{"id":3016,"date":"2015-04-28T14:48:47","date_gmt":"2015-04-28T14:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/?p=3016"},"modified":"2015-09-03T02:19:26","modified_gmt":"2015-09-03T02:19:26","slug":"keeping-floor-coverage-active-and-player-focused","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/2015\/04\/28\/keeping-floor-coverage-active-and-player-focused\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Floor Coverage Active and Player-Focused"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Written<\/a>

Written by David Lyford-Smith<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hello all! \u00a0In this article I\u2019m going to be talking about some ideas for how best to cover the floor at an event \u2013 where to be, how to act, and what to do. \u00a0It\u2019s easy to get complacent about this most fundamental job of judges, but there\u2019s more to it than first appears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Objectives<\/h2>\n

<\/p>What is floor coverage about? \u00a0When do we do it and why? \u00a0Floor coverage is used at larger events when we can\u2019t be close by every match like we can at smaller tournaments. \u00a0Let\u2019s look at what we\u2019re trying to achieve:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Making sure that we are available for players\u2019 requests \u2013 making sure that we can get to tables that call us over<\/li>\n
  • Letting players know we\u2019re there, providing reassurance to them<\/li>\n
  • Discouraging cheaters<\/li>\n
  • Many players will not call a judge even if they really need one, whether because of shyness or not wanting to get someone else involved. We want to find those situations where a judge is needed but none is called.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    In Practice<\/h2>\n

    Let\u2019s take a look at a typical area of tables:<\/p>\n

    \"Figure<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

    For a smaller event, this might be all the tables: for a GP, it might be just one section. \u00a0Let\u2019s think about some possible positions.<\/p>\n

    A traditional approach you will see many judges take:<\/p>\n

    \"Figure<\/p>\n

    Here, the judge is positioned in an aisle or at the edge of the tables. \u00a0They\u2019ve chosen the side which opens on to the aisles. \u00a0Let\u2019s look at the advantages of this position:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Judge can see the entire area<\/li>\n
    • Lowest average time to reach any table<\/li>\n
    • Freedom to patrol left to right<\/li>\n
    • Can easily discuss\/socialize with other judges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      But there are downsides:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Can see only the closest games<\/li>\n
      • Most players unaware of judge\u2019s presence; they may appear distant or uninterested<\/li>\n
      • Will only catch situations where the players actively call a judge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        This position might be best described as \u2018passive\u2019 floor coverage: the judge is there and waiting for somebody to ask them to becoming involved.<\/p>\n

        So, let\u2019s take a look at my preferred alternative:<\/p>\n

        \"Figure<\/p>\n

        Here, the judge is patrolling one of the aisles directly. \u00a0Let\u2019s take a lot at the advantages of this position:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Judge can see a variety of matches, learning more about the format and watching for mistakes as they go, including those who wouldn\u2019t call a judge unprompted<\/li>\n
        • Players see the judge taking an active interest in the tournament<\/li>\n
        • Dishonest players are more likely to be dissuaded, or caught<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          And some disadvantages:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Judge\u2019s field of vision over the entire block is reduced<\/li>\n
          • Harder to meet up with and interact with other judges in the confined space between aisles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            For the first of these, keeping a keen ear out and encouraging players with judge calls to shout out clearly and keep a hand up will help considerably. \u00a0For the second, an occasional discussion is easy to fit in between bouts of patrolling the aisles.<\/p>\n

            <\/p>This position is much more about \u2018active\u2019 floor coverage: seeking out matches and players that need a judge to help them out, and getting involved. \u00a0I\u2019ve been amazed how often players will flag me down as I slowly move past to help with a life total dispute they were previously trying to sort out themselves, or how often a casual glance over a game reveals a rules mistake.<\/p>\n

            The most important advantage is the effect of having a nearby judge on the number of calls that are caught. \u00a0Many players feel shy or reserved about calling a judge. Others feel their issues aren\u2019t important enough to need a judge or that they\u2019re better off fixing issues themselves. \u00a0Overall, a large number of issues go unreported. \u00a0A good number of those will go through a judge instead if one is close to hand. \u00a0I\u2019ve certainly noticed an uptick in my calls since taking more of this attitude.<\/p>\n

            Of course, that\u2019s not to mention the dishonest players who will avoid getting a judge involved in their situations. \u00a0I can think of several DQs where having a judge nearby that saw what happened and could provide an impartial slant to the players\u2019 conflicting accounts made a difference in conclusion.<\/p>\n

            As you walk the aisles, to take your time. Watch matches as you go, figure out what\u2019s going on in games you can see, and keep alert for signs of disputes or disagreements to address.<\/p>\n

            Some great things to watch out for as signs of a table possibly needing a judge include:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Players with raised voices: a disagreement<\/li>\n
            • Player reading a card: a rules question<\/li>\n
            • Players both looking over life pads: a life total discrepancy<\/li>\n
            • One player looking around \/ looking bored: possible slow play<\/li>\n
            • A player is overly conscious of judge location: either really wants a judge or is trying to avoid oversight for their shady actions.<\/li>\n
            • Discussion between players in adjacent matches: seeking an answer but not asking a judge, or possible Outside Assistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Judge-Judge Interactions<\/h2>\n

              Under either method, occasionally a good chat with a fellow judge is useful to share plans for the tournament, talk about that cool game you just saw, or test out some tough policy teasers. \u00a0When you\u2019re doing that, it\u2019s important to make sure that you remain alert to the tournament and approachable to players and spectators who have questions.<\/p>\n

              A normal two-person conversation would be something like this:<\/p>\n

              \"Figure<\/p>\n

              Black arrows for judges, blue arrow for a player.<\/em><\/p>\n

              This is the natural position for most of us: full eye contact and politely facing the other person. \u00a0Unfortunately, it can make it seem that you\u2019re completely uninterested or unavailable to player observers. If anyone does want to speak to you, like our little blue arrow friend here, they will feel like they have to break into your private conversation. \u00a0Furthermore, you won\u2019t be able to see much of what\u2019s going on on the floor.<\/p>\n

              Compare with this:<\/p>\n

              \"Figure<\/p>\n

              <\/p>Here, the judges are standing side by side, tilted slightly inwards. \u00a0This way, they can still see and hear one another, and can talk freely. \u00a0Their eyes remain facing the tournament and they appear more engaged and approachable. \u00a0Anyone with a question can just walk into the position of the blue arrow \u2013 many people won\u2019t even realize there\u2019s a conversation there and won\u2019t have the same reservation about coming up to you.<\/p>\n

              It does take a little practice to get used to this, as your instincts will be to turn the rest of the way towards the other person. It\u2019s definitely better in the long run. \u00a0Just watch out for a third judge coming to join in the blue position and making a closed-off formation again.<\/p>\n

              \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

              Shadowing and Appeals<\/h2>\n

              <\/p>If you are interacting with another judge in this way, it\u2019s a great opportunity for you to shadow one another\u2019s rulings. \u00a0The shadowing judge should stay in the background of the ruling, allowing the lead judge to handle things. They\u2019re there to take notes on the lead judge\u2019s handling of the situation for potential feedback. \u00a0They can provide some quiet steering if they feel the lead judge is getting stuck or going down a wrong path.<\/p>\n

              If a ruling is appealed, the shadow should stay with the table to prevent the table being abandoned and to help any potential situation from escalating. \u00a0Sometimes if a ruling is looking to be controversial, they can even go to the Head Judge ahead of time and start filling them in on what\u2019s happening. This saves time if the appeal materialises.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Behavior Near the Floor<\/h2>\n

              In the previous two sections, we looked at where to be when patrolling the aisles, and how to have judge-judge interactions in an open way without jeopardizing floor coverage. \u00a0Let\u2019s also talk about the content and style of conversation we have with other judges.<\/p>\n

              <\/p>Because we\u2019re advocating being as close to the floor as possible and always facing players, it\u2019s important to remember that sound travels. \u00a0Don\u2019t discuss something with another judge you wouldn\u2019t want a player to overhear. \u00a0This obviously includes details of ongoing investigations but also embarrassing stories if they\u2019re identifiably relating to a specific person. \u00a0Whilst that story about the player who made a silly decklist mistake might be funny, it\u2019s not nice to broadcast it to their friends!<\/p>\n

              Also be careful when managing judge feedback, particularly constructive criticism. \u00a0If you\u2019re sharing some points for improvement with another judge and a player overhears, they may lose confidence in that judge\u2019s future rulings.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Closing Remarks<\/h2>\n

              Active, player-focused floor coverage increases the volume of calls you attend to, increases your experience, and improves the players\u2019 views of judge involvement and attitude. \u00a0It helps to unearth situations that might never have otherwise come to light, including investigations. \u00a0Careful body positioning during those little chats can make a big difference to your approachability, too!<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              L3 David Lyford-Smith describes good approaches to floor coverage by emphasizing active engagement over passive reaction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":3018,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[37,9],"tags":[168,12,235],"language":[180],"class_list":["post-3016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education_development","category-events","tag-david-lyford-smith","tag-floor-judge","tag-tournament","language-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3016"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3016\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3309,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3016\/revisions\/3309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3016"},{"taxonomy":"language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.magicjudges.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/language?post=3016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}