Can anyone who took the time to watch this tell me that you're getting the SAME kind of feedback that Corey is describing here? If you're a huge fan of using these communication systems at non-MLS levels, did your opinion change after watching this...or to change your pre-game on what you expect at the very least? I can't even get many of my AR's to warn me that there's a substitute up-and-ready with these on, which is unacceptable, so what's the purpose? Yes, they're only as good as the refs you're with. I could give a 3 hour pre-game, and folks that own these are still set in their ways on what information they will or won't provide.
for college, USL2 and NPSL it’s helpful. I have received similar feedback as corey . But again the referees I’m working with at this level aren’t the ones blowing whistles on U11 matches. Really depends on your area it sounds like. Not sure if someone said it already but I think mic’s are most helpful for communicating deliberate v. deflection. And interfering with an opponent and a player in an offside position.
Does anyone here know the protocol around filing a police report for threats like this made against sports officials? If anyone said this to me during a match I would play dumb and ask them what they mean, and if they give a threat at me I would ask for the police to be called and would want to press charges.
Call the police or go to the police station to make a report. Be aware that in many states, there is no such things as “pressing charges”—those decisions are made by the prosecutor’s office based on facts presented by the police.
Yeah I'm sure nothing would really come of it. But a while back we had our league's head of discipline actually send out an email telling referees who get threatened/assaulted by anyone on the field even youth players to file a police report as a way to discourage people thinking they can treat referees like that.
As an aside, when I started reffing as a youth, it was for the Police Athletic League, which (as the name implies) was supported by the local police department. The department made very clear to coaches that it get involved in any issues relating to threats/assault of officials.
Does anyone know if/how to connect 4 Maxquall/EJEAS/Vnetphone radios? The Youtube videos and demos all just show 3 devices, but obviously using a 4th official, would need another, and also need to know if you get a V4 or V6.
You can do it with 4 x V4C's, with or 2 x V4C + 2 x V6C. If using the latter combination, pair the 2 V4C's together, then pair one V6C on the open channel of each V4C. The pairing chain would look like: V6 - V4 - V4 - V6. I looked, but haven't found, a 3.5mm in-line PTT button for the 4th O that's plug and play with these radios so 4O can listen but CR doesn't have to hear all of their chatter with the coaches.
I guess I would have to borrow a fellow ref's V4 to try it out before buying my own. Have you done this? Also, do you guys think that since only regionals and up can use comms, if grassroots used them, that the losing coach could protest the game? The only league I know of that explicitly bans their use and cares about non-regionals using them is MLS Next, which makes sense considering it's run by US Soccer.
I have 1x v4c + 2x v6c. Their docs show to use 4, another v4c is put in the middle. It seems the v6 can only comm with one other unit at a time while the v4 has open full duplex with both A & B channels. The v6 are half the cost of the v4's, thus used as the end nodes. I am not qualified to comment on coaches appeal if comms are used in grassroots. Haven't had it happen yet .Some coaches that have commented on them are glad we're using available tools to improve match management. But that doesn't mean we couldn't eventually get slapped by our SRA for using them. Might do a tourney in a few weeks that has some regional/national referee coaches coming in to our state for clinics & mentoring during the event - we'll see if there's a SRC reminder on grassroots comms....
Have one member of the crew show up in dark glasses with a cane, and say that the comms are an ADA accommodation
I’ve not had any issues with the 5000. Used to get it with the 4000. Especially near wireless devices using strong signal. Like a scoreboard. If you’re getting interference you might consider upgrading to the better headsets. Though again, I mainly use the standard ones and haven’t had problems.
Earlier this month they had that massive MLS Next showcase where every U15-U19 MLSN club in America came to CA to play over 5 days. It's really funny to me to think about how in games with that high level of youth play, the very experienced grassroots level refs that were there (I'm sure there were plenty) would not be allowed to use comms because MLSN is the only league that specifically bans it. Also, I am borrowing a v4 radio from someone try to pair 2 v4s and 2 v6s to make a full 4 man set. I'm sure I will fail but I gotta try.
US Soccer specifically bans it, not MLSNEXT. They just enforce it like every other league and state association
I believe MLS Next banned it before US Soccer did, so it is (or was) written in their ROC. Don't quote me on that, though.
Well folks no one cares but I got 4 maxquall/vnetphones synced. Just have to connect one v4 to a v6 on channel a, another v4 to another v6 on channel a, then connect the v4s together on channel b, then press the a button on both v4s. Also, I get that since it's a development league for players, it's a development league for refs as well (as was discussed to death ITT) so they want referees "developing" learning proper mechanics and non-radio communication. But referees who are doing DA/MLSN games are usually either regionals or very high level and skilled, experienced grassroots refs. They won't be taking radio use lightly. With how seriously US Soccer seems to take MLS Next, they should want referees being the best, and radios can help with that.