Good refs must be in tip-top condition

IT’S not only the ability to adjudicate rules that makes a great ref. The physical requirements of officiating at the elite level are considerable.

Recent research found on average head NRL referees run about 8.2km a game at 75 per cent of their maximum heart rate, while assist referees cover upwards of 8.5km at 83 per cent of their maximum heart rate.

Reaching this fitness level requires hours of conditioning.

There are several areas of fitness required by a referee.

Our refs require a good aerobic base to last the full 80 minutes of a game.

Agility is the ability to change direction quickly while travelling at speed – an important element to a referee’s running and positioning skills.

Flexibility refers to the range of motion around the joints or series of joints. The development of flexibility assists in the prevention of muscular tears and strains.

Anaerobic fitness is the ability to resist fatigue when repeating near maximum effort when oxygen consumption is greater than intake, while running and sprinting.

Like the players, the referees must commit themselves to a rigorous conditioning program consisting of preseason and in-season training.

Typically the 12-week preseason period is broken down into two six-week phases. The first should emphasise an increase in intensity and specificity while the second is more of a maintenance phase.

In-season training would require the referees to undergo up to three tough conditioning sessions each week.

We all “love to hate” them but we wouldn’t have a game without them and they are a dedicated and committed group of people.

REFEREES MUST COMMIT THEMSELVES TO A RIGOROUS CONDITIONING PROGRAM CONSISTING OF PRESEASON AND IN-SEASON TRAINING