Referee Responsibilities

Pre-Game Responsibilities

• Skate the rink to look for broken pieces of skates, tape, rocks or too much dirt in corners.
• Check boards and fencing to make sure no part is broken and dangerous for play.
• Check nets for large holes, if there are, grab zip ties from bin to fix holes.
• If any of the above are not able to be fixed prior to the game, please contact the league President (Tim: 310-000-0000) or another board member immediately.

Game Time Responsibilities

• Keep ALL attention on the game. Talking to friends, parents, etc. during game time is not allowed.
• Introduce yourselves to the coaches.

• Remind players of good sportsmanship (i.e. no cursing, no slamming sticks in anger, etc.).
• Mouthpieces must be in use when on the rink at ALL times.
• All helmet straps must be strapped up at ALL times.

Check for all required equipment (Mandatory):

• Helmet with Regulation Cage
• Chin Strap Attached
• Helmet Strap with Working Snaps
• Mouth Piece
• Elbow Pads
• Knee Pads
• Gloves
• Complete Set of Wheels on Skates
• Cup (Ask Player - Physical Check Not Needed)

Rink Positioning

Starting The Game

At the start of each game and period, the official conducting the face-off will stand at center ice facing the timekeeper. His/her partner will be in a position directly across from the official conducting the face-off and must be prepared to move in either direction once the puck is dropped. Unlike the linesmen in the three-official system, the officials in the two-official system will continually switch ends according to the play.

Positioning During Play

When play leaves the neutral zone and enters an attacking zone, the free official must hustle to be at the proper blue line position prior to the play. Once the call has been made at the blue line, the front official skates into the zone to assume the goal line position (referee in three-official system). The back official will skate up and assume the position just outside the blue line (linesman in the three-official system).

As a general rule of thumb, the deep official will be responsible for watching the entire play and will stop play for goals or if the puck is frozen by the goalkeeper. The back official will be responsible for calling off-sides and will also watch play in front of the goal and players away from the play or farthest away from the deep official.

Calling Penalties:

• Blow your whistle loudly!
• You are the authorities on the rink, if you feel it is a penalty, you make the call and stick with it.
• When a penalty is called, immediately and deliberately put your non-whistle arm in the air to signal a penalty and do not drop it.
• When to blow the whistle:
  • Delayed - If the penalty occurs by a defensive player, your hand will stay up, but the whistle will not be blown until the defensive team gains control of the puck.
  • Immediate - Hand goes up and whistle is blown immediately if an offensive player causes the penalty.
• Automatic penalties whether incidental (accidental) or intentional: checking, roughing, hooking, slashing, high sticking, and tripping.
• Immediately game stoppage: Blow the whistle immediately if a helmet comes off any player during play. Player must return to bench until issue is fixed.

Misconduct 

Any coach player or parent being disrespectful or using foul language

• 1^st time - give a bench warning to the team (which either the players and/or coach are responsible)
• 2^nd time - Minor penalty
• If it continues, continue to give bench penalties to the team. If that doesn’t stop the issue, please notify the President of the board or another board member immediately.  

Referee Call/Hand Signal Guide