Yellow card / Red card usage at 2004 IRI

[ngreen]

Originally Posted by Matt Adams

I've seen a lot of really great ideas come out of this topic. I have a few of my own.

I noticed that a lot of people are trying to use a (seemingly obviously and accurate) comparison between sports and that of FIRST. I think there may be a few things to consider.

1. Athletic events tend to be longer, in many sports refs can take time to discuss between plays and see instant an replay.

2. FIRST has historically used a tournament format very different than that of sports (qualification and elimination rounds).

3. The "team" size in first is very unique since there are only two "players" per "team."

I agree with a lot of the principles with a card system... but I think there's a penalty that nobody here has metioned which should be used MUCH more frequently.

Anybody remember that disable switch?

How about this for a rule:
If you're not playing nice, then you don't play for the rest of the round.

Doesn't that seem fair?

Examples:
If you tip a robot, you're shut off.
If you're banging up against a robot destructively, you're shut off.

This rule could probably be coupled with that of the card system to avoid a kamikaze type playing style.

I'll admit that this will take swift action by one ref or nearly instant voting, but nevertheless, I think that this sort of penalty should be used more often in gameplay.

Just my two cents,

Matt

Matt,

I'd say I agree in a way. I think a lot of things would work if they were enforced consistently and across the boards. I think people know the rules. Drivers should definitely know the rules. They know what is friendly play and playing mean. I lifeguard and I constantly tell kids to play nice. They know what it is to play nice and usually stop at least until I turn my head. The greatest issue I saw was to be consistent, be fair, be simple, and be open. Point penalty or time penalties can be obscure and confusing. The previous reffing wasn't consistent and definitely wasn't open and easy to understand. I relate a lot to sports because it is somethings a lot of people can relate. Basketball is good when it comes to talking about consistency. If I drive the lane (ha!) and get called for a charge and then go down the court and get ran over by their player, I expect to get the same call. That's what most people are looking for here. Consistency with the game and within the game.

BTW, We also need to add some ridiculous signals for the ref to use to make calls, just to watch Andy do them. Just imagine Andy calling team A for ramming team B doing the techno ticks dance. Ha!