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Standard of Play and Standard of Play and Rules EmphasisRules Emphasis

Authored by Bill Spohn & Authored by Bill Spohn & Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.

Standard of Play and Rules EmphasisStandard of Play and Rules Emphasis

All these rule bases are applying a new All these rule bases are applying a new Standard of Play and Rules EmphasisStandard of Play and Rules Emphasis

SafetySafety

At the early levels of hockey the primary At the early levels of hockey the primary function of the officials is to promote a safe function of the officials is to promote a safe environment for the players by enforcing the environment for the players by enforcing the rules of the gamerules of the game

FairnessFairness

As the players and coaches gain experience they As the players and coaches gain experience they begin to push the limits in various areas to gain a begin to push the limits in various areas to gain a competitive advantagecompetitive advantage

At this point officiating begins to become more complex and judgment takes on a greater role in the job of officiating

IntegrityIntegrity

The officials are in charge of the integrity The officials are in charge of the integrity of the game by maintaining of the game by maintaining fairnessfairness for for the participants involved in the gamethe participants involved in the game

Officials are the messengers – not the creators of the new standard of play and rules emphasis

Skill and SpeedSkill and Speed

We have witnessed in NHL games an We have witnessed in NHL games an enhanced level in these two areas due to enhanced level in these two areas due to a diligent application of the new standard a diligent application of the new standard of play and rules emphasisof play and rules emphasis

Competitive AdvantageCompetitive Advantage

Officiating by the new standard of play is all Officiating by the new standard of play is all about recognizing when a player uses an illegal about recognizing when a player uses an illegal tactic to gain a tactic to gain a competitive advantagecompetitive advantage

Officiating is about seeing and reacting, Officiating is about seeing and reacting, notnot picking and choosingpicking and choosing

It is It is nono longer about making excuses for players longer about making excuses for players and basing penalties on the outcome – we now and basing penalties on the outcome – we now penalize the consequencespenalize the consequences

It is about calling penalties based on the It is about calling penalties based on the resultresult – not the degree of the result – not the degree of the result

OwnershipOwnershipIndividual leagues, Affiliates, USA Hockey, Individual leagues, Affiliates, USA Hockey, Instructors & Supervisors, Coaches, Instructors & Supervisors, Coaches, Officials, Players, Parents and Officials, Players, Parents and AdministratorsAdministrators

PatiencePatience

Stay the courseStay the course

Communication is the KeyCommunication is the Key

Clear, Concise, Simple and ConsistentClear, Concise, Simple and Consistent

Win over coaches, officials and parents Win over coaches, officials and parents to support the causeto support the cause

RequirementsRequirements

Support for officials and coaches that conformSupport for officials and coaches that conform

Work with officials and coaches who do not Work with officials and coaches who do not embrace the change in attitudeembrace the change in attitude

Remind officials that each game played sets the Remind officials that each game played sets the standard for the next crew. Don’t let down the standard for the next crew. Don’t let down the officiating team in your areaofficiating team in your area

Send the message that, doing what is asked Send the message that, doing what is asked of them is for the “Good of the Game”of them is for the “Good of the Game”

Official’s RoleOfficial’s Role

Break old habits

Let them play

Let the players decide the game

Put the whistle away

Only call it if it takes away a scoring opportunity

See it, react to it

Speed and skill must be rewarded, not eliminated

Don’t guess. Don’t over-react. Establish good sightlines

Motivate the changeand establish new ones

Do Not Waiver

Stay focused on the task

Everyone connected with the game must be committed to upholding the integrity of the game

Maintain the standard, do not allow it to erode

Keep in mind that some coaches will have a difficult time “un-teaching” many of the tactics that have been taught over the years

Show the USA Hockey Show the USA Hockey Standard of Play and Rules Standard of Play and Rules

Emphasis VideoEmphasis Video

SummarySummary

Always penalize any player who uses an Always penalize any player who uses an illegal tactic to gain a illegal tactic to gain a competitive advantagecompetitive advantage

No new playing rules – but a much stronger No new playing rules – but a much stronger emphasis on enforcing existing rulesemphasis on enforcing existing rules

The games will become much more The games will become much more enjoyable for all the participantsenjoyable for all the participants

It is about calling penalties based on the It is about calling penalties based on the resultresult – not the– not the degree degree of the resultof the result

SummarySummary

This standard is to be enforced at This standard is to be enforced at AllAll levels of levels of play and under play and under AllAll circumstances throughout circumstances throughout the gamethe game

Other infractions such as checking from behind, Other infractions such as checking from behind, contact to the head, high sticking, cross contact to the head, high sticking, cross checking and roughing must also be enforced checking and roughing must also be enforced to the strictest standardto the strictest standard

Players must be held accountable for all illegal Players must be held accountable for all illegal actions of an intimidating nature or that create a actions of an intimidating nature or that create a competitive advantagecompetitive advantage

Questions?Questions?

More information is More information is available at:available at:

www.usahockey.comwww.usahockey.com

USA Hockey OfficiatingUSA Hockey OfficiatingEducation ProgramEducation Program

Have A Great Season!Have A Great Season!

Authored by Bill Spohn & Authored by Bill Spohn & Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.Matt Leaf, USA Hockey, Inc.