Head Referee

By George Xu (ISB)

A Head Referee is the official responsible for fair play and rule enforcement during high school robotics tournaments. They oversee every match, make final decisions on scoring and rules, and ensure the competition runs smoothly according to the official game manual​.

ISB Robotics Execs:

Future execs of the ISB Robotics Club should note that the ISB VEX scrimmage requires a head referee to be chosen. It is recommended to the incoming president to familiarize themselves with the rules and subsequently certify for the Head Referee exam. While this will not allow them to referee for official games, it will prepare for a more smooth scrimmage.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Head Referee’s primary job is to uphold the game rules and maintain fairness throughout the tournament. They oversee all matches and confirm the field is properly set up and reset each time, having the ultimate and final authority on all gameplay rulings and score decisions​. Event Partners, other referees, or coaches cannot overrule the Head Referee’s decisions on the field​.

They also identify any rule violations during gameplay and issue warnings or penalties as needed and are encouraged to caution teams if they are close to an infraction. They must apply the official VRC Game Manual rules as written, without improvising new rules, though they must also be aware of official VRC corrections or clarifications based on questions submitted by teams and coaches. Teams should communicate with the VRC itself if needed to resolve serious disputes​ instead of wasting time arguing on the field. Finally, refs watch for safety issues and will stop a match if needed to keep participants safe.

Required Qualifications and Training

Head Referees must be adults. The REC Foundation requires a minimum age of 20 years old to serve as a VRC head ref (for VEX IQ Challenge events the minimum is 16)​.

A Head Referee must also be certified for the current season if the event’s results will count toward official qualifications​. The REC Foundation provides an online Head Referee Certification Course each year, and the volunteer must pass a certification exam at the end of it before officiating as head ref. Certification needs to be renewed every season as game rules change from year to year.

Prior experience as a VRC referee is highly recommended and in practice required. The REC Foundation notes that “previous referee experience is required” for a Head Referee volunteer​. Most head refs have served as Scorekeeper Referees or in other volunteer roles at several tournaments before moving up to the head ref position.

How to Become a Head Referee

You must register for and complete the VRC Head Referee Certification Course, and then pass the certification exam at the end. It is typically taken via the RECF online learning portal and may take several hours to finish​, as discussed previously. Upon passing, you’ll be recognized as a certified head referee for that season (often you receive a certificate or badge confirming this).

With your certification in hand, reach out to local Event Partners or use the official volunteer sign-up tools (like RobotEvents.com’s Volunteer Management System) to volunteer as a Head Referee. The Head Referee must be approved/appointed by the Event Partner in charge​. When you volunteer, provide proof of your certification and any prior referee experience. You must NOT be affiliated with a participating team as it would represent a conflict of interest. You may also take no payment from the tournament as it would impact objectivity.