Fast Flicks

Referee Guidance Manual

Ref Coordinator:

Janet Wolfe

267-992-3322

Referee Tips

Referees are important to keep the game FAIR, SAFE and FUN. In both Minkey and Midi leagues there are a lot of new players to field hockey who are interested to have fun and learn how to play field hockey. Your role as a referee is to know the rules of the league, and help keep the games fair and safe according to the rules. The Rules are there to keep the games consistent, Please be SURE to READ and UNDERSTAND the MIDI and MINKEY RULES in addition to this guidance. In the below paragraphs will be helpful hints to keep in mind while refereeing games.

This year games will be designated by self-assigning. You will initially be assigned to a “ref team” (either A or B).Each ref team will be allowed to sign up for certain weeks of the season about a week before games begin. Mrs. Janet Wolfe will send out emails saying games are open to sign up for by a certain date. Once both ref teams have had a chance to sign up for the same number of games, Mrs. Wolfe will open the sign up for any additional games that are still open. This will continue until all games are full. If during the season you are not able to ref a game you signed up for, you need to go into the system at least 3 days in advance and remove yourself from the game. Also you need to email Mrs. Wolfe (see contact info below) to let her know you have done so.

NEW POLICY: If you cancel an assignment within 24hrs of game time or don't show up for a game - you may not be permitted to referee any more games for the remainder of the season. It's unfair tothe coordinators andco referee to try and fill the spots. We understand emergencies happen - contact Mrs. Wolfe if that's the case.(see contact info below)

In order to Self Assign for a Junior game you need to have 2 years experience and be classified as Senior Referee. The system will not allow you to ref these games unless you meet these qualifications. You can call Mrs. Wolfefor any questions.

Janet Wolfe:

Phone (267) 992-3322

Pre-game Notes:

  • Please arrive to your game ½ hour prior to the start time. This will give you time to find your field, check that the field is lined and playable, etc.
  • Talk to the other Referee partner and agree which “circle” 10 yd region you would like to be the Lead ref for. The Lead ref for each goal is the one who calls the goals no matter what. If you are not sure of goals, talk to the other ref, then have the Lead ref make the call.
  • On long hits, the Trail official has the call for lifted balls or fouls. Fouls in the corner of the field are called by the ref with the clearest line of sight
  • Always have pre game meeting with coaches of two teams and both referees 15 minutes prior to game start
  • Introduce yourself
  • Agree on subbing methods
  • Clarify any rules the coaches my have
  • Determine game ball
  • What you need:
  • Referee shirt
  • Whistle
  • Timer – you are responsible for timing the two 25 min halves and the 10 min half time
  • Call for Captains and perform the coin toss 5 minutes before the start of the game. Encourage coaches to put their starting line-ups on the field IMMEDIATELY after the coin toss…START THE GAME ON TIME

Reffing the game:

  • Eye Contact is Key. Make eye contact with the other ref before every goal is called. Also make eye contact with the other ref before every corner is played
  • Never whistle in your partners “circle”. Watch in case they need help, but do not make calls.
  • Hitting the ball lifted into an opponent is a foul on the player who hit the ball
  • When calling hacking, do not judge by sounds or swings for the ball, ask yourself did Player A try to play the ball WITHOUT interfering with Player B, look at where the ball went after the tackle?
  • Obstruction exists, Three criteria however for obstruction are:
  • The defender must be close enough to play the ball.
  • The defender must TRY to play the ball
  • The attacker must move her body between the defender and the ball so that the defender can’t play the ball.
  • Make your calls loud and clear. If asked to repeat or explain a call, do so loudly so that both coaches and players can hear the explanation. Also use signals when you make a call. Sometimes coaches can not hear you, so when you make a signal it helps them know what was called. Signals are below. Review and be familiar with these standard Reffing signals:
  1. Free Hit – Arm held to the side, slightly above horizontal with the palm forward toward the field.
  1. 16-Yard Hit – Umpire’s back to end line with arms held to the side, slightly above horizontal, palms forward, pointing towards the center of field.
  1. Long Hit – Arm held to the side, approximately 45 degrees above horizontal, pointing toward the appropriate corner of the field.
  2. Penalty Corner – Extend both arms horizontally toward the goal.
  1. Side-In – For direction, arm extended to the side, slightly above horizontal, palm forward toward the field with other arm down at the side.
  1. Stick Interference – Hit forearm of one arm with other hand (“hacking”)
  2. Advancing – Slightly raise one leg and touch it with the hand.
  3. Dangerous Use of Stick - Raise bent arm forward and upward overhead.
  4. Obstruction – Arms crossed in front of chest with palms inward.
  1. Third Party Obstruction – Arms crossed in front of chest, palms inward, then move forearms in and out one time.
  2. Dangerous Play – Arms extended forward, lower than waist, palms down. Move the arms slowly up and down one time.
  3. Time-out – Arms extended overhead, crossed at the wrist, palms forward towards the field.
  4. Goal Scored – One arm extended overhead, palm forward, then turn and extend both arms horizontally towards the center of the field.
  1. Advantage – Extend an arm high from the shoulder in the direction in which the benefiting team is playing.
  2. Raised Ball – Arms extended in front of body approximately 18 inches apart, palms facing each other.
  3. No Goal – Extend and cross arms in front of body with palms down.

General Guidance:

  1. Do not take things personally, or let anyone aggravate you. You know the rules, and continue to call fair. You will never make everyone happy.
  2. BLOW YOUR WHISTLE LOUDLY!!!
  3. Make sure you indicate which direction the ball is going after foul has been called.
  4. Just go out and work the game and HAVE FUN. SMILE, these players are new, if you make a mistake, there is a good chance the players will not even notice. All level of referees make mistakes. Do not dwell on the mistake.
  5. Once a call is made, do not go back and forth and change your mind. Stick to your original call.
  6. Appearance is IMPORTANT. Be neat, and wear your referee shirt. The players look up to you.
  7. If you are not sure about a rule, look it up, talk to other referee “Experts” so you will know for the next time.
  8. No Matter how many times you have reffed a game or how many times you have reffed with the same officials, ALWAYS have a pre-game meeting before every game.
  9. Project an image of calmness and confidence. Both the coaches and the players will look to you as the person in control of the game.
  10. Watch more than “ALL Ball”. Pay attention to the area around the ball to react correctly to each situation
  11. There are two referees for each game, WORK TOGETHER
  12. It is better to say “I did not see it”, than to make a guess at a call
  13. Hold whistles if the team with the ball still has an advantage. You do not want to be blowing the whistle every 5 seconds.
  14. If a parent or a coach causes you any problems, do not hesitate to contact one of the ref coordinators.

What makes a GREAT Referee:

  1. Knowing the rules – read the rule books multiple times
  2. Confidence – BLOW YOUR WHISTLE LOUDLY, and say the call so that the players and coaches can hear you.
  3. Educate – explain your calls to let the players know what they are doing wrong
  4. Control – keep it SAFE and FAIR
  5. Professionalism – remain NUETRAL, SMILE, and look professional
  6. Physically Fit – Stay with the play. Do not stand in one place
  7. Consistency – be consistent with your calls or people get frustrated
  8. Good Judgment – Go with your gut, as you ref more games this will get easier

Fast Flicks

Minkey Field Hockey Rules

The Minkey game is played on a field approximately ¼ the size of a full size hockey field (25 yds. x 40 yds.). Each team will have 6 players on the field at a time, typically playing 3 offense (right wing, center, left wing) and 3 defense (right halfback, left half back and a full back).

The Rules of Minkey

1. Each team will have a maximum of 6 players at any time on the field. Substitutions will occur at the end of each quarter or at a designated time within a quarter. This should be agreed upon by both coaches and referees prior to the game.

2. The game will consist of 4 ten minute long quarters with a 5 minute break between quarters and a few minutes more at half time if needed.

3. Coaches may be on the playing field during the game for weeks 1 & 2 of the season to help with positioning. Coaches may not interfere with play. Referees will remove a coach interfering with play after 1 warning during these 2 weeks.

4. Coaches will have a designated area to stand in on the sideline opposite of their fans in weeks 3-8. The area is roughly from the 10 yard line to the center of the sideline. Under no circumstance can a coach stand on the endline. This rule must be adhered to and the area will be set up by the referees.

5. At the coin toss, the winner will be asked to choose possession to start the first half or second half. The other team will be given the choice of first half field direction. Teams will change direction at half time.

5. The game will begin with a center push from the center spot (“push back”). Both teams must be “onside” which is in their respective defensive half of the field. The defending team must be 5 yards away from the ball. The offensive team may be within 5 yards. Upon the scoring of a goal, the team conceding the goal will restart the game with another push back from the center spot.

The player performing the push back may only touch the ball once. The ball is live once it is touched. A player from either team may play the ball once it is live.

6. A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the pylons. The ball must go completely over the line. An offensive player must touch the ball within the 10 yard line. If it is touched only by a defensive player within the 10 yard line it is NOT a goal.

  1. There is no offside rule in Minkey. “Cherry Picking” should be highly discouraged. It is good practice to remind the players that when their team is in possession of the ball, ALL players are offense and when the other team has the ball, ALL players are defense. Positions are just to cover areas of the field.
  1. A low slap shot will be permitted in Minkey play. The player must have hands separated on the stick. On the swing their stick may not go higher than their knees either in front or in back.
  1. There are no goalies in Minkey–keeping one player back on the goal line should be highly discouraged.

Penalties

Penalties are always called at the discretion of the referee. There are times a penalty may not be called if the referee deems that doing so would NOT cause a clear advantage for the team against which the penalty occurred. This is generally called a “held whistle” and should be indicated by the referee pointing in the direction of the free hit IF it were to be called. Sometimes, the call will not be made at all. Sometimes the call will be made after a slight delay. Again, this is the discretion of the referees to determine what will provide a clear advantage.

A player should be penalized if during a game they:

1. Play the ball with the back of the stick or any part of their body.

2. Raise the hockey stick (especially the toe) above their knees.

3. Hit an opponent’s stick instead of the ball – “Hacking”.

4. Obstruction will be called when a player is shielding the opposition from a stationary ball. If the ball is in motion it is not obstruction. If there are 2 players from the same team playing a ball and the opposition attempts to play the ball, this is (third party) obstruction.

5. Attempt to play the ball while lying or sitting on the ground.

6. Deliberately block, hit or trip an opponent with the hockey stick.

7. Play in a manner which is deemed to be dangerous.

8. Criticize or ridicule another player.

  1. Show dissent to an official.

Free Hits

** Please note: A self start rule is played for Free Hits in PIAA rules. We are NOT implementing this rule in the Minkey or Midi 3 division.

Free Hit:

In the event of a player breaching any of these rules outside of the 10 yard line, a Free Hit may be awarded to the opposing team at the point where the infraction occurred:

  1. Apart from the player taking the Free Hit, no other player is allowed to stand within four yards of the ball.
  2. The player taking the free hit may only touch the ball once.
  3. It is then considered “live” and may be touched by any other player on the field.

A goal cannot be scored directly from a Free Hit. A second player from the attacking team must touch the ball within the 10 yard line. In general, it is good play to take free hits as quickly as possible. Please make every attempt not to hold up the game by setting up free hits. The referee will NOT blow the whistle for a free hit to be taken, it can be taken whenever the team taking the hit is ready.

Free Hit Out:

When any penalty occurs inside the 10 yard line, by the attacking team, the defending team will be awarded a Free Hit Out. The ball should be picked up and placed just outside the 10 yard line directly even with where the foul occurred. It may then be played just as any other free hit.

** Note: Players are asked to place the ball just outside the line in order to develop a good habit for future play.

Free Hit In:

When any penalty occurs inside the 10 yard line, by the defending team, the attacking team will be awarded a Free Hit In. The attacking team may pick up the ball and place it just outside the 10 yard line even with where the foul occurred. It may then be played just as any other free hit. A goal may not be scored directly on a free hit. It must be touched by a member of the attacking team within the 10 yard line.

** Both of these rules are designed to get players used to the fact that play within the 10 yard line is treated slightly different than play at mid field. This is to lay the foundation for corner play at upper levels.

Sideline Hit:

During the game, if the ball crosses the sideline, the opposing team will restart the game with a Free Hit at/from the point where the ball went out of play.

Ball over the End Line:

Any time the ball is played over the end line but outside of the goal, the defending team will be awarded a free hit out on the 10 yard line with the ball placed even with where the ball crossed the end line. This will be awarded whether or not the ball was last touched by the attacking or defending team. If the referee feels the ball was purposely played over the end line by the defending team, the referee may award a free hit coming in to the offensive team.