Mannix and USA Hockey are looking at knocking down silos between the coaching and ref curriculum, which they hope will get both sides to be a little more empathetic.
Most coaches don’t know that 60% of youth officials have less than three years of experience. And coaches need to have realistic expectations at the rink when it comes to officials calling games.
Coaches can utilize the USA Hockey mobile rulebook, and look at it from time to time after games and practices.
Another step coaches can take to improve their understanding of refs – along with rules – is by getting certified as an official themselves. One of the comments from this year’s updated coaching curriculum is that coaches are interested in getting the Level 1 referee certification after going through the coaching clinic.
This is the equivalent of a coach skating a mile in a ref’s stripes.
“I’d really like to see the respect come back between how two adults communicate – and often times the ref isn’t even an adult,” said Mannix. “That’s something that gets lost in the moment – when it’s heated conversation, it’s very emotional, there’s a lot perceived to be on the line, the way that you communicate in those situations. Kids watch that and they pick up on that.”
