Becoming an official

Courtesy of: HockeyRefs.Com

So you want to start officiating, but have no clue where to begin? We have put together a comprehensive guide to becoming an official.

Step 1 - Contact your local minor or youth hockey association
Once you reach your local minor or youth hockey association, ask them how you can reach their Referee-in-Chief (RIC) or Supervisor of Officials. They should be able to provide you with a telephone number of someone involved in the local officiating program.

Step 2 - Contact the RIC
Don't put it off; make contact with the RIC immediately. When you are able to make contact explain to him or her that, you would like to start officiating in the local association and would like to know when the beginner clinic for the area is held.

Step 3 - Attend the Clinic
You will most likely be required to attend an all day beginner clinic where you will learn the basics of officiating both inside a classroom and on the ice. Make sure to come prepared with a pen and notebook along with any other required items such as money for registering or equipment for the on-ice session(s).

Once at the clinic, you will generally fill out some paperwork such as a registration form or insurance information. If you're a teenager check with the person in charge of the clinic if you need mom or dad to sign any paperwork for you.

During the clinic, you may be required to take an open or closed book exam. Take your time and feel free to ask plenty of questions - the only dumb question is the one not asked.

As mentioned above you will most likely be required to attend an on-ice session that might last anywhere from a half hour to two hours. During this session, you will work on basics of skating, on-ice positioning, and procedures. After officiating a few games the skating, positioning, and procedures will become easier and you can work on perfecting them over time.

Step 4 - Ask about equipment
As a novice official you will find yourself working many low-level games, so there's no need to go out and purchase something that you won't need. So before the clinic is over ask the instructor(s) if he or she knows of anyone with some used gear for sale. You will mind many senior officials have collected a wealth of old gear and are looking to get rid of it. Your local association might even have some loaner sweaters or helmets.

Step 5 - Ask about games
Before the clinic is over, ask how you go about getting games in your local area once your are completely registered and certified. Most places require you to attend a scheduling meeting or send your available dates to the supervisor once a month.

Step 6 - Don't get discouraged
Remember this is only your first season as official. You might not receive many games and the games you will receive are probably going to be at the lowest levels of hockey. When you work these games remember what it was like to be their age and playing - each game is important to those kids.

As an official, you will need to develop the ability to block out the negative criticism. If you're looking for a job where people are going to be happy with you each and every game, then you might want to re-consider officiating. You can't expect to go out there and make friends with everyone.

During the season don't be afraid to ask more experienced officials questions. The best ways to learn and develop as an official is watch and ask those with more experience than you. You should consider helping out at tournament or playoff time as an off-ice official running the clock or keeping score. This is an excellent way to learn from those with more experience than you.

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