Will likely vary from county to county (as most everything does!). However in my area, a good Level 7 AR could most definitely run the line on a Step 6 game (which would generally have a Level 5 referee in the middle, often one on the 5 to 4 promotion scheme). They could just conceivably run the line on a Step 5 (with an L4 in the middle) but they would have to spend a good while demonstrating their overall AR competence to open up that possibility
Here in Cheshire 7s can run the line in the supply league (level 4s in the middle)
A level 7 referee can be an assistant on a supply league level ( where the referee is level 4)What is the highest her that a level 7 can be an AR. Would it be a match with a level 5 middle or something ?
Thanks for any help.
Northern Counties Prem is a step 5 league and uses L3, it's Division 1 is a step 6 and uses L4 (with L5 & 6 AR).
That's odd. I can only say from refereeing a step 3 friendly and in my experience as an AR at step 5-3 (which highlights the ridiculousness that I AR at a level some of my peers are reffing, anyway I digress) is that step 3 seems easier than step 5 I terms of misconduct. Yes the fitness levels are much higher but the skill level is considerably too and the players are more accepting, in fact, expecting the laws be applied correctly. Where as step 5 games the players are less skilful and only a little fitter than supply league Nd the behavioural standards tend to be somewhat poorer thus making the games more difficult for the referee. In fact I have reffed supply league teams that would bowl some step 5 off the park.Thanks, I knew it was one of the Northern leagues but couldn't remember which.
It has always struck me as unfair that some level 4s are doing step 6 football whilst others are doing step 5. I've observed on both SSMFL Premier (step 5) and Thurlow Nunn South (step 6) and the gulf in standard is massive, so much so that a YouTube team have come in and won the latter in their first season. Although at least those L4s are only judged against other L4s on that league / pool.
It is worse for L3s as they are all ranked nationally so are competing against each other. One might do 80% of his middles on step 3 games with the other doing 80% of his on step 5 games, and the difference in standards between those leagues is absolutely enormous. I know from my experience that refereeing a step 5 game is usually an absolute doddle compated to those at step 3.
That's odd. I can only say from refereeing a step 3 friendly and in my experience as an AR at step 5-3 (which highlights the ridiculousness that I AR at a level some of my peers are reffing, anyway I digress) is that step 3 seems easier than step 5 I terms of misconduct. Yes the fitness levels are much higher but the skill level is considerably too and the players are more accepting, in fact, expecting the laws be applied correctly. Where as step 5 games the players are less skilful and only a little fitter than supply league Nd the behavioural standards tend to be somewhat poorer thus making the games more difficult for the referee. In fact I have reffed supply league teams that would bowl some step 5 off the park.
So I am somewhat surprised that you feel the higher level is harder to ref.
As I say I can only speak from a dabble. In a friendly and from running the line. If I ever get up to the next level my opinion might change, I suppose