Working the lines How to do it right

Why do we “work the line”? To have the best view of the play To avoid being tangled up in the play To avoid penalizing a team if the puck strikes us.

How to Work the line When the play is incoming Get to the zone AHEAD of the play and skate backwards This position gives you the best view of the line, skates, and puck without bodies obstructing. Keep close to the boards so the referee doesn’t run you over!

When the play is approaching on your side: Front official: Get to your line ahead of the play. FACE THE PLAYERS! Don’t be afraid to go deeper into the zone if you are forced in! Its VERY important for the back official to get to the line in case the front official needs to be covered!

Intention of positioning: 1) Best view of the play across the ice2) Least chance of tangling up in the play 3) If the puck hits you, the attacking team is not penalized, and you are 100% sure the puck went into the zone

Once the play is in the zone: Front official: Back out of the zone and stand about 1 stride outside the line Back Official: Stay close to the line in case you need to cover!

While play is in zone: Front official stands about one stride outside the blue line Back official stands about 2-3 strides outside of lineIf the play is forcing the front official off the line, they should bump outThe back official should read the play and step up to cover the lineIMPORTANT: Now you have switched ends!

Intention of positioning 1) Best possible view of the line 2) If the puck hits you then you are 100% sure it left the zone and you don’t penalize the team trying to clear the zone.

Icing Procedure Puck is shot from behind the center red line Back official raises back arm (inside arm) and gives a shout to partner Front official skates up the ice into the forward zone after the puckBack official MUST advance with the play to cover the line in case icing is washed Front official sees that the puck crosses line, takes an extra look back at partner and blows whistle.

Once icing is called Front official makes sure all the players are under control then picks up the puck and delivers it to faceoff location Back official points to faceoff location, (the side the puck was SHOT from) and manages player traffic Back official lines up for faceoff

Important Points Back official MUST advance to cover front official’s blue line in case icing is washed. Players take priority over the puck. Make sure everyone is apart before retrieving the puck. Back official must manage players after an icing call to prevent any nonsense and to herd them into the faceoff location to speed up the game.