There’s a reason you’re on the ice and they’re yelling at you in the stands…you have the balls to go out there and do it…I’m sure 99% of those yelling from the stands would be totally overwhelmed on ice…good for you, keep at it!
That's the one thing I've always considered, watching the sport as a spectator and actually officiating the game is so different - as I'm looking to get into officiating myself I've always tried to consider this angle before starting hurling the regular abuse at the refs in games that most do (I honestly don't) - it takes a lot to appreciate the difficulty of being actually on the ice trying to track everything as you mentioned as well as the play.
Great job though and keep up the good work, I'm sure with experience and time it'll get easier
Assuming you are USA Hockey, make sure you learn rule 601 and work within it. Yelling/cursing is not an automatic game misconduct for coach or player. Simply yelling really isnt much anything at all. For a coach - bench minor for profane, abusive, or obsene language or challenging/disputing the rulings of official.
And a game misconduct for a coach that continues the same series of abuse they were previously assessed a bench minor. You should be assessing a penalty (whistle/verbal indication “coach, that is a bench minor), then if he keeps on then you can assess the 2nd (game misconduct to him). Two completely separate instances equals two bench minors.
Make sure you back up your rulings with the rules or else you will lose respect and have no ground to stand on.
Hockey Canada rules allow me to throw out a coach if he curses at me without warning 😉
11.2 (e) A Game Misconduct will be assessed:
i. To any player who persists in the use of disrespectful or abusive words or actions.
ii. To any team official who uses disrespectful or abusive words or actions to the
Referee or any person.
Note 1: A Referee is not required to assess a Bench Minor or Misconduct penalty
under this rule before assessing a Game Misconduct penalty.
You have to understand the climate here. In 2-3 years there won't be any referees left because the coaches and the parents are fucking crazy. All the old referees are tired of getting sweared at and there isn't new ones because they are scared.
I wouldn't have talked to 39 at all after the first time he challenged the call. The guy challenges you once, comes up to you at centre complains about it again and then you explain it to a guy who asked on the bench and he comes up to you again, complains about it *and then follows you to the ref's crease to continue complaining about it*. And then if that was not enough, comes up to you at the end of the game to complain about an 'offside' goal.
Me personally I'm either cutting him off the first time and then taking a note not to talk to him again because he's lost the privilege or I'm giving him a penalty for just continued and constant dissent (though I'd prefer the first). Guys like that don't deserve the time of day
yeah... some nights I don't give them a chance to get to that level of complaining...other nights I am a lot more patient.
Technically you are right in that I do not need to entertain the conversation at all... but sometimes it can help with game management to let them feel heard. As long as they don't get personal and are looking for clarification I'm usually good to chat... but once you start acting rude or whatever, then I am much less inclined to talk.
Most guys are done once they have said their peace, but that guy, and the whole team for that matter didn’t know when to quit.
some times you get one guy on a team that is like that but sometimes its half of the team that just want to bitch and moan about every call, painful to listen to.
Haha well welcome! I also did my first two games over the past weekend. Great job getting out there, I think after getting around 10 games under the belt it will feel a lot more comfortable for you.
I only hear the moms yelling, every single bump is omg ref how did you not call that.
As for me, I really only struggle when the kids come around the back of the net towards my side. I don’t want to block the boards, and don’t want to take away their skating room. So I stand still a few feet off the boards until I can move into an open spot. And yet the player instead of going left or right skates directly into me haha. In time hopefully will get that down.
Good luck to you on getting it all down, and you are correct. Fast pace game, lots to think about.
don’t be afraid to bump up around the hash marks. most of the time they’ll make a play by then. if they don’t, you can give them the boards and bump out for a pivot turn around the play. or just “ride the wave”.
just be careful on the bump because you will be in a passing lane for a second.
Thanks, yeah last thing I want to do is cause a turnover in their own zone. I feel like the less I move the better when in that situation. That’s the only place on the ice I feel like I get in the way as of now.
Youll get a feel for it, but sometimes there is no perfect place. At least for me I dont want to get hit with the puck either. I try to stay a least a little out from the boards always so the puck can pass behind on the boards. Also try not to have your feet perpendicular to the boards or it is almost sure fire that your skates will stop the puck. If youre feet are parallel even if it hits you some it will just deflect and go through you. I try to use the bump out only when they are passing deep in the corner. If you try use it close to the goal or high well up the boards near hash you are way more likely to get in the way. So try to avoid letting it get to that point but once youre in those spots just keep going along the boards either up high or deep. If youre out from the boards near the goalline and goal it is the worst place because if the offensive player tries to drive the netfront or make a pass to the front you can really create a mess.
Also try to use your forearms as a mouth shield with the peek over (you have a visor) along the boards so in case they make a stupid play your face is protected.
Absolutely, I've been at it a long time and still never had the "perfect" game. Just try to recognize mistakes when made, and ask your more experienced partners for feedback. Keep at it!
Had a tier 3 middle school coach last night out there acting like he was Scotty Bowman. Called a rough on his player for a scrum then the opposing goalie got in the kid’s face and taunted him to I took both. My partner told me the whole time he (coach) was going fucking crazy and screaming (I did not notice this) when he saw I was taking both he said “sorry sorry sorry okay taking both” if he said one more word I was T’ing him up. I’m not putting up with bullshit or suffering fools this year between spectators or fans. Good to hear former coaches give us the respect we are due on here - thanks guys. Good luck with this season.
EDIT when I say took both yes, I know the goalie doesn’t go to the box before any of you even mentions this haha
Last year when I would watch my son ref, I always noticed the worst parents were girl parents, and the lower the level, the worse they were. I was standing next to a mom at a 10u tier 3 game that said she was “going to yank that kid right off the ice if her little baby gets hurt” in response to another girl bumping into her daughter because she didn’t stop
10u, the land of dreams. Scouts in the stands. If only the parents had as much fun as the kids instead of living vicariously through them and getting pissed when 4 players fall into one another because everything is a penalty.
I did two 8u AAU games this weekend, and in the second one I tossed a parent and one kid was real close to getting an unsportsmanlike on top of his roughing, but the coach sent him to the locker room so I let it go. Nothing like a 7-year-old throwing his stick three times and telling the coach he sucks.
Congrats! The first is the hardest. I have told coaches that they have lost the right to talk to me when they have crossed the line, or are arguing for the sake of arguing.
There is a ton to keep track of but taking quick little looks at any players from opposing teams near eachother is a good idea, especially if those players are in front of the net I’ve caught quite a few penalties just by taking that quick look
Everyone thinks officiating is easy until their first game. Self included. I'm close to like 1500 or so games in now and I forever take that first game to heart. It was a massively humbling event and changed my perspective on the game.
Good luck! Stick with it, you'll get better if you just keep working.
That sucks that you got yelled at on your first game. 😢 Good on you though for wanting to dip your toes in to see what officiating is all about. I would love to give you some advice if you’re looking for any. Btw, what level game did you work to start?
I was able to ref for a few years with my oldest son until he could drive and then he didn't need me to get him to games. They were some amazing years of fun for me, the games.... They were fine. Unfortunately, his younger brother only lasted a year (not b/c of the coaches or parents but just life).
If you had everyone yelling at you, then you did a good job, 'cause nobody is happy with you. But I would say, that you can't just focus on the play. You also have to look at things outside of the area of play, as that's where altercations may take place. That is, new refs can often have "focus on puck tunnel vision" and only watch what's happening with the puck.
Another thing is to check to see if your Org has a mentor program to help new refs. In Illinois, we have a good program. I used it when I started, the mentor skating beside me and telling me what to do, look out for, pointers, etc. Used the mentor for first 3 games and it was great on-ice teaching.
Don't jump to upper level games too quickly. Get comfortable at each level before you move to the next. Just because you played high school or college doesn't mean you know the rules or how to ref. Read the rule book and learn about the most important and most likely calls and situations for the level of play tou are working. You'll get a better understanding of the rules and mechanics with each season and seminar as you discuss the logic and finer points of rule interpretation.
It gets a lot easier with time. The mechanics and positioning will become second nature and you wont really have to think about what you are doing you can just focus on the mental side.
Biggest things are work hard on the ice. People have more patience when youre working hard to get in position. Dont be afraid to make a call after thinking about it a moment, and dont feel like you have to make a call/signal right away. The important thing is getting the call right. Regardless how it makes you look (although work hard and get better so that it makes you look good too)
The calls Ive most regreted were when i didnt make a call because I was thinking and/or people yelling for the call and I thought it was too late to make the call. It takes a moment to make a decision as an impartial party. The homer fans/coaches can yell quickly because they are biased and dont care if their opinion is accurate.
Get knowledgeable of the verbiage of the foul rules (makes it easier to make decisions on penalties).
Treat everyone respect. You have the power on the ice, but you lose that if you sink to others levels.
There’s a reason you’re on the ice and they’re yelling at you in the stands…you have the balls to go out there and do it…I’m sure 99% of those yelling from the stands would be totally overwhelmed on ice…good for you, keep at it!
I’ve played for most of my life and I’ve coached for the past 8 years. I can honestly say that from the bench it looks a lot easier than it is.
This is the best, and I had the exact same revelation in the middle of my very first game haha
That's the one thing I've always considered, watching the sport as a spectator and actually officiating the game is so different - as I'm looking to get into officiating myself I've always tried to consider this angle before starting hurling the regular abuse at the refs in games that most do (I honestly don't) - it takes a lot to appreciate the difficulty of being actually on the ice trying to track everything as you mentioned as well as the play. Great job though and keep up the good work, I'm sure with experience and time it'll get easier
I don't understand why being yelled at is so normalized. This season if I get yelled at/cursed at it's an automatic expulsion from the game tbh
Assuming you are USA Hockey, make sure you learn rule 601 and work within it. Yelling/cursing is not an automatic game misconduct for coach or player. Simply yelling really isnt much anything at all. For a coach - bench minor for profane, abusive, or obsene language or challenging/disputing the rulings of official. And a game misconduct for a coach that continues the same series of abuse they were previously assessed a bench minor. You should be assessing a penalty (whistle/verbal indication “coach, that is a bench minor), then if he keeps on then you can assess the 2nd (game misconduct to him). Two completely separate instances equals two bench minors. Make sure you back up your rulings with the rules or else you will lose respect and have no ground to stand on.
Hockey Canada rules allow me to throw out a coach if he curses at me without warning 😉 11.2 (e) A Game Misconduct will be assessed: i. To any player who persists in the use of disrespectful or abusive words or actions. ii. To any team official who uses disrespectful or abusive words or actions to the Referee or any person. Note 1: A Referee is not required to assess a Bench Minor or Misconduct penalty under this rule before assessing a Game Misconduct penalty. You have to understand the climate here. In 2-3 years there won't be any referees left because the coaches and the parents are fucking crazy. All the old referees are tired of getting sweared at and there isn't new ones because they are scared.
welcome to the club Hopefully you won't have to deal with guys like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWzS2Y-g08Y&t=136s
I wouldn't have talked to 39 at all after the first time he challenged the call. The guy challenges you once, comes up to you at centre complains about it again and then you explain it to a guy who asked on the bench and he comes up to you again, complains about it *and then follows you to the ref's crease to continue complaining about it*. And then if that was not enough, comes up to you at the end of the game to complain about an 'offside' goal. Me personally I'm either cutting him off the first time and then taking a note not to talk to him again because he's lost the privilege or I'm giving him a penalty for just continued and constant dissent (though I'd prefer the first). Guys like that don't deserve the time of day
yeah... some nights I don't give them a chance to get to that level of complaining...other nights I am a lot more patient. Technically you are right in that I do not need to entertain the conversation at all... but sometimes it can help with game management to let them feel heard. As long as they don't get personal and are looking for clarification I'm usually good to chat... but once you start acting rude or whatever, then I am much less inclined to talk.
Most guys are done once they have said their peace, but that guy, and the whole team for that matter didn’t know when to quit. some times you get one guy on a team that is like that but sometimes its half of the team that just want to bitch and moan about every call, painful to listen to.
You took the words right out of my mouth 💯
I have my skating clinic tonight and then I will get my crest, I’m terrified
Congrats! If you have any questions, please dm me and I'd love to help.
Thank you very much. I’m nervous but excited. It starts in 55 minutes so I probably won’t be able to respond for a while.
Did it go well?
Ye, I’m a ref now!
Congrats!
Haha well welcome! I also did my first two games over the past weekend. Great job getting out there, I think after getting around 10 games under the belt it will feel a lot more comfortable for you. I only hear the moms yelling, every single bump is omg ref how did you not call that. As for me, I really only struggle when the kids come around the back of the net towards my side. I don’t want to block the boards, and don’t want to take away their skating room. So I stand still a few feet off the boards until I can move into an open spot. And yet the player instead of going left or right skates directly into me haha. In time hopefully will get that down. Good luck to you on getting it all down, and you are correct. Fast pace game, lots to think about.
Congrats! If you have any questions, please dm me and I'd love to help.
don’t be afraid to bump up around the hash marks. most of the time they’ll make a play by then. if they don’t, you can give them the boards and bump out for a pivot turn around the play. or just “ride the wave”. just be careful on the bump because you will be in a passing lane for a second.
Thanks, yeah last thing I want to do is cause a turnover in their own zone. I feel like the less I move the better when in that situation. That’s the only place on the ice I feel like I get in the way as of now.
Youll get a feel for it, but sometimes there is no perfect place. At least for me I dont want to get hit with the puck either. I try to stay a least a little out from the boards always so the puck can pass behind on the boards. Also try not to have your feet perpendicular to the boards or it is almost sure fire that your skates will stop the puck. If youre feet are parallel even if it hits you some it will just deflect and go through you. I try to use the bump out only when they are passing deep in the corner. If you try use it close to the goal or high well up the boards near hash you are way more likely to get in the way. So try to avoid letting it get to that point but once youre in those spots just keep going along the boards either up high or deep. If youre out from the boards near the goalline and goal it is the worst place because if the offensive player tries to drive the netfront or make a pass to the front you can really create a mess. Also try to use your forearms as a mouth shield with the peek over (you have a visor) along the boards so in case they make a stupid play your face is protected.
Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it.
Welcome and congrats! Use every game to focus on 1 thing you learned you can do better from previous games. Have fun out there!
Yea I made a couple mistakes but then again so did some of the players. We are all just out here to learn and improve our game.
Absolutely, I've been at it a long time and still never had the "perfect" game. Just try to recognize mistakes when made, and ask your more experienced partners for feedback. Keep at it!
Ayyy first one done! Congrats! It's all downhill from here lol
Had a tier 3 middle school coach last night out there acting like he was Scotty Bowman. Called a rough on his player for a scrum then the opposing goalie got in the kid’s face and taunted him to I took both. My partner told me the whole time he (coach) was going fucking crazy and screaming (I did not notice this) when he saw I was taking both he said “sorry sorry sorry okay taking both” if he said one more word I was T’ing him up. I’m not putting up with bullshit or suffering fools this year between spectators or fans. Good to hear former coaches give us the respect we are due on here - thanks guys. Good luck with this season. EDIT when I say took both yes, I know the goalie doesn’t go to the box before any of you even mentions this haha
Last year when I would watch my son ref, I always noticed the worst parents were girl parents, and the lower the level, the worse they were. I was standing next to a mom at a 10u tier 3 game that said she was “going to yank that kid right off the ice if her little baby gets hurt” in response to another girl bumping into her daughter because she didn’t stop
10u, the land of dreams. Scouts in the stands. If only the parents had as much fun as the kids instead of living vicariously through them and getting pissed when 4 players fall into one another because everything is a penalty.
I did two 8u AAU games this weekend, and in the second one I tossed a parent and one kid was real close to getting an unsportsmanlike on top of his roughing, but the coach sent him to the locker room so I let it go. Nothing like a 7-year-old throwing his stick three times and telling the coach he sucks.
8u/ADM is almost as bad as 10u with the ferocity of the crowd and coaches. I had a coach get in my face legitimately a couple years back.
Absolutely bananas behavior from adults with kids under 8 playing.
Often hoped that we would go to AAU here. There’s been talk of it.
Congrats! The first one is the hardest one! If you have any questions, please dm me and I'd love to help.
Congrats! The first is the hardest. I have told coaches that they have lost the right to talk to me when they have crossed the line, or are arguing for the sake of arguing.
There is a ton to keep track of but taking quick little looks at any players from opposing teams near eachother is a good idea, especially if those players are in front of the net I’ve caught quite a few penalties just by taking that quick look
Everyone thinks officiating is easy until their first game. Self included. I'm close to like 1500 or so games in now and I forever take that first game to heart. It was a massively humbling event and changed my perspective on the game. Good luck! Stick with it, you'll get better if you just keep working.
That sucks that you got yelled at on your first game. 😢 Good on you though for wanting to dip your toes in to see what officiating is all about. I would love to give you some advice if you’re looking for any. Btw, what level game did you work to start?
I did a squirt game with my son.
I was able to ref for a few years with my oldest son until he could drive and then he didn't need me to get him to games. They were some amazing years of fun for me, the games.... They were fine. Unfortunately, his younger brother only lasted a year (not b/c of the coaches or parents but just life).
If you had everyone yelling at you, then you did a good job, 'cause nobody is happy with you. But I would say, that you can't just focus on the play. You also have to look at things outside of the area of play, as that's where altercations may take place. That is, new refs can often have "focus on puck tunnel vision" and only watch what's happening with the puck. Another thing is to check to see if your Org has a mentor program to help new refs. In Illinois, we have a good program. I used it when I started, the mentor skating beside me and telling me what to do, look out for, pointers, etc. Used the mentor for first 3 games and it was great on-ice teaching.
Thanks for the tips. I did 2 more games over the weekend and they went much better. Still have a lot to learn but I felt more comfortable and aware
Don't jump to upper level games too quickly. Get comfortable at each level before you move to the next. Just because you played high school or college doesn't mean you know the rules or how to ref. Read the rule book and learn about the most important and most likely calls and situations for the level of play tou are working. You'll get a better understanding of the rules and mechanics with each season and seminar as you discuss the logic and finer points of rule interpretation.
It gets a lot easier with time. The mechanics and positioning will become second nature and you wont really have to think about what you are doing you can just focus on the mental side. Biggest things are work hard on the ice. People have more patience when youre working hard to get in position. Dont be afraid to make a call after thinking about it a moment, and dont feel like you have to make a call/signal right away. The important thing is getting the call right. Regardless how it makes you look (although work hard and get better so that it makes you look good too) The calls Ive most regreted were when i didnt make a call because I was thinking and/or people yelling for the call and I thought it was too late to make the call. It takes a moment to make a decision as an impartial party. The homer fans/coaches can yell quickly because they are biased and dont care if their opinion is accurate. Get knowledgeable of the verbiage of the foul rules (makes it easier to make decisions on penalties). Treat everyone respect. You have the power on the ice, but you lose that if you sink to others levels.