to develop a good sense of judgement, a real feeling for the game as well as an acute understanding of the game and the psychological state and fame of mind of the active participants, namely the players and coaches.

This is more possible and extensive if the same referee had a good experience in playing the game at an adequate high level. Obviously if a referee has played the game before at a certain level, it should be an advantage for him to nurture this type of judgement needed to referee games. Yet I do not want to sound pessimistic about those who are aiming to referee some sport which they never experienced before or else experienced but just at a low level.

There have been instances when judgement was learned to an adequate and even to a higher level by certain individuals who never played a certain sport but then counteracted this by a strong knowledge of the rules and a sound application of the sport’s guidelines.

Some of the crucial decisions where the referee has to judge intensively (yet quickly) are those (especially in fast contact team sports like football and basketball) that involve the principle of advantage or disadvantage, a principle that is always becoming more accepted.

In all honesty, looking at different games (from any sport) I could judge whether a referee is competent by just analysing how he goes about in applying advantage/disadvantage during a game.

Certain refereeing literature defines this principle as, ‘the ability to apply a certain rule based on the circumstances of each particular situation.’

Since I referee basketball it is easier for me to give examples from this sport (however I think it is quite easy for colleagues from other sports to adapt themselves and think of examples from their own game).

A shot by team A hits the ring, player B5 (Team B) grabs the defensive rebound. While attempting to pass to B7, A8 contacts his passing hand. However the ball still arrives at B7 with no delay. B7 now drives all down the court and is contacted from behind by A9 but B7 keeps his momentum, balance, ball possession and speed and finds himself alone under the basket and scores with a lay-up.

In this play situation there were two contacts that technically (if one had to referee literally) should be whistled. However the contact did not affect the play and did not put the team in possession at a disadvantage. A good referee will apply the advantage/disadvantage principle and allow the game to continue even though the players themselves might ask for a whistle apart from the coaches and the spectators.

Having said this I want to make it clear also (so as not to confuse some beginner referees) that there are many fouls and violations that are automatic and do not fall under the category of advantage/disadvantage, such as for example stepping out-of-bounds or any unsporting conduct.

Veteran referees can maybe also concur with me that sometimes certain associations call upon their referees to enforce a certain rule and its corresponding penalty.

Although such instances seem to be rare, referees should discuss the matter and decide unanimously to work consistently and if need be, do not even apply the advantage/disadvantage principle in these cases.

To conclude I want to state that I believe that the application of advantage/disadvantage can only be learned through experience and good observation of good refereeing work by other referees.

A beginner referee should devote his initial energy on learning and applying well (there is a sharp difference between knowing and “understanding the intent” of the rules. Yes, it is very important to know the exact wording of every rule, but that does not guarantee that you will succeed as a referee) the rules of his particular sport. It is only through time and due to an open mind that the advantage/disadvantage principle will be learned along the way.