First time using comms tomorrow - advice requested

I haven’t used comms yet so choose what you want to do with this. First, are they PTT or open mic? IMO, there are 2 schools of thought, talking throughout the match (kind of like the Jarred Gillett Video) or just providing info. Hard to do the 1st one with PTT. All up to you and your crew’s personality/preferences. Definitely repeat things, though. I’m sure others who use them frequently will have better input.

 

Bring tape for the mic boom. My suggestion is to not forget basic mechanics. Make sure you wave down your AR physically and not just verbally. Do you think your senior ref is using the comms as a mentoring tool?

Best of luck

 

I have used comms once. It was for a third round HS playoff game a couple of years ago and we were a mixed crew; the CR was from out of town and he brought them. They were PTT. My experience was not a good one. First, I couldn't always hear what was being said and found myself concentrating too much on what I was hearing and not enough in the game. Basically my attention was divided in a bad way. The other thing was the earpiece didn't fit very well and I kept having to adjust it. Admittedly that level of game was probably not the play to try them out for the first time.

 

GT gave some solid advice. Yes bring tape. Allow for a little extra time

I’d say use specific language that you want used. I.E for like offside “off off off” or to communicate deliberate play v deflection “defender defender defender”. Or if the ball last went off the attacking team go with the color you think it is red red red.

I repeat stuff in 3. Even when I do use mics (which most of the times they are vokerros) just in case the mics cut off at the moment I try to give information.

Try to avoid certain phrases like “no offside” or “no foul” in the unfortunate event the mic cuts out or the mic only picks up half the sound.

I personally find less is more. Especially in slower games. I can get distracted easily and I’ve worked games where I heard commentary from my crew about what the soccer moms at midfield were wearing. (Smh). I know some crews can give a lot of feedback but I feel like with the professionals that works Bc they have rapport and work together. And with jarrets case I’d reckon those FIFA ARS were his assigned ARs. And that was probably there last game.

 

Well I would say that
1: you should allow time in your pregame to address what you want from them, and what you don’t.
2: you should allow time to make sure they are working perfectly, secure them. Help each other with the wiring. This will take longer than you think.
3: open mike only.
4: as the CR, you still talk to players so unfortunately your assistants get to just hear you rattle on. But the only time you hear something from your assistants should be for them to provide information: and as Frankieboylampard said, it should be terse, clear, and repeated. When the ball is out of play, sure, give each other game management stuff “#x is heating up” “watch for afters on #y”
5: nothing wrong with briefly agreeing, supporting each other when the ball has gone out of play. “Like it”. “Spot on”. “Good stuff” “thanks, I didn’t have that angle.”
6: coms should not be used to criticize or disagree.

I think coms can help keep a crew on the same page, and can reduce misunderstandings (that sometimes leads to resentment), can help the Cr stay focused on play when he doesn’t have to check and recheck the AR on an iffy offside situation. I mean it’s 3 of Us vs 22 of them, and I wish their use was more widespread.

 

I get that you want to try a comm system and you have to start somewhere, but a U14 game is a little extreme. Can you at least use them on a U17 game?

My personal opinion is that comm system's should really be used on USL games and higher and DI power conference college games. Anything else is unnecessary and more of a crutch than a tool to help manage the game.

 

I agree with this sentiment but I think if the crew is experienced and refFL has aspirations for working higher matches. Why not learn at the lower levels. I know I wish I didn’t first use mics at the PDL and had a semi-crash course.

I agree anything below USL-2 for me seems like overkill. Some NPSL. D1 is fine with the conferences providing them for you.
If you have good positioning and teamwork > mics For that level.

 

I don't get the "mics are only for the highest level" mentality. I've used the multiple times last year and found them to correct a number of issues where one person saw something another did not. Liked them so much I bought a system for this year. I'll use them probably at anything U14 or above, and expect for high school (duals mostly...sigh) they will be VERY useful.

Agree it's not an excuse to have sloppy mechanics, but they ADD to the knowledge of the center, which I think is always a good thing.

 

Getting comfortable with open comms with a crew you trust on a game where you won't need them is a great (and also fun!) idea. I enjoy it when people bring them to games. I don't bring them (and haven't bought them) because I don't want to be that guy, but I'm happy to let other people do it!

I've used the motorcycle-style open comms a few times. They aren't perfect, but they're a few hundred bucks on Aliexpress, and I can live with a little static. I like hearing what other good referees say to themselves and to other players: I learn from it. When I have used them on games where they are common/required, having had some experience was helpful.

Also - again, it's fun, and that's part of why we do this. Right?

 

I’ve used them 3 times. All in state HS finals. We had yappalongs. I thought they were helpful.

 

Would highly recommend at least reviewing this: http://media-3.gameofficials.net/Communication_System.pptx.

Great stuff put together by Joe, Mark, and Jim. Not the end all be all, but at least will help you ask good questions and think about what you'll do ahead of time.

 

That's a great resource, thanks for sharing!

I'd love to see the original with the clips that were apparently removed.

 

I've been told I should never use them unless I have used them before. Interesting logic.

 

Is that kind of like when someone applies for a job and they don't get hired because they don't have any experience?

 

Or when you apply for a loan at the bank and get turned down because it looks like you really need the money ...

 

So, how did it go with the comms?

 

Used once as an AR for Eastern League - found it very helpful for what may appear as a foul for center but actually not. Only problem was I found myself on throwing saying direction but forgetting to use my flag

 

I have not used comms before. But I would think that the game where they aren't needed is exactly the time to be practicing to use them.