Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

Here are the two artcile links mentioned in the video:

1. All-around stars
2. Early Recruiting for Basketball (this is a video)




Got Daily Discipline to Kick Butt and Take Names???

Email me: info@ultimateofficials.com

Wanted: Finishers -- Those Who Go ALL THE WAY

Seems like there is a trend going on out there in hockey playoff land -- one team plays the full 60 minutes, and the other team pulls up short. I can't remember a time in the playoffs, including the NCAA's and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where a team has done something totally dramatic in that LAST FEW SECONDS.

Exhibit A:

Game 7 Carolina vs. New Jersey

Officiating Crew:
Referees - Paul Devorski (#10) and Kevin Pollock (#33)
Linesmen -- Jean Morin (#97) and Brian Murphy (#93 - USA Boy!)


This all reminds of a story of the Moorhead Spuds H.S. hockey team. I learned that when Terry Cullen was the coach of the team, they were ADAMANT about finishing drills. You never gave up on a drill in practice.

Why finish all the time?

(A) Practice makes PERMANENT

(B) Excellence is a Habit.

I think about that all the time...are you finishing your exercise workouts, or do you quit? Do you do drills all the way to the end, or do you quit? Do you follow an extreme nutrition and ftness regiment, or do you quit? How you do those things is how you do everything.

Be a finisher. Go the full 60 minutes. Practice like you play. Do the opposite of the 2009 USA World Sr.'s team [read here]. Do what the 1980 Olympic Team did.

Excuses are like Armpits...

Everyone has them and they stink!

I substitute teach just about 3-4 days a week. Last week I taught in a 2nd grade Spanish Immersion class. These kids speak Spanish all day long. No excuses. It's called IMMERSION. (I don't speak Spanish, so the rule was they had to speak Spanish to each other and could only speak English if they were asking me a question).

They had an Oops! chart where if they slipped up and spoke English when they weren't supposed to, they had to mark a tally by their name. They also had a big "EXCUSE" chart, where they had to make a check mark and write their name if they gave some lame excuse why they couldn't get their work done in Spanish, etc.

These kids were awesome. They own up to their shortcomings WAYYYY better than some officials. The title of this blog is "Hockey is Life" and there are lessons to be learned on the playing field that also play out in real life.

Here are some lame excuses I here ALL the time!:

• I'm too busy (I f**ing hate that one!)
• I'm going to do it next week.
• I've got too much on my plate right now (yeah, but you still probably watch some lame reality TV show every night, too).
• It's someone else's fault.
• I'm OK how I'm doing right now (that's a tough one to recover from -- start of the downward slide).

So...is there something you were supposed to do? Is there some way to make yourself better today? Are you owning up to your excuses OR do yours stink?

Did you follow me on twitter and seesmic yet?

The Real Season Begins -- Work for the Puck/Angles

Game 1 - Rangers at Capitals

Those who accepted my offer for homework will understand some of the comments I will make. Those who haven't accepted the homework offered in the previous post can still get in on the action.

Here are a few observations:

1. Ovechkin is one great player. Body checks, goals, assists...take away his goofy behavior and persona and I say he is just like an old school player.

2. Watch the referees...watch the linesmen...see how they work for the puck, get an angle, get in position to best see the play, stay out of play, and give them the best opportunity for success. [[Video on this coming soon -- Tell me, "I want to work for the puck!"]]

3. Just listen to the crowd -- this is hockey AT IT'S BEST!

Officiating Crew:
Referees - #3 Mike Leggo and #20 Tim Peel
Linesmen - #97 Jean Morin and #71 Brad Kovachik


email me -- info@ultimateofficials.com -"I want to work for the puck"

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 - 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.

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???

Good News! - 18% Lighter Get's You What!?!?

The NHL debuted a new sweater for referees and linesmen in the 2009 All Star Game in Montreal.

Here's a snipet from the article:

Reebok is proud to announce the debut of new NHL All-Star jerseys for referees and linesmen for this year's historic NHL All-Star Game, which will be held in Montreal, on Jan. 25. The jerseys -- 18 percent lighter in weight than current officials' uniforms -- are customized to fit the specific needs of officials, providing increased range of motion and better moisture management.

Wow, that's impressive...didn't know my good ol' polyester sweater was bogging me down....as a radio talk show host here in the Twin Cities says, "B. as in B., S. as in S."

You want to move 18% better? How about you go out and crank out some body weight squats. No barbells, no dumb bells, just "air squats". Crank out about 100 of those every day and then tell me if you have more spring in your step.

**NOTE: Of all the exercises I have done to increase speed, strength, AND quickness, bodyweight squats have been the best BY FAR!**

Here's what another fitness expert had to say...

"In regards to squats, I'll never forget the time during the winter of 1980 , when my mother gave me an article that talked about dancers and how they built amazing strength and explosivemeness in their thighs. Free squats, done in high numbers, were the key. That evening when I was doing my exercises, I began to incorporate the squats. I did 100 at a time, once per day...Two weeks later I was wrestling in a tournament against a guy who had beaten me three times before...I felt like I had springs in my legs. EVERY MOVE I FELT INCREDIBLY EXPLOSIVE." (Matt Furey)

So...forget the sweater and be more explosive. Let Reebok market their claims, and let you claims be how quick you are on the ice.

Here Comes the BOOM!

I was just handed this item from our IT department. Please enjoy the music video:

Power Points #1

Dan Kennedy is a man I admire. He teaches business fundamentals in marketing and copywriting (so I can give his due, I will always include his website when I mention him, which is www.dankennedy.com).

I admire Dan for many reasons, including the fact that he has a series of books called, "The No B.S." Series and another one called, "Brass Balls."

That Ultimate Officials -- no BS with a touch of Brass Balls.

FACT #1: Dan was kind enought to share power points from his hundreds of presentations to business leaders all over the nation. I will be adapting some of these power points.

FACT #2: I hate power point presentations at seminars and camps. Blah, blah, blah. My mother-in-law could read those power points to an audience.

*******THESE ARE REAL POWER POINTS -- Useful, to the point, and entertaining**********

NO SLEEPING HERE!

Hockey imitates life and vice versa. Talents learned in hockey can help in real life and vice versa.

Power Point #1: Power of "A Starving Crowd"

"Gary Halbert explains a starving crowd this way: if I offer to set you up in the fast food biz, with a hamburger joint, and you can have any one special advantage you want, what'll it be? A clown, special sauce, great burgers, a big ad budget? He says he'll take "a starving crowd.""

I experienced a "starving crowd" in hockey, particularly in Minnesota, in the mid-1990's for hockey officials. There were so many guys I came up through the program with that were great athletes and people. My regional camp in 1995 at the Western Regional produced an NHLer, 4 WCHA officials, 4 IIHF officials, and many, many other great USA hockey, high school games, tournaments and championships. We were "a starving crowd". We did what was necessary.

Too many officials today want everything handed to me. Makes me sick to my stomach. So, I am searching for "a starving crowd".

Do you have any experiences with officials who suffer from a sense of entitlement?

5 Things a Referee Can Teach You About Life

1. There's no excuse for not knowing your numbers

explanation: Does anyone remember Randy Moss? If you watched the New England Patriots this past year, you should know who he is. If you ever were a Minnesota Vikings fan (proof that God has a sense of humor), you know what his character is like. I would be willing to bet you, though, that Randy Moss knows his numbers/stats. I bet he knows the numbers/stats of all the leading wide receivers in the NFL. He knows his trade. The same could be said about any professional athlete. Heck, it could be said about any serious athlete.

What does this have to do with you? If you are in business, I guarantee you that you should know your numbers. If you are a referee, you must know your numbers, which are the rules. No excuse. None whatsoever.

2. The great one's see it before they achieve it.

explanation: Man alive, I tell you, Wayne Gretzky was a heckuva player. The guy broke 61 different NHL records (which are all still intact to this day). No one else has ever scored 200 or more points in an NHL season, and he averaged over 200 points for 5 seasons.

Do you know what one skill Gretzky did better than all the rest?

He was one to two steps ahead of play. He saw plays unfold before they happened. The same holds true for officials -- they see plays happen before they happen. They have ESP ( while some just have ESPN).

The same holds true for your beliefs -- most will believe it when they see it...the great ones, they believe it because they see it. Good things happen to them because they believe in themselves, their abilities, their confidence, and their ability to problem solve.

If you are struggling in this area, go here: See It Before You Achieve It

3. Like attracts like.

explanation: "Don't be a sh*# magnate"

I have been told that I quoted that one time. Well, whether I said it or not, it's true. Let me explain it this way...when I was a teacher, I learned to avoid the teacher's lounge. Why? Because it was full of people bichin' and complaining. It's easy to get sucked into that negativity. I am fully convinced that those people who complain the most are the one's who get the worst luck. They are the one's who are always sick, they are the one's who are always broke, and they are the one's who don't get the referee assignments, the big games, because the assignor is picking on them.

Good teams make their own luck.

There's a term out there called, "Social Aptitude". Here's what I basically know about it -- social aptitude has to deal with the people you hang out with and their influence upon you. If you hang out with a lot of success-minded individuals, you will improve your performance in whatever it is you are doing -- golf, hockey, officiating, weightlifting. For example, people who participate in a powerlifting club that meets at a gym on a regular basis will have greater success with their lifts and will push themselves harder. Playing golf with great players will improve your score much more quicker than playing with a bunch of hacks. Like attracts like.


4. There's no excuse for poor physical fitness.

explanation: This is a no-brainer in officiating. I have discovered that it's not the diets or workout plans that don't work, it's the people that don't work. There are two ways you can improve this: (1) change your attitude (and I say the only people who like change are babies with wet diapers), or (2) find a better program.

Ultimate Officials has the "Five-Fifteen Plan." You work out 15 minutes a day and eat 5 nutritious/delicious meals a day. Easy to do and easy to lose the weight or gain the muscle you want.

To learn more, go to: Referee Specific Training Program

5. There is no substitute for pure HUSTLE.

explanation: I am just going to use a quote from Woody Hayes, the former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach:

"You may be smarter than me, you may be stronger than me, but you will never outwork me."


* Have you ever experienced any type of "Social Aptitude" either positive or negative? We would love to hear your comments!