hockey officials gear

[avery16 5]

any tips to a referee doing his first three man as the refereE?

[laserrobottime 149]

Skate further out from the boards than you think and don't forget that you have to skate all the way to the goal line!

[avery16 5]

further then the dots?

[althoma1 575]

Yes, you'll want to go deeper than the faceoff dots. You didn't get taught the piston system when getting certified?

There are 3 main landmarks:

1. Home base - just off the boards half way between the hash marks and the goal line

2. Half Piston - half way between home base and the nearest goal post (generally the bottom of the circle right below the faceoff dot)

3. At the net

If the puck is on your side then you're at/near Home base. If it moves to the other side you should move to half piston and at the net if there's a scramble around the net.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I tape the mouthpiece because I can add tape to clean it easier than I can boil that nasty rubber cover.

Also, NEVER LEAVE THE MOUTHPIECE BARE. you will lose teeth, guaranteed.

How do you loose teeth if youre only wrapping around the mouthpiece like in leafer's photo? That part only touches your lips. Sorry, I'm just having trouble picturing how wrapping it would save your teeth.

Good point regarding the rubber bit, I didn't think about it actually needing to be cleaned :)

On another note, is there a significance for the orange or red arm bands? Does it matter? Personal preference? Dictated by region?

[laserrobottime 149]

I wrap a lot more than that in case I bite down on it when a player collides with me. I have a good quarter inch of tape around it.

Arm band color is a national federation thing. USA hockey is orange.

[althoma1 575]

The arm band colour can vary by region/association. I know in the Greater Toronto Area it's orange, but red is used in Ontario outside of the GTA.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I wrap a lot more than that in case I bite down on it when a player collides with me. I have a good quarter inch of tape around it.

Arm band color is a national federation thing. USA hockey is orange.

Ah, I didn't think about the possibility of biting down on it by accident. Okay, I'll do that to mine. I have the Fox40 and Acme Thunderer and still can't decide which I like better.

Thanks for the info re: arm bands. I don't think its likely I'll ever need them, but I was just curious.

What about sweater styles? Asking specifically about USA Hockey, is there anything saying you cant wear the NHL-style linesmen jerseys? What about the old style linesmen jerseys with the black mesh underarms? If they're permitted, are you likely to get chirped or weird looks for wearing them?

What about nameplates/number plates? Some of the ref stores online sell name/number patches. Are they permitted? Same question regarding weird looks also.

I'm really just asking out of curiousity. I already purchased my jersey :)

[leafer101993 2]

I have the Fox40 and Acme Thunderer and still can't decide which I like better.

+1 for the Thunderer here, used Fox40 since I started, switched to Thunderer this year, and I've yet to have it freeze and squeak like I did with my FOX40. A much more reliable whistle IMO.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

+1 for the Thunderer here, used Fox40 since I started, switched to Thunderer this year, and I've yet to have it freeze and squeak like I did with my FOX40. A much more reliable whistle IMO.

Well, if I can't decide which I like better, then I'll base it on your experience and go with the Thunderer. Thanks!

[althoma1 575]

I'll let someone else answer regarding USA hockey, but I can tell you how it works in Toronto:

The GTHL league (A, AA, AAA) requires name bars and does not allow vented jerseys to be used.

The North York Select league requires numbers and does not allow vented jerseys to be used.

House leagues prefer non-vented jerseys, but you can get away with a vented jersey there - they generally aren't too fussy. They also don't really care if you have a name bar or a number, but neither are a requirement for house league.

Some men's leagues (like the ASHL) have specific jerseys and others allow you to wear basically any jersey including the vented ones.

Personally, I wear a non-vented pro weight jersey with the GTHL league crest on the chest, the hockey Canada and OHF patches on the shoulders and a name bar on the back to ref GTHL tournaments, a couple local house leagues and select exhibition games. I also ref men's roller hockey and use a vented pro CCM jersey for that.

The basic rule of thumb around here is that vented is fine for house leagues and men's league, but not competitive hockey. I'm not sure if that also applies to USA hockey.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

any tips to a referee doing his first three man as the refereE?

IF you can help it, try to avoid bench side when play is progress. Obviously this is predicated on where the play is but it's tough to stay focused on the game when you are avoiding players during their line change(s) ha. Another thing, don't be afraid to use your linesmen. They are YOUR assistants. It seems that some officials get the bands and feel that it's their show. The best referees I've worked with were willing to hear my input on how the game is going. Linesmen really appreciate it when the bands pick their brains. Enjoy my friend.

[laserrobottime 149]

USA hockey doesn't allow vented arms at any development camp or national tournament. New NHL-style sweaters are not allowed by USA hockey at any level.

I wear a name plate in college and junior because it is required, but youth/high school in my state do not require it. I currently own 7 jerseys and actively use 9 crests for different leagues.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Thanks for the info!

[Apes44 7]

a good resource for USA hockey is the ask a ref on the usa hockey officials site. Some really interesting situations address.

http://www.usahockey.com/page/show/898353-ask-the-official

[laserrobottime 149]

further then the dots?

Don't skate further inside the rink than the dots, but skate closer to the dots than you usually do as a linesman. I line almost full time (85%, if I had to guess), so when I referee I tend to hang too close to the boards and cramp my linesmen!

[pisani34 10]

long time no posting on MSH, but i'm back and this thread is right up my alley.

i started reffing late night mens league to make a little extra cash, and to just put the skates on a few more times a week since my beer league team only plays once every week or so. The league was desperate for officials, so we didn't really get any training. There aren't any more clinics available for a while around here so it was kind of a "learn as you go" process for now. ive done 15 games now all the way from the lowest divs in the league up to the best, and have found it for the most part fine. It's always a 2-man system for this league, and the other ref in most situations has been nice enough to provide tips and what not.

The one thing i've had the most trouble with so far has been positioning, but it has definitely come around and i feel i'm alot better now. I will definitely keep in mind that "piston" positioning system, i think i already employ it but that'll definitely help when i'm the ref down low.

As far as equipment goes, i'm wearing the force pro pants, with a mission CSX girdle underneath, and the CCM M-Pro 150. Yesterday's game that i reffed was the first time i took a clearing attempt in the ribs, just above where the kidney flaps of my girdle sit. Stung quite a bit and have a nice welt to look at today lol. Does anyone here wear anything for the ribs? Padded shirt? i've even though of going with maybe a lacrosse rib-pad, maybe the RBK 5K. is that something that anyone has seen before for a ref to wear? or am i just not getting out of the way enough? one puck to the ribs was enough for me to consider some sort of padding there lol.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

LaserRobot would probably be the go-to guy but I'll get the ball rolling. For starters, you always want to be facing the puck. I'm not sure where you at in regards to the play but facing the puck allows you to keep your sightlines and improve your anticipation of play. Padded shirts seem to be more popular but it's really up to your discretion (especially for men's league).

For the forum: is there anyone who plays and/or officiates a men's league that runs a 3-official system? I'm fortunate that our area gives plenty of opportunities to work a 3 or 4-official system but that not always the case depending on one's location.

[pisani34 10]

LaserRobot would probably be the go-to guy but I'll get the ball rolling. For starters, you always want to be facing the puck. I'm not sure where you at in regards to the play but facing the puck allows you to keep your sightlines and improve your anticipation of play. Padded shirts seem to be more popular but it's really up to your discretion (especially for men's league).

For the forum: is there anyone who plays and/or officiates a men's league that runs a 3-official system? I'm fortunate that our area gives plenty of opportunities to work a 3 or 4-official system but that not always the case depending on one's location.

i've never seen a mens league around here run with a 3 official system.

as far as positioning goes, im always trying to be facing the play. i'm still really interested in trying a lacrosse style rib-pad though vs a padded shirt. i guess that still leaves the chest exposed but i feel like more often than not, on a dump in/clearing attempt while i'm trying to call the lines, i'll be facing sideways leaving the rib area exposed to errant pucks. especially true in the lower divs where the guys have their heads down trying to wire the puck at any cost. I've found various lacrosse rib pads for $30 and a good padded shirt would run me lots more than that up here, so, is it overkill or do i just need to toughen up LOL

[Stryker 37]

I've seen some guys use regular shoulder pads, but with the caps and bicep guards cut off. end up being like a chest protector for those times you cant get out of the way.

Also, the best tip is to BE VOCAL. Yell heads up to the guy trying to clear, or take a look, or anything to get him to notice you. Most of the time it will help them figure out not to shoot into your ribs.

Good luck, always nice to see more zebras out there

[pisani34 10]

I've seen some guys use regular shoulder pads, but with the caps and bicep guards cut off. end up being like a chest protector for those times you cant get out of the way.

Also, the best tip is to BE VOCAL. Yell heads up to the guy trying to clear, or take a look, or anything to get him to notice you. Most of the time it will help them figure out not to shoot into your ribs.

Good luck, always nice to see more zebras out there

awesome, thanks for the tip about being vocal. i didn't know if that was out of line with being "distracting" or something in the middle of a play. but when i think about it when i'm playing i wouldn't mind something like that so good tip.

actually yeah when i play i wear the bauer supreme classic shoulder pads, pretty minimal. it doesn't have to protect me from getting hit by a truck, but it would have been nice to at least have something there. that's 2 pucks that i've been hit with in the side with already, right around the elbow height. i guess i'll just have to go and see if the box lacrosse hip/rib pads even cover that area and how they'll work with the CSX girdle

[avery16 5]

does any mens league anywhere run a 3 man? seems like alot..

how many of you wear upper body protection? padded shirt or alternative?

[refstuff 0]

Always keep skating. Stopping and starting will wear you out quickly. Hockey Canada clinics suggest skating in "figure 8s" to keep your momentum and speed.

Don't know of any mens leagues that use a 3 man system and I have officiated in lots of them. CARHA (Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Assoc) specifies 2 man system in the rule book.

I have done 3 man system adult games for championship finals and for special event games.

As for upper body padding, Stevens Sportswear makes a padded vest. I use the Reebok RK7 roller hockey jersey when I'm lining. Very light and offers good protection without being to restrictive.

As for the whistle question.

I use the Acme Thunderer 477.58 1/2 model and use the small rubber tip from the Fox whistle. The Acme rubber that is supplied with the whistle is too bulky. The rubber tip saves you from chipping your teeth or cutting your tongue on the bare metal.

[Chadd 916]

does any mens league anywhere run a 3 man? seems like alot..

how many of you wear upper body protection? padded shirt or alternative?

WSI makes a couple nice padded products.

Stealth flex shield

Goalie Shirt

Stinger shirt

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I was in HockeyMonkey today and looked at the ref girdles. For some reason, I assumed they would be rigid like player girdles. I grabbed a pair of the Bauers and tried them on. Despite being wide and long in the legs due to having to try on an XL to fit over my gut, I found them very comfortable. And FAR better tailbone protection than the padded shorts I'd bought. So I grabbed them.