Ten Tips for Officials
1. Always know your rules
Take the time to learn and understand all
the rules. When you referee in more than one league, there may be different
rules in each league. Learn the differences in each league. Continually review
the rulebook through the season. There are many situations and rules that will
come up once a year or even once through your career. Be ready for them. A great
idea is to take the time to read a couple of rules a day.
2. Be prepared for your games
Arrive at the arena in plenty of time to get ready for your game(s). Pack your
equipment in advance so you are confident that you have everything you need.
Leave yourself plenty of time for traffic and make sure you know the directions
to the arena. By getting to the arena with plenty of time, you will be able to
focus on the game at hand.
3. Always try your best
Sometimes officials get assignments that they feel is below their ability or
below the age level that they usually officiate. It is very important to do your
best in each of these games. Even though you may officiate many games in the
course of a day or a week, each individual game is the most important game to
each of the participants. Your supervisors will notice that you work hard in
each game and you will be rewarded.
4. Work at your fitness
Fitness is an important part of officiating because it allows us to get into the
proper position to make important calls. We have to work on our fitness to keep
us up to the level of hockey that we officiate. Skating, riding a stationary
bike and jogging are excellent ways of staying in good shape. Keeping fit will
help you late in the game when you are tiring and each call is very important.
5. Learn for all your experiences
Everyone makes mistakes, but it is important to learn from them and not to keep
making the same mistakes again. Your supervisors should be able to identify any
problem areas. As officials, we know when we make mistakes. The important point
is to find a way to correct them. Ask your supervisors for help to correct any
problems or concerns that you may have, even if he doesn’t identify them to
you. One of your supervisor’s duties is to help you with any questions and to
give you advice and tips to make you better.
6. Keep your appearance clean and neat
Always make sure that your sweater and pants are clean and have all appropriate
cresting for your league. Make sure that your helmet is well fitting with the
appropriate visor and ear coverings depending on the policies of your league.
Make sure your laces are clean and your skates are in good order. Your
appearance as you enter and leave the arena is also very important. You should
be clean and well dressed. Your appearance is very important because it will
give you a great deal of acceptability before you make your first call.
7. Have a professional attitude
You will gain an enormous amount of respect
for this. Always be polite but firm. Acting like a gentleman (or lady) when
discussing a situation or rule interpretation also gives off a sign of
confidence and respect. Normally people will treat you with the same respect. If
they don’t, when they walk away they will realize that you acted
professionally and will gain respect for you then.
8. Treat your fellow officials with respect
Always help your fellow officials and treat them with the same courtesy that you
would like to be treated. The same would hold true with all off-ice officials
such as timekeepers, statisticians and goal judges. Never talk disparagingly
about a fellow official. If they have less experience than you, remember what it
was like when you were at their point in their career.
9. Know your positioning
Read the officiating handbook for your league and learn the proper positioning
for the play. It is good to review your positioning a few times a year. It is
amazing how much better you can see the game when you are in good position all
the time. Find the best places to be around the net so that you can see the
play, puck and possible infractions most of the time.
10. Have fun and enjoy yourself
Remember this is a game and although officials have an important job to ensure
that the game is played safely and fairly, we should always enjoy the game and
get satisfaction for a job well done. We can always learn and get better, but we
should enjoy every game and appreciate the privilege we were given to officiate
the game.
Dean Warren is a referee with the NHL. Prior to
making "the Show" he officiated various junior and professional
leagues including the AHL, OHA, and OHL. He is also active in assisting in the
development of young officials.
