It's worked before
Originally posted by camsmith
I've seen this style work (although it doesn't cut down on the number of "bad call" calls).
This has the advantages of;
- Even marshalls can play (not sit out one tourny)
- Everybody *HAS* to learn the rules <- this can't be a bad thing
Disadvantages;
- Even the "unsportsmanlike" players have to marshall
- As mentioned we pay to play, not marshall
I still see the need for a semi-professional ultimate marshall on each field, but this would reduce the marshalling bill, and therefore may translate into slightly cheaper tournys. Should there be a "Marshalls-R-Us" for these people?
Sadly, this only partially works. On the plus side
- The overall bill is reduced
- In THEORY, everyone therefore has to learn the rules
- MOST people develop a feeling of what a cr@p job it can be, and go easier on the refs when they play
- everyone gets to play
- everyone learns how to ref in the long run
However, on the minus side
- most of them don't bother to read the rules even when they do have to ref
- some don't bother to do the job properly if it's mandatory, especially if they aren't getting paid at the end of the day - anyone remember a certain US team at the 'Dam last year?
- large numbers of very inexperienced refs at the same time, even if the field ultimate is an experienced ref
- higher chance of "tit for tat" decisions being made
- if teams have to be rotated out of the schedule for a period to ref, you have either longer days or less games, or exceptionally short breaks between games
I still feel the best option is to have dedicated refs at events, but the 2 main problems are a) getting them trained and b) actually getting enough that aren't wanting to play instead of ref.
There are very few people who are prepared to run training courses for refs (face it, it's not as much fun as training people to play), and they have to have a wealth of experience both as refs and players, AND be able to teach, AND know all possible rules inside out, AND be prepared to give up valuable playing/family time to do the job. Also, it's not exactly cheap to run a reffing course because as well as the actual trainer you need "actors" for the trainees to practice on, plus you're using facilities that could be used for other paying customers, and you try getting a decent amount of money out of the players who are learning to do the job.
I can't in all honesty blame people for wanting to play rather than marshall an event. It's a long, hard day & and all you get out of it is about enough money to pay your paint bill next time you play, and a load of abuse from the players.
But you have to remember - no refs, no games. We came close to restricting Sunday's M25 event to 3 fields and 32 teams not because of space, cost or hassle but simply because we wouldn't have had enough marshalls for 4 fields staffed properly.
