PTI Referee Guidelines

FORWORD

Referees may not get the recognition they deserve considering what they bring to the game and the dedicated effort required to be properly prepared. To perform credibly, a referee must have superior knowledge of the rules of the game; both the letter and intent and be sure that applying them is proper and would not punish the wrong party. He or she must be in excellent physical condition. Patience and wisdom are often needed to see the ref through trying times.

Physical Condition: The referee may not be the best player on the field but may be the best conditioned. Visualize a hot day as the game ends; the players and spectators are looking for shade and liquids. The referees gather to discuss and record the game results. They probably drink liquids and immediately start preparing for the next game. Referees may do dozens of games in succession, running up and down the field with no breaks. Referees may be required to pass physical fitness tests to upgrade or even maintain some classification levels.

Knowledge: No referee who enjoys the job and wants to be considered a true professional would limit his/her efforts to the minimum requirements, but even that would be substantial. Before becoming a referee, nearly all have other paintball experience as a player, team captain, airsmith, field owner, etc. Before earning his/her PTI patch, he/she may attend 16 hours of classroom instruction, pass a written test, face a one-on-one evaluation with the certifying official and pay a $190 certification fee. Each year thereafter, he/she remains under the close scrutiny of the Paintball Training Institute, the field owners/promoters, other referees, teams, and players. That is the minimum requirement to be a beginning C4A referee. Being proficient at his/her job requires watching games, attending training and general self-education. Upgrading (being promoted to higher levels) may require additional classroom instruction, passing more tests, being assessed (graded) by experienced referees and promoters, and paying more fees. A career referee must be a good student.

Patience and Wisdom: These seem to run together and both take time on the job and the ability to learn from experience and apply that knowledge to situations at hand. In years of coaching and officiating, I’ve only seen one or two games start on time. The referee arrives ahead of time to check the field and goals for proper marking and condition. If both teams were ready for check-in twenty minutes before game time, the referee could get that done and call for captains well ahead of the starting time. However, the usual scenario sees the referee asking the coach if his/her team is ready and the coach saying "they aren’t all here." Imagine the strain that puts on the patience of the referee who has another game to officiate a few minutes after the current game. Then he/she has to take time to position players, inspect equipment, and point out problems that may be corrected before the game. Then the referee must have the patience to accept or ignore abusive criticisms from sponsors, players and spectators who haven’t even read the "Rules of the Game" and only know things did not go their team’s way. A referee must have the wisdom to make decisions that keep the "Good of Paintball" in the forefront. He/she could refuse to officiate a game that does not start on time and allow the non-offending team a win by forfeit. The referee knows forfeits are not what Paintball is about and that to punish a few wrongdoers would likewise punish the innocent. On the other hand, he/she must have the wisdom to know when it is safe to play and when conditions (human and weather) make continuing unsafe.

PTI Referee Uniforms

The proper PTI referee uniform consists of black or white shoes, black pants or solid black shorts, and one of the following shirts:

• Black & white professional referee jersey with PTI logo
• Black & white professional referee jersey with APL logo
• A plain white or black t-shirt may be worn underneath the referee jersey.

Logos are acceptable on articles of clothing other than PTI jerseys, but additional designs, stripes, piping, and trim are not.  No articles may be affixed to PTI jerseys.

• The general appearance of all officials should be neat and professional. The officials' uniforms must be neat and clean. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Shoes must be clean at the start of the match.

All officials for all events should wear the correct uniform.

Referees should not be subject to disciplinary measures when the following situations are observed:

• When officiating several games per day in cold temperature or rain, or a combination of rain and cold, rain gear and cold weather clothing may be worn. In cold weather, gloves or a black knit cap may be worn.
• A black or white baseball cap may be worn to protect the head.

• Off the field, any warm-up or jacket that is neat and professional in appearance, hats, gloves, umbrellas, and any other articles of clothing or protection that enhance the referee's comfort are acceptable. The professional appearance of the referee should be maintained during and between successive games at the same field.

The following are not allowed under any circumstances and will make the official subject to possible disciplinary action:

• Jersey sleeves rolled up to the shoulder or jerseys rolled/tied up from the waist.
• Extra visible clothing of a color other than black or white worn over or under the referee uniform.
• No tobacco products or alcohol may be used on or in the immediate vicinity of the field.
• Once referees leave the vicinity of the field, they may assume a more casual appearance, but in that case, all outward signs of the referee uniform should be removed. (A good rule of thumb is, if someone can tell by looking at you that you are a referee, you should appear neatly and professionally dressed.)

It is the duty of the referee to strictly enforce the uniform regulations. Referees who do not adhere to these requirements must be reported to the Paintball Training Institute. Referees reported for uniform dress violations will be subject to discipline up to and including loss of their certification.

It is the responsibility of all PTI certified officials not only to adhere to this uniform code but also to make every effort to see to it that it is adhered to by other PTI officials.

Referee Conduct

All officials must have a good working knowledge of the rules and mechanics. Very successful officials have an understanding of the human relations aspect of their jobs which is just as important as knowing the rules.

BE COMPETITIVE

The players give maximum effort, so should you. Tell yourself "I'm not going to let this game get away from me. I am better than that". You are hired to make the calls that control the game - Make them!

HAVE YOUR HEAD ON RIGHT

Don't think your striped shirt grants you immunity from having to take a little criticism. It's part of officiating. Plan on it. Successful officials know how much to take. Ask one when you get the chance. Many officials have local, regional, and even national status. Use their knowledge to help you become a better official.

DON'T BE A NAZI!

If a player is on your back but not enough to warrant a penalty, then stay away from him or her. This is especially true between games. Standing near an unhappy player, just to "show him", will only lead to further tensions. Some officials develop irritating characteristics know as a "power trip". Don't be one of them.

GET INTO THE FLOW OF THE GAME

Each game is different. Experienced officials can feel this difference. Concentrate on the reactions of the players. Take note if the tempo of the game changes. A ragged game calls for a different style of officiating from a smooth one.

DON'T SHOUT

If you don't like to be shouted at, don't shout at someone else. Be firm and confident using a normal relaxed voice. This technique will do wonders in helping you to reduce the pressure. Shouting shows the players that you have lost control - not only of yourself, but especially of the game.

SHOW CONFIDENCE

Cockiness has absolutely not place in officiating. You want to EXUDE confidence. Your presence should command respect from the participants. As in any walk of life, appearance, manner and voice determine how you are accepted. Try to present the proper image. Sometimes the best referee is the one that nobody knows what he or she looks like when the game is over.

“FORGET” THE SPECTATORS

As a group, fans usually exhibit 3 characteristics: ignorance of the rules, highly emotional participation and delight in antagonizing the officials. The fans have a security blanket that they use well, that is, the referee does not know who they are and there usually isn't much that the referee can do when they become annoying. Simply accepting the fact that they WILL bother you will help you ignore the fans, unless they interrupt the game physically or stand in the way of you during your job.

ANSWER REASONABLE QUESTIONS

Treat spectators and players in a courteous manner. If they ask you a question reasonably, answer them in a polite way. If they get your ear by saying "Hey ref I want to ask you something," and start telling you off, interrupt and remind them of the reason for the discussion. Be firm but relaxed AND POLITE no matter how ignorant the participant is.

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY

A warning is not a threat. Do not obviously threaten a player. This will only put them on the defensive. More importantly, you will have placed yourself on the spot. If you feel a situation is serious enough to warrant a threat, then it is serious enough to penalize, without invoking a threat. Obviously some things you say will be a form of threat, but using the proper words can make it subtle.

The words that referees use are very important, if a referee says something out of context, it is not forgotten easily. Try to think of a way of saying things that does not allow a comeback. (E.g. If a player comes up to you and starts screaming "What was that ref" You may want to say, "I made the call, the player is eliminated, the call stands)." There is not much a player can say, especially if the play is continuing and he has to get back involved.

HAVE FUN! You are out there to have fun to. In most cases, if you finish a game and leave thinking "that wasn't very fun", the players have not had fun either. Use the time as a referee to get your mind off everything else in your life!

A Guide for the Officials

• The Official shall respect the rights, the dignity and the value of each human being as well as their ultimate right to self-determination.

• The Official shall treat and respect each of the participants (players, officials, sponsors, spectators) in paintball competition, in the context of their activity, without regard to sex, ethnic origin, religion, political allegiance or socio-economic status.

• The Official, on duty or not, shall abstain from commenting on the decisions of the other officials.

• The Official shall have as a philosophy to be on duty for the best interest and respect of each participant (officials, sponsors, players, and spectators) regardless of the level of the competition.

• The Official shall be impartial, conscientious and work within the framework of his or her assigned duties.

• The Official shall have a positive attitude while working at a paintball competition.

• The Official shall remain calm, discrete and behave in a professional manner at all times.

• The Official shall present himself or herself as professionally as possible in appearance and in a physical condition to perform his or her duties adequately.

• The Official can contribute to recruiting and to the growth of the family of officials by his or her encouragement and his or her work at the local, regional, national and international level.

• The Official shall accept and not be offended if one of his or her decisions be nullified or reversed. The Official shall remember that the Ultimate Judge has the responsibility for the final decisions.

• Being an Official is a responsibility freely taken.

• The Official has the responsibility to observe the principles that are parts of the code of ethics.