Hockey Can Be a Thing of Beauty

Well, NBC got its wish with the match up between Pittsburgh and Detroit.  I didn't watch the game (too busy on the pond myself -- indoors and outdoors = sweet), but these highlights are great.

I love to watch great officials work a game.  Are you kidding me?!? Crosby and Geno Malkin sealing the deal with Shoot Out winners?!? More sweetness.

0:05 - Good example of  "who has got the best sight line?" - Stephen Walkom #24 makes the call as the best ref.  I think we have gotten away from "the front ref should always make the call"...that needs to be a thing of the past.  The ref with the best sight line should make the call.

0:20 - Walkom working the goal line/working the puck/working the check.  Love it.

0:31 - Great awareness and patience on Rob Martell #26 on a high stick the puck wave off.

1:30 - Sweet goal by Crosby from Alex Goligoski (good ol' MN boy - interesting trivia - Goligoski was NEVER chosen for any Advanced 15, 16, or 17 team to represent MN).

3:18 - Notice where the ref places himself.  Heck, notice in any game where the refs place themself to view play.

4:50 - Martell on his high horse skating backwards and then has two great wash outs.

6:35 - Great move by Flippula of Detroit and great sight lines for a hooking call (see the 'separation between the two players).

7:05 - Martell uses the goal net to bump around players.  I like that move!

7:30 - 9:10 - You have got to see these sweet Shoot Out goals by Crosby (water bottle popper) and Geno Malkin (sweetest slow motion move ever).

Also notice:
* Pierre McGuire is still annoying, throwing 4 "Edzo" comments in there
* Anyone who thinks Stevens pants don't look good, should have their eyes examined.  These refs look SHARP!
* I think I am starting to like the NHL ref sweaters.  You'd never see me get one (nor will I ever wear a mesh underarm sweater).

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???

5 Things a Referee Can Teach You About Life

1. Timing -- When you position yourself, the timing will come.



explanation: Life is all about timing...being in the right place at the right time. Getting the right connections, at the right time, in the right place and THEN TAKING ACTION is what this is all about.

How do you position yourself for success? You place yourself in a target-rich environment. In business that means getting yourself in an environment where either (a) you are with influential people, (b) you are amongst people who are likely to buy what you are offering, or (c) both. And you do this all the time. In officiating, if you want to move up a level, it's working with (a) people who are of influence and work in a league you aspire to work in (we will call these people, "Sneezers", because when they sneeze, things spread), (b) officiating in a league, association, or district that has "sneezers", and (c) being professional and polished on and off the ice at all times.

2. There is no substitution for Good Mechanics

explanation: Ever tried to pick someone up for a date? Mechanics are everything (btw, the best line that has EVER worked for me was...I would go up to a gal in the bar and ask her, "Buy me a drink?" Worked like a charm. Don't believe it, contact me and I will give you the finer points on why this works. I will also give you a 100% full proof way to pick ANYBODY up at a bar. Be careful, though, because this is very powerful and manipulative kind of stuff.

I digress...When it comes to being a great friend, spouse, partner, referee, or businessman there are tried and true mechanics involved. Ignore them at your own risk, because they are tried and true for a reason (Need tried and true refereeing mentorship? Go to ultimateofficials.com and check out "Personal Assessment").

3. Appearance is important

explanation: This really helps in the dating area...it helps in every area. What are you portraying? And, please don't try to look like someone else if it doesn't fit your personality. For me, I want to be sharp in appearance on the ice at all times. Players, coaches will determine how much they can get away with by just looking at you, so look the part.

4. Balance between work and family is paramount.

explanation: (1) Why in the heck do so many guys struggle with this? The answer is easy = give her all of your referee checks. (2) Why do so many wives suck the life out of referees? This is a MUCHO SERIOUS topic. You want to change this? Permanently? Go to ultimateofficials.com and contact us. We will be more than happy to work with you and your wife (or spouse/partner/committed relationship person) to create the greatest balance that you could ever imagine. You'll have greater communication, more sex, better relationships with your kids, and you will be allowed to ref to your heart's desire. MUCHO SERIOUS!

5. A smile can always disarm people.

explanation: Self-explanatory

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J.B. Olson

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