Paintball Officiating: The Few, The Proud

By Chris DeForge

There’s no unifying handbook, no universal qualification, no certificates of achievement. We run the games, we keep the peace, we call the shots on and off the field. From the thick woods of the northeast, to the airball arenas on the West Coast, from smoke-filled scenario battleground to backyard game, we are the gatekeepers.

Welcome to the difficult, under-appreciated job of paintball officiating. Many players ref part time at the local fields for discounts or a bit of extra pocket cash and the majority of large event referees are players themselves. It is this dual role that gives most of us an edge. Making the transition from player to referee isn’t instantaneous. Be prepared to have a lot of fun and see some great games, to learn about playing styles and apply them to your own game, and to encounter a plethora of personalities (of both good natured and bad tempered dispositions). The quality of the referee often determines the rating a field receives by its players, especially in feedback seen by others such as PBReview’s (http://www.pbreview.com/) online field rating system and in local communities. Unlike administrative and sale’s personell, the ref is intimately connected with the player’s every day experience.

Additionally, refs are expected to perform a myriad of other tasks such as field maitenance, cleaning, garbage disposal, basic levels of marker maitenance and repair, as well as certain tasks like filling CO2 and HPA tanks, acting as customer service representatives, processing paperwork, and promoting the field in general. Did I mention you’re probably getting minimum wage?

Why Care?

It’s difficult to do a good job on the field without some motivation. Its definitely about the money, or about the tough people you’ll inevitably have to deal with. Since most of paintball’s referees are players, we can relate to how we want our day (and hard earned cash) to go. We want smooth running games and paintchecks on other players, and maybe a nice conversation between games. One cannot expect to receive what he does not give.

But what if you’re new to the ref scene? Use your best judgement, but here are a few guidelines. As your practical know-how and experience grows, so will your confidence and accuracy. Never hesitate to ask the head ref for advice, he’s there to help.

Game Mechanics

1. Check him ref! – Seemingly the most obvious aspect of the game is to make sure players leave when they’re hit. Different fields have different rules about hits. Make sure you understand the rules of the field you’re officiating at. Do gun hits count? Does cumulative splatter constitute a hit? Can players shoot through the cracks of bunkers, or be shot through them? Whether on a speedball course or in the woods, players will be asking for you to paintcheck them and others. An old player’s trick is to ask for a paintcheck on someone who is relatively hidden, so that you will give him away. Not every request for a paintcheck needs to be entertained, especially for players who call for checks on people they aren’t remotely close to hitting. Sometimes a paint check should be given simply to satiate the player, as opposed to an actual investigation on an otherwise clean opponent, but individual discretion reigns supreme. Whatever you do, don’t be stingy on the checks – you’ve been hired as a referee and being hit is in the job description. Bring a shield and wear padding and a neck protector if you want, but never hesitate to get right in the action.

The actual paintcheck itself needs to be quick and thorough. Players have signed a waiver to play on your field. Don’t be afraid to touch a player to check him, which might include moving his clothing or touching his pack. If you’re a male checking a female player and need to see an area that shouldn’t be grabbed at, quickly inform the player that you need to perform a paint check. I’ve seen many hits on packs and near shoes that were not caught because the referee didn’t take the time to shift the clothing to examine the area – that one hit can make the difference in a game, and while it’s usually not a problem in recball, it could easily create a situation.

Image Caption: One hand on the head, one arm pointed toward the player signifies an elimination. Remove the player’s armband and call “Player out!”

2. Snake! Snake Hot! – A common mistake that occurs frequently in the snake, but also in other bunkers, is that new referees will tend to stare at a player that no one else knows is there. Like with an eye exam you should be moving your eyes, not your head. Make no indication by gesture of the presence of other players who are sneaking up the other side of the field (casual re positioning to call the play is much better) or running to bunker someone. Be prepared to quickly and clearly call someone out without affecting the play itself.

3. Positions – Different postures are also helpful on the field. Off the break, many major event referees lay prone to see hits on the chest or pack so that they cannot be wiped by a dive or slide. Players not used to referees so close to them may feel the lane is restricted by your presence. Still, prone is a great position to use if you have other referees to cover the initial calls that require running – keep your shield over your neck, if you have one, and have a good angle to see one side of a team off the break. Never prone in front of a bunker.

Crouching is also helpful to maintain mobility but get a good angle. I like to crouch near the dorito side of an X-Ball field so I can cover the potential hits off the break on my side of the field and be ready to run and pull someone. I also get a great angle on the dorito players on my side and any crossfield mirrors on the other side of the field that would be shooting it out with the tape. In recball, two referees may cover a single large game so its important to be able to quickly observe from multiple angles.

If you don’t have a shield, cover yourself appropriately when standing. Wear arm pads if you have them, as many tapes are tight on a field, placing the referee uncomfortably close to the lane. Lean backwards if you have to. If you’re on the snake side of a speedball field, prepare to take a few hits from players shooting across field. Your best asset while standing is the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly. Position yourself so you can see the most from your viewpoint – standing behind an aptly named standup will minimize what you can see.

4. Remember the Alamo! – Does the field you’re reffing on have a specific objective? Capture the flag, defend the fort, and “Spy on Spy” are popular game variants to play. Understanding the specific game is important to explain to players and for safety reasons. For example, let’s say a game’s objective was to capture the flag in a wooded field. One flagrunner sprints through the other team’s defenses and hangs the flag on the base. If the referee doesn’t call the game, there’s a good chance that he’ll take a beating from the base defenders afterwards – this also makes the post-game paint check difficult.

Keeping track of objectives are essential in scenario games. Often times the “destruction” of an object or the completion of a special mission are more valuable than overall eliminations. Jot down any relevant information on points earned and radio them into the game coordinator so he can award points to the right team. Scenario players live for missions, so neglecting them would be a poor mistake.

Customer Service

1. Unprofessionally Professional – Our nature is inherently one of a gruff manner. We often talk casually to players and sometimes curse just as much as they do – but remember that your job is to serve the customer. Casual chat, observations about good moves in game, and occasionally some small bits of advice are great ways to break the ice and to get players to respect you. Players will realize that you’re not a hard-ass machine but an actual person they can relate to. Still, never let personal relationships get in the way of your job. Do favors for people, but never wipe friends or stack teams. This behavior is noticed quickly by players and as their respect for you diminishes, so does your ability to control a situation.

2. On the Note of Control – You MUST keep control of the field at all times. Disputes must be handled firmly. Always stand by your call. I spent my time before paintballing as a FIFA certified soccer referee and learned that as a team, the referees needed to support each other. Still, if you do realize you are incorrect, stubbornly asserting you are right is just going to cause the situation to deteriorate. Have speed and accuracy in your calls. Surely this is easier said than done. Read the two case samples and see how you would react:

1. A game is being played on X Ball. 4 players on one side are against 2 on the other side. One player shoots his mirror in the dorito and starts a runthrough. He hits a nearby player in the center who is shooting back at him. Before you can call a one-for-one, he continues and shoots the back standup in the back. The player in the center has confronted him now, telling him that he was definitely out of the game. The confused back player at home base, thinking the runner is still clean, shoots at him. Insults are exchanged.

2. The red team’s objective is to capture the blue team’s flag. Twenty players on the blue team are hiding on a ridge, behind thick brush and leaves while the red team’s tank, which is carrying the flag, is making its way down a path. Suddenly the blue squad charges forward and one player with a designated “rocket launcher” makes a run for the kill. You see a splat on his pack. Three seconds later he kneels, fires, and hits the tank. Red team’s only hope to get the flag back to their base in time would be using the tank. As the firefight continues, the tank crew and the player argue.

Two situations, two different styles of play, both demonstrating how important it is to control a situation. In both scenarios, your job is to step immediately into the fray, trying to dissect what happened chronologically. After understanding the sequence of events you can make the proper calls, assess penalties, award points, and direct the flow of play from there.

3. **** you, let’s go! – Unfortunately, some situations inevitably do develop into fights. Arguments happen frequently. Sometimes its good to let players go off on each other for awhile, but make sure you step in before things get too heated. Some players are just jerks and will get into confrontations with other players. Learn the tell tale signs of when an argument is going to develop into a fight. Players will stop talking about the situation and start trading insults and may move toward each other. Keep in mind your own safety but also realize that you MUST raise your voice and regain control as soon as possible. Players may hesitate to do anything to you so they aren’t banned from the field but the possibility is still there. Therefore your job is to protect both yourself as well as both players. Physically step between both players and put your arms up, telling them to separate. If they’ve already engaged in physical contact, your discretion needs to be applied. Pulling a player off who is in the middle of a violent rage may be risky to your own safety but may also defuse a situation.

An example: I was reffing a recreational game on an airball field. A dispute arose over a situation. The players ignored my call for mutual elimination and an argument developed while the game was still going on. One player shot the other up, and paint was traded before the initial “offender” shoved the other player. I was already making my way across the field when the two players were in a fight. I grabbed one of the players and used his balance against him, throwing him off of the other guy. In his anger he brought his hand back to punch me and realized I was a referee. The other player separated when the other referee ran over to help me.

A few things can be made of this. First of all, I felt it was necessary for me to become physically involved with both players. However, I could have easily had a broken nose from a punch I didn’t expect. Another problem rises – assume that I threw the player off and he tripped on a divot, and broke his leg? Would field insurance cover the costs or would I be subject to dismissal for placing my hands on a player? Situations like this can’t be prepared for, only reacted to. Just remember – you want EVERYONE to go home safe at the end of the day.

4. “I’m not that good…” –

Make the teams fair. If you have a few extra refs, take lower end players to their own field. Players at a field at any given time will consist of rentals, beginners, people playing purely for fun, low and high end competition players, and everyone in between. Having a DM4 with a PSP ramping board in a game against Tippmann rentals isn’t a fair or a smart idea and turns people away from the sport and from your field, which ultimately hurts business. A “fair” team doesn’t necessarily mean a numerically balanced team. NEVER allow a group of three or four tournament players play against a bunch of kids for the sole purpose of “wrecking” them.

5. Keep it Moving! – The most irritating thing about some fields is that despite the well maintained grounds, the referees don’t keep the games moving. You need to take the initative to get players together and start games. Players have the tendency to stand around and talk forever. People paid to play, not to gab, so run by the staging area, invite players to games, make announcements, and keep teams split up. Give players a chance to refill on essentials but as some players leave and new players arrive, re-divide the teams and get them going.

Most of what you learn is hands-on activity. Remember to use your best judgement, be consistent, and keep everyone safe. Good luck and welcome, you’re one of us now!