HOCKEY OFFICIATING GUIDE
Referees, linesmen, signals, penalties, and how the game stays fair.
THE OFFICIATING CREW
An NHL game uses four officials: two referees and two linesmen. Lower levels may use fewer:
Referee (2 in NHL)
The primary rule enforcer. Calls penalties, awards goals, handles video review, and manages game flow. Wears the orange armband.
Linesman (2 in NHL)
Calls offside and icing, drops the puck for faceoffs, and breaks up minor scuffles. Does not call penalties in the NHL (other leagues vary).
Off-ice officials
Goal judges, video reviewers, timekeepers, and penalty box attendants. Critical to the game but rarely visible.
STANDARD SIGNALS
Officials use a standard set of hand signals to communicate calls. The most common:
Arms crossed above head
Goal scored. Used after the puck crosses the line and any video review confirms.
Arm straight out to the side
Offside. The linesman points to the offending zone with the free arm.
Arm raised with closed fist, then extended forward
Icing. The linesman raises the non-whistle arm to signal the impending icing, then extends it after the puck crosses the goal line.
Hand sweeping across the chest
Washing out a goal or canceling a play. Used when an infraction nullifies a goal.
Arms out to sides, palms down, pushing down
Delayed penalty. The penalized team retains possession until they touch the puck.
Hand chopping across forearm
Power-play goal. The referee signals that a team has scored while on a power play.
THE MOST COMMON PENALTIES
The standard penalty minutes (minor = 2 min, major = 5 min, misconduct = 10 min, match = ejection) are applied for these common infractions:
Tripping
Using the stick, skate, or body to knock an opponent off balance. Always a minor penalty. Includes slew-footing.
Hooking
Using the stick to impede the progress of an opponent. Always a minor. Includes stick-on-hands and stick-on-body.
Slashing
Swinging the stick at an opponent. Minor for a slash that does not draw blood; major if it draws blood.
High-sticking
Contacting an opponent above the shoulders with the stick. Minor or major depending on intent and injury.
Cross-checking
Using the shaft of the stick with both hands to check an opponent. Minor or major depending on force.
Interference
Impeding the progress of an opponent who does not have the puck. Minor penalty. Includes goalie interference.
Holding
Grabbing an opponent with the hands, stick, or body. Always a minor penalty.
Roughing
Physical contact away from the puck. Minor penalty. Often called for after-the-whistle shoving.
Boarding
Checking an opponent violently into the boards. Minor or major. Major when injury results.
Charging
Taking more than three strides before delivering a check. Minor or major.
THE POWER PLAY AND PENALTY KILL
When one team has more players on the ice due to a penalty, the situation has specific names:
- Power play: the team with the man advantage. Standard 5-on-4 with one skater in the box; 5-on-3 if two penalties are taken.
- Penalty kill: the team short-handed. Defending against the power play with one fewer skater.
- Delayed penalty: the offending team has not yet touched the puck; the referee signals with arms out. The non-penalized team retains possession.
- Coincidental penalties: matching minors on both teams; neither team goes on the power play. Sides play 4-on-4.
HOW TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL
Hockey needs officials at every level. The path:
- Complete the officiating certification course offered by your country or region (USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, IIHF, etc.)
- Start with youth or recreational games, where the pace is slower and the consequences of mistakes are smaller
- Build skills: positioning, angle of view, skating, and game management
- Move up to higher levels: travel hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, minor league professional, and ultimately the NHL
- Continue training and evaluation; even NHL officials attend annual development camps
Officiating is a great way to stay involved in hockey after playing days end. It pays (modestly at the youth level, very well at the NHL level) and the demand is high.