This is an aggregation of thoughts provided by USA Rugby National 7s Referee Manager Paddy McNally during the 2014 Summer 7s season, providing some excellent advice on how to manage the sevens game:

POSITIONING IN SEVENS RUGBY
We see a lot of younger and less experienced Sevens referees trying to find the best running lines and positioning that allows them to see the action up close, without getting in the player’s way. Here are some major points to determine the best positioning in refereeing Sevens rugby:

1. Run with the team that is applying pressure – if the defending team is pushing up the pitch (either utilizing the “rush defense” or kicking the ball up field), or the ball is being passed across the pitch (but no real forward progress), a position behind the defensive line is preferable.
2. Be careful to not get too far behind the defensive line as this will take you out of position to get to the breakdown. Fight the urge to avoid traffic and drift back, make sure you are JUST behind the defensive line, but not a part of the defensive line (unless you want the ball or need to be tackled)
3. Sevens referees need to come around to the attacking side at each and every breakdown, in order to see the ball. The tackle/breakdown is huge in Sevens and if you are not in position quickly, you will not see the ball and miss innumerable infractions.
4. When the attacking team is running down the pitch, the referee needs to be in-line with play, to clearly see any knock-ons or forward passes. In Sevens, a forward pass usually results in a try, and the referee builds credibility when he/she is in good position to decide whether a forward pass has been thrown (try calling a forward pass 10-20 meters away from play and see where that gets you!)

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