Fisticuffs

1. Fisticuffs

2. AWARENESS • Know the history and relationship between the two teams and individual players • HUSTLE, HUSTLE, HUSTLE to prevent altercations • Be aware of situations that provoke altercations • Running the goalkeeper, contact in front of the net (spear, butt-end, etc) • Injured player that is the result of an infraction • Trash talking between players or from benches • Lopsided score • Restraining fouls (hooking, holding, interference) • Communicate with your partners

3. Linesman Involvement • Use force only when necessary • If uncertain whether player is penalized or not, erron the side of caution ad bring to penalty bench • Assist Referee with numbers and instigators and your version when asked • Be aware of any players leaving the players bench during an altercation • Once everything is resolved, get play going as soon as possible

4. Referee Involvement • If the instigator rule applies, use it • Top priority is the non-fighting players and benches • Take control of these areas – Be firm • Verbalize with partners and players to help separate combatants and where to take them • Be aware of any players leaving the players bench or penalty bench • Ask linesman and /or off ice officials for help in identifying first player off the bench • Position yourself so you can monitor fight(s) and still control benches • Only get involved physically when absolutely necessary • Injury potential or injury situation • Can step in to avoid second or third altercations • Linesman delayed getting player to the penalty bench • Be decisive and efficient when sorting out penalties

5. Altercation Situations • All locations • Remove debris and non participants • Talk with partner (who has got who) • Enter together • Open ice • Work from opposite sides of the altercation • Lead one arm on top, one arm under, squeeze together • Work way in between players, officials are back to back • Separate players, let go, but stay between • Use hands to chest to keep players apart, if necessary • Escort players to penalty bench or off the ice one at a time

6. Altercation Situations • Along the boards • Work from the same side of the altercation • Lead one arm top, one arm under, squeeze together • Work way in-between players, officials are back to back • Separate players, follow same procedures • Players fall to the ice • One official lays on top of players using all their weight • Other official works way in between players facing the player on the bottom • This is to protect the player on the bottom and to prevent the official from being hit in the face • Once the official is in between players, official on top works face to face with player on the top to move him off of the pile, maintaining balance and position • DO NOT GRAB PLAYER FROM BEHIND! • Once players are separated, follow same procedures

7. Multiple Altercations • Referee uses riot pad to record numbers and penalties • Enter most sever alterations first • Break up altercations one at a time • Take players to penalty bench immediately • Close penalty bench door after each player • Hustle back to the next most serious altercation • Follow process until all altercations have ended • Remove players from ice one team at a time