Some questions about reffing

[mxihockey 0]

I'm thinking about taking a seminar here in MA so I can become a Referee, but have some questions.

1. I'm 15, 16 in September, am I old enough to Ref?

2. How do you get games? Do you have to go around calling different leagues?

3. During the school year I could only work on Sundays(I go to a prep school) is this ok?

4. If they just put you on a schedule could I ask to only ref mite games? (I don't want to deal with crazy parents)

5. How is the pay? I assume you get payed more the higher level you are.

Thanks.

[sabby47 2]

I'm thinking about taking a seminar here in MA so I can become a Referee, but have some questions.

1. I'm 15, 16 in September, am I old enough to Ref?

2. How do you get games? Do you have to go around calling different leagues?

3. During the school year I could only work on Sundays(I go to a prep school) is this ok?

4. If they just put you on a schedule could I ask to only ref mite games? (I don't want to deal with crazy parents)

5. How is the pay? I assume you get payed more the higher level you are.

Thanks.

Not sure that I remember entirely correctly but I believe you can ref your age group or up to the group below it. As far as getting games... here that is set up through one of the head refs but I know other places have their hockey directors/league coordinators schedule refs. With your schedule and wanting to only ref certain ages, that's something you should talk to with whomever schedules games. This is what I found off the Mass Hockey web page for rates: http://www.masshockey.com/Referee/PDF/Rates.pdf

Try getting in contact with the supervisor in your area and they should be able to answer your questions http://www.masshockey.com/Referee/Supervisors/

[Michael9 57]

1- yes you are old enough, I have been a ref since I was 13.

2- The head referee will assign you games

3-It shouldn't be a problem if you tell your head referee in advance

4- When you start out, you will probabley only get mite games anyway, usaually the newer refs get the younger kids anyway until they gain enough expierence

5- Pay isn't great, you have to actually like doing it, because it won't pay the bills very much

This is how it works for Hockey Quebec, it could be different depending on what province/state you live in

[mxihockey 0]

Awesome thanks guys. I'm definitely going to do the seminar.

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

I have been Reffing for 10 years, so if you don't mind, here are some tips:

1. No matter what ANYONE says, the two most important things are Appearence, and positioning. If you look like a jerkoff, that's what people will think. You could be the best ref since Mick McGeough, people will judge you on your appearance.

You ALWAYS need to be in the correct position. Our game of hockey moves so quickly, being out of position can cause you to either miss calls, or make poor calls. It doesn't matter if you are not a great skater, being in position will solve that.

2. Always treat players with respect, and if you make a bad call, don't be afraid to say so. If you sit someone for two, and you realize it was a bad call, come to him later in the game and apologize. They will respect you more than the zebra who thinks he is God and is always right, no matter what.

3. Other refs will tell you never to sell out your partner, and thats right.... to an extent. If your partner makes an awful call, and someone is griping to you, play it off. If you insist it was the right call, they will lose respect for you as well. Be apologetic for him. Tell the guy that maybe he had a different angle, or even joke about it. I used to say that my partner was Tim Donaghy's cousin and was shaving points.

4. Always study the rule book, especially the most obscure rules. You never know what will come up during your next shift.

5. Expect to make mistakes, but be ready to learn from them.

and finally...

6. When being yelled at by coaches, be civil but firm. If coaches see they can abuse you, they will never stop. Don't be afraid to toss a coach should it be warranted, but ONLY when necessary.

[Chadd 916]

4. If they just put you on a schedule could I ask to only ref mite games? (I don't want to deal with crazy parents)

You will deal with insane parents and/or coaches at every level, even mites.

[moose77 0]

4. If they just put you on a schedule could I ask to only ref mite games? (I don't want to deal with crazy parents)

You will deal with insane parents and/or coaches at every level, even mites.

Amen to that! Plus the fact that at the Mite level, many of the parents and a lot of the coaches aren't fully aware of all the rules of hockey. On another website's message board, one of the moderators (who happens to live in Arkansas of all places) has mentioned parents going off on him for not signalling a goal because the puck "broke the plane of the goal line" even though it didn't completely go over the line.