Soccer Referees Give RefEDGE PRO Two Thumbs Up
Stand-up vanishing spray gets on-field workout
By Jackie Pearase, Officials101.com
Soccer referees are saying that RefEDGE PRO, a new stand-up vanishing spray, is a stand-out product.
Vanishing spray, or vanishing foam, is used by soccer referees to provide a temporary visual marker to keep players of the opposing team to the minimum distance from the ball during a free kick and to mark the spot from which the kick is taken.
The use of vanishing sprays is said to have reduced free-kick downtime by almost 50 per cent and resulted in fewer yellow cards and more goals since becoming part of regular play about five years ago. It ensures rules are followed and fair play for all.
The new take on the vanishing spray intrigued Officials101 founder Jim Clarke and when he wanted to test it, Michael Radchuk came to mind.
As owner of Rent-A-Ref, Michael has connections with officials of all the major sports so getting him to test a sports-related product was a natural fit.
Michael, a 13-year referee in his second year as a USSF national referee, first gave RefEDGE PRO a try at a USL match in September and found it to be a superior product on many levels.
“RefEDGE PRO was very convenient to carry. I actually forgot I had it at times,” he said after the game. “It was very easy to use and very easy to return to the holster. Some competitor products require you to unclip the spray to use it, while RefEDGE allows you to take the can out of the holster and allows you to put it back in so you don’t have to search for the clip itself.”
Michael has used different vanishing sprays in various weather conditions as an official for USL, NCAA D1 and US Soccer matches with mixed results. He had some difficulty using RefEDGE PRO on wet grass and Jason Record, co-founder of RefEDGE PRO, said practice is all that is required.
“There is no way to make a perfect spray in all conditions but we have come close since you can vary the spray on your own and with a little practice, you’ll know what is required for different situations and you then have the perfect spray,” Jason explained.
He said slowing down the spray speed creates a more foam-dense line that will stand up to such conditions. A normal speed pass will create a line lasting about 45-60 seconds.
“You can truly vary the dwell time from about 30 seconds to 5+ minutes if you wanted. The typical target for most is 60-90 seconds and is easily achieved with practice,” he added. 
A small can of RefEDGE PRO contains approximately 130 linear feet of foam – or two to four games depending on the game and usage.
But the thing Michael likes best about the product is the ability to use the spray while standing.
“We’re always told to keep our eyes out on what’s going on,” he explained. “Dead balls can be one of the more troublesome situations as players tend to get into extracurricular activities like pushing and stuff. By staying upright, it benefits the referee by having him/her keep an eye out on what’s going on.”
Jason said feedback on RefEDGE PRO has been positive from soccer officials and associations such as CONCACAF, NCAA, NASL and US Soccer.
He said the company is also making some changes to improve its performance including an updated, locking Gripcage™ holster (patent pending) that will ensure the holster cannot go upside down when using its top-, side- or tilt-entry. A new, paddle-style VersiClip™ will include a larger back clip to make the can more stable.
Michael said RefEDGE PRO is something he will definitely use again and recommend to others.
“I recommend it to all, especially as you move upward through the ranks,” he said. “It’s lightweight, easy to use,and provides immediate communication and understanding to the players and the audience that it is a ceremonial free kick (on the whistle) when spray is pulled out.”
RefEDGE PRO’s proprietary formula is safe for all grass and artificial turf and contains no parabens. The Gripcage™ comes in four colors and easily attaches and detaches from the belt.
If you like this article, you may also enjoy these Officials101 Collections:
Soccer – Football 101 Collection
Equipment 101 Collection
Management 101 Collection
Technology 101 Collection
You can watch Michael using RefEDGE PRO Vanishing Spray in this exciting 2016 USL season finale match between the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and the Orange County Blues FC at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, California. Check it out here!
Full Disclosure: As a result of these positive trials, RefEDGE PRO is now an affiliate marketer on the Officials101.com website. This article was written by Officials101 using information provided after testing by Michael Radchuk of Rent-A-Ref and comments from RefEDGE PRO co-owner Jason Record.
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