Quote:
Originally Posted by alicen
When rules are written "FOUL if INTENTIONAL" and then I have .01 seconds to decide if that was intentional, which foul/tech foul/YC/RC to give, look down to hit the button on the panel, radio my head ref to inform them, and still watch everything else going on in my area, I'm gonna mess up once in a while.
|
Oh completely, the rules this year had a fantastic amount of subjective conditions attached to them.
I'm sorry, but yes we are. We have to work as a TEAM to try our best to make good calls, get everything right, and provide the best experience possible for all teams at an event.[/quote]
My phrasing was poor, I should have used the term "player", "competitor", "contestant", or "alliance" instead to make the meaning even more clear. I hoped that the rest of that paragraph would have provided sufficient context for the use of the word "team".
Quote:
Originally Posted by alicen
Refs are an extension of the field in a weird sort of way, but the field also breaks sometimes. And under certain circumstances that means a match is replayed. Like broken field bits, refs can "break" too and mess up. Sometimes this means a score/penalty/foul/etc is changed after the fact.
|
I completely agree. However, I think the instances of the refs changing a call are significantly rarer than the refs making a poor call. Its a shame and I understand that the refs are doing the best with the resources they have, which is why I think the refs need more resources (as described in the last two paragraphs of my post).
Quote:
Originally Posted by alicen
I think you're meaning influencing as refs missing crossings for example, or calling are lots of fouls? I'll say that yes, a ref can influence a game heavily by missing crossings, but I won't say that it's the ref's fault if many fouls are called. I put that one squarely on the GDC for the game, or the team for their choice in strategy
|
You got it! Missed crossings as well as weird calls regarding crossings and boulder possession were probably the most irritating parts of this game.
I am going to assume that you didn't quote my last two paragraphs because you agree with them. From my perspective the refs are often setup to fail by the requirements of their role, the rules, and the regulations governing their position. I hope that someday referees are able to be used to their full potential, making the subjective calls necessary to influence the way the game plays and keep it fair and fun for all entities involved. Until then, I'm going to have to keep explaining to parents that the question box is really just for clarification, not contesting a penalty. And that yes, I know they missed it, I know you got it on video but unfortunately it doesn't matter because refs don't review video, yes that is an actual rule, I'm sorry, please don't go talk to them, it really won't change anything.
Every year the refs put up with one of the most difficult jobs on the field. I appreciate their contribution and hope that someday there is a game where their jobs are are appropriate in scope and setup for widespread success.