Do You Speak Minnesotan?

Video tribute to a home town guy from Minnesota:

This Moment is YOURS

Enough said...

Greetings (Konichiwa) from Japan

Hockey Day in Canada

I know that "Hockey Day in Canada" was this past Saturday, February 21st, and I am a few days late with this post...

BUT...

It is a timeless piece. You can not watch this and not get "pumped up":



This also a pretty cool one here...

NHL Video - Good Dukes, Good Game, Good Guys

Rangers at Blues - 2/16/09

Crew:

Refs -#5 Chris Rooney (American who reffed in USHL when I first started the league as a linesman), #44 David Banfield

Linesman - #78 Brian Mach, #80 Thor Nelson

* NOTE: Two good fights, one with former Wild player Aaron Voros
* NOTE: hustle of Brian and Thor
* NOTE: #78 Mach's ready position when on blue line -- he's INTO THE GAME!

Rant - Get Over Yourself - No Soup fo YOU!

Pathetic...

That's what I thought about the attitude of the two guys I was working with yesterday. I was working a game in the MJHL. It was a Sunday game and there were maybe 100 people at the game. (note: the Bantam A game between Bloomington Jefferson and Minnetonka before had a larger attendence)

My partners did not want to be there...

Made me ask a few questions:

Q: Why did you take the game in the first place? (btw, these are all rhetorical questions)

A: They wouldn't dream of turning down a game assignment, because they want to do whatever it takes to work a USHL game (well...they almost want to do whatever...they'll take whatever game assignment comes along, but they won't use the opportunity to work on their skill...they'd rather 'phone it in'.)

Q: What makes you so good that you are above this game?:

A: They'd rather complain about the assignment, about having the poor, unfortunate opportunity to work Jr. hockey in Minnesota, than look at themself in the mirror, bust their butt, and do something for the love of the game. Of all the officials I have known throughout the years, I have know a fair amount who have thought they were above the game -- and NOT one of them was ever an elite level official.

Q: (this is the question they asked me, when they heard I was going to Japan to work my 5th international assignment for USA Hockey) -- How do you get chosen to do that?

A: Not doing what you're doing...complaining, half-heartedly working, going through the motions. You see, I got these opportunities because I was worked hard, put myself into places where I would get noticed and recognition, and had some luck along the way.

To further prove my point, I want to reflect on the games I worked with past weekend:

Friday - NAHL game at Albert Lea -- Referee was young, ambitious, works his butt off, I've never heard him complain...AND...SUPRISE...gets the quality Jr. hockey games that everyone wants. The linesman was young, energetic, hard worker, looking to be the best he can be, and has had a good first year in Jr. hockey!

Saturday - High School JV and Varsity at Richfield - My JV partner and the linesman in the varsity game worked hard, was enthusiastic, was there to do the best he could, gave his best effort...AND...SUPRISE...has been rewarded for his efforts this year with some good high school games for being a first year guy. The referee in the varsity game worked hard, did his best, was happy to be working with me, and did a great job...AND...SUPRISE...is working the Boy's State HS Tournament this year.

MJHL at Hudson - Referee is a first year guy, works hard, cares about his performance, and is happy just to be working Jr. hockey full time. The other linesman was somewhat into it, did a good job (not a great job), worked about 95% of the time...AND...hasn't really gotten the opportunities he thought he should get yet. That's because he's not in the 5% club...gotta work a lot harder to get and STAY in that club.

Sunday - MJHL at Bloomington - both partners didn't want to be there, worked pretty hard, complained between periods, whined about the players' behavior, complained about their games earlier in the weekend...AND...NO SUPRISE HERE...are wondering when they are going to get their turn to work the big games, like the USHL.

Keep wondering...I'll keep looking for the guys who have pride in their work, attitude, and bring "it" to the arena every time.

NHL Video - Bustin' Ur Behind

Boston at New Jersey - Get to the "Hot Spots"!

Crew:
Refs - #16 - Rob Schick, #4 - Wes McCauley
Lines - #67 - Pierre Champoux, #50 - Scott Cherrey

** Note: 3 P's is getting to the players, not the puck


Vancouver at Dallas - SELL YOUR CALL!

Crew:
Refs - #44 -David Banfield, #7 - Bill McCreary
Lines - #93 - Brian Murphy, #47 - Dan Schachte (both Americans!!)

** Note: Referee, David Banfield, has NO DOUBT


Montreal at Colorado - HUSTLE!

Crew:
Refs - #3 - Mike Leggo, #14 - Dennis LaRue (American!)
Lines - #74 - Lonnie Cameron, #61 Lyle Seitz (American!)

** Note: Referee, Dennis LaRue getting to the net, and both linesman getting to players!

Secrets of HS Hockey Part II

Here's the secret about communication with coaches in the high school level (and any level for that matter) -- they want to be heard. That's it.

In talking with coaches, the number one complaint they have is that officials won't listen.


Now...this could be about not listening about "being more consistent," or it could be about "calling it both ways," or it could be about "safety of the players," or it could be about "a missed call." Whatever the case, he wants to get his point across.

To best explain my point, I am going to tell you about a situation I had that occurred last night in a high school game. I won't tell you who it involved, because I want to make a VERY CONCERTED effort to make sure there is no "mud slinging" on this blog.

Situation: Late in the 2nd period, about 20 seconds left, I blew the whistle after 3-4 players were "scrumming" along the boards, refusing to move the puck, refusing to give body position on each other, and, eventually, the attacking player fell on the puck. As I was in the process of blowing the whistle, the defending player gave the attacking player two shots in a cross checking motion to the player on the ice.

I called no penalty (which I still believe was OK -- this was a very intense, up-and-down game, with a lot of great plays and a lot of passion. To me, this penalty did not (a) affect play, nor did it (b) make it into the category of player safety). The coach did not agree...

** I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF COACH-BASHING THAT A LOT OF OFFICIALS PARTAKE IN...SOME GUYS LOVE TO RIP ON COACHES, THINKING THEY ARE ALL STUPID, DON'T KNOW THE RULES, AND SHOULD KEEP THEIR MOUTH'S SHUT.**

There is a difference between a coach and a donkey. 99% of high school coaches are coaches - they coach because they love the game (their salaries, if calculated out to an hourly wage, would be about $0.25/hour!). Coach's I will work with...Donkey's on the other hand....

Back to the game...

At the end of the period, both teams exit the ice at a common exit, and coaches walk across the ice to get to the locker room. The coach was upset. He wanted a cross check call on the play. He came over to me and started yelling about it. I could see that he didn't want to "talk", so I asked him, "Coach, did you come over to yell at me then walk away, or do you want to talk?"

He kept on yelling...

I asked him again, "Coach, did you want to come over and yell at me and then walk away, or do you want to hear my explanation?"

He kept on yelling...

I then told him, "If you are going to keep on yelling, I am going to walk away."

I walked (skated) away.

Now, I had positive feelings that this was the correct call for the game. At the time, the time of game, it was a good 'no call'. However, this is not about judgment or making the correct call, this is about communicating with coaches. My communication with him was not what I wanted.

I made up my mind that I was going to pull him aside before the start of the 3rd period, calmly talk him, and "make peace."

As an official, this is what separates the average from the great -- you need to be "man enough" to go over and talk to coaches, even when its not ideal. Here are the reasons why I thought this was very important:

1. He got the best of me with that yelling match. As an official, I need to have the final say for credibility.

2. He knew that I did not listen to him -- number 1 complaint of high school coaches.

3. I needed to let him know I am still in charge of the game.

I went over to the bench before the 3rd period and said this verbatim,

"Coach...should I have called that cross check??? (I just gave a shrug of my shoulders). I understand your point and I wanted you to know that. I also wanted you to know that in this game, my priority for penalties is to get the big one's that affect play." (now I shut up).

He said in return, "And my priority is the safety of my players. It's nothing personal."

I said, "Fair enough," and skated to my position.

That's communication. That's what the average guy won't do -- the average guy will avoid the coach for the rest of the game.

NHL Video - 3 P's

Ottawa at Philly

**NOTE: Linesmen position on play across the line, the hustle to the net after the whistle to be in amongst the players.

NHL Video & Game Day Blog- Pele???

Tuesday Night - 2/10/09

I was working a peewee game and we had two pucks enter the net coming directly from skates. The first one was waved off by my partner, because he determined the player made an action to direct the puck into the net (you can not direct a puck into the net under USA Hockey rules). The second one off a skate, was determined a goal by me, because the puck was shot, the rebound came directly out and bounced off of an attacking player's skate. I determined that it was not intentional, and that it was a deflection rather than a direction.
(I also saw Cal Clutterbuck try to kick a goal in on Wednesday night's Wild v. Avalanche game)

The only thing I am going to say about the following video includes:

a. That would be a "NO GOAL" in USA Hockey.
b. I am not one to judge what the NHL determines on goals.
c. Situations like this come up all of the time. There are two ways you can take it...

(1)Call the referees/video replay official/etc. wrong and point out why

Or

(2)Use this situation to be a "teachable moment" for yourself and discuss how you could use this example to your advantage.

A lot of guys choose option (1) = in my opinion, that is a poor choice. The referee community is small. Someone may know those officials on T.V. personally, and if you run your mouth reckless, it may come back to haunt. That is why I said that I am not one to judge what the NHL determines a goal...I have never been there, therefore, I am in no place to judge.

Instead...

Be smart and choose option (2). Look at the play, determine in your mind how you would call that in a game you would work, pass no judgment on what you see on TV, but instead have a healthy dialog about it. Use these moments to make yourself better RATHER THAN TEAR SOMEONE ELSE DOWN... "Be above the Fray.."

NHL Video - Presence and Bust Your Butt!

This is a short video from last night's action...

Crew:
Refs -- Eric Furlatt (27), Greg Kimmerlyn (18)
Lines -- Dan Schachte (47) - another American linesman, Scott Driscoll (68)


** First note, HOW HARD THE PUCK HITS THE POST!!!
** Note Eric Furlatt positioning, and his presence in amongst the players, he positions himself to command control of a situation that could escalate even more
** Note the linesmen and how quick they get in there to help diffuse the situation. Great linesmen can make a referee look even better with hustle, anticipation, and awareness.

Many times, over the years, I have been on the linesmen case for not hustling. I have discovered that they "think" they are hustling. When possible, I am going to show clips where linesmen SPRINT to the players (3 P's). This is like a 100 m dash, not a casual skate.

The Frist SWAT Proposal

"This is an evolution, NOT a revolution."

J.B. Olson

Below is the EXACT letter I wrote to USA Hockey in May of 2007. Compare that to this link: New USA Hockey Proposal

Dear Leader,

There are many courses available on self-improvement, personal development, goal setting and peak performance training. There is also an excellent education and training program through USA Hockey’s Officiating Education Program, including annual seminar training for Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4, evaluation and mentoring programs, all the way up to the national development camps of Regional, National, and the Officiating Program of Merit. My proposal is to mend the two areas together. My proposal is to address the needs of all involved in the USA Hockey Officiating Program, in order to give provide an even higher level of training and consultation.

PROPOSAL: Establish a year round training, consultation, and information marketing business to supplement the training and education of the USA Hockey program.

This program is called the S.W.A.T. Team Development for Ice Hockey Officials.

S.W.A.T. = Special Weapons and Tactics

Mission Statement for S.W.A.T. = The S.W.A.T. Team is dedicated to continual personal development and advanced training of the ice hockey official. We do this by offering continual training in all aspects of ice hockey officiating through seminars, reports, manuals, coaching, consultation and monthly development tools. The S.W.A.T. Team will promote, recruit, and maintain personal relationships in the local communities to grow the number of ice hockey and inline officials through marketing and fundraising events.

The S.W.A.T. Team, which will remain independent of USA Hockey and is a non-profit institution, is dedicated to USA Hockey and all that it promotes. The S.W.A.T. Team in no way or manner wishes to replace or compete with USA Hockey Officiating Program. Let me put it this way – I love USA Hockey, what it has done for me and my family, and I look to give back to the program in time, talent, effort, and money. I have tasted the “sweet stuff” that USA Hockey has offered and I will always keep that in mind.

Sincerely,

J.B. Olson

The S.W.A.T. Team President, Speaker and Author

*************************************************************************************

"The times they are a changin'..."

Bob Dylan

More come soon....

NHL Video - No Goal, Fight, go USA

Referees:

#40 - Steve Kozari - great washout! Great goal position and signal
#14 - Denny LaRue - American referee

Linesmen:

#70 - Derek Nansen
#84 - Tony Sericolo - American Linesmen

(Also, American play-by-play - Mike Emrick -- Scott Clemenson, NJ Goalie, Zach Parise, NJ Forward)

** Notice washed out goal @ 00:41
** Notice fight procedure by linesmen (clearing the area, even the net) @ 00:51
** Notice referee goal positioning on goal @ 1:41
** Notice text book face off by Sericolo (he was an instructor at my USA National Camp) @2:24

Game Day Blog -2/09 - Need a Good Laugh?

"Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech."

Martin Fraquhar Tupper

"Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"

Mark Twain

"....adding a little humor seasoning to a presentation can add a little zest here and a little zip there. Incorporating humor into a presentation doesn’t mean you take the
topic or audience lightly, on the contrary, it means you know enough about effective communications and your respect to the audience enough to want to give them."

Mike Kerr

Are you a naturally funny guy?? If so, good for you. If not, always keep a bunch of "well-timed" one-liners in your pocket for times during a game where humor can diffuse a situation (WARNING: If this is not natural for you, and you don't practice this, it won't land and you will look like you are not serious about the game).

Last night's action (or inaction in some cases) brought about theses lines:

"The Steve Tatro-Is-That-A-Goal Line"

Situation: Goalie makes a great save on a scramble in front of the net. The defensemen are all congratulating him on what a great save, etc. You come flying in and ask incredulously, "Did that go in?!?!?" When everyone snaps at you, "No, No, it wasn't in!!!," you just smile and say, "Whew, good...we got it right," of course with a smile.

"The Pushing-Shoving after the Whistle In Front of the Net Line"

Situation: Players are bushing, bumping chests, being a bit rowdy. You come flying in and say, "Hey, hey...let's just have a push up contest to see who's toughest." When they look at you like you're on drugs, simply ask, "Well, how about a spelling contest?" Of course, do it with a smile.

I also had two different players who knocked down my partners and caused them to fall, go over and say they were sorry, or they just might get a penalty later on. Of course, with a smile...

Funny in Any Language:

The Only Referee Specific Training Program

Game Day Blog - 2/05 - Shoot You with a Rubber Bullet

What is the number one difference between a "cagey veteran" and aguy who is a bit on the "green side"? Veterans don't fall asleep, and green horns will pick a time to unfortunately "doze off".

I remember it all too well. I was there. I used to do it, too. I remember a game in particular, Waterloo at Green Bay in the USHL at the old Brown County Coliseum (what a dump), and I dozed off in what was turning into a routine game and routine rout for Waterloo. I doze off and all of a sudden I have missed a major stick violation, there is a fight on the ice, and I am not sure how it all started. WHAT IN THE HECK WAS I THINKING?!? I wasn't...it seems to happen.

That's where the rubber bullet comes in...

The Secret Service train their agents to react to situations in a calm, cool, collected way AFTER they have been shot. In their training, they will unexpectedly shoot them with a rubber bullet, measure their heart rate, and observe their response and reactions. After all, these are people who sign up to "take a bullet for the President". They'd better be able to be level-headed when they get shot.

This practice will continue until their heart rate stays at a low rate, because you think better with a lower heart rate as opposed to a heart that is racing.

In other words, they want their field agents used to the feeling of being shot.

Maybe we should shoot inexperienced officials with rubber bullets to help them speed up the learning curve, and get them to STOP FALLING ASLEEP AT IN-OPPORTUNE TIMES.

On the this night, working a high school game, I saw the partner's I was with fall asleep. Things happened, and they missed it. I could chalk it up as "it's part of the learning process" or I could give them advice to help eliminate that from happening again.

Do you want REAL SPECIFIC advice to avoid "falling asleep" in a game? Contact me at:

info@ultimateofficials.com

Game Day Blog - 02/07 -- Loose lips sink ships

I was thinking about "teacheable moments" from games I work and decided that I would blog on topics that come up during those games. I am not necessarily going to go into situations specifically, but instead cover some of the more subtleties and nuances of the game.

Since I have had this idea to do game day blogs, I have worked three games myself - one high school and two junior games. I do have moments from each that I want to talk about, but I wanted to cover the most glaring first...Saturday's MJHL game.

This teachable moment had NOTHING to do with the game itself. It had to do with a conversation I had prior to the game. There are many moments were I almost crap myself in response to stuff guys say...




Here's a fill-in-the-blank scenario:

Person A (who is a person of influence):

I have been really impressed with the job that ___John Doe___ is doing. It seems like they are really active and been doing a good job helping others.

Person B (who talks when they should listen):

I don't like ___John Doe___.

Conclusion: Why would person B say that? You would be amazed how much trouble guys get into with their mouths. The officiating world is small. Real small. When others start lip-jacking about some official, and what type of job they do, and why in the he** do they get the assignments they do, and blah-blah-blah...and they want you to participate in the conversation. Keep your head down and your mouth shut. Period.

The guy who said this (the Person B {who talks when they should listen}), has heard the keep your mouth shut talk before. Some guys just don't get it.

The Gazelle and the Lion

I have seen this quote before, and it really hit home for me. I saw it in a recent writing by Dan Kennedy, so here I will swipe it from him:

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up knowing it must outwit and outrun (at least) the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better start running...And I'd add: AND LIKE IT."

My primary focus these days in officiating is coaching the next generation of officials in hockey. What guys like Teddy Olson, Bill Leslie, Steve Tatro, and my dad did for "my generation", I am now returning the favor to the next.

What does this mean for you???
(If you'll let me borrow a football analogy) --

I am "running" every day the sun comes up to be Bill Belichek.

I am looking to form a team of "Tom Brady's" who are willing to run every day when the sun comes up.

I, personally, do know and believe that I have many good years of reffing left. I am inspired by guys like Chris Chelios, and his "Hour of Power". I am 36 years old, about to turn 37, and I believe there are records out there for me to break.

I also believe there are personal bests out there for you to break as well.

If you start running when the sun comes up...

Ref 2.0 is Here!!!

I am happy to announce that the Ultimate Officials Ref 2.0 program is now running! I am happy for those who chose to participate (don't get me wrong...it's not that I'm not happy), but I am happy because referee instruction is now the way that people want it -- visual, game situations, memorable, and, if I have any say, remarkable.

So many times I have been in a camp or seminar setting and have heard from participants, "I wish we could see MORE VIDEO..." We have had campers dutifully fill out feedback and camp evaluation forms, with most of them saying, "More Video, please".

I even had my assumptions proven this past summer about visual learners!!

At the MHOA Camp in June of 2008, there were 11 participants. 6 of them said they preferred seeing examples, videos, visuals over any other medium. 5 of them said they preferred "learning by doing" over any other medium. NOBODY SAID THEY PREFERRED LECTURE! (Reading can be the same as lecture...very, very low retention rates).

At the Minnkota Camp in August of 2008, there were 18 participants. 10 of them said they preferred seeing examples, videos, visuals over any other medium. 7 of them said they preferred "learning by doing" over any other medium. (1) SAID THEY PREFERRED LECTURE!

Well...we are trying to teach something, aren't we?!?!?....These people do want to RETAIN the information, don't they?!?!?...Why not use video? If you want to learn the best, then you need to use video...if you don't use it, and instead use lecture (dry/boring), then they won't learn the best. Just use video!!

We did, and now you can learn...for more information, contact me:

info@ultimateofficials.com

Thanks,

JB Olson

p.s. Those who wait, hem and haw, procrastinate...they aren't the 5%-ers. I am looking for 5%-ers. Contact me at info@ultimateofficials.com and you will get a whole series of videos to take you to the next level.

Secrets of H.S. Hockey

Here's what I have noticed in closely studying officiating the past 5 years (NOTE: I have been officiating high school hockey for the past 15 years, I am not talking about reffing the games -- Rather, I am talking about "studying" the games)...

1. high school officials in ALL sports are suspect with skills and abilities - hockey is no exception
2. the spectrum of officiating skills goes from "all-world referees" to "did he ever play the game?"
3. the philosophy of how to call a game at the high school level is non-existant (Answer quick! What's your philosophy on how the game should be called???)
4. A lot of referees try to develop themselves by doing as many high school games as possible. This is the "trial and error" method, and with some guys, it is more error than trial.
5. Communication is the greatest denominator for whether you are successful or not in the high school level.

Here's a few other things I feel about high school (NOTE: These are feelings, the above were concrete observations...):

1. high school hockey has some great games, with great players, and great skill
2. high school coaches are better than at any other point in time
3. Minnesotan's love high school hockey -- especially the State Tournament -- and many, many, many officials have the goal of getting to work the State Tournament.

How can we get you there???

1. Communication
2. Communication
and...
3. Communication

Today I'll talk about number 1 on the list...yep, you guessed it, communication.

55% of all communication is done through non-verbals.

So what's half the battle??

** being in position to make the call

** having a strong presence on the ice

** looking sharp, professional at all times

** working just as hard OR HARDER than the players

** having signals that are calm, cool, and confident

** establishing constant eye contact with the benches

55% of all communication is non-verbal...I recently supervised a high school game and was sitting next to some high school kids. When the officials went on the ice first, before the teams, at the start of the game, one of them made the comment, "Good thing the officials are in shape." (sarcasm was dripping all over the place). I guessed he was referring to one the officials, who was definitely overweight, AND to make matters worse, he didn't even work hard during the game. 55% of all communication is non-verbal.

Do you look like a championship game referee???

Sweet Carolina, it's a Time Out!

There are some things that are learned from experience...like how to react to certain situations.

This video is for the serious-minded official who wants to better himself. Close the doors, pull the shades, lock the door, and study this very closely...