Lesson #11: The head referee¶
by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil
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.