Harrison - HS Girls - 1/28/10

0:20 - Skate into the zone as the back official - take 3 hard strides - battle for the first 10 feet you skate - impress everyone with your "first-step speed"
2:30 - Work the goal line by going to home base and to the end wall -- try to avoid going too close behind the net, unless you observing the goal line and a potential goal
9:00 - Battle the first 10 feet again - show off your "gusto" when you are the back official in the 2 official system or when you are a linesman in the 1-2 or 2-1 systems.



1:45 - Another example of you going too far behind the net on your goal line positioning.
5:25 - I talk about "Common people doing common things uncommonly well."  That's what being an elite level official is all about -- you do all of the little things really, really well.  There is no secret other than that -- be exceptional on your awareness...be exceptional on your hustle (positioning)...be exceptional on your skating mechanics.  Be a common person doing common things uncommonly well! (Rick Looker wanted another [R.H. Peters] reference in one of my blogs -- there it is...he quoted the "common people" line all the time :)

9:00 - Working the 2 official system is more effective if you hold the end zone blue line a bit more and then trail play as it heads up ice.  You don't always have to be in front of the play, skating backwards as it heads up ice.  That would be ideal everytime, but I have seen refs get into trouble with leaving lines too early to do that very same thing of beating play to the far blue line....be OK to trail play (not 10-15 feet, like the 1-2 system) at a short distance as it heads up ice.



0:45 -  The "Do-Si-Do" penalty = good call.
1:52 - A tripping penalty call with great penalty cadence - BUT...keep your eye on all 40 players at all times = 3 P's.
3:45 - Once again, I talk about trailing play...you are too far off the end zone blue line.
8:50 -  Example of skating up the ice as back official on the icing -- don't do what 95% of the officials out there do...do what is exceptional...do the 'common things uncommonly well'.

Shadiow - NCAA Women's Lines - 1/22/10

3:30 -  Good example of a long hold on a wash out signal
4:15 -  "Mr. Drifter" - be careful drifting off the wall to make a line call - stay near the boards.
6:15 -  Great example of busting for the last 10 feet!!



2:00 - Coming out of the end zone on a end zone face off - Wheel out of there like you are Jay Sharrers -- like Jay Sharrers on fire!
6:50 -  Be One Level Up of What Level You are Working - Always treat the game like it is more serious, meaning bringing a more serious effort/concentration (e.g. peewee game is a bantam A game -- a high school game is a WCHA game -- a WCHA game is the tryout for the Winter Olympics!)



3:20 - I talk for about  5 minutes of what it means to be "Beast-Like" as an official.
8:30 -  Keep awareness up at all times, whether the game dictates that or not.
9:45 - Example of what a stride looks like that has been trained on a treadmill (I am telling you, there is a NOTICEABLE difference).

D. Glur - Ref Jr. Gold - 1/20/10

0:00 - The new "Zip Your Pants" penalty - everybody review this one, please.
4:00 -  An example of great penalty cadence, 3 P's, and awareness (you are in charge of watching all 40 players)
7:00 - Example of not capturing the zone - you're 100 feet from play.
8:45 - I talk about the "Dave Hansen Rip" (<-- check out the box scores for the Badgers - that's talent!)



0:00 - I give a run down of notes from the 1st period
3:00 - 5:00 - I review an interference call and talk a lot about "seeing the penalty" aka "getting good sight lines"
5:00 - 7:00 - Talk about taking 'snapshots' all over the ice - doing 'color checks' of blue and white jerseys
8:00 ish - Talk about how to handle clock operator errors



0:00 - 10:00 - I do a WHOLE lot of talking about "seeing the penalties" - working for sight lines - "WORK THE CHECK" (also talk about your helmet being tipped too far back on your head).



** PENALTY SHOT PROCEDURE**

Missling - Lines MJHL - 1/16/10

0:30 - Wash outs - clean them up.
2:30 - Face off procedure and the 5 second face off.  I talk about the proper procedure.
5:00 - I rant about piss-poor performance and effort (see this link) for about 2 minutes



2:30 - The Matt Ulwelling Story
6:20 - Pushing the envelope makes you a better skater.
9:00 - Why I love grassroots refs who "Bring It!"

(Sorry, rambled on too long and went over 10 minutes - listen for the USA Hockey Nat'l Championship directive)


1:00 - I talk about working a USA Hockey National Championship and how everyone should apply.
3:00 - Turning your back on play, having quick movements and anticipating play.
6:00 - 7:00 - This is a great sequence of having quick footwork, working hard for the 10 feet within the golden rectangle, and anticipating play.  Very good sequence.

Cassidy - Lines MJHL - 1/15/10

1:00 -  Think about the game one shift at a time.  Break it down that way, so you are the most mentally sharp.
1:40 - Good job locking up the breaks on hustle = Start hard, skate hard, stop hard = good.
3:30 -  This is a really good example of looking sharp while working the line.
7:00 -  I like kicking the puck up ice to myself, too -- When shagging a puck that has been iced, consider kicking the puck up to yourself for (3) Reasons: 1. the puck gets moving your direction, 2. you can pick it up on the "fly", and 3. your vision is up ice where it needs to be.



4:30 - Confidence in your lines partner helps both of you get the best sight line and judgment on a puck that has been iced.  Good example here.  It is so hard to see across the ice if a puck has been tipped or not, and helping your partner is the key on these situations.
6:00 - A good old fashioned fight.  Text book job by lines, too!




0:00 - Don't be hanging around at end zone face offs. Power out of there.  I understand that the reason we do that is because we have better awareness from a stationary position.  However, you need to train yourself to have good vision when on the move.
2:30 - Face off locations - this can really sell how sharp you are by getting the right locations.  This is an example where Kevin does a good job with this.  I talk about data and how knowing some data from a hockey game can help stress important points in a hockey game.
4:30 - POWER OUT OF THE ZONE - No standing and watching.
5:00 - What's more impressive? Cheating to get to a scrum or getting off a real quick start with power and explosiveness?
6:50 - An example where when you cover for a ref, you need to go.  No "tweaners".

Voss - Lines MJHL - 1/15/10

1:00 - 2:00 - Careful on 'cheating' to get to  a scrum quicker - Remember: It is more impressive to see you get a fast jump on action than it is to see you cheating towards a scrum.
3:00 - The tenor of the game - this game has one team that does not want to play hockey.  We all need to be on SUPER-HEIGHTENED AWARENESS ALERT.
5:00 -  Great hustle to get to those who are "stirring the pot."
7:30 - I talk about controlling your emotions in B.S. games.  It's natural to get amped up during B.S. hockey, but a great official keeps everything in control, including his response to B.S. play.



0:00 - Avoid patting players on the back/butt unnecessarily and how that could be perceived.
3:00 - Sight Lines - and why they are so critical for you as a ref, as a linesman, as any type of official.
5:00 - part of your face off cadence should be a quick double check of the number of players on the ice.  Cam does a good job here.
8:00 - Ever notice that a "questionable/controversial" waved off icing one way, usually ends up as an immediate icing going the other way???



0:00 - Long dissertation on using data to analyze a hockey game and predict how a period/game may unfold.  I point out reasons why period 3 will not be a repeat of period 2, and how understanding this can help you be a better official mentally.
5:00 - Be aware of play and GO-GO-GO at the same time.
6:00 - The mindset I would have if I were working this hockey game - "No one will out work me.  No one."

Trumble - 16U Referee - 1/11/10

(D**n, I let this first part go over 10 min., thus the Ustream feed vs. youtube = user error):


0:00 - 2:00 - Watch this segment - these are all great examples of NHL goal line movement, being at the net, using controlled turns, and battling for the last 10 ft!
3:00 - 4:00 - talk about the beauty of controlled turns and why they are so important to you as a referee
6:45 - Talk about the smart move of getting way off the boards on long breaks up the ice.  You are out of the way of the puck, and you have the luxury of getting the best view as play is 30-50 ft. ahead of you...



1:00 - This is a great example of being at the net to observe a goal.  And then you have a great example of 3 P's...being the last one out of the zone, watching all 40 players at all times.
5:00 - 8:00 - I talk about the importance of knowing how to do both ref and lines well.  Also knowing where you are strongest in which duty, because that duty (either reffing or lining) will help you achieve some short to mid-term goals.



5:00 - 6:25 - This is a replayed example of being "in the picture" when a goal is scored = finishing at the net with your goal signal regardless of when it was scored.
9:30 - BRING IT!

Bradshaw - MJHL Lines - 1/8/10

0:00 -  good presence here right away and very good awareness (head is always on a swivel)
2:30 - Show an example of a ready position that looks like you are "standing and waiting for a bus" instead of being in a ready position where you "are ready to knock Adrian Peterson off his cleats."
8:00 - good heads up awareness for the "cherry picker" (we always called him a suck-hole where I came from)



3:20 - good close up of a face off
5:15 - encroaching wings from the back and simply blowing the whistle and warning = I talk about why I liked this move.
7:15 - Having the goal of out-working everybody in the league on any given night, and, as a linesman, having the goal of ALWAYS out-working your partner.



0:00 - I talk about how presence and hustle can be observed by finishing hand offs with some speed, blowing by your partner
3:00 - An example of what 95% of the linesmen won't do on shagging icings and the magic of players doing your job for you!
4:00 - What to talk about during a Time Out
7:20 - post game awareness - doing all the little things right, yet knowing there are so many more little things you can do to continually perfect your craft as an official.

Thielman - Bantam B - 1/7/10

0:00 - This first stoppage shows an example of hustle and awareness that 95% of officials WON'T do at this level...Good Job!
5:15 - We see a little "shimmy" of the shoulders here, but this stoppage is all about the little things again.  You would be surprised how small of the details that elite level refs do ALL the time that your average guy does not do all the time.
7:00 - Great example of  "pick your feet up and go" or "get on your high horse" or "footprints in the snow" or...you get the picture.
8:00 - My belief on how 2 man games at a quicker level can really help promote and develop your hockey skills (if you sieze the opportunity!).



0:00 - Communication with a coach and how you should direct them to come down to "eye level".
3:00 - 4:00 -  Confusion on penalty after the whistle and how to avoid that.
6:00ish - Great NHL Goal Line positioning and then a penalty call - how to help sell your call and avoid confusion (please don't be a confrontational ref when doing this...that's my fear...).
9:00 - The mindset I would have when I just put a team down 5 on 3, after a string of penalties.



0:00 -  The continued mindset of we really, really need to be sharp so as to not miss any penalty infraction by white.
6:00 - A long dissertation on goal line movement, analyzing play, being at the net, and why I am willing to argue until I am blue in the face about advanced goal line movement vs. beginner goal line movement.

Trumble -BA Ref - 12/31

0:00 -  get out of the passing lane when teams are breaking out
1:30 - push your helmet down if you feel it creeping up your forehead, so you look like a farmer
3:30 - I talk about your curious habit of backing into the goal line (1st example)
8:30 - be 6 ft. away from play at all times (otherwise you'll look like me with 10 stitches in your eyebrow)



1:00 - this is an example of really pushing hard for the last 10 feet!!
2:45 -  stopping in the passing lane again....
4:00 - good calll on the "Flipper Hold Job"
7:20 -  good example of finishing at the net (woohoo)



2:20 - You stopped at the passing lane AND let guys behind you at the same time!
4:45 - good penalty and good penalty procedure!
8:00 - moving the game along with speed - talk about how gamespeed is important

Glur - Girls HS Lines - 12/30

1:30 - I talk about watching the "franchise" players (i.e. paying attention to the fact when the first line is on the ice...trying to identify the best player(s)...identifying the 'trouble makers'...and recognizing, from a mental standpoint, who to watch and when.
4:50 - All puck drops should have knee bend on the drop.  Not enough officials use this method when dropping a puck for the face off.
7:00 - I start to talk about and I actually start playing, "The Guessing Game"



3:15 -  I talk about "earning your money" and how you can really take each shift to a much, much higher level in your mind.  These are all efforts to be razor sharp mentally.
9:00 - The main lesson today is all about bringing your mindset to a whole 'nother level!



1:00 -  Darren, do you have Plyo X?  Do you have it for this game?  Bring It!
3:00 - This is all about a penalty shot and the proper procedure.  

Always tell the shooter this:

"Once you touch the puck, it must be moving toward the net the whole time.  You get one shot and one shot only.  No rebounds.  Wait for my whistle before you go.  OK?"

Always tell the goalie this:
"You need to stay in your crease until the shooter touches the puck.  If you leave the crease before the shooter touches the puck, and he misses...guess what?  He gets to shoot again.  Also, do not throw your stick during the shot.  If you throw your stick during the shot and he misses...guess what?  He gets to shoot again."

8:50 - Example of where your backward skating needs full extension AND full recovery.

Paskey - JV Ref 12/30

2:30 -  great example of hustle - hustle is easy to evaluate, and at these stoppages I can easily spot it.
4:00 - called coincidental penalties = mehhh...did that really need to be called?  did it continue a standard  called already?  I hope so...otherwise, look for differentials and let play go on.
5:00 - The tenor of this game really changed, partly due to a 5 min Major/DQ check from behind.  Be ready for that, especially when you are dealing with two rivals, like this game.  Adjust and take what they give you.
8:40 - Work hard to get the best sight lines - don't just hustle at stoppages.  Work the last 10 feet, which may necessitate sprinting below the goal line to see the opposite corner.



2:40 -  rail roading as you skate backwards - you need full extension AND full recovery - The best way to work on this is on inline skates.
6:00 -  missed marking the goalie on a delayed penalty - you missed your opportunity to "shine"
8:00 - Important Point: Having a feel for the game is recognizing certain factors in the game.  For example, penalty selection is best viewed when you "Think Globally and Act Globally" - have the full picture of what you want the game to look like in your mind.  If you call penalties as "cookie cutter" instances, where you just view the infraction and not the global picture, you won't have the same feel.  Not at all.



0:00 -  - your stance is too wide at times, and especially on face offs (can you knock Adrian Peterson flat from that stance?  If not, find a stance that will knock him out :)
0:50 - carried in off sides - get in the habit of going with the players -- it's an awareness/3 P's thing, and it will set you apart from others
4:45 - this is a subtle example of observing players rather than rushing to get the puck = good 3 P's!
6:30 -  I talk about what you be saying to yourself in a high level, high intensity, closely played game like this one (everyone should listen to this commentary).

FREE HOCKEY! (We are going into overtime...):


** I talk quite a bit about visualization and having positive intentions in your brain.  This is very heady stuff (and very serious)...those in the Ultimate Officials Ref Camp will learn more about this at a later date.  Disregard this advice at your own peril...

Langer - JV Ref - 12/29

1:45 - my 2 cents on calling a standard at the High School level -- developing a respect factor as an official -- why I love HS hockey -- and how I view JV hockey (turns out to be more like 200 cents).


(note - accidentally made this next part over 10 min, thus no youtube video):


1:45 -  watch your delay signal - your thumb is out and arm is turned a bit
4:30 - watch your goal signal - hand should be perpendicular to the ice (yours is flat/parallel)


3:45 -  No sitting down between periods.  Period.
5:00 - talk about when it is appropriate for the back official to wash out an icing



Overall thoughts and impressions.

Biondich - Lines - Jr Gold A - 12/27

1:45 -  active feet are the key for momentum - talk about hockey skills, backward skating, and momentum
5:30 -  rip your c-cuts as you move up the ice - practice these cuts at all times to make them a habit and second nature



1:00 -  long dissertation on knowing who your competition is...keeping your focus on that while you work slow games...measuring yourself against the best and knowing that excellence is a habit
7:30 - keeping butt up against the boards - careful of drifting into the playing/referee surface


1:20 - PREMATURE SUBSTITUTION EXAMPLE - and why we mark a goal tender - a linesman's time to shine!
3:00 - why video evaluations are so key to truly learning, understanding, and developing
6:30 - "You Are Only As Good As Your Last Shift/Game" - remember this each time you hit the ice

Shadiow - Ref - Jr. Gold A - 12/27

3:15 - battling the for the last 10 feet - another example
4:45 - no pointing with whistle hand on penalties (that's so passe' :)
5:20 - coasting in to the end zone - coasting is only allowed if you can get where you want to get in the proper amount of time - keep your feet moving otherwise



2:30 - goal line positioning - this is a great example of good goal line positioning AND an even better example of how to "get out of the hole" and get "on your high horse" and battle for the first 10 feet
5:45 - slow down after a goal and remember the 3 P's - you are in charge of all 40 guys at all times



No game notes - lots of talk about playing "wickets" and Chad Ochocinco...fun stuff like that...how Adam not letting the visiting team try and make a late change probably helped that team score a goal and how that coach should thank him...

Drop.io Link: Shadiow 1
Drop.io Link: Shadiow 2
Drop.io Link: Shadiow 3

Shadiow - Lines - Btm A - 12/27

0:00 - no hands on knees during play
1:20 -  great example of how to mark a goalie - awareness
3:30 - hold the line tight - be 1-3 ft. from blue line as play comes over the line...be real tight as you hold the line
4:15 - good example of a ready position (looks like he's ready to hit Adrian Peterson!)
7:00 - working the line - move your feet! - battle for that 10 ft.!
9:00 - focus - knowing your position - doing your mental "rolodex" (partner dropped two pucks in your zone)



1:30 - no goal - this is a good example for EVERYONE
4:30 - the "Knee Puck Drop" and why I prefer it as opposed to the waist puck drop
5:00 - great examples that most (95%) of linesmen won't do - (1) skating up ice on icings, (2) looking up ice, using 3 P's on icing as front guy, and (3) following play into zone on carried in offsides
9:00 - no hands on knees vs. the upright ready position


1:30 -  good example of 10 ft. battle!
3:00 - washouts - bringing your arms back to your chest is "robotic"
5:00 - "stay focused" may need to be in your mental rolodex in games like this, and how you stay focused

Drop.io Link: Shadiow 1
Drop.io Link: Shadiow 2
Drop.io Link: Shadiow 3

Biondich - Ref - Btm A - 12/27

2:20 - working the goal line - this section shows a great example of working the puck/working the check
8:00 - positioning yourself at the net - talk about the philosophy of "ATTACKING THE NET" - get to the net when it is absolutely necessary - don't be complacent and 'think' you have the best view - go get the best view!



0:00 - example of finishing at the net - "Be A Finisher!"
1:10 -  even better example of how to be a "Finisher"
3:00 - I give a Treadmill Training Endorsement (everyone should get on a skating treadmill this summer)
5:30 -  watching face offs...you'll see on the video
7:20 - be aware of being too flat when pursuing the puck - get an angle - don't be complacent
9:45 - this is text book positiong of being 10-15 feet behind play - text book example of finishing at the net - and text book example of after a goal procedure



7:00 -  an example of watching players who take a hand off the stick and how your focus as a referee needs to be on the "sticks and gloves - sticks and gloves - sticks and gloves"
10:00 -  don't lull yourself to sleep - advice on how to be mentally sharp throughout the game
11:00 - this is the "cheap ass play" example
13:00 - I talk about how each and every time you blow your whistle, you need to be accountable to what you called or didn't call in that previous shift - that's why it is imperative that we break a game down shift by shift

Drop.io link: Biondich 1
Drop.io link: Biondich 2
Drop.io link: Biondich 3
 

Thielman - PeeWee B - 12/26

Part 1 of 3:
(lots of "bad tape" in here - garbled view - we apologize for poor quality)
8:00 - working the puck - this is a good example of getting good sight lines
9:00 -  working the goal line again



Part 2 of 3:
0:30 - this development is really all about the grassroots refs...
1:45 - wide stance on puck drops - too wide to be explosive
5:00 - the 'shoulder-shimmy-shake' - an example of trying to be into the play, but may come across as unsure or indecisive
7:00 - more talk on the ready stance
7:30 - don't point with the puck in your hand - all pointing done with non-whistle hand



Part 3 of 3:
0:00 -  2 face off examples of ready position
2:30 -  penalty confusion (I missed the infraction on the tape)
9:00 - the love of hockey and why that's important (Ken definitely has the love of hockey)

____________________
Drop.io links:

Part 1: Thielman Part 1
Part 2: Thielman Part 2
Part 3: Theilman Part 3

Gaskins - Referee BA 12/23

Game Notes:

First period observations - Take the stickers off your helmet....switch sides of the ice with a purpose - always make positional choices with the idea of (1) getting the best sight lines, (2) getting close to the net (if applicable) and (3) staying out of harms way...you did a very good job of getting on "your high horse" early in the game and then you went from anticipation to read and react...

2:26 - attack the net - get to the net - work hard on the last 10 ft. - go for that last 10 ft. with all that you got - anticipate play
10:30  - going unnecessarily behind the net
15:00 - transition game - the best teams are the ones that transition the ice very quickly and the best referees are the ones who transition quickly
19:30 - this is a good example of "cheating" or a good example of anticipation as play heads up ice or a long pass is about to be made
23:00 - I like that you make errors of commission rather than errors of omission... that's a Herb Brooks' line, and it applies to hockey refs - making errors where you are making decisions is better than making errors where you make no decision - there are no wishy-washy elite level referees
31:00 - goalie penalties and the proper procedure/awareness needed

Dornfeld - Ref 1/2 Jr. Gold

Game Notes:
(I do A LOT of talking and explaining between game notes on this video)


2:45 - Great use of controlled turns as a referee in the 1-2 system
8:30 - calling a Jr. Gold game is different from calling a Bantam A game
17:00 - handling a scrum/donnybrook - talking to benches - and a "Moving Puck is a Referee's Best Friend"
24:00 - text book goal line positioning / working the puck / getting the best sight lines and being close to the net
29:30 - the 'subtleties' of officiating - doing the 'small things' over and over and over