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Although there have been recent posts and arguements about body checking, after this weekends games it is evident that Refs need to update their knowledge and understanding of the game. Body checking is a part of the game but not ALL checks are clean and I’m not sure if the refs from the weekend know but hitting from behind is actually very dangerous and usually is penalized with a 10 min major or a game misconduct. I think that it should be manditory for all refs to take a course on proper and improper body contact. You are getting paid to do a job and I’m not sure if it’s just me but, I would like to see you do it properly.
I think the problem is, marc, that down here we referees don’t get to ref a lot of contact games so when we do our judgement isn’t what it could be. its a lot easier to criticise the referees than it is to actually referee. to make the call is a lot harder than it seems because as a ref you are always second guessing yourself. especially if players in the game are yelling at you and especially of the game is a lot faster than any the said refs normally referee. so if we add these elements together its not as easy as it seems. Phil Collins once said “We always need to hear both sides of the story”
But yes you are right, it happened a lot over the weekend, different players from different teams and a lot of it was dangerous while some of it seemed more dangerous than it actually was. Its a hard one to pick. I gave Dane a 10 minute misconduct for hitting from behind, both him and his team felt like that was too strong a call given the circumstances. But in my view it was the right decision. It is difficult because there is a lot of pushing from behind as well as hitting and its hard to draw the line between the two.
Yes our referees should be doing a better job given that they are getting paid quite well but you ask michael mitchell about how easy it is to get referees to cover all the games we have in Dunedin, the high schools, the DIHL and add to that southern and it gets a lot more difficult, i think that was about 15 games this week maybe more. it would be great if all our refs were up to the standard they should be but its not going to happen as all our refs have many other things happening in there lives, to much to worry about going to a cousre on body checking anyway, i know i wouldnt go
its a valid complaint but experience in reffing those games is whats needed and I totally agree with Blake I bet theres not many referees that would critcise another ref in Dunedin (unless it behind there back of course) cause they know what its like to out there doing it.
lead with only your hip and/or shoulders and keep your stick on the ice. You then won’t get dinged for a bad check unless to are hitting them in the numbers.
And I totally agree I understand reffing is hard and it sucks being in between two teams screaming at you. What I believe though is that the referee’s role is to establish a sense of security and fairness on the ice. No matter what there are always going to be players and coaches complaining about the calls it happens in peewee up to the NHL the difference though is when you feel as though a call should be made because something is unsafe… Then make the call. I would rather have a shitty call about a good clean hit then have no call from potentially dangerous/life threatening hits. Anyways I appreciate taking the time to explain both sides and I’ll keep that in mind.
Cheers.
For what it’s worth, the level of refereeing in Dunedin has skyrocketed since 2005. It used to be just the occasional random player who decided they wanted a few bucks. They didn’t seem to care about the rules and enforced whatever they felt like. It was appalling. Thankfully the standard has shot up significantly since then and many of the referees seem to take a lot of pride in the job they do.
They also seem to quite openly admin that they need more experience, which is a nice change from the past. I recall trying to politely bring up the issue of refereeing standards in the past and being told that there was nothing wrong with the standard and that they had no intention of changing their ways! Thankfully a bunch of new people stepped up to the plate and took charge.
The (nearly) complete lack of full-contact hockey played here really doesn’t help the situation with checking unfortunately.
Hey,
I’m not going to go back over Sunday’s game, it was a rough game for everyone I didn’t enjoy it very much. I’ve emailed Marc and Blake about it.
If you think you can do a better job however…
The NZ Ice Hockey Federation Referee-in-chief will be conducting referee training on Saturday 20 June during the day (Thunder are playing that evening). People who complete the course will get their Level 1 referee certificate, which enables them to referee all our local games.
The DIHA is always looking for more referees, and once the course is completed you’ll be brought up to speed with a couple of practice games and then have the opportunity to work DIHL, high schools, club night, etc games, and then on to referee at Nationals and potentially National League games.
Learning to referee you will learn more about the rules in a few months than you’ve learnt in years of playing, and will also have a greater understanding of the game. You’ll be able to contribute back to the sport and earn money at the same time.
If you’re interested contact our referee-in-chief, Michael on referees@dunedinicehockey.hellyer.kiwi.
A couple weeks ago, Janos and I were coaching some kids and then when discovered no refs were coming for the upcoming game, we were forced into service. Janos being a former member of the Hungarian national team, who were in the IIHF top division this year took the lead role. I have played hockey since 1986 at various levels and I think I know the rules and game well. To put it bluntly, we sucked! We quickly realized we sucked and never really thought we would be anything but sucky. It’s a whole different ball game.
I would be awesome officiating from the sidelines but once on the ice, it goes pear shaped. So those who willingly choose to take up officiating realizing they will suck for a while and get yelled at in the process, get a thumbs up from me. Improvement should always be sought and I think most refs do try. Mistakes are made but its not from lack of effort. Practice takes time.
My first contact game that I did was was Dunedin juniors against Alexandra juniors, couple of years ago. The Dunedin Juniors coach had them coming out hitting anything near the puck. I was having trouble telling which was a big hit, and which was a bad hit. Sent off a Dunedin player for pushing me away when I separated him from an opposition player that he’d come up swinging at (first contact game, first game misconduct given out, it was an exciting day).
It was then that I realised that if a player has a bad game, they can be benched, a goalie can be pulled, and a coach can go sit in the stands.
Referees, all they can do is try and get to the end of the game as best they can.
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