Some thoughts on rules, refs, and ranking

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Stephen Kowski

Your assertion that 'some refs don't understand the proper meaning of the rule' seems like a hasty generalization to me. I would imagine they understand the rule but have made a judgement call that you disagree with. If you want more bright line rules go talk to the GDC, not the refs.

I agree with your post, and will also point that bright lines are impossible. The more FIRST tries to draw lines in the sand, the more lines need to be drawn.

They will never be able to call out enough specifities in the rules to remove doubt. Considering that the refs have to learn a completely new game each year, the more simple and concise the rules are, the better. That means by necessity the refs will always have to make judgement calls.

I leave you with a perfect example. During the elimination rounds, a team (not one playing against us) hung. They continued to bounce their rear wheels off the ground through the end of the countdown after time had expired.

I asked the ref how he was calling it (in between matches when I was joking around with him) and he told me - if the bot is rocking and the wheels lifting off the ground, it's supported by pyramid and not the floor.

It's a judgement call, and I'll stand behind the refs when they make them, good or bad. We've certainly gone home disappointed a number of times directly connected to ref decisions. So have NFL, NBA, and NHL teams, and their games don't change each year.