Qualities of an Official

1. Qualities of an Official Goal of lection In order to assist new officials in improving their skills and performance, it is valuable to examine the qualities of successful officials. Although it is not strictly possible to make a formula for success, identifying the qualities of the most successful officials can provide a tool for the game official wanting to improve. The goal of this lection is to describe the different qualities, thus giving you as an official an idea of what and where improvements can be made and strengths made stronger.

2. Qualities of an Official Preface Remembering that for two equally successful officials it could be true, that what for one official constitutes a major strength for the other could be a major weakness, it is possible to identify areas or qualities that are important and deserve consideration for any official who wishes to progress to his highest potential.

3. Qualities of an Official Preface The key to success is then identified as the ability to maximize individual strengths while at the same time minimizing individual weaknesses. Should the different qualities receive the same emphasis? No – it is necessary to give each category a weight when filling out the officials “report card”.

4. Qualities of an Official Preface A common misconception when officials evaluate themselves and their colleagues is to focus on one or two qualities and make their assessment from those. It is entirely possible that an older and more experienced official who is beginning to find it harder and harder to keep up with the young canons physically, is still rated better than his younger and more fit colleagues due to his experience, attitude and “feel for the game”.

5. A perfect rating A perfect rating Can an official ever receive a perfect rating in a given quality? How? To achieve a perfect rating in one category, an official should demonstrate the highest level of skill of any official working at that level, thus receiving a perfect rating for that quality.

6. A perfect rating A perfect rating Let us use skating as an example. An official who rates outstanding in skating must be one of the best skaters at that particular level of officiating. All other officials working the same level would be measured against this bench mark. Better skaters officiating in a higher league or at a higher level however would not be taken into account. The key of the exercise, called supervision, is not to achieve perfect ratings in all areas, but rather to identify working areas for you as an official.

7. The supervisor The supervisor The supervisor is the perfect “coach” for this. He has a wide base of experience and will find it easy to rate you in each of the various categories. The supervisor is of course not your only option – a fellow official can help you identify the areas where you need to work as an official. The important fact is that “supervision” is not a mean to put you down, but a tool for you to develop. In many ways the supervisor works as your coach, helping you maximize the impact of your strengths and giving you tools to help you minimizing you weaknesses. Now let us look at the different qualities.

8. Knowledge of the rules Knowledge of the rules The knowledge of the rules is an area where all officials have an equal chance of excelling. • The IIHF Rule Book and Case book are – of course – an excellent tool for improving skills in this category • If a rule interpretation error is made during a game, the official would receive a failure in this category

9. Fitness Fitness Fitness refers to the physical conditioning of the official. • An official should maintain the same standard of training as the level of players he officiates • Officials in good physical conditioning have an advantage when earning respect with players and coaching staff • Ask yourselves the question “Can I skate as fast in the third period as I did in the first” – if the question is yes, then you are probably on the right track • Don’t overlook the fact that fatigue most likely will have a negative impact on an officials judgement skills

10. Appearance and presence Appearance and presence Appearance and presence start at the moment you enter the rink. • Make an effort to look sharp from the moment you arrive at the rink – it is “free points” in the respect game from players, coaching staff, fans, etc. When you enter the ice once again it is important to look crisp and ready for the task at hand. • Ensure that your equipment meets all regulations and that it is clean and pressed – again it is “free points” to be had – even before the game has started!

11. Appearance and presence Appearance and presence Presence is the way the official handles himself during the game. • Handle the situations professionally • Command respect through your actions • “Be there” from the first drop!

12. Skating ability Skating ability When evaluating skating skills many factors come into consideration: Speed, turning ability, stops, agility, acceleration, crossovers, fluidity, style and skating upright. • Again – the level of skating of the official should be directly linked to the level of play • Remember – everyone is capable of improvement! • If this is a weak point, then work on positioning and play prediction to minimize the impact

13. Signals Signals Signals are the official’s primary means of communication to players, fans and to the other officials on and off the ice. • Use the standard signals – don’t invent stuff • Always deliver signals clear and crisp – doing so will give you an appearance of confidence and competence. • Understand the importance of signals – your body “talks” during all 60 min.

14. Procedures Procedures Procedures are tools developed for the officials to use on ice. • Some common procedures for the referee are: “Line changing”, “penalty procedure” and “altercation procedure” • Likewise the linesmen have procedures for off-side, clearing the zone, reporting infractions to the referee, etc. • Learn the procedures – they can be a backbone to fall back upon

15. Attitude Attitude Attitude is essential to development as both a human being and an official. People who display a positive attitude tend to develop more quickly. • On the ice show hustle, determination and enthusiasm • No game is beneath you! • Give 100 percent no matter what level – the players are doing the same • Off the ice think about your attitude towards other officials, to people around the rink coming to the game, etc. • If you don’t feel like doing a game and giving it 100 percent – then you have no place being there • Remember the “Law of Return” – give 100 percent and look like you mean it – then the players will give you the same attitude

16. Reaction to pressure Reaction to pressure It is not every game where this quality can be evaluated. When in a difficult game and perhaps caught in a no-win situation – how will the official then react? • It is important to have courage – dare to make the tough call! • Having courage to do so will earn you respect from the teams eventually • Take charge in the tough spots and sell you decisions • Use the tools available to develop this skill

17. Rapport Rapport Having a good rapport with the players and coaches will give you an advantage when things get tough • A friendly respectful attitude will bring you a long way • Humour is great – if you know how and when to use it! • Never become “one of the guys” – maintain your professional “distance” • Admit when you made an obvious mistake – fair and simple

18. Communication Communication Verbal communication is a very important aspect of officiating. • Talk to the players during play • NEVER loose control of your words – if players or coaches uses profanity against you – deal with it according to the rule book • Talking back to an agitated player seldom (never) solves anything • Treat disrespect with respect

19. Feel for the game (penalty selection) Feel for the game (penalty selection) This quality is difficult to define exactly, but one of the most important aspects of good officiating. • The ability to know when to call what • Walking the thin red line • Skill will develop with experience • Bad calls are not “feel for the game” – they are just bad calls!

20. Judgement/Consistency/Standard Judgement/Consistency/Standard Judgement is the quality of drawing the line. • Is the official calling the right penalties? • Does the official adhere to making the game safer? Consistency is the quality to follow the line that the official drew with his judgement skills. • Regardless of where the line was drawn – is the official consistent in his calls? • The ideal is that a hooking infraction in 04.34 in the first period should also be called if the score is 2-2 and the time 59.20 in the third

21. Judgement/Consistency/Standard Judgement/Consistency/Standard Standard is the quality to maintain or raise the standard of rule enforcement. • Did the official set a good standard from the start of the game? • Is the official following the IIHF Rules Emphasis Bulletins?

22. Teamwork Teamwork Teamwork is also an important thing in the day to day life of a game official • If the teamwork is solid, then all three officials will come out better • If you are working with a new team, then be sure to cover procedures, signalling methods and rule interpretations in the dressing room before the game

23. Summation Summation Ratings The supervisor Qualities How to proceed from here?