Lesson #11: The head referee ============================ *by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil* `Watch this lesson on YouTube `_ Last updated: January 21, 2018 Duties (pre- and post-game) --------------------------- - Conducts pre-game and halftime officials’ meetings - Meets with the captains prior to the game and at halftime. - Re-assigns referee positions as necessary (ex; official becomes injured, doesn’t show up, etc.) - In conjunction with the head NSO, verifies that NSO positions are adequately staffed. - Confirms the EMTs are present. Discusses an emergency action plan with them. - Confirms the track is correctly set up. - Provides verbal feedback to referees and NSOs - Fills out certification evaluations for crew members when requested or appropriate - Signs IGRF (sanctioned games only) Duties (during a game) ---------------------- - Monitors the penalty queue. Sends skaters in the queue to the box as space allows. - Manages official reviews - Seeks consensus among the referee staff, but serves as final arbiter of the game - Ensures accuracy of the score and game clocks - Enforces and oversees skater expulsions - The head referee is the only person with authority to expel a skater, coach, or team staff member from the game. - Re-assigns officials if they are unable to perform or poorly performing their duties. - Remain calm and professional at all times. - True for all officials, double-true for head referees. Duties (league) --------------- - Supervises the league’s referee staff - Recruitment, training, assessment, retention, conflict resolution, etc. - Assists the coaching staff and team captain with rules training for skaters - Assists the head NSO with rules training for the NSO staff - Coordinates scheduling of the referee staff for games and scrimmages - Communicates in advance the schedule, assignments, expectations, dress code, etc. to participating referees - Serves as an officiating liaison to the league administration Don't forget... --------------- - Not all game head referees are league head referees (and vice-versa). - A game head referee traditionally serves as rear IPR (common) or front IPR (less common). - The head referee should have an exceptional mastery of the game’s rules. The rules do not allow the head referee to invent, ignore, or alter existing rules.