Fisticuffs

AWARENESS

• Know the history and relationship between the two teams and individual players

• HUSTLE, HUSTLE, HUSTLE to prevent altercations• Be aware of situations that provoke altercations

– Running the goalkeeper, contact in front of the net (spear, butt-end, etc)

– Injured player that is the result of an infraction– Trash talking between players or from benches– Lopsided score– Restraining fouls (hooking, holding,

interference)• Communicate with your partners

Linesman Involvement

• Use force only when necessary• If uncertain whether player is penalized or not,

erron the side of caution ad bring to penalty bench

• Assist Referee with numbers and instigators and your version when asked

• Be aware of any players leaving the players bench during an altercation

• Once everything is resolved, get play going as soon as possible

Referee Involvement

• If the instigator rule applies, use it• Top priority is the non-fighting players and benches

– Take control of these areas – Be firm• Verbalize with partners and players to help separate

combatants and where to take them• Be aware of any players leaving the players bench or penalty

bench– Ask linesman and /or off ice officials for help in identifying

first player off the bench• Position yourself so you can monitor fight(s) and still control

benches• Only get involved physically when absolutely necessary

– Injury potential or injury situation– Can step in to avoid second or third altercations– Linesman delayed getting player to the penalty bench

• Be decisive and efficient when sorting out penalties

Altercation Situations

• All locations– Remove debris and non participants– Talk with partner (who has got who)– Enter together

• Open ice– Work from opposite sides of the altercation– Lead one arm on top, one arm under, squeeze together– Work way in between players, officials are back to back– Separate players, let go, but stay between– Use hands to chest to keep players apart, if necessary– Escort players to penalty bench or off the ice one at a

time

Altercation Situations

• Along the boards– Work from the same side of the altercation– Lead one arm top, one arm under, squeeze together– Work way in-between players, officials are back to back– Separate players, follow same procedures

• Players fall to the ice– One official lays on top of players using all their weight– Other official works way in between players facing the

player on the bottom• This is to protect the player on the bottom and to prevent the official

from being hit in the face– Once the official is in between players, official on top works

face to face with player on the top to move him off of the pile, maintaining balance and position

– DO NOT GRAB PLAYER FROM BEHIND!– Once players are separated, follow same procedures

Multiple Altercations

• Referee uses riot pad to record numbers and penalties

• Enter most sever alterations first• Break up altercations one at a time• Take players to penalty bench immediately• Close penalty bench door after each player• Hustle back to the next most serious altercation• Follow process until all altercations have ended• Remove players from ice one team at a time