Referee Clinics

REFEREE CLINICS

1.  October 9 & 10, 2010 - Wetaskwin Ref Clinic

2.  October 23 & 24, 2010 - Leduc Minor Hockey

**Both clinics are two days - 1st day Theory - 2nd day on ice and testing.

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Want To Be A Hockey Official?  

Want to start officiating, but have no idea what to do?

Step 1 – Contact your hockey association 

Onceyou reach your local minor or youth hockey association, ask them howyou can reach their referee-in-chief (RIC) or supervisor of officials.They should be able to provide you with a telephone number of someoneinvolved in the local officiating program.

Step 2 – Contact the RIC

Don’tput it off; make contact with the RIC immediately. When you are able tomake contact explain to him or her that, you would like to startofficiating in the local association and would like to know when thebeginner clinic for the area is held.

Youshould also ask about any requirements, such as an age restrictions.There may be a law or regulation that limits younger people fromofficiating.

Step 3 – Attend the clinic

Youwill most likely be required to attend an all day beginner clinic whereyou will learn the basics of officiating both inside a classroom and onthe ice. Make sure to come prepared with a pen and notebook along withany other required items such as money for registering or equipment forthe on-ice session.

Onceat the clinic, you will generally fill out some paperwork such as aregistration form or insurance information. If you’re a teenager checkwith the person in charge to see if you need mom or dad to sign anypaperwork for you.

Duringthe clinic, you may be required to take an open or closed book exam.Take your time and feel free to ask plenty of questions – the only dumbquestion is the one not asked.

Asmentioned above you will most likely be required to attend an on-icesession that might last anywhere from a half-hour to two hours. Duringthis session, you will work on basics of skating, on-ice positioning,and procedures. After officiating a few games the skating, positioning,and procedures will become easier and you can work on perfecting themover time.

Step 4 – Ask about equipment

Asa novice official you will find yourself working many low-level games,so there’s no need to go out and purchase something that you won’tneed. So before the clinic is over ask the instructor if he knows ofanyone with some used gear for sale, as many experienced officials havecollected a wealth of old gear and are looking to get rid of it. Yourlocal association might even have some loaner sweaters or helmets.

Step 5 – Ask about games

Beforethe clinic is over, ask how you go about getting games in your localarea once you are completely registered and certified. Most placesrequire you to attend a scheduling meeting or send your available datesto an assignor or supervisor once a month.

Step 6 – Don’t get discouraged

Rememberthis is your first season. You might not receive many games and thegames you will receive are probably going to be at the lowest levels ofhockey. When you work these games remember what it was like to be theirage and playing – each game is important to those kids.

Asan official, you will need to develop the ability to block out thenegative criticism. If you’re looking for a job where people are goingto be happy with you each and every game, then you might want tore-consider officiating. Don't expect to go out there and make friendswith everyone.

Duringthe season don’t be afraid to ask more experienced official’squestions. The best ways to learn and develop as an official is watchand ask those with more experience than you. You should considerhelping out at tournament or playoff time as an off-ice officialrunning the clock or keeping score. This is an excellent way to learnfrom those with more experience than you.

Step 7 – Officiate with ethics

Yourduty as a hockey official is to act as an impartial judge and this dutycarries with it an obligation for the official to perform withaccuracy, consistency, objectivity, and the highest sense of integrity.

Inorder to preserve and encourage confidence in the professionalism andintegrity of officiating, officials must first foster ethical behaviour.

The Official's Code of Ethics:

                    Show concern and caution towards sick and injured participants