How to be a recreational paintball referee
I often get asked if I have any advice for people wanting to be paintball referees . Why ? Because I have been reffing paintball fields since 1989 . It is how I was able to afford this game , I have been an indoor field manager twice , head ref at two different fields and I belonged to an international refereeing team . Not to mention all the countless smaller fields that I reffed at just for fun along the way . Hell , I am still occasionally reffing here and there in my travels . It is fun ! It is like playing but a little more laid back … if you are doing it right anyway . Some people take the job way too seriously . So , sit back , relax and let me impart a little wisdom on you all . First and foremost , no matter what I say below , THIS is rule number one … Do whatever the field owner tells you to do . They are the one paying you . It is his / her field and his / her customers . The field is providing a player ’ s experience the way they want it . No matter how wrong it may be , do what you are told if it does not jeopardise the player ’ s safety . I have refused to ref fields that I felt were unsafe and I have never returned . Most of those fields have long since gone out of business . Regardless , you are paid to do a job , do it the way you are told . You can pick up some particularly useful tricks along the way if you pay attention because every field owner is different , and you never know what little tips or tricks you are going to learn .
Now that I have that disclaimer out of the way , what do you think your primary job is on a recreational paintball field ? Enforce the rules you say ? WRONG ! Not even close . In fact , you will break the rules more than you will enforce them if you are doing your job correctly . No , your number one priority is to keep everyone safe . Full stop . Watch for goggles coming off . Watch for dumbasses that think climbing a tree is a good idea . Watch for fogging goggles . Watch for players that are ready to get in a fist fight . Watch for younger players who do not have their mask strap tight enough . Watch for … well anything and everything . . If somebody wipes ?
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