INTRODUCTION
Maybe, just maybe, you might be able to work at your favourite field to help you pay for the cost of this sport.
Having worked as a referee on the recreational and tournament level I have seen major differences. It is that experience that I draw a distinction between the two. FIELD STAFF is a term I reserve for those who work on the recreational level. REFEREE is the term I use for those who officiate at tournaments.
The reason why I do this is because they are two different jobs. Field Staff assist players first and enforce rules second. They are a combination of advisor and tour guide. A Referee is there to enforce the rules and do nothing to help players. (At least they're not supposed to.)
This part is dealing with what you will need to know and how you will need to act to be an effective member of Field Staff.
STARING OUT -- EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY
You should have about one year's playing experience at the field you intent to ref at. This is not to be confused with you overall playing experience. The reason why you need time at the particular field is so that you understand how the games flows, where most of the action takes place and things like that. If you are not familiar with how the field effects the game, you will not know where the best vantage points are. What's the sense of you hanging around the flag station when all the action is 100 yards away?
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH RENTAL EQUIPMENT
You should be playing with it, whenever you have the chance. That means the goggles, the marker, the feed system and even the barrel plugs and any garments the field issues. Use field paint.
The reason is simple, you want to know all the idiosyncrasies of the equipment. While working you may be called upon to fix a marker, adjust goggles, or what have you. If you don't know how things work, you won't be able to help the players.
Also, it gives you an insight into what the players feel like, while using the rental equipment. It also helps you give some friendly advice on the use of the equipment.
GENERAL ATTITUDE
You should be reasonably friendly, but not acting like their best friend. You may have to exert your authority, especially when enforcing safety rules. I find a friendly demeanour not only makes the players become more at ease, but it provides contrast when you do have to get serious. I had a player say to me, "Boy, it was all fun and games with you until you caught me without my barrel plug in." It made an impression on him.
You should be helpful, but not act like a 'babysitter'. You can't play the game for them, but you can help them with problems.
You should also follow your own rules. Don't horse around in camp with the markers. Wear your goggles where you are supposed to.
IS IT ALL RIGHT TO TELL PLAYERS WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING?
Yes, as long as you are being impartial. I often give out tactical advice to the whole group, between games. I usually do this when I see one or two players making common mistakes. Newer players don't know any better, they don't know why one thing works and another thing doesn't. A little friendly advice, without singling players out, will do a long way.
What you should NEVER do is instruct individual players during the game. This could be seen a favouritism. I have often done this, but only with individuals who either directly requested it between games, or with those who were so pitiful, you just had to do SOMETHING.
I'M A GUY SHOULD I TREAT FEMALE PLAYERS DIFFERENTLY THAN MALE PLAYERS?
Absolutely. But not in the way you think. You should be polite and gentlemanly with EVERYONE. The way you treat the ladies differently is give them an added bit of respect. Guys don't usually blink an eye about going to play paintball. To most women, it is a totally alien experience. It's not their fault, it is the fault of the society we live in. Women have been the victims of gender stereotyping for a long time. Many liberated women still see paintball as one of those unexplainable 'guy things'.
A little extra help and encouragement doesn't hurt. If they object to this, stop it immediately and apologize.
PLACEMENT
When players aren't yelling at you to move that means you've mastered the refereeing art of placement. Actually, with that year's experience of playing on the field, you will know where the best vantage points are. Sometimes you can't help but get in the way, but that's part of the job. Sometimes you can maintain a good distance, other times you will have to be down in the dirt with the players. If you are, expect to get hit. A former boss of mine used to say, "I my staff aren't getting hit, they're not doing their jobs right."
I've been hit more times in a day of work than I do in a day of play. (And that's a lot!)
PHYSICAL CONDITION
You have to be in excellent physical condition. When you are playing, you may only run with the flag once a day. When you ref, you have the opportunity to run with the flag EVERY game of that day. I can tell you that my field reffing days are OVER!
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I TELL PLAYERS?
I heard this at a field I played at once, and I thought it was good policy.
"If you like something about this field, tell you friends. If you don't like something about this field, tell the staff."
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