Keys To Being A Great Referee.

The referee has a big part to play in an RPS game. He holds a very crucial position in the game. If that position is lacking skill, experience, and credibility, it may affect the entire match. This is why every ref must strive to become good in handling the match. Apart from being able to handle an RPS match, there are some other qualifications that a ref needs in order to be a good one.

Keeping The Flow

An RPS tournament has a schedule. This schedule includes all the matches that would be played throughout the tournament. One essential part of the RPS tournament is keeping to time. The responsibility of keeping to schedule falls on the referees. Tournament referees are expected to play multiple matches and, therefore, must be able to manage time. A good referee must be able to handle both players in the game without having any trouble. During the game, keeping the flow is very important.

The referee must be aware of when the atmosphere is changing and what he needs to do. For instance, when one of the players is taking too long to make a throw or calling for too many time-outs, the referee must come in to caution him. Also, a good ref must read the game and come in when necessary. For instance, when there are frequent stalemates during a heated game, a good ref must be able to bring the players out of this difficult situation. He may allow the players to take a short break, use their breathers, and rest their brains to collect their thoughts and get their minds back into the game.

Officiating

Of course, the RPS tournament organizers must employ accredited referees for their games. However, due to the time and processes involved in getting accredited, you may find out that not all the refs are accredited. This is not to say that they are not good enough. An accredited ref must have gone to rigorous training, internships, and testing that may take years of preparation. In other words, RPS organizers may have to mix accredited and unaccredited refs as long as they are good enough to do the job.

Before a tournament, if accredited refs are difficult to find or the numbers are not complete, the best and only option is to train new ones to carry out the responsibility. Comprehensive training can go a long way in transforming a new ref into a pro that can handle the game. However, during the course of the training, the new refs must be put through everything there is to know about the RPS game. It has been discovered that the players can get frustrated easily when they discover that the ref officiating their match does not have a firm grasp of the rules and regulations of the game.

To become good, the refs must subject themselves to learning the rules and guidelines of the game. The Rock Paper Scissors game requires that a person master the rules and the spirit of the game. Any ref who wishes to be employed must be up-to-date on the realities and development of the game. He must be able to make the right call and follow the situation as the game progresses.

Keeping Score

Keeping score in an RPS game is likely to be difficult unless the ref is strongly involved. This is especially the case in a game where multiple-throw formats (i.e., best of three of three) are used instead of lightning rounds. A good ref must be able to keep the scores of the players straight without any confusion or disagreement later on. The players are playing the game with their hands and minds, so it will be an additional difficult task to keep their minds on the score. The ref must therefore take up the responsibility. Where the ref is unable to keep the score and feels the need to ask the players, he may lose his credibility. In keeping score, the referee can use an official score sheet or use the finger-counting method.

Dealing With Fouls

One of the instances where the work of the ref is best known is when dealing with fouls. This is one very important part of a ref’s job. Referees must be aware of when there is a foul, and a penalty needs to be awarded. The referee who is officiating the match has the authority to declare a foul and met out the punishment. There are different fouls, and a good ref should understand which penalty best fits each foul. Punishment may be a warning, rethrow, disqualification, or shameful ejection from the arena. In some cases, the player may be disqualified from the tournament.

The decisions of the referees are final and cannot be overturned by the grand marshal, the organizers, or even appeal. This is why players respect and regard officiating referees.

Referee’s Credo

In order to promote the sanctity and credibility of the referees, the authorities have developed what is considered the rules of engagement and character of every referee in the Rock Paper Scissors game. The rules, known as the referee’s credo is copied to the article for better understanding.

I shall always:

• Retain the highest reverence for the sport of RPS.

• Preserve the poise of my rank and responsibility.

• Sustain a professional division from both players and coaches

• Remain faithful to my brother and sister officials, and neither permit nor promote criticism of them.

• Organize the players effectively by being polite and considerate without sacrificing firmness.

• Consider it a privilege to be a member of the WRPSS and uphold its ideals at all times.

• Know that I cannot allow personal relationships to affect my professional standards.

• Support the notion that the ideal official sees all, but is seldom noticed.

The referee has a lot to do in order to ensure that the players play a fair and clean game. This is why RPS authorities must continue to enroll their referees for rigorous training and enlightenment to make sure each is ready to take up the responsibilities of being a good ref. Also, to cater to the wellbeing of the referees, the authorities must reward their referees handsomely and compensate them as and when due.