It's the same logic as spray foam. They want you to be trained to use it before you use it. That comes at the regional level and beyond.
I understand that sentiment, but as has been mentioned before, majority of us even when upgrading to regional do not get any training on using comms/vanishing spray/any other technology. While I have not upgraded, I spoke to those who have and they said nothing was mentioned at the advanced clinic. So I don't know where this training happens.
Re foam, I think the ban is a good thing: it means refs aren't expected to buy it. (But as I recall the spray ban, it wasn't level specific but mandated that the league had to supply the spray to the refs--is that right?)
I have never used the vanishing spray, so I can't really comment on how important having "training" is. But I've been communicating via talking for most of my life, and I'm pretty good at it. In my experience, talking over a comms system is basically the same. I'm sure comms training could be helpful, but I think there is a lot of value even without training.
Our HS association has started using them a bit more this season as several of us recently bought radios. Can't remember if it was posted here or elsewhere, and i'm not sure how official it is related to Regional training, but this is what i've used for myself and as a basis for comms pregame instructions on HS games: http://media-3.gameofficials.net/Communication_System.pptx With some crewmates, we probably chatter more than most about facts and observations of play, but that works well for us to help keep us engaged and on the same page. However, the pendulum does swing in the opposite direction with certain CR's and i've learned to keep fairly quiet when AR'ing for them. But, I still get to hear and learn from some of their in-game player magement techniques.
It's one thing talking but its another talking to someone trying to get critical information over a headset within a small window. Often times there are times when you are trying to get this information to the person and its tough because other players are distracting. While vokerro's are solid some of the other ones I personally have trouble hearing or taking in the information. and have made mistakes with mic's. I believe it is state by state and some states are better at doing this. I know our state has included it with the program of referees they're looking to do the top matches for our state. This^ the part I bolded. I prefer less noise and less information unless spoken too. It gives me time to process information. I don't care about whether that was a nice shot, or if their left winger is man-marking someone. I just need to vital information or a way to give you the vital information.
This^ I can just imagine how hard OSI and some other vendors would be pressing to have new refs buy this stuff. Just what we need is new refs who haven’t bought even a second jersey going out weekly and ordering glorified shaving cream to use on their U8 games.
I have used comms a handful of times this season. I used it with officials that are relatively experienced but I'm friends with. Big mistake. Most of the match we spent shooting the stuff with each other, especially the commentary about the gameplay that wasn't officiating-related. Very distracting. And when I would limit convo, they would ask why I'm being so quiet. Luckily some other matches I used them with officials I wasn't really buddy-buddy with and we talked only when 100% necessary. That being said I'm still on the lookout to find those Chinese motorcycle ones for less than the current lowest price for a set which is $140 on Aliexpress.
In a DSC, I don’t know if I would like to work with them. In a dual, they are invaluable. Current guidance has the trail ref way up on a corner and the lead BEHIND the corner flag if the corner is taken from the trail’s side of the field. Yes, its a bizarre position, and yes again, the trail has to bust 50 yards with his back to play on a quick counter with your partner stuck in the corner. Having the ability to communicate in just that situation is worth it. They also help diffuse coaches. I have told the screamers that I am right here, tell me what your question is of my partner, no need to scream across the field. And coffin corner fouls can be discussed. And no more total guesses on corner or goal kicks where you are screened.
I have decided to buy them specifically for duals for next year. Another thing for us in PA is the Double Dual... we can communicate "defender, defender" when the defender played the ball to a player otherwise in an offside position so that we do not have a whistle from the side referee who did not get that. In general, it is a big tool in HS. But I have used them in DSC, mainly in college but also in USSF, to great effect. it is necessary to have a good pregame and know when and how to talk. I think they can be a great tool, but can also be a distraction, depending on how they are used. I know a few officials who are much above me who do not like them and will not use them, because they believe that "comms are for the MLS, if we cannot manage a high school game without them then what are we doing out here?" To each their own
You mean that you don't want your partners checking out the soccer moms in the crowd and making comments about them?
Naah, the soccer moms look too young to me. The soccer grandmas, on the other hand start to look pretty hot. (How to tell you're getting old.)
I'm pretty sure at least one of my assignors reads this board. So I refuse to answer because it may incriminate me.
lol or talking about that annoying parent in the crowd. if you have coaches smart enough they’ll come close to the 4th or AR2 and say something so it’s caught on their Mic. (Precovid of course).
Yeah that is a thing. The flag is a signal that can be evaluated, but a whistle is a whistle. Matters who you work with too--soccer guy v off-season basketball guy. Wait-and-see v hair-trigger. Almost like NFHS (or DDS jurisdictions, all <3 of them) needs a mechanic for "No Offside," maybe similar to hockey.
Tournament this year we were testing out a guy's comms all weekend. One game I was CR and after a player did a simple throw in off opponent's back to play the ball. 5-10 seconds later I hear my AR on the comm saying "HEY YOU, ONE MORE COMMENT LIKE THAT AND YOU'RE OUTTA HERE" to a parent. Figured it was just usual parent complaining so I thought nothing of it. At the end of the game I ask my AR what the parent said to make him yell at them like that, he said "Oh the parent whose kid got the ball thrown in off his back told the thrower that she wanted to see him in the parking lot and that she would f'ing kill him so I told her to stop". I was absolutely dumbfounded as to how with COMMS he wouldn't call me over as that would be an immediate dismissal. This guy is an experienced ref too. Comms are only as good as the refs you have using them.
In all honesty, they are pretty correct. They're a nice novelty to have and are useful if you have an experienced crew, but comms are pretty overkill for anything below legit professional matches. They just help you get things that you wouldn't have to delay a decision on or would look "unprofessional" having to go over to your AR to discuss something with (ex. missing an AR flag). I guess I can understand their usefulness in the crappy dual system on a varsity boys match when you want the other ref to be on the same page as you so there aren't dueling/unappreciated whistles but they're definitely not necessary despite this board seeming to treat varsity HS matches like they are Champions League matches. If I could get the cheap small vnetphone/ejeas/maxquall Chinese comms for a decent price (like under $100) or as a gift I would entertain them. A ref I know mind-numbingly dropped 2 grand on the Yapalongs that I don't have the heart to tell him I don't even like because of how obscenely bulky and heavy they are, so I just put up with them when we do ECNL/NPL youth matches together (basically the highest level he refs, even more ridiculous) because of how excited he is to use them.
I must be an outlier in this conversation, because I am closing in on 2000 games reffed and I have never even SEEN headsets in use at any level I ref at. Once or twice someone will have them at a tournament, but they are in a box in the tent. One time I was doing a high level (for me) college club match and one of my ARs had vibrating flags. I agreed to put on the arm band and give them a shot. About 10 minutes into the game, the buzzer goes off and I look at closest AR and he is not signaling anything. I look at the other AR and he is not either. I am going WTF??? I had no clue which ref pushed the damn button. At half time, I asked and one of them sheepishly admitted he pushed the button by accident. I took the arm band off and said the heck with it. What's the big deal if I don't see the flag for a few extra seconds? It was not worth the distraction. Now this is a perfect example where an experienced ref (with comms) would have made arrangements that AR1 would beep once and and AR2 would beep twice, or something like that. But I had no clue and no training.
I do not disagree at all. By the same token, however, I feel like having the vanishing spray even at the professional level is a gadget, and referees at highest levels have been able to get away without it for years, and many still do now. But it helps the game, it helps manage little things and it has its place. And I have no problem doing a game without comms, but I feel like used correctly, comms are an added tool and help us manage a game. I have no problem when a referee wants to use them and I have no problem when a referee says he does not.
The key with using comms is a good pregame and clear expectations. I generally send my "stock" pregame to my crews 2-3 days before games. I color-code my comms directives so my crew know what they need to cover. My expectations are very clear - Very little idle chatter (i.e. I do not want to know about the soccer mom on the north side of the field), keep the information short and clear, and continue to use eye contact and flag signals as if we were not using comms. The two biggest areas comms help me as a center are on offside flags when I'm deep in my quadrant (if I turn my back on these plays, I tell my ARs "I'm blind" so they know I can't see their flags - you may insert your blind jokes here) and activity behind my back. I always tell my ARs, particularly less experienced ones, that I'll take more game-related information. One other area where it can help is if a team has a quick restart. I remember a high school playoff game where all three of us were college officials and used comms a lot (we even wore our NISOA blue for the game), and the center was running back while chatting with a player. The defending team played a goal kick quick, and I just said "ball in, ball in" a couple of times. The center stopped the conversation and turned around.
I've done a couple of games as R and as AR with buzzer flags, and I liked them, especially in connection with subs and each time I was with crews that were very good at eye contact. Necessary at the level? Definitely not, but nice to have. I think the ones we used had a different vibrate for each flag, but they weren't buzzed enough for me to get the hang of that. I've never used comms to ref, but did one game when being mentored with the mentor having a com feed. I had mixed feelings about that one. I can see how it could be useful, but for where I was in connection with the level of game, I didn't find it much more helpful than a debrief at half/full time, and even though the mentor was careful about limiting use, it was still distracting a couple of times.
Twice this HS season I've disconnected AR's for being boneheads despite my pregame on what I want and don't want on comms. I will chatter at times, but c'mon.... HSBV game with club-style spectator seating along the touch line, AR2 (a known jokester) keeps chattering something-something "her spandex". I didn't want to take my eyes off of play or get caught looking, so <Click><Off>. AR1, still connected, volunteers it was a scene that I would have not wanted to see. HSGV, AR2 has been getting semi-senile the past few years or so. He evidently got bored and starts spewing nonsense like, "I have 3 players.. [long, long pause] ...with green shoes on.... [pause]... That is legal, so keep playing". <Click><Off>.
I've been lucky enough to use comms around 10 times this season (enough to lose count). Although I still need a lot more experience, the presentation @coreyrock gave has been the foundation for how I use them. His teachings raise the bar far past what some D1 refs I have worked with are used to (in a good way, lots of compliments). Also, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a watch even if you have no possibility of using devices, as that is just a small section of his presentation. The first 25 minutes are slides with great info, and then the clips give you a chance to hear how high-level referees are communicating during the game.
I was on a U13M State Cup final this past May and I called offside (obvious) on a player who was a 1-on-1. About 5 minutes later, parent near corner flag comes around and gets my attention on a dead-ball saying "You know you're wrong and I'll show you in the parking lot after the game." Of course the field marshal on his golf cart sees this angry gesticulation and drives his buggy between us and tells him to bugger off. I let my CR know after the game and said "gaolin, no matter if this is a final or not, you stop the game if you ever feel like you're being threatened with physical harm. That will never be tolerated." After that, another cart pulls up and its the SRA and SAC. I ride with them and they tell me the same. "You put that flag up and the CR will have that parent dismissed immediately or the game won't start." Why did I not put my flag up? For me, it was the final and unwanted attention. But I know better now.