So, you're settling in to watch England Rugby take on an old rival at Twickenham Stadium. The whistle blows, the ball is kicked, and

So, you're settling in to watch England Rugby take on an old rival at Twickenham Stadium. The whistle blows, the ball is kicked, and suddenly it sails into touch. A flag goes up, and a referee in a different coloured jersey makes a signal. Who are they, and what exactly are they doing? These are the touch judges (or assistant referees, as they're officially known), and their role is far more complex than just pointing where the lineout should be. Let's break down the key terms and signals you'll see from the sidelines, helping you understand every decision during a Six Nations Championship clash or an Autumn Nations Series test.

Touch Judge

The touch judge is an official positioned on each touchline (sideline). Their primary duties are to indicate when and where the ball has gone into touch, judge the success of kicks at goal, and signal foul play to the main referee. They are the referee's eyes on the far side of the pitch.

Assistant Referee

This is the modern, official title for a touch judge. While fans and commentators often still use the traditional term, "assistant referee" better reflects their expanded role in helping the main referee with decisions across the entire field of play.

In Touch

This is the term used when the ball, or a player carrying it, has crossed the plane of the touchline. The touch judge will immediately raise their flag vertically to signal the ball is dead and a lineout will be awarded.

Ball Back

A crucial signal where the touch judge holds their flag horizontally, pointing infield. This tells the referee that the ball was carried or passed back into a team's own 22-metre area before being kicked directly to touch, meaning the resulting lineout is taken from where the ball was kicked, not where it went out.

Lineout Position

When the ball goes into touch, the touch judge moves to the point where it crossed the line and stands with their flag raised vertically. This clearly marks the exact spot for the players to form the lineout.

22-Metre Drop-Out

The touch judge indicates this by pointing their flag at a right angle towards the defending team's goal line. This signals that an attacking player took the ball back into their own in-goal area and made it dead, resulting in a dropout for the defenders.

Successful Kick

For penalty kicks or conversions, the touch judge stands directly behind the posts. If the ball passes over the crossbar and between the uprights, they raise their flag to signal the score. At a place like Twickenham, this signal confirms the points for players like Owen Farrell or Marcus Smith.

Unsuccessful Kick

If a kick at goal misses, the touch judge will keep their flag down by their side. No signal is given, and the referee will award a 22-metre dropout for a missed penalty or restart play from the centre for a missed conversion.

Foul Play

Assistant referees play a vital role in spotting incidents the main referee may miss. They communicate via radio, and if they see serious foul play, they will raise their flag horizontally and wave it to urgently get the referee's attention.

Advantage

Touch judges can signal to the referee that a clear advantage is being played following an infringement. They do this by holding one arm out horizontally, helping the referee manage the flow of the game without stopping play unnecessarily.

Forward Pass

While the main referee has the best view, touch judges on the far side can assist by signalling for a forward pass. They make a sweeping horizontal motion with one hand to indicate the pass travelled forward out of the passer's hands.

Knock-On

Similar to a forward pass, a touch judge can signal a knock-on by making a tapping motion with one hand towards the ground. This helps the referee spot handling errors in crowded areas of the pitch.

In-Goal Judge

In major competitions, an additional official is stationed behind each goal line. They specifically judge whether a try has been scored by watching for the ball being grounded and can signal to the referee if the ball has been made dead in-goal.

Television Match Official (TMO)

While not a touch judge on the field, the TMO is a crucial part of the officiating team. The on-field referees, including the touch judges, can refer tries or incidents of foul play to the TMO for review using the broadcast footage.

Mark

If a player makes a fair catch (a mark) in their own 22, the touch judge will raise their arm vertically to signal the referee that a free kick should be awarded at that spot.

Quick Throw

A player can take a quick throw-in if they use the same ball and stand at the correct spot. The touch judge ensures the throw is taken from where the ball went out and that the correct ball is used, keeping the game moving at pace.

Offside from a Kick

Assistant referees are key in policing the offside line, especially from kicks. They watch for players in front of the kicker and will signal to the referee if an offence occurs, ensuring a fair contest for the ball in the air.

10-Metre Line

At penalty kicks, the touch judge will often move to stand on the 10-metre line to ensure the non-offending team retreats the full distance, giving the kicker like Owen Farrell the space they are entitled to.

Half-Time / Full-Time

At the end of each period, the touch judges raise their flags to signal to the referee that time is up. This is the final signal of their duties, often followed by the roar of the Twickenham crowd or the relief of securing a trophy like the Calcutta Cup.

Communication System

Modern touch judges are connected to the referee and other officials via a wireless microphone and earpiece system. This allows for constant, discreet conversation about potential infringements, player safety, and match management throughout the 80 minutes.

Understanding the role of the touch judge adds a deeper layer to your viewing experience. You’ll start to see how their signals for "ball back" or their positioning for a kick at goal directly influence the tactical battle. The next time Steve Borthwick sends out the Red Rose, or Maro Itoje charges down a kick, you’ll have a full appreciation for the entire team of officials working to make the game fair, fluid, and fantastic to watch. For more on the fundamentals, explore our guides on rugby scoring methods and rugby ball specifications over in our rugby basics hub.