The Brain of a Ref & Technology

Think like a Caped Crusader

Holy Mental Focus, Bat Man!

Twice in the last week I have seen stuff, online, about the mental side of hockey.  I would include the links here, but then you would leave this site and go look at them.  If you are a ref, I want you right here, because my message has importance for you.


Ultimate Officials Mental Tuffness Training (R) - (you can go check out this site :)

Training, development, off ice conditioning, and specialization are at a ALL TIME HIGH in the hockey world right now.  For crissakes, my 5 year old daughter has already been to a hockey camp, with on-ice and off-ice training (I attended my first hockey camp when I was a 2nd year Squirt), and soon she will probably want to join some 3 on 3 league.  It's never ending.  I think this is both good and bad (that's a debate for another time). 

Regardless, the choices a player has nowadays are never ending.  It's not just in hockey, either.  I personally know of programs in my area that are run by former professionals, who offer One on One Coaching for baseball, basketball, golf, and volleyball. 

So, I ask the question again -- "Where does leave the hockey referee?"

As evidenced by the link above, Ultimate Officials offers a Mental Tuffness program.  This is an online course for any official.  All things considered, the importance of knowing what goes on in the "6 inches between your ears" is getting it's deserved due.  After all, when you get to a certain point in your career - as a player or as a ref - the physical skill sets are all similar.  What truly separates the "good from the great" is how you think.

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Huh???

The brain is a computer, but my computer is not a brain.

Here's my situation - my desktop PC is coming up on four years old.  That means that it is starting to (a) get outdated, (b) starting to get a bit 'slow', and (c) currently pissing me off.

For my Minnesota Development Model Camp, I churn and burn a lot of video on my PC.  It's a method to better instruct and help hockey referees.  I ain't no computer dummy (even though I sound like a 'hick from the sticks'), and I know enough to perform what I need to perform.

My PC ain't performing.  That just means that I have been spending the last week cleaning up my computer in order to get the damn thing running smooth again.

Kind of like me.

I am not 22 years old anymore.  I have to kick my ass in gear each and every week to stay sharp physically, to keep the fat from piling up on my mid-section, and keep my "wheels" moving.  I post my accountability on my facebook account (see my stuff on the right hand side).  I am doing pretty damn good, but complications from getting cancer 3 years ago continue to try and slow me down.  No more.

How about you?  You keeping yourself running smooth?  Whether you are 22 or 62, we can get you going with referee-specific workouts.  Check out the stuff on the right hand side, too.

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Here are the two sites I have seen in the past week:
1. USA Hockey - The Hockey IntelliGym - http://www.usahockeyintelligym.com/
2. The Minnesota Advancement Program - this is totally identical to what UO does for refs - http://www.maphockey.net/

ADM Weekend

This weekend (Sept 15 - 18) is the annual NAHL Showcase Tournament in Blaine, MN at the Super Rink.  There will be a WHOLE BUNCH of Ultimate Officials guys there throughout the weekend.  That is a testament to (a) themselves and (b) the program of Ultimate Officials (especially guys going through the UO MDM).

This weekend is an unbelievable weekend of hockey.  All 8 sheets in Super Rink are going solid with NAHL games, U18, U16, and U14 games.  The parking lot is jammed with cars, buses, motor homes, and people grilling out.  Scouts from other Jr. Leagues, colleges, and the pro's will be all over the place.  It's quite a spectacle.

GOOD LUCK, BOYS!

So, as a favor to all the readers of this blog, I will share a video I gave to the UO Boys.  This is an example of what all subscribers to my stuff get (whether you are a part of the MDM, Mental Tuffness, the 12 Week Physical Training Camp, or the Non-MN Resident Camp.  Enjoy!

   

  Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io 

 

Fall High School Sports

Are You Ready for some Football?

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but High School Football gets it's opening kick offs this coming week...That means one thing -- footballs flying = leaves falling = school starting = snow to come soon.

(I guess that was 4 things.  Never claimed to be a Math major).

Best time of the year?

Considering the fact that I celebrated my 20 Year High School Reunion this past August, it has been awhile since I have strapped on the pads for football.  I loved that sport (still do).  I mean to say that, I really loved playing that sport.  I loved the violence of it.  It's just that the violence didn't love me (two reconstructed ACL's and a broken ankle later...time for golf!).

I preferred to be #26 as opposed to the other guy.

I think about "tryouts" though...I think about that Fall when I was a sophomore (damn those seniors were tough on us!...not as bad as these guys: [link]).  I also think about the GOALS my father set for me going into my sophomore year...they went as follows:

1.  Make the travelling squad
2.  Hope to get on a special teams unit.
3.  Be a kamikaze on the special teams unit.
4.  Hope to get some playing time.
5.  Maybe get the chance to start on the 1st Defensive Unit before the end of the season.

I didn't like those goals.  My goal was "Start on the Defensive Unit from Day 1".  Well...the first game of the season against Grand Forks Central, I was starting on the 1st "D".  I started every game (until I blew out my ACL...Doh!). My book, "Better Than Buzzy" has a lot to do with my pursuit of excellence and how you can do it, too.

I think about people who take chances and those who don't.  It's tooo easy not to take a chance.  It's safe.  It's comfortable.  I have always been one to go 100 mph and see what happens, and I can vouch that I have had more reward than risk (plus a few broken bones...oh well).

What do you think will be your biggest regret?  Taking too many chances or not taking enough?

Here's a chance you can take -- join Ultimate Officials.  Go and click on all those videos on the right hand side of the page and then click on "SUBSCRIBE".  You will NOT regret the chance you took.

Here's what a current UO member has to say:

"I have been a card carrying member of Ultimate Officials (UO) for almost two years and I wanted to make a quick statement about what it's done for me.

In a word, it's Awesome.  I have only been officiating for four years - starting when I was 36. I realized quickly that I was behind relative to most officials out there - and I didn't want to work Peewee B games for the rest of my life.  Thanks to my involvement in UO, I have been exposed to some fantastic opportunities which I would not have seen without J.B. and my UO experience. It's also a great group of guys that lean on each other for situation help, work-out motivation, rule interpretation - and we get together socially quite a bit as well.
It's not just 'old guys' like me. We have a lot of young guys in college who are working in the USA Junior program and are climbing the ladder to work at some of the highest levels in the officiating world, as well as guys in their upper 20s and 30s working high school and college games. It's guys from various stages in life and officiating - the common thread being our love for the game and our desire to be the best.

You may be thinking you can't afford it. Let me tell you - if you work hard, you will be exposed to more opportunities than you would have seen without UO and the extra game fees will more than cover the charge. In reality, you can't afford NOT to be part of it.

It's not for everyone.  If you ref just for the money and don't really care about the game or becoming a better official - then don't bother.  However, if you are hungry and want to work more games and better games, then do yourself a favor and talk to J.B. about it.  You will be glad you did!"

Thank You,

Mike Diebold

I also have one more football-related message for you...the words of this coach are music to my ears...

"If you get hurt, I ain't never gonna call a time out!  You're gonna have to crawl off the field!"

   

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Replay???

Here's a cut-and-paste job from an email I sent to the guys in the Mental Tuffness Training (R) Camp:

Do any of you who watch Gopher games remember the time the refs took a long time to review a goal and/or non goal???




I worked Hill Murray vs. Eden Prairie in 2009 HS Tourney, and the game winning goal in OT was reviewed for 6 minutes...it seemed like 60 minutes...both teams just sat there watching us at the ref crease, wondering if it was a goal or not?



Anybody remember that?



Andybody remember the puck through the net that sent Vermont to the Frozen Four?



My answer to them all it THEY GOT THE CALL RIGHT.



Nobody remembers the delays...people don't talk about that stuff in the future. Sure, they may talk about it the day after, but everyone quickly forgets.



People, however, do remember botched calls.



Here's where Karnac comes in...the future tells me that people would "kind of" remember a perfect game in 2010 where a base call was overturned. It'd be a footnote, nothing more. Nobody would remember Jim Joyce's name.



Karnac now predicts that Jim Joyce will be brought up in history over and over again.

 
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A Very, Very Refreshing view and Comment on What Being a "Professional" Official is all about ( professional meaning ' acting with character and integrity...not someone who gets paid):

http://espn.go.com/mlb/notebook/_/page/bbtn100603/baseball-tonight-clubhouse

(*Another Key = this is a point of view from somebody who has "been there, done that."  I get so tired of the second guessers who have never even been close to being there or doing that).

Rally Round the Refs

I was looking for a video that would some kind of vibe...some kind of inspiration...something that would embody the feeling for this segment on Mental Tuffness Training (R) and I thought about the Rage Against the Machine song, 'Bulls on Parade'.  I don't know if that appeals to your music sense, but here is that song -- Bulls on Parade

I was also looking for some type of "rally cry" that would work...some kind of sports (preferably hockey-related) and my own personal favorite comes from Shakespeare's Henry V = St. Crispin's Day Speech -- it is about a bunch of Englishmen who were outnumbered 5 to 1 and are about to go out and kick some f*cking  ass!

"But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother."

I did find a hockey video, regardless of what country you call home, that is a 'rally round the family' type of video -- Welcome to Oil Country

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What's the point in all of this?  It's about rallying around your fellow official. 

Guys...you are the third team on the ice.  Rally around each other for f**k sakes! 

Reach out to those who may be quiet...be the one who offers encouragement...be the "GUY WHO EVERYONE WANTS TO REF WITH"...be the one who organizes where to have a few cold ones after the game. 

You be the one.  Now.  Please.

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This is just a small segment of what the referees who are subscribing to the Ultimate Officials Mental Tuffness Training (R).  If you are not a part of this group, you are missing out on newsletters, periodic video and email updates, and ongoing discussion on what it takes MENTALLY to be a Championship Level referee.

What the hell you waiting for?  Sign up now!  The program is 12 weeks in length and can be started at any time.  The best of the best are those who always take action...no wallflowers...no wishy-washy people allowed.  Sign up by clicking "Subscribe" below.

An Open (kind of) Letter to My Brotherhood

Guys,

Here is the link for the first unit: (oops...sorry...you only get that if you are a subscriber).

I will still provide a "hard copy" edition in the mail.  If you notice on the last page, there is some blank space.  The hard copy version will include the "bonus item" for that week.

Why am I insistent on giving you both an electronic version and a hard copy?  Because I want it to be "more real"...

Let me explain:

* Have you ever set goals for yourself?  Did you write those goals down somewhere or did you just keep them in your head?  Did you know that you will be much more likely to succeed in your goals if you WRITE THEM DOWN?  Why?  Because it becomes something concrete.  Anything that just exists in your head is ethereal...it's smoke...it's nothingness...it's not real.

* Notes are something that you can reference from time to time.  I want you referencing this Mental Tuffness (R) stuff, because I want you to change your game mentally and become one tough sun-of-a-bitch.  Once again, a hard copy is real and it doesn't simply go in one ear and out the other.

* Lastly, no one has ever provided a manual on the mental side of the game.  I studied all of this stuff for one whole season (2007-2008).  I even wrote a thesis on the subject.  Sure...you may find some things on the mental game in different small sections of the manuals that USA Hockey provides...but one entire manual devoted to the subject?  Oy vey!  In an area that may make up the difference between the "good" and the "great"...well...we need an entire manual.

ENJOY!

to subscribe to the Mental Tuffness Training (R), click on subscribe:

You Might Be A Jack Ass...

Mental Tuffness Training (R)

It begins today!

(and, guess what........if today for you is not May 3, 2010...well....you can also start today....because this is a 12 week program designed to be 100% online (with an offline newsletter as well!) that you can do from any place, starting at any time....it's just that I've got a bunch guys who to get out and kick some serious butt RIGHT NOW).

Here are the topics for the 12 Week Course:

1. You Might Have the Personality of a Jack Ass, or Worse* (* = you might be a ghost)
2. How-to Tell Yourself "I am McLovin" (instead of the Homer Simpson-like "mmmm....donuts")
3. Starting to Complain...and Next Thing You end up with a Sh*t Sandwich"
4. See Dick Run.  See Dick Ref.  What Kind of Dick are You?
5. "These aren't the droids you are looking for."
6. I'm Envisioning Gramma hitting the Jack Pot, a Woman in White Lace with pitchers of Beer, and a Dwarf Riding a Wooden Horse.
7. My Goal = Never Be the Smartest Person in the Room
8. I'll Slit Your Throat, and then Sit Down for Dinner
9. No Members fo the Wherethefokowee Clan
10. "I was especially impressed with the way you scratched yourself 7 times."
11. "The public's attention span is shorter than a gnat's orgasm."
12. Is it "more time than money" or "one foot in the grave and one foot on a banana peel"?

SUBSCRIBE HERE NOW TO JOIN:

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1. You Might Have the Personality of a Jack Ass, or Worse* (* = you might be a ghost)

When you get a certain point in your career, you will begin to notice that the skill level of each official is relatively the same, minus a couple exceptions (and those exceptions can go either way).  For example, the referees who work junior hockey can all skate about the same.  The referees who work minor pro all skate about the same.  The referees who work NHL all skate about the same.

You see, as you move up in the world of hockey, the speed of the game gets faster at each level.  We can quantify that through stats.  And, in general, the same goes for the majority of the hockey referees working each level -- they are better skaters as you move up and up.

So with all things being equal physically, why do some guys really succeed where others fall short?!?

It is the six inches between the ears (if you have never read my thesis on "The Inner Game", you can go here to get a copy):



The sad thing is that you might be a jack ass personality-wise, and you might not know it.  Why do some guys have moxie?  Why do some guys have charisma?  Why do some guys have million dollar bodies and 10 cent heads?  What truly separates the good from the great?

It's the six inches between your ears.

It's how you relate with others -- supervisors, other officials, players, coaches.  It's how you mentally approach the game.  I can...well...quite honestly...pin point each officials problem who has the skill yet doesn't seem to "get any of the breaks."  It's a few things in their personality that are holding them back.

** To read more, you need to be a current subscriber to the Mental Tuffness Training (R) program.  Click below to subscribe:

"You Must Really Like to Drop the F**king Puck!"

(translation - I'm Miserable and You Make Me Even More Miserable)

This was an exact phrase said to one of our Ultimate Officials Referee Camp guys.  Ver-ba-tim! 

Could you imagine your linesman partner saying this to you when you inform him that he is about to drop the puck in your half of the ice? (non-referee people...you probably don't think it matters who drops what puck.  And there's some referee people who might not care either!)

Well, this is what happened about a month ago.  At first blush, you could say that, "Gee, he must have been crabby," or maybe, "He must have really hated the other guy."  While those certainly could be the truth, or there could be many different reasons why a officiating partner would snap on you,  I am going to go with this hunch -- he doesn't like others around him having fun, doing better, and taking themselves to the next level.

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

If you could go back in time...and I am only talking about your athletic career (I'm not talking about that Jr. High dance when you should've asked Lori to dance with you, but you chickened out)...and you knew then what you know now, what would you change?

I would have shot more pucks in my driveway.  BTW, does anybody have a street hockey net for sale/FREE?

*************
Mental Tuffness Training (R)

Hey, did you know?  I have a Mental Tuffness Training (R) online course starting May 1, and then starting each and every month thereafter (or at least until I get tired of turning out 'ass-kicking' referees...go ahead...snicker...and then just watch :)


Here's a thought on the subject:

"Few people fully and completely realize that they are in control.  You ARE in control.  If you don't like where you are, there are big green signs above your town's highway telling you the way out of town.  Lift up each foot - check for roots - move.  If you don't like what has transpired in your life, fix it.  Change it.  Even get a do-over...If there is a common thread, a single message through almost everything I've ever written, recorded, taught, it is this: ...that you are in control.  Please don't be waiting around for devine intervention"

I didn't write that.  Dan Kennedy did.  He may have been talking about Mr. Eff-You linesman.  He mayb have been talking about you...


Mental Tuffness Training (R)

Mental Tuffness Training (R)

Ultimate Officials Mental Toughness Training(R)

Who: Referees who want to get the "edge" over their competition (whether you realize it or not, you are in CONSTANT competition with your peers for playoff assignments, spots in upper level leagues, and places in championship games). 

What: A 12 Week Camp, done entirely on line and through "at-home" study guides, to help you think better when on your skates, make better judgment decisions, and problem solve like an elite level hockey referee.  Many referees out there realize that when you get to a certain level in officiating, the physical part of the game can be very similar.  It is the stuff that is "between your ears" that separates the good from the GREAT.

When: Since this is an online based course, there is a new camp starting each month.  You can enroll now (just click subscribe at the bottom of the screen).

Where: Your home, on your time, at your discretion.  Skype interviews will be scheduled at the beginning of the course and every month following (a total of 4 "face-to-face" interviews -- Skype is a free video conference service -- I'll even send you the webcam as a part of your subscription).

Why: You may have not received instructions on how to be the "best".  You may have an idea of a hockey referee who you want to emulate, but have no idea how to get to that elite leve.  You now understand that someone has finally provided you with a blueprint to best your best:



How: Simply click on the "Subscribe" button below.  You will start you receive your material once you have completed the subscription of $25 per month.  Your membership includes:

• Weekly video messages and tutorials on a variety of subjects such as "How to conquer your doubts," and "How to Use Self-Talk Like a Champion".  

• A monthly newsletter that you will receive in the mail, your own copy of Strategies and Techniques that you can reference during the hockey season (See an Example Here)

• I'll also throw in a whole host of  FREE Stuff: 

 

·         A copy of my book, The SWAT Team Training Manual - a $47.00 value 

·         Exclusive Video Mail Workout Tips & Secret Weapons Referee Tips - $9.95 in value

·         Blog Updates for the UO Blog, “Hockey is Life” - a $19.00 value

·         A copy of the Ultimate Officials Power Skating Series 1 DVD – a $17.00 value

·         A copy of the accompanying Power Skating Manual – a $7.00 value

CLICK ON THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON TO BELOW 

 P.S. All information is GUARANTEED to improve your as an official or I return your money, PLUS you get to keep all of the information.  Hit the subscribe button below:

Bucci Says It Best for Referees

If you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I love to read John Buccigross from ESPN.  His writing is funny, a bit out-of-the-box, and, most improtant to me, very passionate.  The guy loves NHL hockey and gives us just a little different view on the sport than your average "vanilla-plain" NHL sportswriter.

I read this following excerpt from Bucci, and I thought of the life of a hockey referee immediately:

Hello Mr. Buccigross,

I am currently a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, majoring in communication. I, like many of my fellow freshmen, have asked myself what it is I want to set myself up for when I get out of school. After thinking about it, I realized my dream is to find myself in a similar career as yours. The real reason I wanted to e-mail you today is to ask what you did (as far as schooling and previous jobs) to get to this point in your career. Any tips are more than welcome, as well!

Ryan Anderson

I am asked this question a lot, and it is understandable. If there was e-mail when I was in high school and college, I would have sent Chris Berman an e-mail asking the same question.  

The only advice I can give you is from my path.  

My parents gave me a tape recorder when I was 12, and from that day on, I knew I wanted to be either a professional athlete or broadcaster for those who were playing. This was pre-ESPN, so my dream was play-by-play. I played with my tape recorder as a play-by-play man and disc jockey.

I chose a college, Heidelberg University in Ohio, small enough to compete in NCAA sports and equipped with a campus radio station (DJ), a school newspaper (writing) and a campus television station (broadcasting). I was there for four years.

Then, I was willing to work for free, five days a week, for five months at a small television station on Cape Cod while working part time at Chess King (simultaneously proving my passion for television and lack of long-term fashion trends). Then, I was willing to go to an even smaller cable station in the next town over and work there for more than five years for about $17,000 a year. This was poverty wages considering I had a wife and two kids. I ate pasta most nights and qualified for free baby formula (not for me) and, yes, cheese. Eventually, I increased my small salary by also getting a job at an all-news and talk radio station; I had to get up at 5:45 a.m. to record 60-second sports reports that ran all morning. This paid $6,500 a year, which was like hitting the lottery at the time. I no longer had to put grocery expenses on my credit card.

Later, I got a job at a larger station in Providence, R.I. (44th-biggest market in the United States at the time). This was my first real foray in television news. I was in Providence two years before I somehow wound up working 30 feet from Berman's desk at ESPN. I was 30 years old.

Besides that quick rundown, how did I get here? Again, I'm not really sure. Ryan, all I can give you in terms of advice is my approach, which may not be the best for everyone, I suppose. I didn't call in sick until my 15th year in the business. (Watch. Tomorrow: BUBONIC PLAGUE!) I've tried to write and/or read each word with all I've got, knowing effortless talent has never been my companion in anything except eating mozzarella sticks. So, I'd better write from the heart, and I'd better have decent hair.

I didn't listen to anyone else when I was young and poor because I believed that everyone was wrong and let chance furnish me with what I needed. And when someone like you asks me how I got such a cool job and how I've had the opportunity and honor to write a hockey column for the past 10 years, I tell them "accidental birth year and pure, unadulterated luck." I got lucky, babe. I hope you do, too.

Wow, that sounds a lot like the life of a referee who wants to make it big -- go out, bust your butt, drives 1 zillion miles on your car, go work some Squirt D's at 7:00 a.m. on New Year's Day, give up your Thanksgiving, Christmas Break, Valentine's, and any other social function/holiday that the rest of the 'normal' world thinks you should attend.  Don't forget to bust your butt, working out like a Banshee when no one is watching (did he say he recorded himself in his bedroom when no one was listening?  I know that Clay Matvick did that, too!).  Oh yeah, I also forgot to say that you need to have the MOST extreme Mental Tuffness, carry a MUCH higher level of expectation, and go about your business when those around you just want to slack off.  Oh...don't forget the luck.  Definitely gotta be lucky. 

Mr. Buccigross...thanks for the career advice!

I'm Such a Sports Rube

Any of you out there like me? Have sports on your brain most of the time? Watch sports on T.V. most of the time?  Open up the newspaper and IMMEDIATELY go to the 'Sports Section'?  You maybe even don't get to the rest of the paper?  Watch Sportscenter on the T.V. for "news of the day"?

Any of you out there like me?

For those of you like me, you've gotta have some fun this week, eh?  Masters golf...NCAA Frozen Four...heck, I'm such a rube, I'll watch some of my UO Brothers at the USA Hockey National Championships!

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

The House Always Wins

This is me in a nutshell career-wise = I substitute teach for a day job (I love working with kids) and I watch hockey games (occassionally reffing in them, too - like 91 of them this season) at night.  Two jobs that I absolutely love!

The problem is that I don't belong to an office/work place/building, so I no longer get in on the NCAA pools/football picks/Super Bowl numbers/Master's pools.  I mean...c'mon...the best part of all of this is talking trash with your fellow participants.

My wife's career is in management, so it is big-time frowned upon her if she joins an office pool, so she's got nobody either.

Well...we've got each other now.  BR (ie 'bragging rights') in the house and we bet each other and trash talk each other.  We will forget the part that she currently has the BR, because I lost the NCAA by  4 points, and we will focus on two major events this weekend: (1) Miami needs to beat Boston College in hockey for me to win that pool, and (2) we are going to draft for the Master's tournament.

Who should I draft?  Click on comments and let me know.

* On a side note: What does all this betting and watching sports amount to?  (1) entertainment, (2) ongoing interest in a 'speacialized way' of current events, and (3) it fuels my competitive desire. 

** STARTING MAY 1st -- Ultimate Officials Mental Tuffness Training Begins.  

email me and say, "Bring It" for more information: info@ultimateofficials.com

I Don't Doubt it One Bit

I read this in the paper the other day, and then looked into it further with an online research of "Associated Press Basketball Refs".  I found this [article] and this quote:

"We'd like them to have no memory and strictly call what's going on on the court," Anderson said. "But part of this is, if I'm a ref, I want everyone to think I'm fair and if I call 10 fouls on one team and two on the other, people are going to think something's going on here. It's sort of subconscious. And it points out one of the biggest problems with basketball is that it's a very hard game to officiate."


Why don't I doubt this one bit?  Because I think it's true and it's real.  I ask you to do some homework throughout this season.  When you read the box scores in the paper for NHL games, take a look at the power plays.  It will be real easy to read.  Let's look at some from this past week (Power Play Goals/Power Play Opportunities -- the home team is listed second):

1. 0 for 1, 0 for 2
2. 2 for 3, 1 for 4
3. 0 for 4, 1 for 6
4. 0 for 0, 0 for 4
5. 0 for 2, 1 for 6
6. 0 for 3, 0 for 4
7. 1 for 3, 0 for 1
8. 1 for 4, 0 for 5
9. 0 for 3, 1 for 2
10. 1 for 2, 1 for 5

Average for 10 most recent games:


Visitor = 2.5 power plays per game (averaging 1/2 goals per game on PP)


Home = 3.9 power plays per game (averaging 1/2 goals per game on PP!, despite more opportunities)


Well...so what?!  Huh???


How about this...

• the marbles are usually always very even
• the home team usually gets more power plays than the visitors
• the refs are really good at making this a reality for game to game, season to season

I realize that I have sampled a whopping 10 ten games here, hardly a representative sample.  I don't really want to crunch numbers beyond that.  I don't want to do that because (a) I want you to watch the power plays throughout the rest of this season, and (b) I know from my own experience that the "keep the marbles even" is true.


All I am going to say any further is this...good coaches know this.  They know that if a series of three or four penalties are called against their team, that chances are the next call will go in their favor.  They also know that in the end, everything usually evens out.  You see, whenever I have "rung a team up for a bunch in a row" and I have some coach just come "un-glued" with me, deep down I really feel like saying, "Just wait, Buddy.  Things will work out in the end."  [Really want to see more thoughts about this? - click here].


Where did I first learn this?  From one of my mentors.  


Do you want to argue with me?  Send me an email at: info@ultimateofficials.com


I've got loads of data and research to support my points.  I'll just use that data to ensure there is a fair and equitable playing field (wouldn't want to tip the scales in favor of one side or the other, eh? -- After all, there's two teams!!).

What Does the SWAT Team Get You?

Have you heard??  Ultimate Officials ran an off-season workout contest...did you miss out?  If so, here are some things you missed out on (these are some of the testimonials):

• "I never took absolute starting measurements or pictures before round one. I never started it for a beachbody or measurement increases. I was skeptical and did not think anything would change. Boy was I wrong. I had ZERO definition anywhere on my body. The now pictures are pretty nice. Wish I had start ones to compare to.
  
  The biggest thing I have found is that I now recover a lot faster. Prior to this my hamstrings would spasm severely if I worked them too hard. That is not the case anymore. Post workout soreness is now very minimal if any."

• "The results that I got were i got a half inch on my right bicep and 3/4 of an inch on my left bicep.  My stamina is much better now and cut my mile time down from 6:47 to 6:31.  My chest did not get bigger, but I feel stronger in my chest and back.  I am now able to do 40 pushups in one straight set which is better than when i started where I could only do 21. "
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  "How did I do ,, simple I did everything I said I was going to do , there where times that I missed but I tried to make it up as best as I could. After the 3rd week of the program I felt it was time to step it up so I introduced P90X into the mix and never looked back. I am about to finish my first round in a couple of weights and I feel Great I love what I have accomplished in a short period of time. I look forward to continued results over the next round that I do. I notice my conditioning has paid off where as officiating numerous games I would be winded , now bring it on , I feel great and look for more.
  
  
  
  This is just my starting point I plan on this LIFE change to sink in real deep and look to become better and better. "
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• "Results: My weight from 187 lbs to 176 lbs (going back to Xmas time last year I weighed 200 lbs).  My waist dropped an inch from 36 to 35. "

• " I know my thighs have grown because my compression shorts definitely fit a LOT tighter.  I know I have gotten strong and faster in my legs and that was one area I brought it nearly every time.  Happy to be up 6 lbs, I was hoping to eclipse the 160 mark with this as those 6 came early, but I plateaued after that.  I think part of that comes from losing some fat and gaining some muscle.  I know endurance and strength have improved.  "

• "There is no question that my core, legs and stamina are better than they were when I started and I will continue w/ my 3 per week, plus playing hockey once a week and officiating as many games as I can."

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  "Overall weight loss in 90 Days: 30 pounds.  I was 250-255 90 days ago.  Today the scale reads 220.5-224.5!  Really amazing! "
  
   
  
  

All I can say is that RESULTS speak for themselves.  What also happens here is the all of these guys are getting Bigger and Better games (at a MUCH faster period than ever before!).



The Ultimate Officials [Early Season Camp] is running right now.  Check it out! (or just get missed...again...you make the call!)

This Will Mean More to MN Wild Fans

So...the Minnesota Wild are 1-4 and sucking some serious eggs early in the season.  I am not going to pull a "I told you so here", because that is not my point.  I am going to pull a "Jacques Lemaire (and even Risebrough) were smarter than you thought," and do my best effort to stickhandle that into refereeing...

First of all, the starters:

1. Lemaire quits last year, everybody hates the "trap", MN Wild play boring hockey.
2. BTW, the Wild missed the playoffs by 3 points, missing Gaborik for 65 games and Brent Burns for the last month.  Not bad when a team is out its best forward and best defenseman for a long stretch.
3. Still, the Wild fans can't stand Lemaire's boring hockey.  They like the Red Wings and Penguins hockey.
4. A new GM and Coach, who are going to do an "up tempo" play.
5. I say, "Big Whoopie," because the Wild has no talent.  They are all grit, hard work, ham and eggs, a bag of knuckles, bring in some jam, and "Attache le tuque".  Seriously...I went to one game last year where they played Thornton, Marleau, and the San Jose Sharks.  The Wild weren't that good.  But...effective.
6. The "up tempo" has the Wild sucking eggs. They aren't the Wings or Pens.
7. Here is a funny comment on Mike Russo's blog, which was dated September 11, 2009.  I will cut and paste it here...it is a 'spoof' of a Q/A that Russo had with Cliff Fletcher, the Wild GM:

Mister Know it all: The team last year was a healthy Marion Gaborik and Brent Burns away from winning the division.  Now that the team is healthy and have replaced Gaby for Havlat. How do you see your team finishing ?

Fletcher: Blank look on his face. Were changing to a more up beat style because that is how the Pens and Detroit win in the CURRENT nhl. This style of hockey will be very fun to watch.

Mister Know it all: On Russos Blog it has been determined that Winning is more important to fans then playing fun and exciting hockey if you lose doing it

Fletcher: We want to win playing up tempo hockey. We think in the end they will be more happy

Mister Know it all: The previous regime believed that the fans of Minnesota would best like a blue collar hardworking style of hockey that wins consistently year in and year out. They also believed it would be easier to achieve consistency in winning if a focus was put on a strong defensive type system that cut out unnecessary risk taking that clearly and SIMPLY defines every players defensive responsibilities on the ice.

Fletcher: Well Leopold is the owner now and he asked me to bring an up tempo style of hockey to Minnesota because all of the fans were complaining they were getting sick of watching boring hockey. I have success with the Pens with this system

Mister Know it all: How did the Pens get to being able to play the up tempo hockey with success

Fletcher: They finished last for a few years and they were able to land top players like Malkin and Crosby and others which made it easier to win playing the up tempo game

Mister Know it all: Do you think the fans of Minnesota have the patience to wait for the team to win doing your system

Fletcher: I don’t know, we will see

Mister Know it all: Lemaire said you would quickly stop the risk taking once you realize you dont have the scorers to play that way

Fletcher: That is Mr Richards department, ask him

Mister Know it all: Last year Minnesota missed the playoffs by 3 points playing without its top forward and dman all year basically. Simply put the team was destroyed by injuries.  Why did the team have success ?

2nd in the league goals against
2nd in the league on penalty kill
9th in the league on power play
Why they did not win more ?

The team was reliant on Gaby to win the close games it found themselves in. With Gaby out they were the worst 5 on 5 team in the league.  So is it reasonable to say that the fans can expect this team to be in the playoffs given these factors ?

(1) You have Havlat and we did not have Gaby last year
(2) Young players now have one more year of experience which should help Shep, Gillies, Pouliot, Clutterbuck, Cuma
(3)The team is healthy

Fletcher: Well, when you put it that way yes I would expect us to be in the playoffs.
It is quite simple Mister Know it all, We wont be 2nd in goals against this year. Plain and simply put
The trade off to get better in the spirit of the up tempo game is scoring more 5 on 5, Mister Know it all,
We think the ingredients we are looking for to get better is going from worst in the league 5 on 5 to the TOP 12 in the league.  Our GOAL for goals against is no worse then 10th in the league.  We don’t want to be any worse on the penalty kill and power play then the team was last year. We are ok with those stats.


Mister Know it all: Don’t you think its a stretch to say your team is going to go from the worst team 5 on 5 to being in the top 12, or the top 1/3 in the league 5 on 5 ? All you have essentially done is replace Gaby with Havlat for the offense- Yes the young guys will be better but it seems a stretch.

Fletcher: I am going to watch Tony Robbins and Zig Zigler and stay positive.

Mister Know it all: What about Modano as I have suggested numerous times.

Fletcher: Be patient Mister Know it all. He will be here in time. I agree with you that a motivated Modano could be our answer.

To be continued

This is soooo true....

**What does this have to do with referees?**

Confidence is a tricky thing for some guys.  Lemaire put a system forward that gave the Wild the greatest confidence they could have.  I am telling you, the Wild had NO BUSINESS being in the playoffs or in the playoff hunt last year with the talent they had.  The were (to quote R.H. "Bob" Peters), "Common people, doing common things, Uncommonly well."   I will take that any day, and that is what I look for in officials. 

• Do the common things, uncommonly well.
• Bring your pride, grit, and determination every game.
• Stick to a system that will best suit you.  Not everybody is going to be a referee like Kerry Fraser.
• Do the small things that build to small victories that lead to Big victories.
• Always know that you can work harder.
• Preparation + Having Balls (X2) = Good Luck
• Owen Nolan, Andrew Burnette, and Wes Walz can fight with me in a fox hole anytime.  Pattern your game after them, which includes HARD WORK off the ice, the correct mental mindset, and control what you can control (effort and attitude -- everything else is BEYOND your control).

It's going to be a long year for the MN Wild.  However, it will be a GREAT year for our SWAT Team of referees for Ultimate Officials.  Attache le tuque.

This is NOT a hobby...Or is it?

Are you serious about what you do, or is refereeing just a nice hobby and pasttime to keep you involved with the greatest game on earth? (BTW, the best games in the world, in this order, are (1) hockey, (2) golf, (3) paper/rock/scissors, and (4) American Football, (5) the rest).

Back to refereeing...if you know me by now, you know that I find inspiration all over the place and use it to motivate me for my reffing career (which is not a hobby and is deep-seated, dye-in-the-wool passion).  Here is the lastest I found from Sports Illustrated this past week...

It was an article about the San Fransisco 49ers and their coach, Mike Singletary.  I used to love watching "Samurai Mike" play for the Bears, and he was an inspiration because I played inside linebacker as well.  Here's what he said in Sports Illustrated this past week in the September 28, 2009 issue:

"Greatness is not about someone who has the ability to be great," the 50-year old Singletary says, fixing the listener with the same piercing stare that once made quarterbacks weak in the knees and now makes the 49ers stiff in the spine.  "Greatness shows up when someone might not have that ability but finds a way to succeed.  They outwork their opponents, they outhit their opponents, they outfight their opponents.  They want it more.  Don't give me they guy who's supposed to be all-world and you've got to try to talk him into something.  Give me the guy who has maybe just enough talent to be on the field but thinks he's great, and who's willing to do whatever he can do to contribute, to make his team better.  That's what I want.  Give me all the misfits, the guys no one else wants.  Now trust me, I want some talent too.  But give me the right type of talent."

Samurai Mike:

So how does one use this a motivation?  Are you doing the small things, the little things, the things that really aren't little but end up being HUGE?  Are you prepping yourself?  Do you feel like you belong to some great event?  I see all these things, every week now, from the guys and girls who have devoted themselves to being a member of the [SWAT Team].

My hockey officiating isn't a hobby.  It's a passion.  I belong to a very passionate subculture in this world.  Kind of like the bodybuilding subculture...or the Mixed Martial Arts subculture...or the motorcycle-fanatic subculture...you get the idea.  I think (unless this is a hobby for you, and if it is, I don't know how to speak your language).

This guy know how to speak my language (remember...passion...subculture).