Referee-in-Chief Eddie™ · Lesson 46 of 50
Who this lesson helps: Officials preparing required game or incident reports.
Referee reports should give authorized reviewers a clear account of the relevant facts. Emotional labels and guesses about intent can make a report less useful. Follow the governing body’s current forms, deadlines, and confidentiality requirements.
A Situation You May Recognize
After an incident, an official writes that a person was out of control without describing their actions. A reviewer cannot easily determine what occurred. Observable conduct and a clear sequence provide better information.
Referee reports: Practical Steps
Record the required identifiers, time, actions, exact words when accurately remembered, and steps taken. Distinguish your direct observations from information supplied by others. Submit through the authorized system and meet its requirements.
Avoid This Common Trap
Do not add details you cannot reliably recall or publish the report on social media. Also, avoid substituting an informal personal message for a required submission. Ask the designated supervisor about uncertainty in the process.
Your Next Development Step
Read the draft once as someone who was not at the game. Can they understand the sequence without your assumptions? Verify required fields, confidentiality, and submission instructions before completing the report.
A Short Video Script for Eddie
Proposed spoken script for this lesson; the matching video has not yet been recorded.
A useful report describes what happened. Give the required facts, preserve the sequence, and separate observation from assumption. Use the authorized process. Accuracy helps the reviewer make an informed decision.
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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