IIHF Officiating

2008-12 IIHF Officiating Committee Mandate

Responsible to oversee the complete Officiating Program of the IIHF
Responsible to use the information from the IIHF Development Audit to develop a strategy for the development of Officiating
Responsible to identify Officiating educational activities for use by the IIHF and member national associations
Responsible to develop strategies to improve consistency in Referee Supervision and Evaluation techniques within the IIHF and at the national association level.
Responsible to develop strategies to improve consistency in officiating throughout the IIHF family
Responsible to develop strategies to maintain and improve communication with National Association Referees-in-Chief
Responsible to create and maintain a library of Officiating educational resources and services to assist national associations with their Officiating Programs
Responsible to design strategies to provide services and resources for national associations for their use in recruiting, training, assigning, supervising and developing game officials
Responsible to maintain the contacts with the NHL Officiating Staff and to develop an exchange between the IIHF game officials and NHL Game officials.
Responsible to devise strategies to assist national associations in the recruitment and training of female game officials
Responsible to design strategies to increase the number of Game Officials capable of officiating IIHF Championship at the national association level
Responsible to design strategies to increase the availability of professional referees availability for assignment in the IIHF Championship Program support of in national professional leagues
Responsible to devise strategies to increase the number of IIHF licensed game officials, IIHF Referee Supervisors and their education

OFFICIAL'S PROCEDURE MANUAL

The International Ice Hockey Federation is pleased to introduce the updated version of the IIHF Officiating Procedures Manual (OPM) on June 15, 2009. This manual has been updated by the IIHF Officiating Committee in co-operation with the IIHF Office. In the new version you will find tips for game officials regarding different items of officiating. The updated OPM contains the materials and tips combined from different IIHF championships and events including the World Championships which have been collected by IIHF referee supervisors. Section “Positioning” contains the adjustments due to the rule changes which will come into effect from July 1, 2009.

The material will be interesting for game officials of different levels, national association referee-in-chiefs, national association instructors and all people who want to become a game official or who want to improve their skills.

The IIHF Officials Procedures Manual is available for all game officials to reference as a guide at games. Download the full version (PDF, 10.8 MB) or click on the sections below.

FOUR-MAN OFFICIATING PROCEDURES

After operating the Four-Man Officiating system at the Continental Cup, European Champions Cup and the World U20 Championship at the start of the 2008 season; and taking into consideration that some nations will begin to use this officiating system in the near future and at the 2008 World Championship, the IIHF has published a Procedures Manual for the Four-Man system. The manual contains some procedures and guidelines that were implemented in the above mentioned IIHF events. This material should be useful for officiating staff members in the various countries that are looking at implementing the Four-Man system and the Directors of Officiating of national leagues and also the IIHF Game Officials.

OPM - 4-Man Officiating System (updated 23rd June 2010)

VIDEO GOAL JUDGE SYSTEM

The use of the Video Replay of disputed goals is approved by the IIHF and is included in the Rule Book. All available television pictures must be provided and used by the Video Goal Judge for this system.

The following situations are the only situations that will be subject to Video Goal Judge review:

To determine if the puck has completely crossed the goal line.
To determine if the puck entered the net prior to or after the goal frame was dislodged.
To determine if the puck entered the net prior to or after expiration of time at the end of a period or the game.
To determine if the puck was directed into the net by a hand or kicked into the net by a skate.
To determine if a puck deflected into the net off of a game official.
To determine if the puck was struck with a high stick, above the height of the crossbar, by an attacking player, prior to the puck entering the net.
To establish the correct time on the official game clock at the point that the puck completely crossed the goal line, provided that the game time is available on the Video Goal Judge's monitor.

Enclosed are the operation procedures and the technical requirements of the IIHF Video Goal Judge System, which is used in various IIHF events and the Olympic Winter Games.

Video Goal Judge System - Operation Procedures
Video Goal Judge System - Technical Specifications
Video Goal Judge System - Graphic

GOALKEEPER EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENTS

The IIHF updated measurement standards for goalkeeper's equipment, which affect goalies primarily from the waist down. These equipment standards are written in the spirit of 'fair play' and are a supplement to the IIHF Rule Book.

If at any time the IIHF feels that this spirit is being abused, the offending equipment will be deemed ineligible for play until a hearing has ruled on its eligibility.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 29, 2011

IIHF Goalkeeper Equipment Measurement Procedure
IIHF Goalkeeper Measurement Standards

RULES BULLETIN

Since the 1999-2000 season, the IIHF has worked to improve the quality of the game and the safety of the players while ensuring that the contests are played within the rules governing the sport to promote the positive image of hockey, and to give the opportunity for players to use their skills for the benefit of fans to witness great performances on the ice.

Each year, the IIHF has prodeuced an IIHF Rules Emphasis Bulletin, highlighting the rules which we should focus on in order to acheive this goal. The bulletins are written for the benefit of our game officials, players and coaches participating in IIHF competitions.

2009-2010 Rule Emphasis Bulletin (updated 24th June 2009)
IIHF Officiating Standard (updated 23rd June 2010)

VIDEO: IIHF OFFICIATING STANDARD

Click here to watch the high-definition video in a new window.

GAME OFFICIAL'S HANDBOOK

The IIHF Game Officials Handbook was created to help game officials prepare to officiate at IIHF competitions.

A game official must be prepared mentally and physically for a demanding but enjoyable schedule of hockey games and activities. Officials should be in excellent physical condition and fully prepared to perform at the highest level.

Once a game official confirms his/her participation in an event, it is suggested that they contact their national association to discuss their particular assignment with the Referee-in-Chief, and that they visit the IIHF web site www.iihf.com to learn more about the specific competition.

Game Officials Handbook (updated 14th June 2011)

OFF-ICE OFFICIAL'S HANDBOOK

The IIHF Off-Ice Officials Handbook outlines the responsibilities of the Off-Ice Officials assigned by an IIHF Championship organizer to an IIHF Championship competition.

Regulations pertaining to organizing the technical components of an IIHF Championship can be found in the IIHF Championship Regulations and IIHF Sport Regulations. Regulations pertaining to international player transfers, discipline, health and first aid, medical doping control, and the actual playing rules, can be found in the respective rule and regulation documents of the IIHF.

Please contact the IIHF Office directly for clarification on any of information in this handbook, or for questions on topics not covered in this publication.

IIHF Off-Ice Officials Handbook (updated 14th June 2011)

2010-2014 IIHF CASE BOOK

The IIHF Case Book is a supplement to the IIHF Official Rule Book. It is comprised of rule interpretations and clarifications, Referee and Linesmen guidelines, techniques and instructions.

It also provides players, team officials, and the media with clarification of the playing rules.Situations often develop during the course of a game that require specific rulings or interpretations, and an attempt has been made to provide an explanation that is compatible with the spirit and intent of the rules of ice hockey, and the standard of sportsmanship that players, team officials and game officials must recognize and accept.

IIHF Case Book (updated 14th June 2011)

Public Announcer Script

The IIHF Public Announcer Script is a manual for the announcers at all IIHF events. Please click on the link below to download and print the manual.

IIHF Public Announcer Script (updated 2nd July 2010)

Assistance for national association instructors

In order to assist national association instructors in ice testing of their game officials, the IIHF Sport Department in co-operation with the IIHF Officiating Committee published documents concerning ice testing of the game officials.

IIHF Skating Skills Testing

Ice Test Results - Standards for time (men)

IIHF 4 Man System Test - Description

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