Call Inconsistencies Between Regionals

[EricH]

I don't ref FRC because I don't think I'm up to that level. I did, however, ref FLL and an FTC competition.

FLL is relatively easy. If the robot goes back to base by hand, grab the object that needs removing. At the end of the match, total up the score.

FTC is another level. 4 robots to watch simultaneously. I think I did OK, but am not sure. (I did know enough to refer ruling questions to the Head Ref.) I had only seen the rules that day because I was an emergency "He's here, the ref who should be here isn't. Have him read the rules; he'll ref."

I don't ref FRC. Sometimes I want to, but then I think about it. It's a little out of my league. At least that's what I think.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by EricH

I don't ref FRC. Sometimes I want to, but then I think about it. It's a little out of my league. At least that's what I think.

I can't speak for this year, but it's truly not that difficult most of the time.

I refereed in 05. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I was confident I knew the rules and how to call them.

90% of the time it was very clear to me what happened. The other 10% of the time was when you get into subjective areas where you have to try to determine intent, or piece together what happened, and what rules are applicable, and you know one team will be disappointed no matter what happens.

As long as a ref has a very strong grasp of the rulebook, and are attentive to the robots/areas they are responsible for watching, they should get it right almost all the time.