USA Hockey Officiating Education Program

1. USA Hockey OfficiatingEducation Program Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis Authored by Bill Spohn & Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.

2. Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis • All these rule bases are applying a new Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis

3. Safety At the early levels of hockey the primary function of the officials is to promote a safe environment for the players by enforcing the rules of the game

4. Fairness As the players and coaches gain experience they begin to push the limits in various areas to gain a competitive advantage At this point officiating begins to become more complex and judgment takes on a greater role in the job of officiating

5. Integrity • The officials are in charge of the integrity of the game by maintaining fairness for the participants involved in the game • Officials are the messengers – not the creators of the new standard of play and rules emphasis

6. Skill and Speed We have witnessed in NHL games an enhanced level in these two areas due to a diligent application of the new standard of play and rules emphasis

7. Competitive Advantage • Officiating by the new standard of play is all about recognizing when a player uses an illegal tactic to gain a competitive advantage • Officiating is about seeing and reacting, not picking and choosing • It is no longer about making excuses for players and basing penalties on the outcome – we now penalize the consequences • It is about calling penalties based on the result – not the degree of the result

8. Ownership • Individual leagues, Affiliates, USA Hockey, Instructors & Supervisors, Coaches, Officials, Players, Parents and Administrators • Patience • Stay the course

9. Communication is the Key • Clear, Concise, Simple and Consistent • Win over coaches, officials and parents to support the cause

10. Requirements • Support for officials and coaches that conform • Work with officials and coaches who do not embrace the change in attitude • Remind officials that each game played sets the standard for the next crew. Don’t let down the officiating team in your area • Send the message that, doing what is asked of them is for the “Good of the Game”

11. Official’s Role and establish new ones • Break old habits • Motivate the change See it, react to it Let them play Put the whistle away Speed and skill must be rewarded, not eliminated Only call it if it takes away a scoring opportunity Let the players decide the game Don’t guess. Don’t over-react. Establish good sightlines

12. Do Not Waiver Stay focused on the task • Everyone connected with the game must be committed to upholding the integrity of the game • Maintain the standard, do not allow it to erode • Keep in mind that some coaches will have a difficult time “un-teaching” many of the tactics that have been taught over the years

13. Show the USA Hockey Standard of Play and Rules Emphasis Video

14. Summary • Always penalize any player who uses an illegal tactic to gain a competitive advantage • No new playing rules – but a much stronger emphasis on enforcing existing rules • The games will become much more enjoyable for all the participants • It is about calling penalties based on the result– not thedegree of the result

15. Summary • This standard is to be enforced at All levels of play and under All circumstances throughout the game • Other infractions such as checking from behind, contact to the head, high sticking, cross checking and roughing must also be enforced to the strictest standard • Players must be held accountable for all illegal actions of an intimidating nature or that create a competitive advantage

16. Questions?

17. More information is available at: www.usahockey.com

18. USA Hockey OfficiatingEducation Program Have A Great Season! Authored by Bill Spohn & Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.