Xavier
Member
Does Anyone recommend this watch?
I presume you'd use it alongside write-on cards?Honestly, you can pop this on the shelf with the yellow and red card gloves.
It probably serves its purpose as a watch but I don't really see what benefit is gained by being able to keep score on the watch.
You still need paper and pen/cil for cautions etc. So it hasn't solved a problem.
Basically a gimmick that you'll pay much more for than better alternatives.
I use write on cards but I always carry my notebook in, with no cards, because, what I don't like doing is standing with a red card in my hand whilst trying to obtain name etc. So send offs go in the book still.I presume you'd use it alongside write-on cards?
On the occasions I've used write-on card skins before, I've ended up either using up a page in my notebook purely for a score tally, keeping a tally along the bottom of a yellow card or carrying an additional "white card" for scorekeeping. None of those felt like a great solution - the first was wasteful, the second had the problem of players seeing you pull a yellow card out after each goal and the latter just had the issue that my homemade laminated white cards were harder to write on than the matte card skins. A watch that also kept score would solve those issues....although I will admit, I wouldn't trust scorekeeping to a device that might run out of battery unless I was working with NAR's who were keeping a full match record as well.
Write-on cards are also a gimmick which refs only do because they want to do it like the refs on the telly!I presume you'd use it alongside write-on cards?
On the occasions I've used write-on card skins before, I've ended up either using up a page in my notebook purely for a score tally, keeping a tally along the bottom of a yellow card or carrying an additional "white card" for scorekeeping. None of those felt like a great solution - the first was wasteful, the second had the problem of players seeing you pull a yellow card out after each goal and the latter just had the issue that my homemade laminated white cards were harder to write on than the matte card skins. A watch that also kept score would solve those issues....although I will admit, I wouldn't trust scorekeeping to a device that might run out of battery unless I was working with NAR's who were keeping a full match record as well.
I use write on cards but I always carry my notebook in, with no cards, because, what I don't like doing is standing with a red card in my hand whilst trying to obtain name etc. So send offs go in the book still.
I just don't see this solving an existing problem for referees.
I've never once heard or seen a referee have a problem with keeping score nor need a solution to it. That's just my opinion built up over 10 or so years refereeing.
If you look at the features of this watch, against an equivalent, that doesn't have a scorer its a very expensive gimmick.
I use write on cards but I always carry my notebook in, with no cards, because, what I don't like doing is standing with a red card in my hand whilst trying to obtain name etc. So send offs go in the book still.
I just don't see this solving an existing problem for referees.
I've never once heard or seen a referee have a problem with keeping score nor need a solution to it. That's just my opinion built up over 10 or so years refereeing.
If you look at the features of this watch, against an equivalent, that doesn't have a scorer its a very expensive gimmick.
It's undeniably quicker and easier than what I see most L4s do, which is fish around in one pocket for a notebook, fish around again for a pencil, take the details, put that all back in pockets and then pull the actual card from another pocket. Never understood that - if you're going to use a notebook, may as well use one with the cards in it so you're at least only working out of one pocket.Write-on cards are also a gimmick which refs only do because they want to do it like the refs on the telly!
That sounds like a great feature! Any recommendations?The critical feature for me is a buzz every few seconds when I've stopped the clock because I am forever forgetting to restart it. That watch doesn't have it.
Unless the cards have room to write the players' names on them then they shouldn't be being used. I believe @RustyRef has explained before why having cards in your book can be a bad ideaIt's undeniably quicker and easier than what I see most L4s do, which is fish around in one pocket for a notebook, fish around again for a pencil, take the details, put that all back in pockets and then pull the actual card from another pocket. Never understood that - if you're going to use a notebook, may as well use one with the cards in it so you're at least only working out of one pocket.
He has, and assuming I remember the argument correctly, I think that logic is overly paranoid. Players will be angry when they're getting carded regardless - any slight flash of colour they might see when you pull a notebook out isn't going to change that. Even the most irate player understands the concept of a notebook with cards in, I don't see anyone really failing to understand that you might have a book with both cards in. And final argument: your whistle, speed/method of isolating the player and body language should be screaming "Red" or "Yellow" regardless - all of that will have primed the player to know what to expect before you even start going to pockets.Unless the cards have room to write the players' names on them then they shouldn't be being used. I believe @RustyRef has explained before why having cards in your book can be a bad idea
There are some benefits to card writing. Graeme touched upon speed and efficiency.Write-on cards are also a gimmick which refs only do because they want to do it like the refs on the telly!
The only watch I know that does this is a spintso.That sounds like a great feature! Any recommendations?
It was more the example I remember him giving about being on the line one game when an awful challenge was made, and from the whistle, body language and the fact that he saw the red card as the book came out of the referee's pocket he was confident that the ref was going to send the player off so didn't think he needed to get involved, only for the ref to then pull out the yellow and all hell subsequently broke loose (I am remembering that correctly, right @RustyRef?)He has, and assuming I remember the argument correctly, I think that logic is overly paranoid. Players will be angry when they're getting carded regardless - any slight flash of colour they might see when you pull a notebook out isn't going to change that. Even the most irate player understands the concept of a notebook with cards in, I don't see anyone really failing to understand that you might have a book with both cards in. And final argument: your whistle, speed/method of isolating the player and body language should be screaming "Red" or "Yellow" regardless - all of that will have primed the player to know what to expect before you even start going to pockets.
If you're genuinely really worried about a player seeing red when they shouldn't, then a notebook with a yellow in and a red card in a separate pocket is an OK solution. And this also allows for a quick red if needed. But I think the fishing around in pockets for a routine yellow card is slow and looks clunky and indecisive.
Ah, fair enough. I still think you get past that by keeping the yellow in the wallet and the red in a pocket rather than keeping the yellow separate.It was more the example I remember him giving about being on the line one game when an awful challenge was made, and from the whistle, body language and the fact that he saw the red card as the book came out of the referee's pocket he was confident that the ref was going to send the player off so didn't think he needed to get involved, only for the ref to then pull out the yellow and all hell subsequently broke loose (I am remembering that correctly, right @RustyRef?)
In terms of the actual caution, I'm 100% confident that write-on cards when you can just jot down a shirt number, time and caution code is the best. There's a reason that's what they do in the PL - it's quick, easy, almost impossible to screw up and looks smart/professional.It's an interesting discussion. I'm very much aware (and working on), that issuing sanctions is a core skill
The difference between getting a caution/dismissal process right or wrong is very important
I'm a long way off deciding my overall preferred methodology and am yet to try anything other than the traditional method of notebook/pen and cards in various pockets