Referee-in-Chief Eddie™ · Lesson 37 of 50
Who this lesson helps: Teen officials and their Parents.
Young referee scheduling should make participation manageable alongside school, rest, and other commitments. Accepting every opportunity can look like dedication until preparation or attention suffers. Availability needs honest boundaries.
A Situation You May Recognize
A teen accepts several games during an exam period because they fear losing future assignments. They arrive tired and unprepared. An early conversation with the assignor could protect both development and school responsibilities.
Young referee scheduling: Practical Steps
Provide accurate availability, include travel time, and explain changes promptly. Discuss workload with a Parent or trusted adult where appropriate. Follow program requirements and ask how to reduce assignments before a conflict becomes urgent.
Avoid This Common Trap
Do not claim a universal safe maximum number of games for every official. Duration, pace, travel, experience, and personal circumstances differ. Also, avoid pressuring young officials to hide fatigue to demonstrate commitment.
Your Next Development Step
Review the next two weeks before submitting availability. Identify difficult travel or school combinations and discuss them with the assignor. Afterward, evaluate whether the schedule allowed good preparation and recovery.
A Short Video Script for Eddie
Proposed spoken script for this lesson; the matching video has not yet been recorded.
Be honest about your availability. School, travel, and rest affect your preparation. Talk with the assignor before you are overwhelmed. A manageable schedule helps you return ready for the next game.
Use the Right Rules for Your Assignment
This is original development guidance from The Hockey Resource™. Confirm requirements with your Referee-in-Chief or assignor. Game rules, certification, reporting, and permitted procedures depend on the governing body and competition; the age of an official is separate from the age division of the Players.
For Canadian assignments, use the Hockey Canada officiating resources and your Member’s instructions. For USA Hockey assignments, consult the official rules and casebook. These resources support verification; THR lessons do not replace required training.
Continue with Eddie’s advice for new Hockey referees. Bring one question from this lesson to a qualified mentor and agree on one action for your next assignment.
DISAGREE WITH THE CALL. RESPECT THE PERSON.
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