USA Hockey Officiating Seminar Presentation Designed by Leonard

USA Hockey Officiating Seminar Presentation Designed by Leonard Edling Edited for USA Hockey by Bob Fryer Additional editing by Joanne Nakaso

Welcome to Level 1 Seminar • Purpose • To review the basics and fundamentals of officiating • To establish uniformity in officiating • To eliminate “creativity” in officiating • Introduction of staff • Review of schedule • Breaks • Ice Time • Lunch

Welcome to Level 1 Seminar • What is expected of me ? (as an Official) • • • Be on time! Take notes Ask questions Work hard Have fun • Who are you and why are you here?

Officiating Program Overview

Local Officiating Program • All volunteer program • District Referee-in-Chief • Greg Lucker • Local Supervisor of Officials • Chris Leahy

Registration Procedures • Mail completed USA Hockey form with fee to national office • Take open-book exam from USA Hockey • Minimum passing score – 35/50 for Level 1 • Register and complete district seminar • Completion of seminar list is sent to USA Hockey • When completed with all requirements • Card and crest are sent from national office

Member Benefits • Insurance (medical and liability) • Summer Officials’ development camps • • • Regional National Women’s Camp Select Regional & National Championships

Member Benefits • International Program • Elite Officiating Experience • International tournaments • Olympic Games • Publications • Manuals • American Hockey Magazine • Stripes Newsletter

Member Benefits • District Officiating Seminars • Instructor Training sessions • Evaluation Program • Mentor Program • Local events

Personal Appearance

Looking the Part • Positive impression • Build credibility • Defines role as an official • Good looks complement good skills • Commands respect

Personal Appearance • Face • Hair • General condition

Equipment Needs • Helmet • • Mandatory Black in color Good condition Visor- strongly recommended • Sweater • Long-sleeved • Trousers • Black

Equipment Needs • Girdle protection • Skates • Well maintained • Clean white laces • No goalie skates! • Cup and supporter • Leg guards • Elbow guards

Officials’ Supplies • Whistles • Finger type • Minimum of 2 • Rule book (USA Hockey & League) • Referee’s manual(s) • Equipment bag • Tape

Officials’ Supplies • Telephone numbers • Assignors • Supervisors • Officials • Pen and Note pad (“riot pad”) • Cut skate laces • Soap and towel

Off-Ice Dress for Regular Games • What to wear • • Nice clothing Neat, clean and tidy No team jackets Avoid T-shirts and jeans (if possible) • Why? • Good first impression • Shows that officials take pride in work

Proper On-Ice Attire Black helmet Well groomed neat appearance Sweater Crest Finger whistle Clean white laces Black trousers Well maintained skates

Physical Conditioning

Stretching • Purpose of stretching • To obtain or maintain flexibility • To reduce potential of future injury • Basic stretching principles • Stretch major muscle groups from head to toe • Stretch slowly with controlled movements

Basic Stretches • • Neck Arms and shoulders Trunk and back Groin Quadriceps Calves Ankles

Importance of General Fitness • Promotes overall good health • Enhances performance on the ice • Enhances creditability of performance through physical appearance

General Fitness Exercises • Aerobic • High heart rate for a period of time (cardiovascular-based) • Anaerobic • Muscle-based with short bursts of cardiovascular activity • Best combine both aerobic and anaerobic • Average 3 times per week

Fundamentals of Skating

Importance of Skating Well • Basic building block • Helps to enhance position • Which enhances vision • Which enhances judgment • Helps to establish credibility when you keep up with the play

Referee Skating vs. Player Skating • View • Referees always turn and stop facing the play • Posture • Head must always be up • Tight skating lanes along the boards • Different arm swing from players • Always front to back to increase efficiency

Balance • Knee bend most important • Use inside edges • Shoulder, knee and ball of foot aligned • Head up

Ready Position • During stoppages (2 types) • Standing upright with hands at sides (ready position) • Hands on knees • During play • Never have hands on knees • Always stand upright with body angled toward the play (45 degree angle)

Arm Swing • Similar to runner (front to back) • Strive to eliminate • • Stick carrying posture Side to side arm swing Dog paw Clenched fists

Forward Stride • Long powerful strides are key • Exaggerated knee bend • Thrusts start with pressure (weight) on heel then extends through the blade to toe thrusting down “through the ice” • Full recovery • Weight transfer • Thrust out with opposite skate • All skating takes place from the hips down • Upper body stays “disciplined”

Pre-Game Responsibilities

Officiating Etiquette • Punctuality • 30 minutes prior (minimum) • Second check of equipment when arriving in room • Officials’ dressing room • No visitors • Private headquarters • Politely ask unwanted visitors to leave

Sociability • Short conversations with players and coaches: be polite • Avoid opinions of other officials • Avoid controversial matters

Stretching • Before every game • Every major muscle group • Heighten heart rate • Good warm-up a must

On-Ice Warm-up • Go onto ice 3 -5 minutes before teams • Skate at warm-up pace • Practice turns, stops, starts: forward and backward • Practice skating in Officials’ skating lanes • Watch and monitor warm-ups

Visual Inspection of Playing Area • Check for: • • Defective ice, boards, glass, door openings Clock and bench locations Off-Ice Officials in position Illegal face masks and helmets • Checking the goals • Holes in netting (fix, if necessary) • Posts properly anchored • Warped goal frames • Familiarize yourself with arena

Conducting Face-Offs

Officials’ Stance • Feet shoulder width apart • Shins parallel • Puck held in non-whistle hand • Puck hand forearm rests on hip bone • Head up and looking forward

Holding the Puck • Two accepted methods • Thumb on top, forefinger along the side • Thumb and small finger on the side, other finger tips on top • Thumb must remain in contact with puck • Officials should try different techniques • Both players must have an equal view of the puck • Puck must always land flat • Face-off should be fair

Dropping the Puck • • Officials must be ready first Simultaneous out and down motion Bend knees as puck starts first Puck must land flat and remain stationary Puck must land on center of face-off spot Do not flick wrist prior to puck drop Push the puck to the ice

Players’ Positions • Centers • • Attacking player’s stick down first Stick stationary on white half moon When no spot exists: one stick length apart Shoulders square with end boards

Players’ Positions • Other players • Same side of circle as center • Outside of circle: includes sticks • On their side of the hash marks • Which official is responsible for which players? • Official conducting face-off • Centers and players in front of him • Partner • Players behind the official conducting the face-off

Moving into Position After Face-Off • • Drop puck Pause to view play Look behind you Back to side boards Keep play in front of you Proceed to position facing play Hustle only when clear to move

Center Ice Face-Off Technique • Start of the period • Signal Goalkeepers (Goal Judges) • Face and signal Timekeeper • Following a goal • Face the players’ benches

Puck Hand-Offs • Hand shake technique • Place the puck flat in palm of partner • Receiving official closes hand firmly on puck • Professional look when clean and crisp • Everyone is watching you during this time

Referee Position: 3 Man System

Importance of Proper Positioning • Fundamental building block • Field of vision • Enables Official to see as much action as possible • Provides Official with safe viewing areas • Keeps Official out of the way • Officials’ “No-Man’s-Land” • Area that Officials must stay out of during play

Field of Vision

No-Man’s-Land

Starting The Game • Center Ice face-offs • Beginning of game: face the Timekeeper • Conduct face-off • Back toward side boards keeping play in field of vision

keep Time er

Positioning: Following Play • Play moves from Neutral Zone to End Zone • Follow play 15 -20 feet behind • Stay along boards (5 -10 feet) when play is on own side of rink • Move only when path is clear

10 -15 ft. Play

Positioning: Following Play • Play in Neutral Zone (transitional play) • Skate slowly until play takes a definite direction • Stop and observe play whenever possible • Use a wide open field of vision to read play • Play reverses direction • Stop along boards and allow play to pass • Follow at the recommended distance

Play

Positioning in the End Zone and on the Goal Line • Skate into End Zone • • Skate hard into End Zone No coasting keep feet moving Get to the Goal Line quickly, but only when path is clear Never cut through face-off spot

Play

Positioning in the End Zone and on the Goal Line • Proper use of Home Base • Easy to move toward goal when shot on goal • Easy to move back to corner when play moves to the Referee’s side • Following play out of the zone • Maintain proper distance • Wait on Goal Line until the play definitely leaves the zone

Play

Positioning During Face-Offs • Neutral Zone face-offs • Closer to the nearest goal, opposite side of ice • Out 15 feet from boards • 30 degree angle • End Zone face-offs • On Goal Line opposite side of ice • At Home Base • Ready position • After goals • Face players’ benches

Face-Off Neutral Zone Face-off

Face-Off End Zone Face-off

s Benc he After a Goal

Post-Game Positioning • At the buzzer • Attend to any potential altercation or dispute immediately • Attention then focuses on the players benches for players leaving • During hand-shake line • In Referee’s Crease facing all players

Bench es x xxx x x o xo o o x o Post Game

xo xo xo Hand Shake

Linesman Position: 3 Man System

Importance of Proper Positioning • Fundamental building block • Enables Official to see as muck action as possible (enhancing judgment) • Provides Official with safe viewing areas • Keeps Official out of the way • Keeps Official out of “No-Man’s-Land“

Starting the Game • One Linesman at Blue Line (Visitor’s Bench) • Partner opposite side of ice on other Blue Line • Referee at Center Ice • Keep zones for ½ of game • Switch at the half-way point, during a stoppage, unless a team is shorthanded

Basic Positioning Linesman: Start of Game

Positioning During Play • Play leaving Neutral Zone and enters Attacking Zone • Official is at line before play • Partner moves into Neutral Zone (half way between Red Line and Blue Line)

Play

Positioning During Play • Play reverses and goes into opposite attacking zone • Back Official moves to his line backwards • Partner follows when all attacking players have left the zone

Backward Skate Play

Positioning During Play • Play in the Neutral Zone • Both Linesmen at their respective Blue Lines (skates in the Attacking Zone) • Linesmen diagonally across from each other

Play

Positioning During Play • Neutral Zone face-offs • Linesman directly opposite side of the face-off • Must be ready to move in either direction with the play • Play goes toward his own end: follow and partner gets out of face-off • Play goes toward partners end: follow play, wait for partner to get back into position and release

Positioning During Play • Release signal • Arm extended out from side pointing diagonally • After goal • One Linesman in front of scoring team’s bench (the “Happy Bench”) • Partner on opposite side of ice on other Blue Line

Retrieving the Puck • Normal stoppages • Linesman in zone of stoppage spots face-off • Partner retrieves puck, hands off and returns to position • After goal • Linesman in zone of goal retrieves puck and hands off to Referee at center ice • Partner skates to middle of zone where goal was scored, then returns to normal position

Normal Stoppages

Goal Scored

Retrieving the Puck • After a penalty • Linesman in zone of penalty spots face-off (escorts player for violent situation) • Partner retrieves puck, hands off and returns to position

Positioning: 2 Man System

Importance of Proper Positioning • Fundamental building block • Enables Official to see as much action as possible (enhancing judgment) • Provides Official with safe viewing areas • Keeps Official out of the way • Keeps Official out of “No-Man’s-Land”

Field of Vision

No-Man’s-Land

Starting the Game • One Referee at center ice • (Facing Timekeeper) • Partner on opposite side of ice on center red line • Continually switching ends throughout the game • When puck is dropped, free Referee moves with the play

Positioning During Play • Play leaving Neutral Zone and enters Attacking Zone • Free Official is at line before play • Official moves to goal line after making call at Blue Line • Deep Official is responsible for watching play • Official on Blue Line watches in front of goal • Partner moves up to Blue Line

Watches Behind Play Watches Play

Positioning During Play • Play reverses and goes into opposite Attacking Zone • Back Referee must wait at Blue Line to be sure play is leaving the zone • Back Referee moves to his line backwards • Makes call at Blue Line and follows play into zone • Partner skates quickly out of zone as players leave zone • Moves up to Blue Line

Play

Positioning During Play • Play in the Neutral Zone • Both Referees at their respective Blue Lines (skates in the Attacking Zone) • Referees always diagonally across from each other

Play

Positioning During Face-offs • Neutral Zone face-offs • Referee directly opposite side of the face-off • Must be ready to move in either direction with the play • Play goes toward his own end: follow and partner will respond • Play goes toward partner’s end: follow and continue with play

Play

Positioning During Face-offs • End Zone face-offs • Diagonally opposite on far Blue Line (10 feet from boards and inside zone) • Maintains line until play leaves zone • Referee conducting face-off moves to Goal Line or out of zone with play

Positioning in the End Zone and on the Goal Line • Skating into End Zone • • Skate hard into End Zone No coasting keep feet moving Get to Goal Line quickly, but only when the path is clear Never cut through the face-off spot

Positioning in the End Zone and on the Goal Line • Proper use of Home Base • Easy to move toward goal when shot on goal • Easy to move back to corner when play moves to Referees side • Following play out of zone • Move quickly out of zone so partner can release Blue Line • Anticipate the play leaving the zone

Play

Golden Triangle Home Base

Post Game Positioning • At the buzzer • Check ice first for altercations • During hand-shake line • Referees on each side of line diagonally across from each other • Removed from players

XO XO XO

Retrieving the Puck • Normal stoppages • Referee in zone of stoppage spots face-off • Partner retrieves puck, hands off and returns to position

Normal Stoppages

Retrieving the Puck • After goal • Referee in zone of goal reports goal and assists • Partner retrieves the puck and conducts ensuing face-off

After Goal

Retrieving the Puck • After penalty • Referee assessing penalty reports penalty • Partner retrieves puck and conducts face-off • “Free” partner check for potential altercation/uncooperative player before conducting face-off

After Penalty

Calling Off-Side Violations

Positioning on the Blue line • Official on the Blue Line • Inside the line as play enters Attacking Zone • Provides proper angle on play • Must get a clear view of the determining edge of the line • Partner moves into position • Must be ready to cover in case Official is knocked off line

Signals • Point to face-off • Full palm point with fingers together • Washout • Signal comes from chest then out • Slow “delayed” whistle • Flat palm, fingers together • (Junior and Adult classifications ONLY)

Stopping Play for Off-Sides • Blue Line is part of zone from where the puck comes • Determining edge • Instant puck completely crosses line • Puck carried into Attacking Zone with teammate(s) off-side • Immediate whistle (no delay) and point to location of face-off • Official calling violation skates to spot of the face-off • Partner retrieves puck, hands it off and returns to position

Stopping Play for Off-Sides • Puck shot into Attacking Zone with teammate(s) off-sides • Immediate whistle - all Youth classifications • New rule for 2003 -04 • Junior and Adult classifications ONLY • Delayed whistle (delay signal) • If puck goes to a defending player • Attacking players may clear zone (“tag-up”)

Stopping Play for Off-Sides • Puck shot into Attacking Zone with teammate(s) off-sides (Juniors & Adults - continued) • Situation to nullify off-side (put arm down, no washout) • Defending team gains possession and gets puck out of zone • All attacking players simultaneously clear zone • Situation to blow whistle • Attacking player plays or makes contact with puck while delayed off-sides is still in effect • Attacking player forces opposing player with puck to retreat

Stopping Play for Off-Sides • Calling Violation • Official calling violation skates to the spot of the face-off (where the puck was shot) • Partner retrieves puck, hands it off and returns to position • Intentional off-sides • Should be called in every case where the Official deems that there was no opportunity to complete a legal play • Regardless of the actions of the defending team

Special Situations • Defending team shoots or plays the puck back into zone • Players on the attacking team are considered to be on-side • Deflections back into zone with members of attacking team in the attacking zone • Always off-sides • Off Referee/Linesman • Off defending player • Off defective boards

$Calling Icing Infractions$

Calling Icing Infractions

Calling Icing • Criteria for calling icing • Puck shot from behind center Red Line • Center Red Line part of zone from where the puck comes • Crosses opposing Goal Line • Puck not touched beyond center Red Line • No chance to be played by defending team • Not including Goaltender • Team shooting puck is NOT short-handed

Calling Icing • Mechanics of making call • Back Official • Initiates icing by signaling slow whistle • Skates to cover partner • Front Official • Acknowledges signal and skates into Attacking Zone • Blows whistle and raises arm when puck crosses goal line • Initiates call only when back Official doesn’t see

Calling Icing • After blowing the whistle • Back Official • Points to face-off location • Skates (watching players) to face-off spot • Three strides then turns backwards • Icing signal at top of circle • Front Official • Retrieves puck, hands off and returns to position • Referee (3 man system) uninvolved • After whistle, skates as deep as furthest attacking player

Icing Signals • Slow “delayed” whistle • Icing • Washout • Point to face-off • Release signal

$Washing Out Icing Infractions • Mechanics of washing out play • Back Official •$

Washing Out Icing Infractions • Mechanics of washing out play • Back Official • Initiates icing • Cannot washout once play crosses center Red Line • Follows to cover partner • Front Official • Makes call • Washes out with verbal “NO” and moves back into position

Basic Icing Judgment: Situations • Defending player able to play puck, but doesn’t • WASHOUT • Puck crosses through goal crease • STILL ICING • Puck deflected before crossing center red line • ICING: if by shooting team • NO ICING: if by defending team • Puck touched after crossing center red line • WASHOUT: if touched by either team

Determining Face-Off Location

General Rules & End Zone Face-Offs • Never closer to the goal than the End Zone face-off spot • Never closer to the side boards than imaginary line connecting faceoff spots • Never in middle of ice

Puck Frozen Defending team: Nearest End Zone face-off spot Attacking team: Nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot

Puck Frozen Face-off along line perpendicular from boards on imaginary line connecting face-off spots Attacking team in Attacking Zone: Nearest Neutral Zone Face-off spot

Icing Face-Off Icing

Face-Off Location • Off-sides • Pass: from where puck was passed along imaginary line • Puck carried over: nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot • Puck frozen by Goaltender • Nearest End Zone spot to where puck was last shot or played • Penalty Call • Where puck was last played - along imaginary line • Attacking team in Attacking Zone: nearest Neutral Zone face-off spot

Puck Shot Out of Rink • Stopping play • Any Official may stop play • Ensuing face-off • Official who stops play spots face-off • Partner retrieves puck

Calling Penalties

What’s the call Ref ? ?

Procedure for Calling Penalties • Penalty signals are vital • Penalty by team in possession of puck • Immediate whistle • Penalty by team not in possession of puck • Delayed “slow” whistle • When offending team gains possession of puck, sound whistle

Good signals are the Key STOP LOOK ASSESS

Assessment Procedure • Point to player (look past player) • Open palm, closed fingers • Verbalize number and color • Signal and verbalize infraction • Do not indicate type of penalty (minor, major, etc. )

Reporting Procedure • 3 strides forward then backwards to the penalty bench • Watch penalized player and others • Stop at penalty bench • Signal and verbalize infraction • Proper cadence through entire procedure

Penalty Signals Demonstration of Penalty Signals (See “Official Signals” Power Point Show)

Do’s and Don'ts of Penalty Assessment • • Slow, controlled cadence No thumbs out No skating through signals No hurrying through signals No facial expressions No creative signals Always repeat signal at Penalty Bench

Verbal Communication • Importance of verbal communication • Explains penalty reason • Official should briefly explain to player (younger age groups only) • Be brief and to the point • Speak to Captains • Coaches when necessary • Other reasonable players also

Special Situations • Bench minor penalties • Served by any player except goaltender • Goaltender penalties (minor, major, misconduct) • Served by a player on the ice at the time of infraction • Injured player • Substitute player to serve penalty • Once injured player returns, must take his place in penalty box

Special Situations • Minor plus major, misconduct, game misconduct, etc. • Additional player on penalty bench till minor expires (cannot be Goaltender) • Major plus major, misconduct, game misconduct, etc. • Additional player on penalty bench till major expires (cannot be Goaltender)

Judgment

Officials are Teachers • Teach the playing rules at lower levels of hockey to: • • Players Coaches Parents Spectators • Very little judgment is necessary in lower classifications

Officials are Teachers • Penalties are always a penalty in mite and squirt classifications • Penalties must always be assessed at the lower levels whether accidental or intentional • EXAMPLES: • Tripping • High sticking • Checking or roughing • Holding • Slashing

Officials are Teachers • Judgment comes into play more and is taught as Officials progress to higher levels • Rule knowledge is important at all levels of hockey

Awarding Goals and Assists

Awarding Goals • Puck must completely cross the Goal Line • Goal credited to player who propelled the puck into opponents’ goal • Puck enters goal as a result of action by a defending player • Last player from scoring team to legally play the puck

Awarding Goals • Goal credited to attacking player who deflected puck into opponents’ goal • Goal shall be disallowed when • Puck strikes an Official and enters directly into the net • Puck is kicked by an attacking player and enters the goal • Puck is illegally (hand, foot) directed by an attacking player and enters the goal

Awarding Assists • Assist(s) credited to player(s) taking part in the play immediately preceding the goal • Maximum of two assists per goal • Player cannot be credited with a goal and assist on the same goal

Procedure for Awarding Goals and Assists • Referee or front Official is responsible for awarding goals and assists • May ask for help from partner(s) • When goal is scored • Referee should point with non whistle hand in the direction of the goal • Referee should blow the whistle at the same time

Procedure for Awarding Goals and Assists • Reporting procedure • 3 strides forward then backward to the scorers’ bench (watch all players) • Stop at bench • Report player number to be credited with the goal followed by the assist(s) • Skate to proper position for face-off

Disallowed Goals • Blow whistle and immediately give washout signal • Report reason why goal was disallowed to game Timekeeper

Injured Players

Stopping Play • Thought to be serious injury • Stop play immediately • Always be overcautious • Not a serious injury • Stop play when team of injured player gains possession of the puck • Monitor injured player while play continues • Always err on the side of safety

Once Play has been Stopped • Closest Official immediately skates to injured player • Partner(s) monitor other players • Motion coach/trainer onto ice to assist injured player • Monitor injured player until coach/trainer arrives • Do not try to move player or remove equipment • Verbally calm injured player and assess injury

Once Play has been Stopped • Move away when coach/trainer arrive • Let them attend to injured player • Stay close enough to provide emergency assistance • But far enough away to prevent unnecessary verbal abuse • Allow time to assess injury before removing player from ice • If play was stopped for injured player • Player must leave the ice, and may not return until after the next face-off has been completed

Equipment Regulations

Protective Equipment • Helmets: ALL PLAYERS • • • Must wear a helmet designed for hockey Must wear a HECC approved helmet Must wear a chin strap properly fastened Must wear helmet/facemask on players’/penalty bench Officials must wear a black hockey helmet

Protective Equipment • Skates • Must be hockey skates (not figure or speed skates) • Any dangerous skates - player must be removed from the ice • Mouthpiece • All players must wear in Pee Wee through Junior, and Girls/Women Squirt through Midget classifications

Protective Equipment • Facemask • All Youth players must wear HECC approved facemask • USA Hockey strongly recommends all Officials wear a half-shield visor • All players must wear the required protective equipment in the manner for which it is designed

Dangerous Equipment • Gloves in which all or part of the palm has been removed • Pads or protectors made of metal, or of materials likely to cause injury • Casts or splints made of hard or unyielding materials • Sticks that are partially broken at the tip of the blade

Equipment Measurement • Only the Captain, during a stoppage of play, can request any equipment measurement • Maximum of one measurement per team per stoppage of play

Off-Ice Officials and Their Roles • Timekeeper • Responsible for the operating the time clock and keeping track of penalty times • Official Scorer • Records all goals, assists, saves and penalties on the official score sheet • Secures players roster prior to the game • May also serve as the announcer • Makes sure the official score sheet is properly signed and distributed following the game

Off-Ice Officials and Their Roles • Penalty Bench attendants • Opens the door for penalized players • Assists the Timekeeper in monitoring penalty times • Officials may have to be patient with Off-Ice Officials at lower levels • Often times volunteer parents • Very little knowledge of rules and responsibilities

Post Game Duties and Responsibilities

Hand-Shake Responsibilities • At the end of the game- all players separated • One official on each side of the hand-shake line • Monitor entire line for potential problems • Maintain a quiet presence

Escorting Teams Off the Ice • Hold one team if common exit • Monitor players off ice until in dressing room • Maintain quiet presence and awareness • Limit conversations with players to rules questions or other pertinent topics • Maintain a professional appearance at all times

Signing the Score Sheet • Check for accuracy and completeness • Note any special circumstances • Cross off any blank areas • Sign your name legibly

Leaving the Ice • Keep sweater zipped and helmet on • Move quickly- avoid conversations with spectators • Maintain professional appearance and demeanor

Officials’ Dressing Room • Discuss game situations with partner • Respect partner’s privacy regarding visitors • Clean up dressing area for next officiating crew • If another game follows, make sure that Officials are there to work the game

Communication with Players/Coaches

Why Use Universal Communication? • The most effective means of communication • The manner in which it is done is a reflection of the officials attitude • Allows for the spirit of cooperation • Has influence on the overall acceptability of the officials attitude • Effective way for the official to gain respect • Honesty is the best policy

When to Use Verbal Communication • • During the assessment of a penalty Close plays on the blue line or icings When rule or ruling needs to be explained Explanation of multiple penalty situations and penalty expirations • When a verbal warning is necessary before assessing a penalty or stopping play • EXAMPLE: “ Move the puck. ”

Coaches vs. Captains • Talk to coach when: • Younger level of players involved • Complicated situation that is difficult for captain to translate • Coach is calm and has a reasonable question or genuine concern

Coaches vs. Captains • Talk to Captain when: • Older players involved • Simple situation that can be easily be translated to the coach • Captain addresses you with a reasonable question or concern • Coach is unruly and unreasonable

Communication Tips • When speaking one-on-one: be soft spoken and honest • Apologize when you make a mistake, being careful not to over apologize • Answer all reasonable questions • Avoid judgment discussions • Avoid undermining other officials

Communication Tips • Be specific when verbalizing • Avoid threatening players or coaches • Be sympathetic • Avoid the “high and mighty” syndrome • Never use obscene or vulgar language

Role of the Supervisor

The Game Assignor • Must be willing to involve everybody • Special effort to get new Officials involved • Communicate with youth administrators regarding assignments • Be fair in assignments • Assign appropriate skill levels to each game • Allow for development of officiating skills • Avoid overexposure of Officials and teams

Senior Officials • Provide support and information • Work with younger Officials • Help locate equipment • Help with test or answering questions • Help in the assignment of games

Senior Officials • Provide a positive officiating experience • Teach only approved USA Hockey techniques • Use a soft-spoken approach • Be honest when discussing performance • Use others only as positive examples

USA Hockey Evaluators • “Coaches” of the officiating world • Provide instructional follow-up which reinforces materials presented at seminar • Dedicated to improving quality and consistency of officiating • Provide positive feedback • Provide ways to overcome weakness • Encourage continued development and improvement

USA Hockey Evaluators • Objective in their assessment • Have a thorough understanding of USA Hockey rules and procedures • Develop and encourage a positive relationship • Be a good listener and sympathetic • Be honest • Promote enthusiasm towards the perfection of officiating skills