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Re: Call Inconsistencies Between Regionals
Lil Lavery makes a good point and Paul's response supports what he suggested.
Paul provided a number of suggestions that could be considered to improve the situation.
David made one as well, by the way - years ago, adult mentors used to be able to discuss rule infractions with the ref's. It was said that the discussions often were a bit too heated for some folks comfort level. Only thing I could guess is that debating questionable and even sometimes bad calls, must not be considered gracious professionalism. I would even say that some high profile mentors might even intimidate some less confident head ref's. Oh well, it is what it is.
As to suggestions -
1) Start with a formal rule infraction appeal process that is initiated as early as seeding match 1. Make sure everyone understands how it works on practice Thursday. This rule infractions appeal process is for improving the refs performance, not changing the score or outcome of the match. As stated in the rules, ALL decisons are final. The earlier the process begins the more consistant the ref's and drivers should become.
2) Track all rule infractions, off field as well as on field - for on field rule infractions track which ref is calling it, and on which team, under what situation, and what rule, for example: Ref #2, team #47, while crossing mid field line, G22.
3) Rule infractions should be reviewed with the offending teams designated drive team member, after each match in order for that team to better understand what and when the infraction was that they are being penalized for. Don't leave it up to everyone guessing what and when the penality is for - and have the ref that called it explain.
4) Rule infractions must be reviewed by the entire team of refs whenever more than 2 rule infractions occurs per any ref, in order to validate the rule is being called properly and with appropriate understanding by ALL of the refs. After reviewing it, if 2 additional penalties are ruled on - have the game announcer and/or emcee remind the teams of the rule prior to the next few matches.
Clearly, this game may never be penalty free (even though I witnessed many penalty free elimination matches this past Saturday).
Difficulty by the drivers to see the entire field will lead to some "inadvertant" penalties.
Those penalties derived from aggressive game play and supported by the belief "there's no rule against it" are unfortunate for those applying that kind of thinking.
The idea of consistant application and understanding of the rules is doable, but it takes EVERYONE to move the bar up in the process.
Mike Aubry
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