Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
When I coach officials, I always try to pass along easy-to-remember mantras that can help them keep best practices in mind -- "the money is at the net", the telescope, banana and accordion skating techniques for optimal positioning around the net, "skate where you need to skate to see what you need to see", "positioning sells calls," etc.
Here's another one: A moving puck is your best friend. When the puck is in motion, players have to keep their feet moving. They are focused on the play at hand. It cuts down on the extraneous nonsense that goes on behind the play or after the whistle.
Likewise, as an official, you should be keep your feet moving (don't coast) and maintain a good sightline and proper distance. Don’t skate into the play or get caught in the play because you weren't alert! If there is danger approaching, take evasive action and trust your partners. Likewise, you should move in a direction that puts your partner in as safe of a position as possible.
This may seem fundamental but you would be surprised at how often fundamental things can fall by the wayside and mess up the flow of play or, worse, create a hazardous situation: When play enters the attacking zone the R1 (referee closest to the play) needs to move to the goal line. Don't get caught in a passing lane or get in the way of a skater going along the half boards. While this more commonly happens at lower levels of officiating, I've seen it happen as well with officials who are either not physically fit enough to keep their feet moving all game or are not mentally plugged in. Either way, it shouldn't happen.
When I was an active official, I developed a style of overseeing games. I always believed -- and still do -- that flow is paramount. I prided myself on calling games the same way all season, regardless of the venue or the date on the calendar.
Here is an example of an area that causes confusion -- even among some veteran officials when the puck stops moving -- knowing the rules for pins against the boards.
Under the rules, defensive players are NOT allowed to pin and hold opposing players along the boards. Now, if officials are properly trained and instructed, they know how to tell the difference between what should and should not be a penalty.
A few keys to determining this call is a stick in front of the player and a hand on the back and the offensive player's legs continuing to move trying to get free. Meanwhile, a penalty CAN NOT be called if the offensive player stops moving his feet.
An official must observe this distinction and make a call/ non-call accordingly.
************
************
Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart serves as director of hockey officiating for the ECAC at both the Division 1 and Division 3 levels.
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
Join the Discussion:
»