Thanks to electronic referee flags and professional Bluetooth earpieces, refereeing becomes even more efficient.
Credibility is enhanced because the reported fouls are immediately known to the main referee, fouls are less debatable because communication is more fluid on the field.
There are fewer untimely plzy interruptions due to the two-way communication between the main referee and the assistant referees.
They allow the main referees not to miss any action or mistake and to be warned in case of a mistake detected by one of his assistant referees (formerly also called touch judges or linesmen).
We can safely say that advances in science and technology have changed our lives enormously. Soccer, rugby and refereeing have not been immune to these major upheavals; in fact, they have benefited enormously from them. With the electronic touch flag, the days when a referee could miss a foul signalled by one of his assistants are resolutely over. Electronic referee flag kits have simplified communication between the assistant referees (formerly touch referees) and the central referee, making play on the pitch more fluid. They were used for the first time in official competitions during soccer matches at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, and have continued to evolve ever since thanks to feedback from referees. The electronic system enables the assistant referee to signal to the central referee when he raises his flag and presses the button. The central referee then receives the signal (sound and/or vibration) on his receiver placed on his arm, and can determine which of his assistants warns him with different signals. See also our range of professional Bluetooth headsets
In recent years, refereeing has undergone significant changes. Indeed, the rise of violence in stadiums and sporting events in general, the growing media coverage of football and rugby and technological progress in the field have had a strong impact on the sports sector. The referee may then, rightly or wrongly, be pointed out as "responsible" for a sanction when his role is to ensure that the rules of the game are respected and not to penalise players, clubs, rugby or football without reason.
The pressure is increasing and the main referee must ensure that irregularities in the game are identified in time. The communication between the main referee and the assistant referees must be perfect and instantaneous. With a 68-metre wide and 105-metre long ground, the noise of the fans and the speed of action on the pitch, this is not always easy and the development of audio and television equipment has made each refereeing decision even more difficult.
The electronic touch flag is a system used to attract the attention of the central referee. It is particularly useful in offside situations, when a foul is out of the referee's field of vision, but also when decisions can be tricky.
For example, if an assistant referee notices a foul on the pitch, he first looks at the central referee to see if he has made a decision. If this is not the case, he can inform him by raising his flag and pressing the alert button to emit an electronic beep and/or vibration to the main referee.
Electronic flags are specially designed for Football and Rugby referees. They are frequently used at major international matches such as the Top 14, the 6 Nations Tournament, the Champions League, the Euro, the World Cup (soccer or rugby) and the Olympic Games. They are designed for a team of 3 referees: 1 central referee and 2 assistants, or 4 referees: 1 central referee, 2 assistants and a substitute referee (known as the fourth referee), or 6 referees: 1 central referee, 2 assistants, a substitute referee and 2 additional assistants (known as the surface referee).
SignalBip rechargeable electronic sideline flags enable assistant referees to notify player fouls with a simple touch. An audible or vibrating alert is then triggered on the central referee's receiver, ensuring that he or she no longer misses any important information.
The vibration or sound (depending on the mode selected) even indicates whether the alert is coming from one or other of the linesmen. Electronic referee flags leave no room for doubt and make refereeing more efficient. Referees equipped with SignalBip electronic flags are more reactive and more serene.
