Is spellcraft required for distracting spellcasters

[Mr. Dr. Funkenstein]

To use the ready action distract Spellcasters, it is stated the individual must ready an action once a caster starts casting a spell.

The questions, wouldn't you need at least one point in spellcraft/knowledge arcana to identify a spell is being cast for the readied action to trigger? (Why/Why not)

The situation is that a character wouldn't know a spell is being cast based on loud speaking, a movement of a hand, or an component. Individually perhaps they could be used as readied actions. For example, attack anyone reaching into a small pouch... (because it needs to be specific)

Core Rulebook wrote:

You can ready an attack against a spellcaster with the trigger "if she starts casting a spell." If you damage the spellcaster, she may lose the spell she was trying to cast (as determined by her Spellcraft check result).

So, if the only mechanic for identifying a spell is using spellcraft/knowledge arcana, then a check has to be made for "starts casting a spell" to trigger.

I think people in this world encounter magic often and should not have to make the check. Especially when a person in the back, wearing robes, chanting and pointing at things is ready to unleash chaos. Selecting specific actions such as, if the caster moves their hands seems to neglect other casting potential.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

No.. identifying a spell is only needed for a standard counterspell.

You don't need spellcraft to distract a spellcaster by clonking them on the head as the act of spellcasting is pretty much identifiable by either the swirly light show, funky hand motions, and the arcane babbling coming out of their mouth.

[skizzerz]

It says nothing about needing to know what spell they are casting, just that they are casting a spell. Per FAQ, it is obvious to non-casters if someone is casting a spell, even if no components are used.

FAQ wrote:

Although this isn’t directly stated in the Core Rulebook, many elements of the game system work assuming that all spells have their own manifestations, regardless of whether or not they also produce an obvious visual effect, like fireball. You can see some examples to give you ideas of how to describe a spell’s manifestation in various pieces of art from Pathfinder products, but ultimately, the choice is up to your group, or perhaps even to the aesthetics of an individual spellcaster, to decide the exact details. Whatever the case, these manifestations are obviously magic of some kind, even to the uninitiated; this prevents spellcasters that use spell-like abilities, psychic magic, and the like from running completely amok against non-spellcasters in a non-combat situation.

Even if you aren't a caster or don't have a point in Spellcraft, it's obvious to you that they're casting a spell. Therefore, you can ready an action for "if she starts casting a spell" and have that go off appropriately due to it being obvious.