On the whole the PSP does a damn good job with their refereeing crew. Watching the Pro games on Saturday, there were a few questionable calls, but nothing egregious, and certainly a lot of close, tough calls the crew got right. What cannot be ignored however is the single worst rule in paintball that had dire consequences today. Of course I am talking about Rule 5.1.1.4 in the PSP rulebook. The rule states, “A team will score a point of the opposing team in a RaceTo-7 match receives a major or gross penalty in either the final 60 seconds of regulation time or at any time within an overtime point.” The reason I hate this rule and you should too is because it takes the game out of the hands of the players and places it solely in the hands of the referees, and simultaneously yields the most anticlimactic ending to a game imaginable.
Look no further than today’s match between Dynasty and Russian Legion for an example. The score is tied 4-4 with under a minute left to play and Dynasty has Alex Goldman (Dynasty, #3, Front, 31st in Paintball Access Rankings) in the penalty box with a minute and fifteen seconds left on his major penalty — meaning if the match goes into overtime, Goldman will still be in the penalty box for another fifteen seconds. Dynasty needs the win to have any chance at moving on to the quarterfinals. The Russians can guarantee a spot in the Sunday club with a win. Needless to say the stakes are high. With 10 seconds to play, Dynasty is down to two players to the Russians four. Everyone near the Pro field is holding their breath in anticipation of a sprint by the Russians to hang the flag as time expires, perhaps diving through Dynasty guns, or an overtime point if time expires.
Unfortunately no one got to see either of those scenarios played out. Instead Ryan Greenspan was given a major penalty for a hit on the bottom side of his tank — after all anything other than a pack hit is obvious according to the rulebook. A red flag flies in the air, the buzzer blares, a couple errant guns continue as the refs wave their arms and announce that the point and the match are over. The Russians win because Dynasty received a major penalty in the last sixty seconds of play. The audience is surely not proclaiming, “Wow what an exciting turn of events!” They are turning their heads asking, “What the fuck just happened?”
I understand the logic of the rule goes something like this: an incredibly harsh cost for a penalty in the last minute of play or in overtime will lead to players taking less chances with cheating, leading to cleaner points. The problem is that the punishment does not fit the crime. There are times when, in a high-pressure situation, on the run, or mid-dive, a player gets shot and legitimately does not feel it. There are times when a player gets hit on the loader, or while loading a pod, or on the bottom of the tank and legitimately is unaware. For that mistake, which every paintball player has made, the punishment is forfeiting the entire twenty-minute match. Am I crazy for thinking that is a bit harsh?
In this situation we are also assuming that all referees are perfect in assessing major penalties, and all referees are 100% consistent in their calls. I do not need to explain why that assumption is ridiculous. If Dynasty had been playing on the other side of the field who is to say whether the same call gets made by a different referee. Empty speculation is not important. What is important is that the balance of power shifts dramatically from the players to the referees during the points that matter most because of the rule. Referees are obviously necessary in paintball, but no one, player or spectator, wants to see a referee decide the outcome of a game rather than a player.
Is the rule change in the last minute even necessary at all? Let us assume that Greenspan deserved a major, and instead of forfeiting the match, he was sent to the box, and the Russians were not able to capitalize in the last 10 seconds of regulation and the match went into overtime. Dynasty is still playing down two bodies off the break, and, most likely, loses that point anyway. The difference between the two scenarios is that instead of the referees ending the match with one flick of the wrist and one red flag in the air, the players have a chance to determine the outcome and the spectators get to enjoy the drama.
The PSP has been making a very conscious effort to make paintball more viewer-friendly. Never mind the fact that I think the rule is ill-formed in its logic and its practice; it could not be less viewer-friendly. The PSP deprived the spectator of hands down the most dramatic point of the match in favor of watching a flag fly through the air. I have faith in the referees to make the right calls, but for one single solitary call to end a match is nothing less than ludicrous.
PS: When is the head referee going to explain penalties to the scorer’s table and the scorers table relay that information to the spectators? How often do you sit in the grandstands and hear, “Yeah, Infamous got a penalty for something. No one really knows what happened though.” How about instead we get a loud announcement, “Number 14 Greg Siewers assessed a Two Minute Major for Playing on with an Obvious Hit. One minute and forty five seconds remaining on the penalty.”
There is one other thing to consider. The race to 7 format is the only division that still does the last 60 seconds/overtime rule. All other divisions no longer do this
I don’t think anyone likes a close match being decided by a penalty. But there are a couple other things to consider.
First, there is no rule that all hits other than pack hits are obvious hits. Obvious hits are obvious and unobvious hits are not. But, a hit that hits a tank usually makes a loud sound, and if you hear a paintball hit you and don’t check for the hit before continuing play, that’s playing on with an obvious hit.
This article also seems to be written by someone with a short memory. Before the introduction of the 60-second rule, in tight matches like this one, especially when one opponent was up one point, teams would simply willingly commit major penalties. Why leave the field when all you have to do is keep your opponent from hanging the flag before match time expires? Once match time expires, who cares about a major penalty you’re never going to serve?
Maybe there’s a better solution, but this article doesn’t seem to have one.
TK: RaceTo-7 is the only division that still has the rule because it’s the only division that still uses the penalty box. In RaceTo-2/4/5, TWO players are pulled immediately.
I’ve been hit in the tank many times, and I can assure you that you would not feel or hear it in the middle of a game.
@incorrect:
just want to point out that this is simply an “impressions article” – not an in-depth analysis of the rulebook. I agree, I hate the rule and would like to see them change it to something else. Do I have a better answer? No, but there has to be something.
Also, my least favorite rule: that a player can hide behind a bunker and not advance the flag into the dead box, causing time to continue to run. Play paintball. Not hide and seek.
Totally agree, it is pretty wack
II think, least in this instance, a better idea is to redefine the unobvious hit. Bottom of the tank is obvious and a pack hit isn't? Realy?
Yeah, that is a bit much.
Mixed fellings about this rule.
It is difficult because Chris Raehl (aka “incorrect” aka mr. Butthurt) is right that there is no other obvious solution. Having majors carry over is tough because an uninvolved team benefits from the penalty, but it is “worth it” for a team trying to hold on to stay on the field and get a penalty that may not end up having real consequences without the swing point rule. Still if the goal is to present paintball in its most spectator-friendly manner, this rule is undoubtedly a liability. I wish I had a solution but I do not. Let us hope the PSP will acknowledge this as a problem and do what I am unable to in this article.
hahah Jeffrriess
In the last 60 seconds if a Major is called they pull two people. Instead of sending him to the box it’s just gunna wipe out 3 bodies. If it works for the divisional teams why wouldn’t it work in pro?
PS: When is the head referee going to explain penalties to the scorer’s table and the scorers table relay that information to the spectators? How often do you sit in the grandstands and hear, “Yeah, Infamous got a penalty for something. No one really knows what happened though.” How about instead we get a loud announcement, “Number 14 Greg Siewers assessed a Two Minute Major for Playing on with an Obvious Hit. One minute and forty five seconds remaining on the penalty.”.
Yes PLEASE. This should be done at ALL events, Pro – D4. If people aren't told what's going on, they aren't going to enjoy watching, and are unlikely to return. This kind of stuff happens quickly in games. The head ref can make a quick relay without missing much action on field, or just wait to relay info until between points. People would be patient and satisfied if they knew there would be SOME explanation as soon as there was a chance.
when I ref: player gets hit and doesn't check- penalty.
player gets hit and checks -pull them immediately (if I see the hit).
player gets hit and pretends to check(hit on right side but they check left side) -penalty.
player gets hit in an a gray area (zones where I know its hard to feel hits) pull them immediately.
I'm a ref, not a player, but I'm on a team. Most people only see two teams on the field instead of the three. I was taught by my team to provide the most competitive and fair play for those who participate in the tournaments I ref. It makes me mad when I hear and see incidents where refs ruin the competition and fair play. I believe not just that one ref, but the whole reffing team needs to be scolded for doing that.
That is just my opinion, it doesn't mean that I'm right though.
its not always the reffs fault, sometimes it looks like a hit from a distance when its just wipe from a barrier.
INteresting point, interesting comments. Would the same have been said if it was a Legion player that this had happened to?
The millenium series also uses the 60 second rule, but we have it for 90 seconds. I think and have had confirmed that the play is more targeted as both sides are playing to the top of their game, as for the last points they have been battling to be the best. This is alomost like a soccer game going to penalties after 90 mins in a final game. Yes some would say unfair. Others would say it levels the playing field, as both teams have a 50 50 chance. There will always be players who play to the limit of competition. And in the last few years i have noticed a change in the attitude from players to refs. It seems to be alot better than it was. The reffing has definitely got better. Don’t get me wrong we still have a way to go but we are, on both sides of the pond, going in the right direction.
The 60 second rule or 90 second rule is there for all players and refs. Not to destroy the game. Simple solution ‘play like you mean it” and win first.
the refs on the psp1 field suck mainly the head ref made so many BS calls which cost not only my team as well as a few others the points or the whole tourney together…he should find a new job
refs are going to be judged no matter what happens.
Good call, Mike. That would be my choice as well–in fact I've tried to have that rule eliminated before. Easy answer–assess gross for any major penalties committed in the end of game situation, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, whatever. That way the appropriate team penalty is assessed and the player committing the penalty takes the brunt of the infraction by serving the 10 minute gross penalty period and the teams play until time runs out. Play of the game determines the outcome, not a rule.
Player deciding the outcome of game not a referee – hhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCKcodBuqE4&feature=player_detailpage#t=227s
no matter what it is.. the refs are always to blame lol. as a ref and I picked that up after my first few tournys.
when you say if it were the other side of the field it may have been different, he still would've had a major and the match would've ended. and yes every ref is different but so is every player, if it wasn't Greenspan he may not have been shot in the tank. refs aren't the only people different on the field. agreed the rule is very controversial but I think it still serves as a great way to prevent cheating. for all we know Greenspan knew he was hit on the bottom of the tank and didn't think a ref would see it. not saying he's a cheater but that's what the rules for incase he did/had the intention to. but what's done is done and all teams can do now or until/if this is changed is take it as a learning experience to be extra cautious in last minute/OT situations.
as for the PS: that's a great point I would love to see that happen. let the fans be more involved in calls, hear all the boo's and cheers :p
Goldman* wow lol dyslexia hahaha wrong name.
"not saying he's a cheater but that's what the rules for incase he did/had the intention to"
Spot on. it doesn't really matter if the intention is there or not, it prevents any risk of cheating and above everything else, it is unfair on the other team that there is an eliminated player playing on and so it balances the game anyway.
it might be of interest that as a european player, there is no obvious or unobvious hits where we distinguish pack hits from everything else, but magically people over the pond can feel the pack hits since the penalty is the same across the board. this whole excuse of not feeling hits doesn't change the fact that you have an unfair advantage.
horrible wording but you get the drift! 🙂
2 Dynasty players left
One caught playing on with a hit
Penalty in normal play – one 4 one minimum
Russians still win
This is sad