7 – REFEREE-IN-CHIEF™ – EDDIE – 5 Smart Ways to Build a Referee Development Plan

Referee-in-Chief Eddie™ ·

Who this lesson helps: Referees-in-Chief planning a season.

A referee development plan links learning goals to instruction, observation, and appropriate assignments. Listing clinics alone does not explain how an official will improve. The plan should show what progress looks like and how you will check it.

A Situation You May Recognize

An official attends training but receives no observation afterward. They cannot tell whether the lesson is working in games. A simple development plan would link the session to an assessment and a decision about the next assignment.

Referee development plan: Practical Steps

Choose a small number of observable skills. Identify the instructor or mentor, practice opportunity, evaluation date, and readiness criteria. Review progress with the official and update the plan when needs change.

Avoid This Common Trap

Do not guarantee advancement after a fixed number of games. Participation shows experience, but competence still requires assessment. Also, avoid a plan so detailed that nobody can maintain it.

Your Next Development Step

For one official, trace a goal from instruction to game observation and follow-up. If a link is missing, add it. Repeat the approach across the program using its approved assessment standards.

A Short Video Script for Eddie

Proposed spoken script for this lesson; the matching video has not yet been recorded.

Development needs a clear goal, useful instruction, and a follow-up. Decide what improvement looks like and watch for it in games. More assignments become more valuable when learning has a direction.

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.

The Hockey Resource™ · WE MAKE BETTER HOCKEY PEOPLE.™