Lesson #11: The head referee

by Stephen Lorimor / Axis of Stevil

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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.