Reffariiii
RefChat Addict
The FAW have recently partnered up with Refsix and offer a discount for FAW referees. I recently got rid of my Apple Watch as I use Polar for fitness, training etc. Is Refsix worth it?
Refsix - is it worth it?
- Thread starter Reffariiii
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Reffariiii
RefChat Addict
Does using it require a cellular watch?
No, but having a built in GPS means that you get the nice functionality of heat maps etc.
socal lurker
RefChat Addict
I think what’s worth it is completely a matter of personal preference. For me, entering anything into a watch during a game is utterly pointless.
Free version does all you need, unless you’re particularly interested in a deeper dive into fitness stats on the field (heat map etc).
Handy for sin bin timers though, but I don’t input anything else on there. Once had a player look at a corner when he asked how long left, and saw the score said 0-0 (was 3-2 or something) and was like “wtf”
Found the features more helpful when I’m just watching. Nice record of a game you’re at without looking like the biggest dork in the ground if you start writing down goal times.
Handy for sin bin timers though, but I don’t input anything else on there. Once had a player look at a corner when he asked how long left, and saw the score said 0-0 (was 3-2 or something) and was like “wtf”
Found the features more helpful when I’m just watching. Nice record of a game you’re at without looking like the biggest dork in the ground if you start writing down goal times.
lamarclark09
New Member
Refsix is totally worth it. It helps referee to improve positioning and decision maker
Reffariiii
RefChat Addict
Thanks all. I'm a specialist AR so do't really need it for the heat map etc. How easy is it to input teamsheets?
You'll need to elaborate on that I think...
A heat map will show you where you didn't go or where you spent most of your time but I don't really see how that helps improve positioning... It doesnt show you where you were at the exact moment you made a decision so how it improves positioning for each individual decision I don't know. Unless there's some hidden feature I am not aware of.
For example if you didn't go into one half of the FOP all game but both halves the ball never left the half you were in (an extreme example) one could draw the incorrect conclusion that you needed to move into the other half which would not have met the requirements or demand of that game.
Therefore the illogical conclusion that ref six can help with positioning and therefore decision making is a pretty big leap as far as I can tell.
Piece of cake, do it on the app on your phone and it syncs with your watch.
Totally agree, it doesn't show you where the ball and players were and without that very crucial bit of information it is impossible to say if your positioning was good or bad. Not saying it doesn't give you a lot of valuable information, but to say it helps your positioning and decision making is a stretch to say the least.
There is a feature that lets you sync the video of the game to the data it collected.
If of course you can then get video footage of a game from a club it’s pretty helpful.
Then whilst you’re watching the game back, refsix displays where you were location wise, which is handy if you’re out of camera shot also shows your heart rate at that specific moment which can be interesting too.
Can it help with positioning, at a very high general level I’d say it can a little bit but more so in terms of noticing things like if you end up on one side of the pitch more than the other and if you spend a lot of time in the centre circle or are you getting wide enough, however as other posters have said it all has to be in context of the game itself. If the game was all down one end your heat map will reflect that and you can’t use it for positioning help. If it was a game that was pretty evenly spread but you find you were in certain positions more than maybe it can help tweak.
I found it helpful for that when I first started refereeing as it showed me I tended to stay on a certain side, even when the game was spread so I made a conscious note of that and started to realise during a game when I was in a poor position as a result of this tendency etc.
Like everything it’s all down to the context of the situation so whilst I wouldn’t rely on it, it can give some pointers to your on field behaviours, especially if you can get the game footage and use the video feature. I managed to do that twice last season and it was a huge help in spotting some things I could improve.
Ste
RefIADad
RefChat Addict
Like everyone else, this is a matter of personal preference. I actually did try to use the full set of features - including recording goals and cards - in a pre-season tournament last year. Didn't like it at all, so I just use reusable write-on cards.
However, I do like the timers, heat maps, and various running stats. Those are really helpful for me. I've never synced a game to video, but I do like to see if I'm getting wide on the field and if I'm getting to the penalty area lines or deeper. I also like to see how many sprints I do during a game. I then add cards and goals after the game.
The thing that I really like about Refsix is that you can change the setup of the timers. In the US, that's very helpful because high school and college games use countdown clocks with stoppages for goals, cards, and injuries (don't ask - we don't like it either). For those games, my top timer counts down from 40 (high school) or 45 (college), and I put the overall elapsed time and the countup (start-stop) to help me record the "scoreboard" time for goals and cards on my write-on cards. For other games with standard timing, I put the overall elapsed time (i.e. running clock) as the big timer with the countup (stop-start) and added time as the two small timers.
If I could figure out a way to quickly load goals and cards, THEN write the details on my cards, THEN be able to "fill in the blanks" when I get home, that would be perfect. I know Refsix has the ability to mark where you are on the field when you issue cards. If nothing else, it would help me remember "I was right there" vs "Whoa, I was too far and came running in." So basically, I'd just want to add "Blue yellow card", "Red goal", "Red sendoff" on the watch to mark the times and then add the details from my write-on cards following the game. I think that would be quick enough that it wouldn't be too distracting for the player or me, and then I'd still be able to keep my official record on my cards. Maybe that's a feature that Refsix can add for those who don't want to mess around completely with the watch during matches.
However, I do like the timers, heat maps, and various running stats. Those are really helpful for me. I've never synced a game to video, but I do like to see if I'm getting wide on the field and if I'm getting to the penalty area lines or deeper. I also like to see how many sprints I do during a game. I then add cards and goals after the game.
The thing that I really like about Refsix is that you can change the setup of the timers. In the US, that's very helpful because high school and college games use countdown clocks with stoppages for goals, cards, and injuries (don't ask - we don't like it either). For those games, my top timer counts down from 40 (high school) or 45 (college), and I put the overall elapsed time and the countup (start-stop) to help me record the "scoreboard" time for goals and cards on my write-on cards. For other games with standard timing, I put the overall elapsed time (i.e. running clock) as the big timer with the countup (stop-start) and added time as the two small timers.
If I could figure out a way to quickly load goals and cards, THEN write the details on my cards, THEN be able to "fill in the blanks" when I get home, that would be perfect. I know Refsix has the ability to mark where you are on the field when you issue cards. If nothing else, it would help me remember "I was right there" vs "Whoa, I was too far and came running in." So basically, I'd just want to add "Blue yellow card", "Red goal", "Red sendoff" on the watch to mark the times and then add the details from my write-on cards following the game. I think that would be quick enough that it wouldn't be too distracting for the player or me, and then I'd still be able to keep my official record on my cards. Maybe that's a feature that Refsix can add for those who don't want to mess around completely with the watch during matches.
REFSIX is great for time keeping and especially for sin bins!
I rarely put normal things like goals/cards in - however have done so when rain hits as a back up.
Very useful for me to see sprints and analyse general fitness, but it is really for you to try it and see how you like it.
I still, always have my trusty £9.99 Casio watch as well!
I rarely put normal things like goals/cards in - however have done so when rain hits as a back up.
Very useful for me to see sprints and analyse general fitness, but it is really for you to try it and see how you like it.
I still, always have my trusty £9.99 Casio watch as well!
Is the app stable with all the apple watches?
I have sent back my spintso s1 pro because the GPS did not work properly and the one button concept wasn't my cup of tea.
So I would like to get refsix with the cheapest watch incl GPS, I can use for workouts and intervall training as well.
Reliability is obviously most important.
Cheers Carola
I have sent back my spintso s1 pro because the GPS did not work properly and the one button concept wasn't my cup of tea.
So I would like to get refsix with the cheapest watch incl GPS, I can use for workouts and intervall training as well.
Reliability is obviously most important.
Cheers Carola
Do any of you have recommendations for watches that work well in the rain.
Mine is a cheap smartwatch (Ticwatch) that I am really pleased with, but for the exception of when it is wet. I don't know if this is a particular issue with the watch, or just something that comes with the territory.
The watch itself is waterproof, but the screen becomes very hard to navigate with a wet screen.
Mine is a cheap smartwatch (Ticwatch) that I am really pleased with, but for the exception of when it is wet. I don't know if this is a particular issue with the watch, or just something that comes with the territory.
The watch itself is waterproof, but the screen becomes very hard to navigate with a wet screen.