Interacting with On-Ice Officials in Adult League

[Chadd 916]

I never had it happen to me when reffing but if a guy ever refused to get in the box then his night would be over. I'm sure it is in the rulebook somewhere but I can't remember if it is a 10 minute misconduct or the gate.

Scorer75 already posted the process:

There rulebook clearly states how to deal with that and it works. Here is the sequence:

Minor, misconduct, game misconduct, warning to the Captain, 15 seconds to comply, bench minor penalty, warning to the captain, 15 seconds to comply, suspension of game with a match penalty to the offending player.

[hunt3rsean 44]

For those of you who are officials. . .how do you feel/deal with the guy who feels taken advantage of with a penalty and just opts to leave the game on his own? I've seen this happen a couple times in the league I play in. Not sure I could ever get so mad about a call that I decide to just leave the game on my own.

[Chadd 916]

For those of you who are officials. . .how do you feel/deal with the guy who feels taken advantage of with a penalty and just opts to leave the game on his own? I've seen this happen a couple times in the league I play in. Not sure I could ever get so mad about a call that I decide to just leave the game on my own.

I'd rather have him in the locker room than in the box if he's that upset. Someone is still going to serve the penalty though.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

For those of you who are officials. . .how do you feel/deal with the guy who feels taken advantage of with a penalty and just opts to leave the game on his own? I've seen this happen a couple times in the league I play in. Not sure I could ever get so mad about a call that I decide to just leave the game on my own.

I left once for a non-call, but that was more because they had moved my team up a division... and that division was REALLY dirty compared to the one we had previously been in. I just had had enough, left, and found a new league.

I guess that's not really all that related to your question, but still a similar idea.

[hunt3rsean 44]

I'd rather have him in the locker room than in the box if he's that upset. Someone is still going to serve the penalty though.

Kind of my thinking, but was curious to others thoughts on it. Each time the other team did have to sit someone in the box.

I left once for a non-call, but that was more because they had moved my team up a division... and that division was REALLY dirty compared to the one we had previously been in. I just had had enough, left, and found a new league.

I guess that's not really all that related to your question, but still a similar idea.

You're instance could be related I suppose. I've never gone and asked that player why he left, but am assuming why because every time it's happened it's because they were going to the box for one reason or another. Could happen for the opposite reason that calls were not getting made, play was getting dangerous, and you chose not to participate.

[pittu 15]

We had that happen twice..Once the guy was pizzed and left in a huff. The other time, the offender hurt his arm on the play and just skated to the exit and called it quits. I served his penalty :-(

[IPv6Freely 2092]

You're instance could be related I suppose. I've never gone and asked that player why he left, but am assuming why because every time it's happened it's because they were going to the box for one reason or another. Could happen for the opposite reason that calls were not getting made, play was getting dangerous, and you chose not to participate.

Exactly spot on.

[shooter27 116]

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Officials have final say. If you come up to one and talk man-to-man (woman-to-man, etc.), it's rare that an official will 'T' you up. Arguing with the stripes is a losing cause yet you see many players lose sight of that in the heat of the moment. I try to players the same way I want to be treated when I'm playing. It has helped my on-ice communication.

[Chadd 916]

One of the guys working my game tonight asked why I switched to a cage. It was a nice, positive bit of interaction initiated by the ref. His partner blew a call later in the game, called me for a trip when I lifted a stick on a guy and he fell down. I told him what happened on the way to the box and when he tried to bullshit me I just laughed and went to the box. He was out of position and didn't see what happened, these things happen.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

No doubt. When I blow a call, I'll admit it. The player(s) maybe initially pissed but most are reasonable and understand, like Chadd said, that 'these things happen.' No need to have an ego while wearing the stripes. Humility goes a long way.

[Law Goalie 147]

I've always used a simple code for interacting with refs. Once I've got a whistle, I'll either flip the puck to the ref as he approaches, so he can just keep gliding right on over to the dot, or, if I want to talk to him for a second, I'll just hang onto it and have a word as he fishes it out of my glove. I've only met a few zebras in the wild who didn't know this code already, and those who didn't figured it out almost immediately. It's a great way to have a quick word with a ref *without* drawing attention to the fact that you're doing it, that is, without embarrassing the ref by voicing your displeasure publicly. In fact, I've sort of assumed de facto captaincy on some teams in the past; other players come to me during breaks in play, say, for instance, "7's getting his stick up a lot," and then letting me tell it to the ref: "7's carrying his stick around his eyebrows, and he's clipped a couple of my guys already." Apart from those benefits, most refs instinctively understand that the two people closest to sharing their perspective on the ice, as largely inactive but constantly prepared participants, are the goalies, so they're often more willing to listen.

[IniNew 53]

But if you know what it looked like -- and the important issue is what it looked like from his angle -- why are you bothering to ask him what you did wrong?

I was always a "player's ref," willing to talk and explain why I called something ("Sorry, but that's what it looked like from my angle") or why I didn't ("Sorry, but I was following the puck and didn't see what happened to you"). Yet the part that always got/gets/will get me is why players don't own up to their actions. I'd feel like saying, "Jesus, you swung for the fences and connected with the other guy! Why are you even asking me what you did wrong?!?"

I tend to be like that myself. The downside is--when your partner isn't, you get all the lip service from everyone. It almost makes it unbearable week-in and week-out to be the guy they all complain to.

[tareatingrat 4]

My parents used to tell me "You don't have to respect the person, but you do have to respect the position that they hold" whenever I complained about a teacher or boss. Beyond that, I agree with your other comment. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove they don't deserve it.

Yeah, I'll concede that. Maybe it sounds like I just hate all refs automatically. Everyone gets a clean slate each game, but you can definitely see a pattern emerge with some refs, and I will not put up with a paid official not doing his job.

His partner blew a call later in the game, called me for a trip when I lifted a stick on a guy and he fell down. I told him what happened on the way to the box and when he tried to bullshit me I just laughed and went to the box. He was out of position and didn't see what happened, these things happen.

I've received extra penalties for laughing on the way to the box. That's asinine, and part of my issue with referee sensitivity.

Things happen, sure. Penalties happen. And I do find that if a ref makes a questionable call, they kind of know it, and if there's another close call later in the game, they even it up. I'm okay with that, it's hockey.

Maybe what it all boils down to is that I don't like shitty people refereeing. But I just don't like shitty people.

[Lee-Bro 1]

I'm sure everyone has seen this:

My favorite part starts at 14:50.

[Speedz98 15]

I think too many adult league refs show up just to collect a pay check. They don't understand that if they don't make calls the game get's dangerous and out of hand.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

That is a huge (and all too common) problem. Especially when you have an assignor bring in his boys to work a certain league(s). The fact that I still play helps me to officiate the way I'd want to be officiated as a player. It goes a long way.

[sabby47 2]

Having been a ref before I think I have a lot of tolerance for them and often find myself explaining their stance/the rules to my teammates. I think everyone should ref at least a couple times in their life, as it would make people see how much room there is for error and how fast you have to think while you're out there. It also makes you a better player and have more awareness as to what's going on (delayed OS, icing, delayed penalties, the rules.... ). As far as communication, I go back to the golden rule of treating people the way you would like to be treated. If someone was to come up to you yelling, swearing, and telling you what an idiot you are, you probably wouldn't want to interact with that person either,(unsportsmanlike). I'd like to think that the majority of refs are out there because they want to be a part of the game in a different role and truly put solid effort into growing as a ref. The ones that coast through a game, have an ego trip or hold grudges more than ruin it for the ones who are out there to be an unbiased mediator. After awhile you become familiar with the refs in your league and should have a good idea as to what you can and can't get away with/what they will put up with. I still feel like it's very difficult to be a ref and I really can't say I ever enjoyed it, mostly due to crazy parents. If you think about it, as a player there is tons of room for growth and there are often plently of clinics you can take yr round that will help you become a better player in all aspects of your game. Refs get a rule book to study and can only learn by hands on experience. If you're lucky you'll also have a couple rating sessions a yr with a mentor official, but that's it. Just something to consider.

[Chadd 916]

I think too many adult league refs show up just to collect a pay check. They don't understand that if they don't make calls the game get's dangerous and out of hand.

We had two of those guys tonight and it was a really ugly game. The worst part is that I warned them before the game and they were letting stuff go that I would have called at least a major penalty, if not a match. Butt ending, spearing and I absolutely destroyed a guy with a body check that would have required a video response from Shanny.

[wrangler 157]

I'm sure everyone has seen this:

My favorite part starts at 14:50.

Not exactly the same level as the topic, but thanks. I'd never seen that, and I really like it. And not just because Sharp won the shootout.

[hunt3rsean 44]

We played a team last week who has a notorious hot head play for them. He is one of those guys who is really cool off the rink, but as soon as he steps on the ice takes everything personally. Just some physical board play or something minor will set him off. I talked to the refs prior to puck drop about him and explained that, when we play them, he tends to elevate rather quickly. Sometimes, depending on who is officiating for our league, I get a shoulder shrug or I get an "okay, but we have to watch your guys too." Which is totally cool with me if that's what they are going to do. That's how it should be. Any rate, the guy gets angry and dumps the smallest player on our team in the neutral zone because he "thinks" he whacked him in their zone. Refs see it and give him a minor. Immediately he begins mouthing off and they give him a 10. This time...it shut him up and he calmed down. I've seen him continue to jaw and get ejected. Definitely appreciated the quick action by the refs and I like to think that my talking to them before helped them take notice.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

I've never seen that video. Love it. Always love hearing the chatting between ref and players during a game.

[chippa13 1844]

The best tidbit for budding referees was where McReary was telling the other ref before the game that if there were any scrums that they wouldn't just match them up. It makes teams think twice about hitting a scrum if it might get them short. My favorite line when reffing if a little shoving match broke out, "Next shot gets the extra." Leaving things even after a scrum is a sure fire way for a game to escalate.

[Chadd 916]

It's funny, McCreary gets personal and borders on insulting some of the guys. Now, he may know that it's the only way to get through to those particular guys, but it is exactly the type of thing they teach you not to do.

[chippa13 1844]

Just made me think of a funny story from my first year in Bantams (13-15 year olds). We were getting beat pretty bad and one of our centers drifts in for a faceoff and mutters, "You suck ref!" The ref comes right back with, "Your whole team sucks." So our kid hauls back and glove punches the ref. Best 30 day suspension I've ever seen.