I started out the event thinking the refs on the CPL and SPL fields were doing an excellent job.
They were mobile, they were positioned well, they were proactive, they rarely let stuff slide, the head refs were courteous to players and always had a sensible explanation for calls made.... all in all the best reffing I have ever seen in paintball.
But, as the weekend progressed, it got out of hand in a major way.
The refs simply got completely overzealous, and started making calls that were downright ridiculous.
For instance, I was watching Solid play a game:
Their snake player goes for the snake straight off the break, and while sliding into it, he receives a hit to his pack.
Upon completing his slide, he lies still and starts calling for the ref to check him.... he in no way plays actively, he just lies there and waits for the check.
Ref goes in, grabs his pack, sees the hit... and goes "out".
While the player stands up, puts his hand on the head, and starts to leave the field - the ref proceeds to run across the field, screaming "3 for 1" - and pulling 3 other players.
That is just crazy!
I saw about 30 instances, where players dove into a bunker and immidiately asked for a check, while not actively playing and waiting for the ref to perform the check - only to be called out and see a 141 being called.... and that is just what I saw myself.
It totally destroys the game for us players, when you do your utmost not to cheat, to avoid penalties for your team, and then end up being penalised.
If it continues, the effect will be that players stop asking for checks and simply continue playing, because they are getting penalised regardless!
I am fully aware that we players are obligated to check ourselves, and should not ask for checks when we know we are hit... but in an X-Ball format, when you are tight in a bunker, with streams of paint coming in on both sides of you, you don't start flopping around and mess with checking yourself, when you know it will get you shot... you ask for the ref to check you, and expects to ONLY be called out, if you are in fact hit.
The "self check zone" HAS to be dependent on your situation and position... a player should NOT be expected to get himself eliminated, trying to ascertain if a ball broke or bounced!
I hope Ulrich and the head refs will get this sorted out for Germany, because if it continues like in Toulouse, you guys will actually be promoting cheating - instead of the opposite.... refs should be there to make the game fair... not to force players into situations where they will prefer cheating.
Nick
They were mobile, they were positioned well, they were proactive, they rarely let stuff slide, the head refs were courteous to players and always had a sensible explanation for calls made.... all in all the best reffing I have ever seen in paintball.
But, as the weekend progressed, it got out of hand in a major way.
The refs simply got completely overzealous, and started making calls that were downright ridiculous.
For instance, I was watching Solid play a game:
Their snake player goes for the snake straight off the break, and while sliding into it, he receives a hit to his pack.
Upon completing his slide, he lies still and starts calling for the ref to check him.... he in no way plays actively, he just lies there and waits for the check.
Ref goes in, grabs his pack, sees the hit... and goes "out".
While the player stands up, puts his hand on the head, and starts to leave the field - the ref proceeds to run across the field, screaming "3 for 1" - and pulling 3 other players.
That is just crazy!
I saw about 30 instances, where players dove into a bunker and immidiately asked for a check, while not actively playing and waiting for the ref to perform the check - only to be called out and see a 141 being called.... and that is just what I saw myself.
It totally destroys the game for us players, when you do your utmost not to cheat, to avoid penalties for your team, and then end up being penalised.
If it continues, the effect will be that players stop asking for checks and simply continue playing, because they are getting penalised regardless!
I am fully aware that we players are obligated to check ourselves, and should not ask for checks when we know we are hit... but in an X-Ball format, when you are tight in a bunker, with streams of paint coming in on both sides of you, you don't start flopping around and mess with checking yourself, when you know it will get you shot... you ask for the ref to check you, and expects to ONLY be called out, if you are in fact hit.
The "self check zone" HAS to be dependent on your situation and position... a player should NOT be expected to get himself eliminated, trying to ascertain if a ball broke or bounced!
I hope Ulrich and the head refs will get this sorted out for Germany, because if it continues like in Toulouse, you guys will actually be promoting cheating - instead of the opposite.... refs should be there to make the game fair... not to force players into situations where they will prefer cheating.
Nick
