The role of officials is an integral part of ensuring both the safety and fairness of the game. This section will provide a perspective on how officials are more than individuals who skate up and down the ice giving penalties. It’s not all black and white, you know!
Roles of On-Ice and Off-Ice Officials
The game is so fast and emotions fly so high that many incidents between teams occur due to the heat of the moment. Consequently, on-ice officials are needed to provide an unbiased outlook and watch the game with neutral eyes.
Officials in minor hockey are chiefly responsible for two main things:
- ensuring that the playing area is safe for all
- ensuring that the play is fair for all
To carry out those responsibilities, there are officials in both on-ice positions and off-ice positions. They are also responsible for game management and working together with other officials.
Officiating tasks on-ice are clearly defined and divided between two roles:
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Referees:
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have the responsibility of watching over the entire game. They make calls on |
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penalties, signal goals and communicate with coaches and players. The referee |
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is like the boss of a company – what he says goes. |
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Linesmen:
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support the referee, ensure fair play between both teams on the ice and call |
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the game rules. Their responsibilities include calling offsides and icings, as well |
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as controlling the rough stuff between players. A linesman keeps his eyes and |
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ears on the play and provides input to the referee when asked regarding major |
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penalties or disputed goal situations. The linesmen help the referee ensure |
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that the game is played within the rules - consider him the silent watchman. |
Off-ice officials
There
are three types of off-ice officials:
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Timekeepers:
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are responsible for the game time clock. |
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Scorekeepers:
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are responsible for recording the goals, assists, and penalties. |
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Goal Judges:
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are another set of eyes with regards to goals. They are individuals |
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who will assist the referee, when asked, if the puck completely crossed the |
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goal line and entered the net. |
There
are 2 roles that help in the development of officials:
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Referee-in Chief:
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are responsible for the management of on-ice officials and the integrity |
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of the rule.They are appointed by a
regional association, branch or |
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league to make
sure that the on-ice officials carry out the games
rules. |
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They are responsible for the quality of officiating across all levels of |
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hockey that fall under their jurisdiction. |
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Supervisors:
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assist the referee-in-chief by managing and supporting the on-ice |
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officials.They watch the referees and linesmen in games and provide |
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proper input and development for them and the game. Supervisors are |
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usually officials with extensive experience |
Under the Influence
There are times when the look and feel of a hockey game are influenced by the way it is officiated. I have seen games where an official is determined to make a point and will react to the fans instead of making the calls. I have also seen games that flow so well that it feels like there are no officials. Like players, coaches and others involved in minor hockey, officials usually enjoy the game. It might be for the speed or the exercise but, more often than not, it is for the love of being involved and keeping the game safe and fun for those playing.
In minor hockey, there are two types of on-ice set-ups for officials:
| 3-Official system:
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includes one referee and two linesmen and is utilized in elite calibers of minor hockey. |
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| 2-Official system: |
is used in house league, rep and some select levels. In this type of system, both officials act as referee and linesman and both make calls on penalties, goals and game rules. They are able to do this without confusion because they each take half of the ice (“split” lengthwise) and are responsible for making calls in their section. |
Steps to Becoming an Official
Skills
Referees and linesmen need to skate well, learn the rules and know the procedures of managing a game. The rules are written by governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey. They are then adjusted to the needs of each branch and region. The procedures for carrying out the rules are explained in an officiating procedures manual that is given to officials during training. Understanding game strategies allows a referee to feel better about what may occur in a given situation. Anyone who becomes involved in officiating certainly does not need to be a hockey expert. Individuals who want to become referees or enhance their current officiating skill level can develop a better comprehension of coaching techniques and team tactics.
Training
There is a complete training process for officials in minor hockey. In Canada, for example, referees and linesmen must attend a school to pass a test for re-certification every year. Officiating a game that has speed, strength and emotional pressure is not a simple task. Becoming a top quality referee requires knowing the rules and understanding the procedures completely. You should also be in excellent physical condition and conduct yourself with respect.
Getting Involved
If you are interested in becoming an official, then here are some steps that you can follow:
- E-mail, write or call Hockey Canada, USA Hockey or your local hockey federation, branch or league and express your interest to the referee-in-chief or any league official.
- Sign up for training courses to receive the appropriate certification. It will also allow you to meet experienced officials from various professional, university and junior leagues and obtain some excellent tips from them.
- Once you have become certified, “make the call!” The best thing you can do is get into a game and start officiating. This is the only way to gain experience. Your skills and confidence will develop with each game. Be aware that there is no good or bad game to officiate. All games at any level are good games to officiate.
Now that you are officiating, it is time to get into shape. If you think that officiating a game is a leisure skate, think again. It can be physically demanding. In order to prepare, your body needs a good stretch, proper nutrition and quality exercise to help you achieve your goal of being a quality official.
Lastly, make sure that you talk to other officials, as well as league and branch representatives, about procedures and opportunities for advancement up the officiating ladder.
If you are an experienced official, then volunteer to supervise other officials in your area. The best way to improve the game is to share your experiences with up-and-coming officials.
How to Prepare For a Game
Preparing to officiate a game requires a small amount of time. Referees are taught how to properly prepare by following a series of steps. These steps are also outlined in their procedures manual and include activities such as arriving at the rink ahead of time or going over duties with other officials.
When officials arrive at a rink, they may not know with whom they will be working. In the lower levels of hockey, where there is usually a 2-Official system, officials need to know what each person will do. They need to understand each other’s expectations to maintain a harmonious officiating relationship. In the higher levels of hockey, where there is a 3-Official system, the referee will usually state his style and expectations of his linesmen. However, two of the most important preparation activities that are not emphasized but highly recommended are body preparation and facility preparation.
Body preparation
Before leaving for a game, pack water, fruit, a bagel or a muffin. Working a game can be as strenuous as playing and you need to replenish lost nutrients. Your body needs to be hydrated, so drink prior to getting dressed. Make sure that you stretch properly. Your muscles need to be warm and stretched. Constantly going from a stationary position to a full stride is a strain on your muscles and joints. More injuries occur due to improper or no warm-up than as a result of accidents. Pulled hamstrings, twisted ankles and groin pulls are common injuries that occur from lack of warm-up. Wear appropriate equipment.
Facility preparation
Being aware of your surroundings can help you to perform your job properly. It is important to know the placement of arena attendants in case you need to call upon them during the game. Be aware of available emergency services and equipment. Always look for ice, board or glass damage that could be a detriment to the players’ safety. Check the net for holes in the mesh. The official’s ultimate role is to make sure that the game is played fairly and is safe for the players.
Over the years, the game has become quicker and the players have grown stronger. Officials need to take care of themselves just as players do. It is recommended that they wear undergarment protection such as shin guards, elbow pads and a protective vest. This will provide protection from flying pucks or unpredicted falls. Lastly, one important and basic piece of equipment is needed to make the uniform look clean and consistent – a pair of white laces for the skates. Equipment Needs for On-Ice Officials
Black and white striped shirts, helmets and half visors make up the outer uniform for on-ice officials. Elbow pads, shin pads and a jock are undergarment protection preferences (not obligatory equipment) for referees and linesmen. Many people wonder why players have to wear full visors in minor hockey and officials wear only half visors. When I asked our Subject Matter Expert, Sean Reid about the half visors, he laughed and replied, “How are we going to blow the whistle?”
Elements to Effective Officiating
Know the rulebook. Taking courses and training classes teach technique and proper procedures. Knowing the rules is something that must be learned explicitly. Every official has to be able to make the call based on what he sees. The important thing is to know what to look for.
Situations that have two parties at odds with each other require a third party who is composed and non-prejudiced. Officials must remain calm and communicate effectively when dealing with two sets of biased fans, players and coaches. When these two sides clash, the official becomes the warden of safety and fair play in the game
Listening is the most important skill for officiating. You must be able to listen more than you speak. It is important to understand what players mean when they speak to you and to understand the coach's intentions.
How you raise your arm and blow your whistle will show how much confidence and assertiveness you have in making the call. As an official, you get one chance to make the call. Make it quick and make it clean. Don't worry what others will think, just call what you see. When you are on the ice, be sure of yourself. Even if you are not, don't let on. Nobody will know. "Act as if." Whether you make a bad call or not is not the issue. How you handle the situation is important. Remember that players and coaches want to play the game. Your job is to make it safe and fair so that they can play.
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Write clear reports
Game reports are only necessary when severe penalties or suspensions have been given out. They should be brief and to the point. They should not take you more than a half hour to complete. In most cases, the report must be sent to the league within 24 hours from the end of the game.
Follow these 5 guiding principles to create quality reports:
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Jot down all the details you can remember on a scrap piece of paper without worrying about the order. At this point, you need a place to hold your thoughts until you can organize them.
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Number your points in chronological order and transcribe them clearly on the back of the game sheet.
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In simple terms, write a description of the incident(s). Leave out your opinion of what the player's intentions were unless you heard him mention specifics.
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Ask another official to read it for consistency and clarity.
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Make a copy of the game sheet for your records and put everything else together in an envelope and send it in with your name as the author of the report.
The clarity of this report is vital. During the review process by league officials, branch officials and in extreme cases officers of the law, what you write can affect the outcome for those involved. Make sure that you keep your sentences simple and to the point.
Read about officiating in our interview with our Subject Matter Expert, Sean Reid.
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/7158/la_id/1.htm
This is the Officials Homepage on Hockey Canada.
www.hockeyrefs.com
This site is managed by hockey officials for hockey officials.
www.afterthewhistle.com
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