Quote:
Originally Posted by WaterClaw
Actually, I didn't recognize them at all from Northern lights or any regional for that matter. I primarily took it they were volunteers with minimal understanding of the rules as far as refs went. My sincerest apologies if I am wrong.
However, again, I appreciate how they took time to ref our post season regional regardless if they were volunteers or full time refs. I've seen how hard their job is and I personally wouldn't do it with out a broader understanding of the rules.
And that brings me to my suggestion. As far as improving it goes, I believe it would be a good idea to have referees take a quiz or comprehension test of some sort to establish they have a well rounded understanding of the rules. The test does not necessarily eliminate the refs from refereeing however it forces them to re-evaluate their understanding of the rules.
If a quiz or anything related is in existence, it should be made more difficult and I believe lessons or lectures should be given to iron out technicalities. These Lessons would be given by the game creating committee and shown not only to referees but also to teams to establish clarity and alleviate tensions that may arise on and off the field. The lessons must be available both in video and in text so that one perception of the rules can be clarified by the other. The game creating committee has the responsibility of coming up with entertaining, challenging and interesting games as well as the rules for them. It should also a responsibility I believe to iron out discrepancies for all involved.
Also, this is only an idea. I am aware there are videos explaining field elements but I think we also need ones ironing out technicalities in the rules. And I believe we should have the creators clarify and expand understanding of their amazing creations.
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To address a few points... Your team was at one of the four Minnesota regionals, so I'm not too surprised you didn't see most of the refs this year. However, I can assure you that they were all longtime FIRST refs, who not only ref our regionals, but also ref most of our offseason events.
There is a test for refs, just as there is one for Robot Inspectors. Additionally, the head refs are included on a conference call every week to talk about what happened the previous week and what they need to watch out for (the inspectors have a similar call). The head refs are then responsible for any on-site training that is required, just as the LRI trains the inspectors.
I also want to note... It is extremely difficult recruiting refs, more so than most other volunteer positions. Imagine you're a ref for football or soccer or baseball. You go in knowing the rules, since you grew up loving the sport. You can ref it for 20 years with only minimal (if that) rule changes. Now you come to FIRST and get recruited to be a. Ref. your very first question is "what are the rules?" Well, when the answer comes back "the rules change every year", you get nervous and drop out. The changing rules in a very high pressure and high profile position like that makes it very difficult to recruit new refs. So, anyone out there (not directed at anyone in particular in this thread) who has a problem with the way the refs work... Step up and volunteer to ref yourself (after you graduate, if your still a student)!