Reffing in the rain

I know this isn’t the point of the thread but rite in the rain does make index cards as well as printable sheets of card stock. The will soften as a game goes on but will stay writeable with a pen even in a deluge. I’ve used the index cards for years and haven’t found a

As for recording on a watch, I think it would be difficult to match the speed of writing those things when entering. Accuracy? Likely improved since the app code1390 mentioned does let you put the team color in, plus the time stamp is automatic.

I guess we’ll see. I think it’s only lately that smart watches and gps watches are reliable enough to be considered a primary watch.

 

Not that OSI has the only option, but I've heard a lot of people use this: http://officialsports.com/6096r-gold-edition-rite-in-the-rain-black-book/.

I can tell you, from working in technology: I don't trust technology. I use sharpie and write on cards, and it works. In the rain, I use pencil on the write on cards. While there is always human error (thanks, Graham Poll), I think it's just better to avoid unnecessary, while helpful, technology.

 

I use an app on my Garmin watch (it’s a free app) that allows me to record goals as well as time.

Very simple scoring, press a button for home team goal, press a different button for away team goal. I use that exclusively (unless I’m doing a game where I need to record goal scorer and time).

As for cautions, unfortunately there’s no way around pen and paper. I use a thin tip sharpie and keep paper folded inside my OSI wallet. Usually keeps it dry despite the rain.

I have write on cards, but I just use them as normal cards. They’re too much of a hassle to reset between every game. (Especially when doing 5 a day)

 

I had a game last year in which I was thoroughly and totally drenched (we don't get a lot of those hear, but many of you know the feeling, wet, cold, windy, fingers get numb to write, shivering as AR when play is all at the other end, paper is soggy, losing coach complaining that refs are taking too long trying to record after a goal (AYSO game,so also recording subs on the soggy game card). . . .

Afterwards, I bought a space pen and a write-in-the rain waterproof notebook. Who knows, I may never use them, but it was less than 20 bucks and made me feel better about "next time" . . .

 

I use SFRef on my Apple Watch. It costs like $1-$2 and has been pretty solid as long as I reboot my watch earlier in the day. It isn't perfect, but it is reasonably quick.

 

https://writeoncards.com/

Allllll day long, wet, cold, get a pencil and go. USE A GUM ERASER, it makes the card last forever.

Also, i write on them with Sharpie and it erases immediately with a quick spray of sunscreen. Water, wipe, ready to go again.

 

I use an WearOS app called Soccer Referee PRO. It keeps track of all the cards and goals I issue throughout the match. It has timers setup for both FIFA and College/HS style. It also keeps track of your movement on the pitch with GPS. After youre done with your match. you can download a full game report and export it to whatever you want. I'll been using it for a few years now.

 

Ok. Who here was taken a large black trash bag, cut holes for your head and arms and worn it under their shirt during a driving rain storm? Admit it. You've done it.

 

Haven't done that, but I worked with a guy who did it. He called it "my crinklies."

I use the space pen on regular paper, in the plastic wallet thingie. Really don't have a problem. The only problem I have encountered was paper rosters getting soaked/unreadable. I use a Weather Writer for track & field and I now carry one in my bag, to use on rainy days. I just put the whole thing in my bag before the game starts, inside the black plastic bag. I actually had a player offer me a bag yesterday because he thought it was going to rain. He was right. Nine field complex and it was only raining on our field. I guess there always is a point at which the rain stops.

 

In San Diego, please tell me more about this stuff you call rain. Sounds wonderful

 

Not when it's 38 degrees and raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock.

 

It is what happens when the stuff that comes from the kitchen tap comes from the sky!
If you are very lucky, you get to bike home in semi flooded streets.
Below is the end of my 2PM kickoff described here

 

I swear by the rite in the rain products.

I have had this one for over 10 years.

https://www.rainwriter.com/RainWriter-33-Soft-Leather-Cover-Black-p/rw-33-s.htm

It fits in my back right pocket. And it holds this:

https://www.rainwriter.com/Rite-in-the-Rain-935T-All-Weather-Notebook-Tan-p/ritr-935t.htm

I buy a few of them a year, and I usually get a ton of games from each notebook.

And I use the pen here:

https://www.rainwriter.com/Rite-in-the-Rain-97-Tactical-Clicker-Pen-p/ritr-97.htm

I broke the clip on the pen about a month ago and had to replace a 10 year old pen.

 

I really like these cards, and I've had nice conversations with their creator, but I can't get them to last more than a couple dozen games until I can't write anything on them anymore, because the top layer gets all scratched up. I've tried the gum eraser, a few different small (maybe too sharp?) pencils, etc. Maybe a sharpie with a tiny tip works better? Feel free to share your tips: right now I'm back to half-index cards in my pocket, which recently became a puddle of mush. Sigh.

 

I realize it's been a long time. But surely you remember back to last April or so. When the hills were actually green, not all gray.

 

get a .9mm soft led pencil. It is the best utensil to use on these cards.

 

I use the write-on cards and a pencil for all my matches, rain or not. Love the "pegcil" pencil - 50 for $13 at Amazon. Clip the pencil on the write on card, and slip in in the front pocket.

 

It works really well on those things you people call 'wild fires.'

 

I used a bad eraser and put a shine on the card. To renew it I used some wet sandpaper and gave it a quick once over. I was using golf pencils, but now have switched to a sharpie that has tiny and thicker tips at opposing ends. I actuall just draw lines halfway down and get four matches per card.

Then a quick spritz with sunscreen (it sound ludicrous, but it works) and a wipe and some water over it and a wipe again and it's clean.
In the rain I use a pencil on it.

Had mine a year now and I've done the sandpaper once to rough it up so pencil works again.

They're pretty cheap though, and after getting wazzed on all last fall in the freezing rain and papers falling apart I switched to this card only. You could buy several and it might be cheaper than other stuff.

 

Used this in basic training for writing notes, etc... Got made fun of until cadre said I'd hit Sgt. before anyone else because I knew what was going on no matter the weather. I still have it, it took a BEATING in my pocket and looks new

 

I use the backs of old DA sub passes from 2016. Lol. I ran out of those so now I can start using 2017 + DA rosters and college rosters.

I rarely referee in rain. I think I did 2 HS games this year in rain. That is it. It was more of a drizzle than a rain.
I also still use a pen I got from my credit union.
I do have the OSI book and fold it over the area where the card goes and it sticks out. Easier to right with than paper inside the book.

 

You should move to Vancouver.

 

I like the soccer here. We do have crazy heat. Like this weekend I did 3 matches on artificial turf 95 degrees (at stadium level) at the start of the second game.