| Knowing the rules is especially important in hockey, | | | | when you stepped on the ice. |
| because it is one of the few games in which players | | | | 2. If you are the team captain or his alternate, be polite |
| are provided with equipment that could injure an | | | | in asking for the interpretation of a call. If you are not |
| opponent. Both sticks and skates can be dangerous if | | | | the captain, stay away from the referee altogether. |
| players do not use them properly, as described in the | | | | 3. Appreciate the difficulty of making split-second |
| rules. An understanding of the role of the referee is | | | | decisions in a fast game. The best way to develop this |
| also an important component of the game. | | | | appreciation is to try refereeing a game or two |
| You should know the rules that describe the infractions | | | | yourself. |
| calling for penalties. Not only should you know them, | | | | 4. Try to realize how important it is to have good |
| but you should understand their interpretations. For | | | | referees for your games. There is nothing worse than |
| example, terms like cross-checking, hooking, slashing, | | | | the chaos that occurs when poor officials referee a |
| and high-sticking tell you when you are committing a | | | | game. And the only way we can keep good referees |
| foul with your stick. Others like boarding, charging, | | | | working is to respect their judgments and abilities. |
| kneeing, elbowing, and holding tell you how not to use | | | | Once you discipline yourself to accept the referee's |
| the parts of your body in checking an opponent. These | | | | calls, whether you think them to be good or bad, your |
| rules are intended to reduce the chances of injuries | | | | ability to concentrate every minute on your play will |
| and to prevent one player from gaining an unfair | | | | improve. You will not be easily upset or distracted by |
| advantage over another. | | | | bad breaks. Only then will you know that you are no |
| Another group of rules you need to know concerns | | | | longer a rookie. You will have become a "coach's |
| the puck in play. | | | | player" - a rare compliment in hockey language. |
| In addition to reading your league's official rule book, it is | | | | Do not criticize the play of others on the team. That is |
| also a good idea to talk over with your buddies and | | | | the coach's job; your job is to improve your own |
| your coach any rule calls made in practices and | | | | weaknesses. Besides, your buddy might not go for |
| games that you do not understand. | | | | your telling him what is wrong with his play. |
| Penalties may come your way by accident - especially | | | | Remember that there are no substitutes in hockey, as |
| if you play aggressively. But you give your team a big | | | | there are in other team sports. If you ever try to play |
| advantage if you cut out useless, foolish penalties and | | | | all three 20-minute periods with just six men on the ice, |
| still play a hard, driving game. Remember that when | | | | you will soon realize that the second and third lines are |
| you sit out a two-minute penalty, your teammates | | | | alternate lines and you cannot win without them. |
| have to work much harder under greater pressure | | | | Be on hand for every practice. Nothing hurts a team's |
| while shorthanded. | | | | morale as much as having only half a squad turn out. |
| Also, the referee is not responsible for your penalties | | | | Do not be critical of your coach's decisions. If he |
| or your mistakes, so do not blame him for the game | | | | assigns you to a different line and you do not like the |
| you just lost. | | | | move, swallow your dislike. Remember, the move is |
| For your own and your team's good, you should | | | | being made to strengthen your team. Also, do not |
| develop the following attitudes toward the referee: | | | | criticize your coach's offensive and defensive strategy. |
| 1. Respect what the referee stands for. He did not | | | | Play the game with intelligence and courage. Above all, |
| make the rules, but he is responsible for seeing that | | | | be a true sportsman in both victory and defeat. |
| they are carried out, and you agreed to accept them | | | | |