Arbitrage
PRINCIPLESReferees are important for HC Rotterdam. Every match that is played deserves good arbitration, refereed by referees who act independently and have knowledge of the rules of the game. Everyone, from players to spectators, greatly appreciates when a match is refereed well. Because our club depends on volunteers, we expect our seniors, parents of youth players and players in the A and B youth to actively contribute by, among other things, refereeing hockey games.
What is arbitration? Arbitration is the supervision of a match in a sporty and impartial manner. In order to do this properly, clear and transparent agreements are first and foremost required between the referees and teams. The most important agreement is of course to follow the official rules, which can be found for each type of game on the KNHB website. This website also contains briefings and other tips that can help you with refereeing and making appointments prior to a hockey match. Do you still have questions about the rules or would you like tips on whistling? Please email [email protected].
HC Rotterdam offers youth training for everyone in our A and B youth and training for parents of youth members and seniors. In addition to theory, attention is paid to practice and new referees are supervised at least during the first match. In addition, the Arbitration Committee ensures that everyone who already has a card can keep their knowledge up to date with refresher courses and rules evenings, such as the KNHB Rules Café at the start of the season.
IN PRACTICE
Youth matches ABCD teams The rule at HC Rotterdam is that the home team provides one referee. Experience shows that each youth team requires approximately four, but preferably more, parents who are willing to referee their own matches. HC Rotterdam invites parents to get a referee card from the transition from the minis to the D-youth. This is not only to be able to referee your own matches, but also to increase the understanding of the game and the rules of the game, making matches run more smoothly. Parents and other interested parties who want to start whistling outside their own team innings are very welcome to register with the Arbitration Committee via [email protected].
The Arbitration Committee ([email protected]) appoints the second referee. To this end, we appeal to our A and B youth members and/or parents or volunteers who have indicated that they want to referee matches. Whistle turns are appointed per team and when only a few players within a team have a card, they are drafted more often and this is not experienced as pleasant and fair by everyone. It is therefore important that all players in an A and B team have a referee card.
Youth matches A1, B1 and C1 A large number of our selection teams play at national level and are refereed by federal referees appointed by the KNHB.
Youth competitions EF teams These competitions are refereed by "game leaders", these are arranged by the team leader and/or the coach himself, usually parents of Minis.
Sunday teamsFor Seniors and Veterans, the principle applies that the home team always takes turns refereeing one, and sometimes two, matches.
COURSE & EXAM
Mandatory referee course A and B youth All members of the A and B youth obtain their KNHB referee card in their first year in the B line. HC Rotterdam organizes an exam for this twice a year. Youth members from A and B youth who do not yet have a card will receive an invitation to take the exam at the beginning of the season. You prepare yourself for this with the KNHB online course (Drillster). The youth member receives the login details via email and then has access for a year to prepare for the exam at their own pace and at their own times. In addition, in preparation for the club, an explanation of the rules of the game is provided to the students. Not mandatory, but supportive. The entry requirement is that the student has completed at least 60% of Drillster as preparation.
The exam is taken in writing at the club. It is required that the student has completed 90% of Drillster on the day prior to the exam. We emphasize once again that the exam usually does not pose a problem for students who have completed Drillster 100% and have practiced the 3 test exams of the KNHB. For trial exams, visit: (https://www.knhb.nl/kenniscentrum/scheidsrechters/clubscheidsrechters#spraakxas-clubscheidsrechters)
After successfully completing the exam, the Arbitration Committee will request a referee card from the KNHB. As soon as the card has been received, the youth member will be notified when the card can be picked up. Collection is always possible on Saturday at the competition table. If a student unexpectedly does not show up for the exam or does not obtain the card, this is reason for a personal conversation with the arbitration committee and/or responsible board member and, if necessary, a associated measure. There are costs associated with the use of Drillster, organizing the exam under the supervision of a KNHB examiner, and the production of the referee cards. Some clubs charge these costs to the students. HC Rotterdam has chosen to bear these costs. It may be a consideration to charge the additional costs of a re-examination to the participant(s) in question.
Novice youth referees can indicate the wish to be guided during the first match. Afterwards, guidance is also possible upon request, for example if the youth member would like to know how you could further improve your arbitration skills.
Youth members as referee Every week on Monday evening, the referees are assigned for the following weekends and the youth member receives an email message that he or she has been appointed as a referee. Youth members always whistle together with a volunteer parent, who is provided by the playing team. Only in the event that a youth member is really prevented from refereeing his or her match, he or she must arrange for a replacement and inform the Arbitration Committee in a timely manner. If a youth member designated as referee does not show up and has not arranged a replacement he or she will then be reassigned as a referee on the next two Saturdays that his or her team plays at home. If he or she fails again in one of these "penalty turns", a tough turn at the club will follow, to be determined by the HC Rotterdam board. The team managers are also informed by e-mail when players from their own team have been drafted. to referee another youth match. The team managers are also requested to ensure that their players are indeed present on time for their whistle or have arranged for a replacement if necessary.
Volunteers/parents as referees Fortunately, there are many parents, senior members or other volunteers who make themselves available to referee youth matches on a regular basis. Because many of them have more experience and exude authority compared to the novice youth referee, they can also handle "heavier" matches or be assigned as a pair with a youth member who is whistling for the first time. Volunteer referees can indicate how often they want to blow the whistle and what type of matches ('before/after own child', etc.). These preferences are of course taken into account as much as possible when classifying. Our volunteer referees also receive timely notification of the classification by email. If they are unable to attend, they can cancel with the Arbitration Committee, in which case the committee will arrange for a replacement itself.
CS REFEREES Referees with more ambition have the option to apply for the CS card. This is an additional arbitration training course, consisting of a theoretical and a practical part, for which exams are also taken. In addition to knowledge of the rules of the game, a lot of attention is paid to reading a match, (non-)verbal communication with players, coaches and the public, tips and tricks from association arbitration, resilience and preparation and handling (of cards). During this training, the candidate will be -CS seniors supervised by experienced (federation) referees.
As a candidate, you will receive various assessments where you will receive feedback on areas for improvement immediately after the competition. Together with your supervisor, you will go through all the steps you can think of, go through game situations and learn by doing what is smart and what can be improved. To qualify for CS status, you must take an exam. You referee a competition of a decent level, with or without a fellow candidate. The CS referees receive a special CS referee card from the KNHB, a nationally recognized CS shirt, a Fox40 referee whistle and cards (red-yellow-green).
HC Rotterdam likes to deploy CS referees at top matches, such as high-level matches or matches on which a lot depends, such as important promotion/relegation matches, regional derbies, etc.
Refresher evenings At the start of the field and indoor season, the club organizes refresher evenings for all interested referees. During this evening: new rules are explained, other highlights are discussed and there is plenty of room for asking questions.
WHISTLING WITH EARBUDSProfessional referees have been whistling with earphones for years to enable quick consultations. Nowadays, club referees - experienced or new, young and old - can also whistle with this tool. By using earphones and the RefCom4All app you can help each other or even receive guidance. HC Rotterdam makes this app available to its club referees. More information at [email protected]
