I saw this article while browsing around for hockey refereeing information. I thought it was very insightful, so I decided I’d share it here. It’s a two part article, but the “good” stuff (from the learning referee’s perspective) is on Part 2, printed below. Part 1 is interesting, too, from a storytelling point of view. If you want to see Part 1, go to the Tonawanda News page here. The referee writing is John Hopkins, who is an editor of the Tonawanda News in addition to an experienced amateur referee.
Source: Tonawanda News
I’ve spent 25 years — more than half my life — as an amateur hockey referee. It’s been a rewarding, but sometimes frustrating, experience. Last week I shared with you some stories from my time on the ice and explained some rule differences. Today, is part two and I’d like to begin with:
Six things all parents, coaches, spectators and players should know about USA Hockey referees:
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I saw an interview posted in the examiner, and thought I’d share it here. Even though the referee stays anonymous, there are still some great insights. A lot of what the referee says is exactly what I’m thinking when I’m in the center, but wouldn’t necessary admit (like the crowd having an effect on me, whether positive or negative)! The interview is posted below.
Source: The Examiner
An MLS Referee and Freddie Ljungberg at Qwest Field in Seattle
Do referees use atmosphere / crowd excitement to maintain adrenaline like players do?
MLS Referee: Oh, yes. The adrenaline starts to build during warm-ups and peaks in the tunnel, right before you march out with the teams. There is a lot to do in the tunnel leading up to that, like quickly checking the players uniforms, shin guards, jewelry, etc., and talking a bit with the key players and maybe the coaches to get a feel for how their mind-set is that day, so we are rushing to get that done. And then when we are ready, and we pause for the music to start, the adrenaline really kicks in. Qwest field is amazing that way – the rhythmic clapping to bring the teams on is outstanding, and the noise seems to keep you going all the way through the 90th minute and beyond. The crowd energy carries you and you really don’t feel tired until you hit the locker room. That’s when your body starts asking what you did to it.
What makes your job harder, and why?
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Think you have what it takes to be a judge?
Well, the point of this website is to help you get started as an official in any sport, right?
So here is the information I’ve found about becoming a Gymnastics Judge. It’s compiled from a few different sources. All of these sources can be found in the RefPlanet Resource Database (link takes you directly to the Gymnastics Section).
There are several Ratings for Judges: 5/6 (Compulsory), and ratings 7-10 which are optional (but higher in stature). One can earn a rating as a gymnastics official through a series of tests, both Written and Practical, administered under the auspices of the USA Gymnastics Judging Accreditation Program.
Contact your NAWGJ (National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges) State Judging Director for information about upcoming clinics, exams dates, etc. It is very helpful to attend a judges’ training clinic prior to taking judging tests. Contact information for 12 of the state directors can be found in the Resource Database (so far!).
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Middle School basketball players sporting dangerous scrunchies
While I understand that, as a referee, safety should always be a major concern (especially in youth competitions), I don’t really see what is so “unsafe” about a headscarf. And when I see the “safe” head attire of an NBA player like Chris Andersen, I wonder if a headscarf is all that bad!
By the way, in Soccer’s Laws of the Game, religious attire is specifically allowed, as long as it does not pose a danger to any player.
Source: NBC Washington
A seventh grade student was held out for a portion of a girls’ basketball league game because she was wearing a headscarf.
After a discussion, the young woman was allowed to reenter the second half of a Mid-Maryland Girls Jr. Basketball Association game on Saturday.
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Even though Roly Meates isn’t a referee, he makes some great points and has some good insights on what it takes to be an effective referee in the scrum – a complex and vital part of the game of rubgy that referees need to fully understand if they want to keep a game flowing and problem-free.
Irish Rugby Union Coach Roly Meates
Source: Irish Times
“The solution is ref classes with live scrumming – not just theory. At all levels I find an amazing variety of ability in controlling the scrum. This is nothing short of a scandal. Mr. Poite never packed down in a scrum and few on the IRB panel ever did
Time was, not so long ago, aficionados deemed the scrum had become too impotent. Now, perhaps, its effect on any given game and its outcome is becoming too profound, not least as so much of it is down to a referee’s interpretation on any given day.
Penalty tries, or at any rate three-pointers, are almost becoming the primary weapon of choice for some teams, such as Italy and Argentina, and a handy additional one for others. There were only five completed scrums in last week’s France-Scotland match yet it yielded a penalty try for France and had a seismic impact on the game’s ebb and flow, for a French crowd and team alike derive more psychic energy than most from such a punishing blow.
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NBA Vice President Stu Jackson announced the fine
Source: WVUE (New Orleans, LA)
NEW YORK (AP) – New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for verbal abuse of a game official following a loss to the New Jersey Nets.
NBA vice president Stu Jackson announced the fine on Friday.
Paul missed a shot late in regulation Wednesday night that gave New Jersey a chance to
force overtime, then turned the ball over with 19 seconds left and the Hornets trailing by two. His attempt at a buzzer-beating 3-pointer bounced out and New Orleans lost 103-101.
The four-time All-Star guard finished 4 for 15 from the field and turned the ball over seven times in the game. He said afterward that he felt “like this was my loss.”
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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