Referee positioning, but not match demands, score difference, or field location, are associated with breakdown decision-making accuracy in elite rugby sevens referees. (2nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: SantAnna, Ricardo T.; Roberts, Simon P.; Moore, Lee J.; Stokes, Keith A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of performance analysis in sport. Volume 21:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 1127
• Page End: 1139
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02
• Subjects: Global positioning technology -- heart rate -- match analysis -- perceptual-cognitive skills -- sport officials; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.015
• DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2021.1979824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-8668

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study quantified rugby referees' decision-making accuracy at the breakdown in an elite rugby sevens tournament, examining whether decision-making accuracy differed over time, and if it was associated with match demands, score difference, field location, and referee positioning. During the National Sevens Tournament (six referees, 22 matches), decision-making accuracy was analysed using video coding from 602 breakdowns and match demands were examined using GNSS technology and heart rate recordings. Overall, the referees had a decision-making accuracy of 88.2% with no changes over time (all p > 0.05). There were no significant associations between match demands, score difference, or field location and decision-making accuracy (all p > 0.05). However, significantly more incorrect decisions occurred when the referees were in a suboptimal position (29.0%) compared to an optimal position (10.9%) at the breakdown ( p < 0.05). The findings suggest that referees' decision-making accuracy during the breakdown remains relatively consistent across an elite rugby sevens tournament. While unaffected by match demands, score difference or field location, referees' decision-making accuracy may be improved by optimising their positioning at the breakdown.